# Retail Design Standards

## Store Types and Sizes

### By Format
| Type | Size Range | Description |
|------|------------|-------------|
| Kiosk | 50-200 SF | Mall inline, temporary |
| Pop-up | 200-2,000 SF | Temporary/seasonal |
| Small shop | 500-2,500 SF | Boutique, specialty |
| In-line retail | 1,000-5,000 SF | Strip center, mall |
| Junior anchor | 5,000-15,000 SF | Large specialty |
| Anchor | 15,000-50,000 SF | Department store |
| Big box | 50,000-200,000 SF | Category killer |
| Supermarket | 40,000-65,000 SF | Grocery |
| Hypermarket | 150,000-250,000 SF | Superstore |

### By Category
| Category | Typical SF | SF/Customer |
|----------|------------|-------------|
| Apparel | 2,000-10,000 | 40-60 |
| Electronics | 3,000-20,000 | 50-100 |
| Restaurant (QSR) | 1,500-3,500 | 15-20 |
| Restaurant (casual) | 3,000-8,000 | 18-25 |
| Restaurant (fine) | 2,000-5,000 | 25-40 |
| Pharmacy | 10,000-15,000 | 30-50 |
| Bank branch | 2,500-5,000 | 25-40 |
| Fitness | 15,000-50,000 | 20-35 |

---

## Space Planning

### Retail Layout Types
| Layout | Description | Use |
|--------|-------------|-----|
| Grid | Parallel aisles | Grocery, convenience |
| Loop/racetrack | Forced path | Department stores |
| Free-form | Organic flow | Boutique, specialty |
| Spine | Central aisle | Strip stores |
| Mixed | Combination | Large format |

### Circulation
| Element | Minimum | Preferred |
|---------|---------|-----------|
| Main aisle | 5'-0" | 8'-10' |
| Secondary aisle | 4'-0" | 5'-6' |
| Between fixtures | 3'-6" | 4'-5' |
| Checkout queue | 4'-0" | 6'-0" |
| ADA path | 36" | 44" |

### Space Allocation
| Zone | % of Total |
|------|------------|
| Sales floor | 60-70% |
| Back of house | 15-25% |
| Checkout/service | 5-10% |
| Entry/vestibule | 2-5% |
| Fitting rooms | 3-5% (apparel) |

---

## Storefront Design

### Entry Types
| Type | Use |
|------|-----|
| Recessed entry | Weather protection, display |
| Flush entry | Minimal footprint |
| Angled entry | Draw customers in |
| Open front | Mall inline |
| Vestibule | Climate control |

### Storefront Heights
| Location | Height |
|----------|--------|
| Strip center | 12'-16' |
| Mall inline | 12'-14' |
| Anchor | 20'-30' |
| Street retail | 14'-18' |

### Glazing
| Element | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Display windows | 6'-0" to 8'-0" clear |
| Vision glass | 80%+ of storefront |
| Spandrel | Minimal or none |
| Door | Full glass typical |
| Sill height | 0"-18" for display |

---

## Fixtures and Displays

### Fixture Types
| Type | Use | Height |
|------|-----|--------|
| Wall unit | Perimeter | 7'-8' |
| Gondola | Center floor | 4'-6' |
| Four-way | Feature display | 4'-5' |
| Round rack | Apparel | 4'-5' |
| Display table | Accessories | 30"-36" |
| Showcase | High-value | 38"-42" |

### Fixture Spacing
| Configuration | Spacing |
|---------------|---------|
| Gondola end-to-end | 4'-0" aisle |
| Wall to gondola | 5'-0" aisle |
| Checkout lane | 3'-6" lane width |
| Service counter | 4'-0" clear |

### Display Zones
| Zone | Height | Items |
|------|--------|-------|
| Floor level | 0"-18" | Heavy items |
| Touch level | 18"-48" | Primary merchandise |
| Eye level | 48"-66" | Premium items |
| Reach level | 66"-84" | Stock, display |

---

## Checkout and Service

### Checkout Types
| Type | Space | Use |
|------|-------|-----|
| Traditional | 4'×6' per lane | Grocery, big box |
| Service counter | 20-30 LF | Specialty |
| Cash wrap | 6'×10' island | Apparel |
| Self-checkout | 3'×4' per unit | Supplement |

### Queue Management
| Volume | Queue Space |
|--------|-------------|
| Low | 40-60 SF |
| Medium | 80-120 SF |
| High | 150-250 SF |
| Peak seasonal | 2× normal |

---

## Back of House

### Components
| Space | Allocation |
|-------|------------|
| Receiving | 200-500 SF |
| Storage | 10-15% of store |
| Office | 100-200 SF |
| Break room | 100-200 SF |
| Restroom | 50-80 SF per |
| Electrical | 50-100 SF |

### Loading Dock
| Store Size | Requirement |
|------------|-------------|
| < 10,000 SF | Rear door, no dock |
| 10,000-30,000 SF | 1 dock position |
| 30,000-75,000 SF | 2-4 dock positions |
| 75,000+ SF | 4+ dock positions |

---

## Lighting

### Light Levels
| Area | Foot-candles |
|------|--------------|
| General sales | 50-75 FC |
| Feature display | 100-200 FC |
| Checkout | 75-100 FC |
| Fitting room | 75-100 FC |
| Storage | 20-30 FC |
| Entry | 100+ FC |

### Lighting Types
| Type | Use |
|------|-----|
| Track | Flexible accent |
| Recessed | General ambient |
| Pendant | Design feature |
| Display case | Product highlight |
| Under-cabinet | Counter lighting |
| Wall wash | Perimeter |

### Power Density
| Store Type | Watts/SF |
|------------|----------|
| General retail | 1.5-2.5 |
| Jewelry/electronics | 2.5-4.0 |
| Grocery | 1.5-2.0 |
| Restaurant | 1.5-2.5 |

---

## HVAC Considerations

### Cooling Loads
| Store Type | Tons/SF |
|------------|---------|
| General retail | 300-400 SF/ton |
| Restaurant | 150-250 SF/ton |
| Grocery | 200-300 SF/ton |
| Electronics | 250-350 SF/ton |

### Ventilation
| Area | CFM/SF |
|------|--------|
| Retail sales | 0.15-0.20 |
| Storage | 0.10 |
| Restaurant (dining) | 0.70 |
| Restaurant (kitchen) | Per hood |

### Special Requirements
| Use | Requirement |
|-----|-------------|
| Food prep | Makeup air |
| Display cases | Heat rejection |
| Fitting rooms | Exhaust |
| Bakery/deli | Hood systems |

---

## Food Service Retail

### Quick Service (QSR)
| Area | Size |
|------|------|
| Kitchen | 600-1,200 SF |
| Dining | 800-1,500 SF |
| Restrooms | 100-150 SF |
| Total typical | 1,500-3,000 SF |

### Casual Dining
| Area | SF/Seat |
|------|---------|
| Dining | 15-18 SF |
| Bar | 12-15 SF |
| Kitchen | 30% of FOH |
| Restrooms | 10% of FOH |

### Kitchen Requirements
| Feature | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Grease trap | By code |
| Hood exhaust | Type I for cooking |
| Makeup air | 80-90% of exhaust |
| Floor drain | In wet areas |
| 3-comp sink | By code |
| Handwash | Multiple locations |

---

## Accessibility

### Entry Requirements
| Feature | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Door width | 32" clear minimum |
| Threshold | 1/2" max |
| Door hardware | Lever or push/pull |
| Vestibule depth | 48" + door swing |
| Floor mats | Cannot impede |

### Interior Requirements
| Feature | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Aisle width | 36" minimum |
| Turning radius | 60" at ends |
| Counter height | 36" max (portion) |
| Reach | 15"-48" AFF |
| Fitting room | 1 accessible per 6 |

### Checkout
| Feature | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Counter section | 36" max height |
| Counter length | 36" minimum |
| Knee space | 27" high, 30" wide |
| Writing surface | Optional |

---

## Security

### Physical Security
| Feature | Use |
|---------|-----|
| Storefront roll-up | After-hours |
| Showcase locks | High-value |
| Anti-shoplifting | EAS, RFID |
| Mirrors | Sight lines |
| CCTV | Coverage |

### Electronic Article Surveillance
| System | Range | Use |
|--------|-------|-----|
| RF | 4'-8' | General merchandise |
| AM | 4'-6' | Apparel, soft goods |
| EM | 18"-24" | Books, media |
| RFID | Varies | Inventory + security |

### Safe Room/Cash Office
| Feature | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Location | Away from public view |
| Construction | Secure walls, door |
| CCTV | Monitor entry |
| Floor safe | Anchored |

---

## Code Considerations

### Occupancy Classification
| Use | Classification |
|-----|----------------|
| Retail sales | M (Mercantile) |
| Restaurant | A-2 (Assembly) |
| Small restaurant (< 50) | B (Business) |

### Occupant Load Factors
| Use | SF/Person |
|-----|-----------|
| Retail (standing) | 30 SF |
| Retail (merchandise) | 60 SF |
| Restaurant (dining) | 15 SF |
| Restaurant (standing) | 5 SF |

### Egress Requirements
| Size | Exits Required |
|------|----------------|
| < 50 occupants | 1 exit |
| 50-500 occupants | 2 exits |
| 501-1,000 occupants | 3 exits |
| > 1,000 occupants | 4 exits |

---

## Signage

### Exterior Signage
| Type | Use |
|------|-----|
| Fascia/wall sign | Primary identification |
| Monument | Shopping center |
| Pylon | Highway visibility |
| Window graphics | Promotions |
| Awning | Branding + shade |

### Interior Signage
| Type | Use |
|------|-----|
| Department | Navigation |
| Category | Merchandise location |
| Price/promotional | Marketing |
| Wayfinding | Restrooms, exit |
| Regulatory | ADA, occupancy |

### Sign Regulations
- Check local sign ordinances
- Often limited by SF or % of facade
- Illumination restrictions common
- Historic districts more restrictive
