Using Store Display Fixtures to Promote your Business

To get people to come to your store, one needs creativity. There are so many things to consider. When setting up your store display fixtures, think about the flow of your displays and how you can include some areas that will bring you free advertising direct from your customers.

• Set up a customer sign-in area where they can leave their name, address, phone number, and email in a binder for future contact. This will show you where your customers are coming from and potentially what zip codes to do mass mailings to.
• Add free WiFi to your store to get the customer to give you their email address. Customers like to compare prices on their cell phones, so by letting them do that freely in your store, you are getting an opportunity to gain their email address for future store events or emails about store specials and sales. You might also be able to gain information about what people are looking at the most in your store.
• Do a give-a-way once a week. Something small works to keep your customers coming in every week to see what new things you have or to remind them of what they didn't get the week before. Just another way to get the customer's information for the future. Set up a display showing the give-a-way item and a ballot box with entry forms and pencils.
• If you have extra space in your store, set up an area for a selfie station to post to social media sites. Make sure the backdrop includes your store information. Have the customers post it including a hashtag that is relevant to your store. It's free advertising!
• Make a U-shaped area from display cases where you can put a sitting area inside with a sofa and chairs. This allows a space for spouses to rest while the customer is shopping. They are more likely to stay longer if their spouse is comfortable. The spouse may also find something in one of the display cases while they are sitting there.
• For those shopping online, include an affiliate program on your website. This will drive customers to your site from other businesses. By having that link on their site, you may find that they become a repeat customer by keeping your information in front of them all the time. Out of site, out of mind.
• You could even have a computer area set up where customers could sign up for an online account right in your store. Set your computer up so that it won't go to any site but yours.

There are tons of ideas out there that are out-of-the-box. These days, you have to fight for the number one spot in your business field. Keep a creative mind and don't be afraid to change it up. Your customers will love you for it.

Store Display: Influence through Design

Black Aluminum Trim Display case

You’re finally ready to set up the perfect retail space representing the heart and soul of your business. Whether starting with a fresh new showroom or revitalizing your current layout, designing the look of your store is an essential phase that will dictate the energy you convey. Finding the right display fixtures to fit comfortably within the space is a crucial step. Equally important is choosing dynamic ways to highlight your star products.

Visualize your Floor Plan

Decide how you wish to divide the space based on accessibility to your items and the overall mood you’re trying to achieve. Physically walk through the space as the customer would, plan where racks should be placed for eye-level visibility and direct access. It’s important to make your store instantly welcoming and easy to navigate, this can be achieved by strategic placement of display stands, shelving, wall displays and islands. The possibilities are endless, don’t be afraid to create various configurations before deciding what feels right.

Rich Wood, Sweet Acrylic or Cool Glass

Think of the aesthetic you’re going for with the design of your store. Compliment the merchandise through your choice of display cases without overpowering it. For smaller stores consider acrylic or glass displays to keep the room spacious, allowing focus on the items without competition from solid cases. Lighter options are best suited for fine jewelry or small intricate objects. Glowing wood shelving and display racks can add much needed warmth and weight to a space, working beautifully in larger rooms or to accentuate natural products.

There are limitless design options to attain the ultimate layout for your store.

More Layouts for your Store Fixtures

One of the single most important objectives to opening your new retail store is how to layout your store display fixtures. How you lay out your displays can directly result in more or fewer sales.
Choosing your floor plan is your first consideration. We have discussed some before but there are several ways to design your floor plan, consider these;

• Straight Floor Plan -- An economical and efficient option, fixtures and displays will be at right angles leaving more space for selling your items. This plan also leaves your floor plan open to using a versatile selection of fixtures and displays.
• Angular Floor Plan -- Higher end stores use this method. There is actually less space available for products using the curves of this plan. It does, however, provide a sophisticated feel for the customer.
• Mixed Floor Plan -- A functional option using circular, diagonal, straight, and angular fixtures. If you want versatility, you may find this plan pleasing.
• Diagonal Floor Plan -- This plan is found most often in self-service stores.
• Geometric Floor Plan -- Apparel and clothing stores use this plan most often.

Another consideration is your aisles.  Size and placement of aisles are a necessary thought. A common width for aisles is 4 feet. This gives customers room to wander and view products without running into other customers or displays.

Where will you put your products and displays? Make sure your displays can carry the weight of the merchandise it will hold. The display should emphasize your product and highlight your brand. Incorporate some end caps or outposts to encourage impulse buying.

Your register should never go in the front of the store. Registers are a natural stopping point for customers and you want to keep the flow of shoppers near the front of the store. In the rear or left of the store is a great place for registers or check-outs. Always consider the register being in a place that can view the entire store easily.

Finally, visit stores where you enjoy shopping. Write down the pros and cons of those stores and use those notes to perfect your own store layout.

4 Steps to Planning Your Store Layout

New Store Direction

If you are starting a retail business, you have probably spent many hours creating a business plan. There are many factors to consider when starting a business. Do not overlook one the most important--creating a strategic layout for your store.

Store layout and design is critical to the success of your store. In a recent study co-written by professors from the University of Illinois and State University of New York, Albany, research proves that store layout is particularly important for brick-and-mortar retailers looking to compete with online shopping. Customers want to see and touch your merchandise so they can make the decision to buy. How can you design a store that helps your customers do this?

1. Start with a blueprint or drawing.
Experts suggest obtaining a blueprint of your store. If you do not have one, you can draw your store's layout, including all measurements. Note the locations of exits, doors, windows, and built-in fixtures.

2. Decide on a layout type.
There are several types of classic retail layouts, the most common of which is the straight floor plan. Most experts suggest this plan for small businesses, mainly because it most efficiently uses floor space. It also works with many types of businesses, from jewelry and clothing to hardware. Other types of layouts include angle and free form.

3. Think about store fixtures.
Store fixtures are the backbone of your store; they literally hold up your inventory. Put some thought into the kinds of fixtures your store will need. There is much more to store fixtures than just shelving. Depending on the types of products you plan to sell, you may need clothing racks, display cases, mannequins, or wall installations.

4. Draw the store fixtures into your blueprint.
Using the measurements of the store fixtures you have chosen, draw them into your store's layout. Remember that aisles must be at least three feet wide, per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Also take into account the location of your cash wrap. Create a decompression zone of at least a few feet at the entrance of your store. This is an area where customers can begin to feel comfortable without having products directly in front of them.


Following these four steps will give you a rough outline of your store layout. If you put as much thought into designing your store as you do on your business plan, your store will be a place that customers enjoy visiting.

Starting the Right Way with Store Display Fixtures

You've got the great new store and it looks like your space of 2,500 feet is going to be enough to carry all of your products. Now you have to figure out how you are going to showcase all the right items and get your traffic in the right direction.

The products you choose to display your goods is instrumental in the success of your sales. Product that is crowded, too high, too low or placed in dark areas prevents customers from viewing and appreciating the products they are in front of. If they get frustrated at trying to get to your product, they'll walk away.

Choosing the right shelves or displays for your unique items will enhance your visibility and entice your customers to see more. Take the round display fixture with 4 shelves. Fill this display with product samples or sale items and place it where customers can walk around. Not working in that spot? It's on wheels so you can try it somewhere else; maybe by the register. Check out our website to view this versatile round display fixture, currently on sale.

Lighted, glass displays can highlight your product and keep it safe from accident or theft and display the unique personality of your business. Showcase the items that can only be found in your business.

There is no end to the possibilities of design. Advice from a professional can help you see the possibilities as well as the pitfalls of overdoing or under-doing the schematics for a flowing traffic business.

ND Store Fixtures has the equipment and the experience to help you find the best design for your unique store. 

Eye-catching Display placement: Display case layouts to get ready for

Eye-catching Display placement: Display case layouts to get ready for

As you want to give optimal exposure to the great new products or the steady stand by products that your loyal customers have relied on. Maybe this time you want to try something a little different, keeping in mind that you want to get maximum boost per square foot.

The next dynamic to keep in mind is customer traffic. Will you customer easily see your product from all relevant angles? Can they “try it on” literally or figuratively in order to consider buying it.
And finally, is your display case or cases included in your traffic in a safe and theft-resistant area?

Consider these three display case arrangements when preparing for next year's sales.

Front door display:
As customers come in, displays can be set in the front to “wow” upon entrance. Seeing a beautiful, neat display of your best products or sales products should encourage the consumer to come in and see more of what you have to offer, based on your front displays.
This could also be a welcoming display, with history or information on your business. Display cases do not always have to hold items for sale. They can also be a great conversation starter or used to pique interest in the commercial enterprise itself. A mix of showcases and mannequins can be a welcome entrance. Tall display cases can be set against the wall or eye level shorter cases can set near the entrance without preventing a full, safe view from register to door.

Middle counter/register display:
Display cases around the register can not only spark conversation between cashier and customer, but adds an element of security and handiness when a customer wishes to see an item of interest. These can be higher dollar items or sales items, or a mix of both. Lighting around registers also helps to enhance displays. Acrylic displays can set atop display cases

Back of store:
One advantage to back-of-store display cases is that it brings the customer past the main inventory of the store. They can shop to and from. This is also a more secure area, of course, being that it is in the back and cashiers are closer. If using a back wall drop, you can expand your display or make it more elaborate; maybe even include open items or mannequins. Tall showcases can be filled with arrangements of the latest elements. A frameless tower display can highlight exclusive items on the way back.

As with any location, lighting is important. You want your special items to be noticed, not overwhelmed or shadowed. It needs to be in traffic's view without interrupting the flow.
Display cases and racks vary and can be used separately or together to create bold, dynamic or simple stated elegance. Either way, it is used to enhance the best features of the establishment.
Call us today to discuss how we can help enhance your business with our wide selection of display structures.

3 Display Case Layouts to Get Your Showroom Ready for Success in the New Year

3 Display Case Layouts to Get Your Showroom Ready for Success in the New Year

2017 is right around the corner and the new year is the perfect time to re-invent your showroom and make a resolution for success. Display cases can be instrumental in helping you to achieve your goals in the year ahead. The following 3 display case layouts will maximize your 1500-3000 square foot showroom space and appeal to potential customers.

1. Geometric Layout:
For a trendy, modern showroom layout, strategically arrange display cases in a geometric design. Geometric placement of display cases allow customers and retailers to move easily around the showroom floor and offers the appearance of a large inventory in a deliberate design that is conducive to customer flow around the floor. Customers will be able to spot varying display case content from each point, inviting them to explore all of the merchandise and creating anticipation of what all there is to see. Display cases that are placed in even proximity of one another serve as convenient counters for retail staff to remove merchandise to show the customer throughout the store.

2. Angular Layout:
Placing display cases at an angle from walls and one another gives your showroom a sophisticated look that is elegant and ideal for high-end retailers. An angular layout of lighted display cases has even greater appeal to showroom visitors, adding to a retail experience that feels exclusive and privileged. Customers will appreciate the angular layout's sleek design that gives showroom walls and floors a curved appearance. The cases' lighting will illuminate the details of merchandise and demand individual attention for every set of contents.

3. Circular Layout:
A circular layout that steers customers to their right follows their natural direction, studies show. Begin their journey with an eye-catching display for a first impression that draws them in. Avoid adding height to the initial displays, which can restrict views of other inventory around the room, and may keep them from venturing further if they do not find what they are looking for at first. Use the middle of the circle to highlight a specialty item or as a centerpiece that displays a complimentary combination of merchandise.

Start the new year off right by designing a showroom that is success-ready, with your own unique layout of display cases that show off your very best side.