Retail Planning & Best Practices

Showrooming: If You Can’t Beat It, Befriend It

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Showrooming: If You Can’t Beat It, Befriend It

Showrooming is a relatively new foe in town for brick-and-mortar retailers. It is eating away showroomingretail sales and business profits. If you are not familiar with the term yet, it is basically a practice wherein potential shoppers visit a brick-and-mortar store, examine a product and then use their mobile devices to see if a better price is offered at other stores or e-commerce sites. This practice is becoming common with time, which means it is here to stay for a while.

Let’s talk stats to see how showrooming is posing a threat to brick-and-mortar retailers:

  • A report from Teradata (a marketing software subsidiary Aprimo) and Forrester Research shows that more than half of consumers report finding lower prices over the web than in store. Thirty-three percent use this information to buy the product elsewhere.
  • A report published in Denver Post shows that retailers lose as much as $217 billion a year in missed sales from showrooming customers.

Counter Strategy That Backfired

To counter this practice, some retailers tried disabling Wi-Fi service in their stores to keep shoppers from browsing. This approach did not last for long and retailers had to discontinue it because turning off Wi-Fi did not stop consumers from browsing. Since most mobile users have data plans in their phones, they can surf the web regardless of their location.

Time to Convert the Threat into an Opportunity: Use Showrooming to Your Advantage

If you can’t beat them, join them. Likewise it’s time that you use showrooming to your advantage instead of looking at it as a threat. The truth of the matter is that it is not a fad and it will likely no be going away any time soon; quite the opposite, it is likely to become more popular with time. The point, then, is to acknowledge and accept this phenomenon and use it to your advantage to minimize negative impact.

Here are some of the best ways to leverage showrooming for your retail success:

  • Price Match: The most obvious way to give a good run to the competition is a price match. Last year, Target announced that they would start price matching online competitors, even the big ones, such as Amazon, Walmart, BestBuy and Toys R Us. BestBuy took this concept a step further by matching with a greater selection of online competitors and physical stores within a 25 mile radius. They claim that price matching worked to their advantage. You can try it, but it is important to understand that this might not work for every business and depends on where your price points are. In addition, it may only workable as a short-term strategy as it may override your overhead costs.
  • Invest in a Mobile-Optimized Site and Mobile Apps: Direct your customers to your own mobile site and app through in-store Wi-Fi where you can offer both product information and reviews. This will reduce the likelihood of a customer landing on a competitor’s e-commerce site. Also, make sure your site is optimized for all types of mobile platforms, including tablets, phablets, and smart phones.
  • Keep Your Website Up-to-Date: Make sure that your site prices match those offered in your store and are also competitive. You can also consider offering printable coupons and rebates that can be used in your store to encourage customers to buy from your retail store.
  • Deliver the Ultimate in-store Experience by Offering in-store Giveaways and Promotions: In-store promotions, exciting discounts for retail customers and special giveaways are enticing for shoppers. They would love to come to your store and find deals that allow them to save money.

Never Forget the First Rule of Customer Service

Offer the one thing that can’t be found on a mobile search: In-person customer service. Make sure your staff is well-trained to offer the best in-store experience possible. Remember, a pleasant shopping experience goes a long way, especially for those who love traditional shopping.

Optimize Sales With Attractive Storefront Display

Posted onAuthoralice@specialtystoreservices.com

ShopWindowAccording to the Wall Street Journal, last year consumers spent more than $3.1 trillion on retail purchases. Plus, 89% of sales in the clothing industry were made in stores compared to online. Where online shopping continues to grow, these stats show that, even today, the majority of retail spending still occurs in brick-and-mortar stores. This means in-store shopping is still very relevant.

Offline and online competition, however, is growing massively. This is exactly why it has become more important than ever for retailers to attract customers passing by their storefronts.

Importance of an Enticing Storefront Display

Your storefront display is the first physical encounter your business has with your potential buyers therefore it should be impactful, impressive and enticing.

Storefront display:

  • Is a valuable tool for marketing your business, because customers are able to see what you have to sell.
  • Improves business visibility.
  • Helps attract walk-in customers to the store and encourages them to purchase, thereby resulting in more sales.
  • More importantly, if your storefront display makes a great first impression on people, they are more likely to shop at your store instead of competing stores.

Clearly, storefront displays are definitely a tool that retailers looking to maximize in-store sales should consider.

How to Create an Impressive Storefront Display to Attract Walk-in Customers

Here are some proven tips to create an impressive storefront and become the go-to retailer:

  1. Signage: Do you have signage? Is it visible to both foot and vehicle traffic? Your retail signage must be visible with appropriately sized lettering that is large enough to be read from a distance. These types of outdoor signs for business make it easier for people driving and passing by to spot your store, helping your business stand out from others in the same line. Studies show that impressive signs attract half of a start-up business’s customers.
  2. Decorate Your Storefront with a Storyline or a Theme: Your storefront functions like a billboard, so make sure you use it wisely to advertise your business. Determine a central theme and a story line to optimize your storefront display. For example, if you sell clothes, you can choose a winter theme to showcase your winter collection. You can change the display theme according to the season and make it more appealing for customers.
  3. Avoid Clutter: A storefront display to attract customers doesn’t mean you clutter the area and display everything from the store. Only display the latest items or most popular products, rather than creating a cluttered mess of various displayed products. By showcasing the latest and popular products in-store, you can easily attract passing by potential customers. If you display everything, it will be confusing for the customers and some will pass by.
  4. Hire a Skillful Sales Person: You can also hire a skillful sales person who has excellent marketing skills to lure people inside the store. Make sure, however, s/he doesn’t sell too aggressively, as that can also turn potential customers away.

Trend Surfing: Merchandising and The Art of Trend

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Cart SurfingTrends, whether they are seasonal events, holidays or the latest video game craze, are a great way to feature and sell what is “hot” and “new”. In this post we are going to discuss ways in which you can use trends, both popular and not-so-popular, to your advantage.

This is the time of year when retailers around the country are gearing up for the back-to-school season and their preparations are evident in the changing displays around stores. From supermarkets to specialty stores, the focus is on back to school merchandise.  Stores across the country have stocked up and have showcased their back-to-school items on the end caps of aisles and other high-traffic areas of their stores. The moment a customer steps into the store, his or her eyes are greeted to the back-to-school merchandise. It’s a very basic “line of sight” tactic, but it works well every time. What should you display when there is no holiday or season to push? What products should be front and center?

You might already follow trends within your vertical, but have you thought about stepping further outside of the space to see what is trending in other areas? With so many forms of communication, trends catch on quickly and can spread like wildfire. The trick is to tie up-and-coming trends into your store. Great stock and neat display is not enough. Staying ahead of trends gives you a jump on your competition and improves your bottom line.

In this new era of retail wars, you need all the ammunition you can get to survive and thrive. You can no longer ignore the power (and threat) of online shopping, which continues to take more of the market share. Social networks are entwined in our daily lives, so much so that we don’t even have to switch on the television to get the latest news. If a customer “likes” your page, what other types of products do they “like?” To which groups do they belong? Who do they follow? Social networks allow you to easily mine information regarding what your customers are into. You can use this information to build a better customer profile and merchandise accordingly. Whether it is a new movie, TV mini-series, the newest video game, sporting event, a viral video, or even a grumpy cat, anything can set a new trend. Customers will go to the store expecting to see the latest and you have to fulfill their expectations. If a customer walks into your store and sees a display or merchandise relating to a particular trend, they will be more inclined to buy, as they already have a relationship with that product. Your merchandising, display skills and knowledge of what is trending will fire their impulses to buy.

The 3 Core Principles of Trending
Now that we have talked a little about the importance of trending, let’s take a look at some actionable ways to do so.

Variation: Seasons and events play a big role in attracting sales, but you need healthy sales throughout the year. Instead of waiting for the next festive season, take the reins now. Keep up with the times and latest trends; use these to change and upgrade your merchandise, displaying them artfully for your buyers. Variation of merchandise outside of well-known seasons gives you an advantage over your competition.

Engagement: You also have to keep in mind the diverse demographics that define the customers of today. Age, sex, race, personalities, choices, regions; there are all kinds of idiosyncrasies that make up a customer base. By interacting with customers of social media, you can build a better relation with and understanding of your customers. Trending allows retailers to keep up with the changing dynamics of what their customers want.

Innovation: Using new technologies and platforms let you experiment with different ways to market your business. You have to innovate. Just because it worked for someone else, does not mean it will work for you. Try new things: tap social media; have contests; follow the competition; discover what your customers are into and use all of this to your advantage.

Trending and its influence on modern merchandising is has certainly been accelerated by this era of communication and technology. The good news is that this very technology also provides ample information for retailers to use, as well. Emerging technologies; the latest mobile and hand held devices; faster and constant Internet connectivity; and social networks have all converged to create the perfect platform for trending. If you can harness these to hone your merchandising skills, then empowering your business will be easier and the future more effective.

Need some help harnessing the power of trends for your store? Specialty Store Services can help! Our retail experts can help you choose the right display solutions for your store that can help you capitalize on the latest trend. Call 800.999.0771 or visit our website for more information.

 

4 Easy Tips For Merchandising Impulse Buys

Posted onAuthorericw@specialtystoreservices.com

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????An Impulse Buy is defined as a spur of the moment, unplanned decision to buy, just before making a purchase. Essentially, it’s a purchase a customer makes without putting prior thought or consideration into it. Retailers should look at this area with the opposite approach. It’s often overlooked, but with the right merchandising, can bring in major sales. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

Store Flow Sets the Tone

When merchandising your store, finding the right flow is crucial. While maximizing your space is essential for smaller stores, you don’t want it to appear cluttered or messy. To avoid congestion, place larger, higher priced items away from heavily trafficked walkways. Customers will spend a longer time examining bigger ticket purchases, so keeping these items out of the main walkway gives them the space they need to weigh their decision.

Alternatively, lower priced items can be more densely merchandised and perform best nearer to the cash register.  Give your customers something to consider as they wait in line because 27% of shoppers will make an additional purchase at the cash register (Neiberg, 2013).

The Little Purchases Add Up

The reason items merchandised near the cash register do so well is because the customer has already made up their mind that they are going to be spending their money – so what’s a few dollars more? POP (point of purchase) sales can add $5 to $10 to each sale, which quickly creates a big profit. POP displays take up 1% of total retail space, but account for 7% of annual sales (Neiberg, 2013).  As a retailer, you can’t afford to not be using the space around the register.

If you aren’t currently utilizing this space, it’s time to start buying inventory specifically for your point of purchase area! Think of small add on items that compliment your best selling merchandise or fun trinkets that will appeal to your customer base.

heres-where-we-startedThe Right Display Will Help You Sell

Store displays speak volumes – sometimes more than your staff even can! 1/3rd of customers shopping say they don’t want to talk to store employees (Reyle, 2014). That’s a huge chunk of business; so instead of loosing these customers, let your store displays communicate for you. Try incorporating signage into your displays. Many fixtures today include sign holders, so adding a sign couldn’t be easier.  Find a clever way to speak appal to your customer’s impulsive side, and you’ll also find yourself bringing in sales.

Take a look at your current store layout and see where you could add POP displays.  Of course you can use countertop displays next to the register, but don’t forget about impulse bins, floor spinners, or even gondolas if your store has the space. (Think of the way a retailer like Target does this by their checkout area). Wooden bins or baskets are kid friendly and encourage easy browsing.  Remember, you’re trying to attract the customers who are waiting in line, as well as the ones who are the register. Displays by the register do have the advantage that your store’s employees can talk up the items and share brand knowledge. Near the register is a great place to display items that are special or unique to your store.

Not All Impulse Buys Are Add On Purchases

We’ve spoken a lot about the best placement for impulse buys being near the checkout area, however, don’t limit yourself to just that. Every retailer has experienced this scenario: a customer walks into your store and you great them with a friendly, “Hi! Is there anything I can help you find today?” only to hear the customer respond with, “No, I’m just browsing.” This type of customer may not have entered your store with the intention to purchase, but that doesn’t mean they won’t leave without buying a little something. However, the “just browsing” customer will not likely linger near the cash register.

For this reason, we suggest merchandising your impulse buys in more than just one location.  Spreading your inventory throughout the store increases the chances that a customer will spy something they like and make a purchase – even a customers who came into your store just to look around. Small purchases also appeal to the tourist customer; often they want to buy something, even if it’s just something little, to bring home as a memento of their trip.  Items such as key chains, magnets, and personalized jewelry appeal to this shopper.

Looking to add maximize your sales by capturing the impulse shopper? Specialty Store Services can help! Our retail experts will guide you through choosing the right display solutions for your store. Call 800.999.0771 or visit our website for more information.

 

Reyhle, Nicole. “Maximizing Store Experiences & Sales Through Merchandising & Displays.” Retail Minded. May 2014. Lecture.­­

Nieburg, Oliver. “Impulse Buy: Unrealized Potential.” ConfectioneryNews.com. William Reed Business Media, 13 Nov. 2013. Web. 04 June 2014.

Tips for Creating Successful Window and Focal Displays

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woman-clothes-shopping-vertEffective store fixtures are the backbone of a retailer’s business. It’s easy to fall into the trap of taking your displays, shelves, and mannequins for granted. However, without these fixtures, your stores’ sales would be in trouble. They are doing more than keeping your merchandise off the floor—the right fixture, used in the most effective way, can make the difference between meeting your sales goals and missing them.

Ways to Use Fixtures Effectively  

Use your fixtures to create eye-catching displays in store windows and at the front of your stores. These displays are important to initially grabbing shoppers’ attention. These are called “focal fixtures.” Often the customer experience begins the minute a shopper sees one of your stores—even before he or she walks in. Do not be afraid to use creative and innovative tactics when displaying your merchandise. A great way to find new ideas and spark creativity is by browsing through magazines, photography blogs, or Pinterest.

Creating captivating window and focal fixture displays is an important part of successful store merchandising. Window displays help get shoppers into the store, enticing them with color, imagery and sometimes fantasy, to appeal to their inspirational selves. Once the shopper is in the store the focal fixture displays, especially expertly merchandised mannequins, engage the shopper and pulling them deeper into the store, continuing the emotional dialogue with the shopper, and getting them into the mindset to make a purchase.

 Tips for Successful Window and Focal Displays

One of the first steps to developing a window or front display is to know your customer base. Are your customer targets young, trendy people in their twenties? Are they middle-aged moms with kids? Or are they retired but still active couples? Once you have determined what type of customers you are targeting, tailor your fixtures and displays in a way that maximizes their interests and experiences.

Sean Reed, the CEO of Fashion Media, urges retailers to not underestimate the power of a window display. “Window displays are important in retail stores throughout the world extending from high streets to the mall environment. They are the shop front to consumers and influence the consumer’s decision on whether to enter the store or not,” he says.

Another point to keep in mind is never obscuring a shopper’s view. Arrange products and fixtures in a way so they can still see to back of your stores. This helps entice them to walk through the entire store. Using the appropriate signage will also help shoppers find what they need and want. Use easy-to-follow signs to guide shoppers throughout your stores and help them discover something new for themselves.

Store fixtures are not just metal or wood, they are the screens onto which dreams are projected by the merchant and from which they are acquired by the shopper. Interested in learning how well made and cost effective displays can boost your sales? The retail experts at Specialty Store Services can help. Call us today at 800.999.0771 or click here to visit our website for more information.

Getting it Right: Quality Control & the Overseas Supplier

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getting it rightWhen you work with a fixture company that has overseas partners it very important to make sure ahead of time that they have a stringent quality control process in place both overseas and in the USA. Starting with the prototype and ending with the delivery of the final product, each stage has its own issues  that need to be checked to maintain a maximum level of quality.

Documented Overseas Q/C Process. To make sure that you are receiving the best quality product, there needs to be a secure and documented inspection process at every project stage. First, the prototype must be designed and approved to specification and then production can begin. During production through completion, it is important that the supplier have overseas employees to inspect at every production stage up to the final product on site to make sure it meets all the buyer’s specifications. They also keep the project moving to ensure the buyer’s deadlines will be met.

Onsite Factory Inspections. The supplier needs to have a rigorous process for testing quality, finish and packing before the finished fixture leaves its offshore destination. A good supplier will not ship a product that does not pass inspections and will have employees onsite to make sure this happens. The lead time for the overseas manufacturing process is generally about 8-10 weeks so it is important to get the inspections done right so the fixtures and ship on schedule.

Rigorous Stateside Pre-delivery Inspection. Once the product has been shipped, it generally takes about 3 weeks to reach its stateside destination. When the final product arrives at the supplier’s facility, should undergoe another rigorous inspection to make sure there are no missing parts or defects. Since a poorly made product that is not created to the correct specifications will waste the buyer’s valuable time and money, the supplier should have a detailed and comprehensive inspection process for each product before delivery.

Ultimately your job depends on the speed and the quality that your chosen partner can deliver, so it is key that you do your homework ahead of time and know who you are working with. Ask your fixture vendor if they have overseas staff for both engineering and inspection and if they do you will be able to rest easy in the knowledge that your project will arrive stateside on-time and looking great.

Interested in learning more? The retail experts at Specialty Store Services can help. Call us today at 800.999.0771 or click here to visit our website for more information.

Choosing the Right Fixture for Your Stores: Three Important Fixture Considerations

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decisionChoosing the right fixtures for your store and merchandise is not as easy as it may seem. There are many factors that have an impact on what fixture is chosen; from what is going to be displayed on the fixture to how fast the delivery needs to be. Making the wrong choice can cost money and time so take the time to review the following points before you jump.

1. Product and store appropriate

To get the most of your store fixtures, you need to choose ones that best suit your products and stores. There are many factors to consider, such as your products’ pricing, store space, target customer base, and more. If you are selling a high-end product like jewelry, choosing a sophisticated looking display that matches the quality of your merchandise is important. A cheap-looking display may become a turn-off to your target customer base. Also, be sure to choose a fixture that displays your product to its full advantage. Folding a sweater up will not showcase the style and details; while you may need to fold and store the majority of sweaters on shelves, displaying the sweater on a

mannequin will allow the sweater to shine—and encourage shoppers to imagine themselves wearing the sweater. The quality and appearance of your fixtures should always meet or exceed your customers’ expectations.

 2. Longevity and ease of upkeep

Since buying fixtures can be a large investment, another factor to keep in mind is how long they will last. A sturdy, well-built shelf will stand the test of time better than a less expensive but lower-quality shelf. The idea of longevity should also tie-in with the nature of your products. Are you constantly getting newer and trendier products in

that need different displays each time? If so, a wider variety and amount of fixtures may be an acceptable trade-off for higher-quality.

Also, consider how much work it will take to maintain a fixture. If you have staff already working at capacity, they may not have time to take care of a maintenance intensive fixture. Different materials like chrome and other metals, plastic, and wood require varying amounts of upkeep time; wood fixtures may need dusting quite regularly, but chrome may need constant polishing to remove fingerprints and other smudges. Another factor to take into account is where you will be placing the fixture. If it will sit in a high-traffic area, will it stand up to the wear and tear of the crowds?

 3. Price and delivery

The fixture decision includes choosing stock or custom designs. There are advantages and disadvantages to both options; the key is being aware of them and making informed decisions.

Stock fixtures are less expensive and can typically be delivered faster. However, a stock fixture may not have the appearance or characteristics needed to help your merchandise sell. Custom-designed fixtures will be developed and produced with your exact needs in mind. They may cost more initially, but can deliver more return on your investment in the long-run. When deciding on the price and design of your fixture, also consider the cost and speed of delivery. High-quality and reasonable pricing are important qualities for a fixture, but you also want to make sure you get the product when you need it—not 15 weeks after you order it and 4 weeks past your deadline. Choose a vendor that truly meets the promise of fast and affordable delivery.

Interested in learning more about how to choose the perfect fixture? The retail experts at Specialty Store Services can help. Call us today at 800.999.0771 or click here to visit our website for more information.

There is No Such Thing as Being Too Prepared: Tips on how your business can survive the impending holiday season

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It’s not uncommon to spot Halloween and fall                                                  black-friday-crowd                                         merchandise on the sales floor by September 1st. For most store owners, managers and employees, this incites a sense of pressure and anxiety for the upcoming holiday season. There are simple steps and action plans you and your team can take to ensure you are prepared for the chaos that’s to come.

Here are four important tips to help you plan a stress-free and successful holiday season:

 1.     Train Staff. Your employees are the backbone of the operation, so take the time to make sure your team is knowledgeable and trained for holiday traffic.

  •  Is your staff trained for potential shoplifters? The month of December can be a costly month for a lot of retailers. Prepare your staff in advance on what to expect and how to handle a shoplifting situation.
  •  Schedule regular meetings to stay connected to what’s going on in all areas of the store. What needs improvement or more support? Communication can prevent inventory disasters, unhappy customers and store fixtures that need fixing.
  • “Happy wife, happy life”- the saying goes for store associates as well.  You can’t achieve results without your staff being at its best. Develop staff incentives to encourage motivation. Friends and family are heading out of town for the holidays, taking the spirit out of the holidays for many of your employees. Give your staff an extra reason to work their hardest to offer customers the best possible experience.
  • Plan for employee time off before the holiday season. This is smart for two reasons: 1) making sure you’re staffed appropriately for the entire season with enough team members to cover expected high traffic weeks 2) ensuring there won’t be any surprises for you or your employees. You’re able to plan ahead and they can plan ahead for time off with family and friends.

2.     Review history. The best way to improve is to learn from past mistakes. Look at past sales records, staff schedules and promotional calendars. What worked last year? What didn’t? Plan ahead and safeguard against past complications. Although the holiday season is hectic, try to note happenings as they come or after the holidays for you or other associates to reference the following year.

 3.     Inventory. You can’t run a store without merchandise. Was there enough last year? Was there inventory on the floor at all times? Have the right inventory available by developing a replenishing function as part of the staff routine, which holds a specific individual accountable to ensure the sales floor is stocked at all times.

 4.    Maintenance. Even in a busy environment, it’s critical your team maintains the clean look of the store. An article from DMS Retail has a great checklist for keeping your store clean: Be sure all light fixtures are working, exit signs are lit, fitting rooms are tidy, fire extinguishers have been checked, your flooring and carpets have no turned up edges that can trip people, your POS and printers are working properly, your doors or door grills are in good repair, ceiling ducts are clean and dust free, fitting rooms are clean and welcoming, shelves are firmly in place to avoid accidents, no chipped glass anywhere, no rough edges on sign holders, the back room is well organized, the plumbing (if any) and any illuminated store signage is working properly. Be prepared so store upkeep is not taking away from sales.

These tips are designed to help streamline your holiday selling season to make it as successful as possible. Plan ahead in all aspects of your business to reduce anxiety before the holidays come; they’ll be here before you can say, “Deck the halls with boughs of holly.”

Not prepared or don’t know where to start? The retail experts at Specialty Store Services can help. Call us today at 800.999.0771 or click here to visit our website for more information.

Top Retail News for This Month

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imagesAs you prepare your stores for the holiday season, don’t forget to stay up-to-date on retail news and trends. The weeks will get busier and busier, so you want to make sure you’re well-informed and discovering new ways to display and sell your merchandise. To make your life a little bit easier and help spark some creative ideas, here’s some top retail news from this month:

Visual Merchandising

Retail Trends

I’ll leave you with a great quote to end the week:

“If eyes are the windows to the soul, then shop windows are just as revealing. They reveal the soul of the shop.” –Debra Templar, retail business coach

Need a little more inspiration? Our team of talented and creative project managers and customer service representatives can help with anything from store planning to fixture design. Call today at 800-999-0771 or visit our website: www.specialtystoreservices.com.

Smart Retail Choices: 4 Considerations When Building a Store Fixture Budget

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The decision to buy retail store fixtures is a fairly easy one—you’re going to need to buy fixtures at some time or another to keep your store going. The hard part is deciding how much to spend and what to buy. Fixtures are the backbone of your business, and you definitely want to get the highest ROI from them as possible.

As you build your fixture budget for the holiday season and upcoming new year, there are some important factors to consider:
1.      Current Store Sales
What do store sales look like right now? If sales are flat, it’s probably time to look into a store makeover. Adding some more polish and excitement with custom fixtures may be just what your store needs to attract more customers. You definitely don’t want to break the bank buying new retail fixtures, but it’s important to have good-quality fixtures that reflect your store’s branding and accentuate your merchandise.

If you have multiple stores that are suffering from low sales, try testing new fixtures in one of them. Do a complete transformation of your store’s look, and keep a close eye on how sales perform and customers react. After the test period, your findings should help you decide how much to invest in store fixtures for your entire chain of stores.

2.      Design Options
Having a small budget doesn’t mean you can’t invest in high-quality retail store fixtures. It just means you have to be smart about what design you choose. Find or create a versatile fixture design that can be easily adapted to your floor space and work for multiple products. This approach gives you a double-win—you end up with fixtures that create a cohesive look throughout your store, and look great when it comes time to roll out new merchandise.

A large budget is easier to work with, but you still need to be smart. Versatile displays and fixtures are good choices, but also consider developing a custom-made display for a special piece of merchandise. A display or fixture made specifically for one product can really help that product stand out and appeal to customers. 

3.      Type of Material
Different materials come with different price tags. If you like the look of a certain material, like wood, and are working with a small budget, ask your fixture supplier if they have less expensive options that have a similar look as wood. Metal is always a good choice—it adapts well to other fixtures, is durable, and is less expensive than many other materials. With a larger budget, choosing a material like wood may be a special touch that your store needs to stand out. Choose a material that supports your store’s brand and creates a store atmosphere that appeals to your customer base.
4.      Level of Maintenance
How much work do you want to put in to keep your store fixtures looking clean and presentable? Probably not very much since the store employees are already busy helping customers and putting out merchandise. When you start planning out your fixture budget, make sure you’re looking at store fixtures and displays that are easy to maintain. A fixture that requires daily polishing, cleaning, and dusting might not be the best choice for a busy staff—especially during the holidays. Talk to your fixture supplier and get their thoughts on what materials and designs tend to be the easiest to take care of.  

 

Find out how Specialty Store Services can help answer your store fixture budget questions. Call us today at 1-800-999-0771 or visit our website for more information and a FREE store fixture consultation.