Fitting out a new shop is quite a challenge for anyone opening a small retail business. Unless you are lucky enough to have bought or rented a space with shopfittings already in place, you are going to have to start from scratch. 

Before you buy any fixtures or merchandising displays, you will want to pick an overall decorating theme. For example, electronics stores usually go with a modern look with chrome while a ladies high end boutique will typically have softer, more feminine design.

Next, think about how you will sell your goods. Different types of sales techniques require different types of displays. If you sell inexpensive merchandise, you will want long clothing racks or gridwall to have large quantities of merchandise on the shop floor so patrons can find what they are looking for without any assistance. A higher end store might want to display only one designer dress on a mannequin or an electronics store may highlight only a few items in a freestanding locking case and salespersons will assist each customer. 

Check with your wholesalers and distributors first; many offer free racks or point of purchase displays. You may be able to get free acrylic slatwall fittings for shoes or free spinners for greeting cards when making your initial purchases.  

Next, go shopping at shops similar to the type you are opening for ideas. Go online and see what is available in your budget and start designing. It helps if you lay out masking tape where each cabinet or rack will go, making sure you leave wide aisles. A woman with a large handbag and a child in tow should be able to walk about in your store easily without accidentally knocking items off shelves. 

Finally, when planning your budget for fittings and fixtures, don't forget about all the accessories and extras you will need. Depending on the type of merchandise you plan to sell, you will need size cubes for hangers, a variety of bags, signs, shopping baskets and more. These small items can quickly add up to a major expense. 

Give yourself at least a month to get it all sorted before opening your doors. If you consider your own experiences as a customer and arrange your shopfittings accordingly your business accordingly, you will make it easier and more pleasant for patrons to browse in your store, you will find customers visit more often and stay longer during each visit. 

Author Bio:

This guest blog was written by the team at Apex Display, who have the largest range of shopfittings in Brisbane. If you are just starting out and need shopfitting systems installed get in touch with Apex.