For many Americans, vibes are an important part of the overall experience when visiting any kind of establishment, including stores. A new survey, conducted by interior landscaper Ambius, found that 81 percent of Americans either somewhat or strongly agree that they would be less likely to return to a place after picking up bad vibes. This includes workspaces, retail shops, restaurants, businesses and leisure spaces.
“Businesses can no longer meet customers’ needs with a ‘business as usual’ approach,” said Ambius President Lorri MacHarg. “Even a few minor updates can enhance a space’s vibe and improve the overall customer experience.”
Features such as decorative plants (33 percent) and wooden elements (32 percent) give off the best vibes for commercial spaces, respondents said.
The survey of 3000 adults, split evenly by gender, sought to determine what might impact different demographics’ interactions with commercial spaces, with vibes becoming a reoccurring theme. While more Generation Z (48 percent) and millennials (47 percent) are more likely to use the word “vibe” to describe how a place feels over Generation X (30 percent) and baby boomers (22 percent), a majority of survey respondents (83 percent) agreed that vibes are either moderately to very important to the overall enjoyment of a place.
Survey respondents also agree that a good vibe can be just as impactful as a bad vibe. Similar to the feelings of bad vibes, 82 percent of Americans said they either somewhat or strongly agree that they would be more likely to return to a place after picking up good vibes. Additionally, 67 percent of survey respondents need 20 minutes or less to establish the overall vibe of a place.
“First impressions are essential when it comes to creating a memorable customer experience,” said MacHarg. “When businesses choose to invest in interior and exterior enhancements they’re doing more than improving the overall vibe of their space, they’re also showing a commitment to their customers and will likely see a positive return on those investments.”
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Click here for more about the Ambius survey.
Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success
After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone.
Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently.
The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.
