When opening or revamping a successful retail store, one of the biggest challenges is finding flooring that can meet your needs. Retail spaces need floors that look good, match brand standards, stand up to high foot traffic, frequent cleaning, and the occasional spill. On top of that, budget is always a concern. Whether you're opening a new store or updating an existing one, finding the right flooring is a challenge that takes the right know-how to meet.

At CustomCrete, we’ve been helping businesses like yours find the perfect flooring solutions for over 20 years. One of the most common questions we hear is, "What’s the best flooring for my retail store?" While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, we’ve identified three great flooring coatings that can work for a range of store types. These options fall into three categories...Good, Better, and Best. So you can find the right balance of performance and price for your specific needs.

By the end of this article you will learn…

Acrylic Sealed Flooring: a Good Option for Retail Floors

Epoxy Flooring Coatings: a Better Option for Retail Floors

Polished Concrete Flooring: a Best Option for Retail Floors

Finding the Right Floor for Your Retail Store

Acrylic Sealed Flooring: a Good Option for Retail Floors

Acrylic Sealed flooring is one of the more affordable options for retail stores. They are easy to apply, dry quickly, and can add a glossy, professional looking finish to your floors. Acrylic is often used for less demanding environments where heavy foot traffic isn’t a concern, and the goal is more about visual appeal than long-term durability.

Pros of Acrylic Flooring:

Affordability: Acrylic flooring coatings are very budget-friendly. They are a great choice for small retail stores and boutiques. They are also good for any business that wants a quick, budget friendly flooring upgrade.

Cons of Acrylic Flooring:

Less Durable: Acrylic floors can handle light to moderate foot traffic, but they don’t have the strength to withstand heavy wear and tear. They can scratch or scuff easily and may not last as long as other options.

Maintenance: Acrylic coatings need regular maintenance to keep their glossy appearance intact. Over several years and with heavy use, they can fade or show wear.

Small retail stores, showrooms, or pop-up shops where the aesthetic is a priority and foot traffic is moderate. If you need a space to look a certain way, and longevity is not a concern in your situation, then Acrylic flooring may be the best option for you.

Epoxy Flooring Coatings: a Better Option for Retail Floors

Epoxy flooring is a much stronger option for retail stores than acrylic coatings. Epoxy creates a durable, long-lasting surface that’s perfect for high-traffic zones. Epoxy can withstand heavy foot traffic, spills, and other impacts, making it ideal for larger retail stores or high-traffic outlets.

Pros of Epoxy Flooring:

Durability: Epoxy floors are very strong and resistant to cracking, chipping, and abrasion. They hold up well under high foot traffic and can last for many years with minimal wear.

Low Maintenance: Once installed, epoxy floors are easy to maintain. A regular sweep and mop are usually all that’s needed to keep them looking good.

Stain Resistance: Epoxy flooring is resistant to spills, making it ideal for retail spaces that may deal with occasional product spills or cleaning solutions.

Aesthetic Flexibility: Epoxy comes in a wide range of colors and finishes.

Cons of Epoxy Flooring:

Potential for Yellowing: Epoxy products are prone to yellow over time when exposed to UV light (ultraviolet light) like the sunlight that might come from entryways or windows. This can be prevented with specialized topcoats

Cost: Epoxy flooring is the most expensive of the three options covered in this article.

Epoxy flooring is ideal for mid-to-large retail stores, or stores with high foot traffic. It also provides a wide array of color and finish options, making it ideal for stores that need to meet specific brand standards.

Polished Concrete Flooring: the Best Option for Retail Floors

Polished concrete is the crème de la crème of retail flooring options. It offers a high degree of strength, durability, and style, making it the perfect flooring solution for many businesses. When polished, concrete transforms into a sleek, shiny surface that is both functional and visually impressive. Polished concrete can handle extreme foot traffic, heavy equipment like forklifts, and is easy to maintain.

Pros of Polished Concrete Flooring:

Durability: Polished concrete is very strong and resistant to damage. It’s perfect for high-traffic retail environments and can withstand heavy foot traffic without showing signs of wear.

Low Maintenance: Polished concrete requires minimal maintenance. It resists stains, dirt, and dust, and regular sweeping or mopping is enough to keep it looking pristine.

Aesthetically Pleasing: With its sleek, modern look, polished concrete adds a touch of sophistication to any retail space. It can be customized with various finishes, colors, or decorative inlays, so you can make it work with any store theme.

Cost-Effective Over Time: While the initial installation cost may be higher than acrylic or epoxy, polished concrete is more affordable in the long run. Its durability means you won’t need to replace it anytime soon, and its low maintenance costs make it a budget-friendly option over the years.

Eco-Friendly: Polished concrete utilizes the existing concrete slab, meaning it doesn't require additional materials. Plus, it can be done using low-impact methods.

Cons of Polished Concrete Flooring:

Existing slab Condition: polished concrete is limited by the condition of the slab you already have present. Cracks, ghosting, and other blemishes that already exist will be visible.

Stains: Certain spills and chemicals will seep into the porous surface if not cleaned up quickly.

Polished Concrete is best for large retail spaces, department stores, high-end boutiques, or businesses that want a modern, durable floor that can withstand heavy foot traffic while offering an upscale look. It is cost effective and overall our pick for best flooring option for retail flooring.

Finding the Right Floor for Your Retail Store

Whether you're aiming for a budget-friendly solution or investing in a long-lasting, high-performance floor, the right coating can make all the difference in your retail space. Acrylic floors are a solid choice for smaller shops or stores with lower foot traffic, while epoxy coatings are a better fit for high-traffic areas. However, if you're looking for the ultimate combination of strength, style, and cost-effectiveness, polished concrete is the best flooring option for most retail environments.

Now that you know a good, better, and best flooring option for retail flooring spaces, you're ready to explore pricing for the option that best suits your specific needs.