• Retail ‘right-sizing’ and why it’s becoming a common trend
• Micro-Retail and Micro-Fulfillment Centers (MFC’s)
• Core States Group provides prototype development and maintenance, new ground up buildings, and remodels and refreshes

The retail brick-and-mortar store isn’t going away, it’s just adapting to a new era of consumer shopping habits. With an increase in e-commerce, shifts in the economy, and new customer expectations, optimization is key. In some cases, retailers must choose to ‘right-size’ their physical space by reducing their storefronts entirely while others are focused on reducing their front of house footprint only. By adopting micro-retail strategies and creating micro-fulfillment centers, retailers are finding more flexibility to experiment with their brand and in turn, enhance the customer experience.

Micro-retail locations focus on offering customers a more personalized level of attention with showrooms or experience centers. More focused, creative displays enhance the built environment

and ensure the brand’s vision is realized. A curated selection can also help control inventory and security. This is all great news for brands who want to experiment with a new direction or even try out a new market and for customers looking for a more personalized experience.

By reducing the front of house footprint, the remaining square footage can serve as micro-fulfillment centers for online or mobile shopping and as a location for returns. By having inventory locally available, customers can promptly receive or pickup their purchase which has come to be expected. In fact, one of our clients, a large-scale electronic store, has installed lockers on the exterior face of the building for customers to pick up their orders, making the purchasing process even more efficient. With localized fulfillment centers, retailers can focus more attention to superior customer service and unique experiences.

Core States Group has the expertise and manpower to implement these new right-sizing retail strategies. We provide prototype development and maintenance, new ground-up buildings, and remodels and refreshes for some of the world’s leading retail, big box, grocery, convenience, and warehouse brands.