Clients wearing masks and looking around for the hand sanitizer station may not be in the mood to hang out in any retail environment for hours on end this year. But comfortable seating goes a long way toward encouraging shoppers to relax, at least long enough to consider their purchase. And a seating area can help set a brand’s tone, especially if it complements the overall interior design. If you’re redesigning or rearranging your retail space this year, recognize that seating areas should offer plenty of room to spread out, ideally with a large coffee table between chairs or couches, which can create a natural obstacle to ensure a measure of social distance and breathing room between client and associate.