Put your retail shop fittings to work

Effective retail shop fittings are the ones you don't even notice. They work behind the scenes to make your products the centre of attention, without causing inconvenience or distraction.

For this reason, says Stan Been from retail shop-fitting specialists Australian Slatwall Industries, it pays to stay abreast of the latest technology and trends.

"The latest shop-fitting products are designed to be hidden from sight, while giving you the greatest flexibility to display merchandise depending on your needs," says Stan.

Shop-fitting system costs

The cost of retail shop-fitting systems can vary widely, depending on your store size, products, target market, and whether you require a full or partial fitout.

According to Stan, a fitout in a shopping centre will cost a lot more than one in an independent shopping strip. "In a major shopping centre you need to adhere to a certain standard," he explains.

"But, in a little strip shopping centre, a shop may be fitted much cheaper. You can keep some of the existing fittings, and mix and match. That might cost only $5000-10,000 all up."

Store layout tips

If you have a bit of extra cash to splash, Stan recommends having a professional retail store designer come up with the best plan to maximise sales. But if you want to go it alone, then here are some basic tips to get you started:

• Get your signage right: Make sure your signage is eye catching and easy to read from a distance, and update your window display often - this is especially important if you have regular customers.

• Know your customers: Women generally like to browse and explore, while men like to quickly identify what they want, grab it and make a swift purchase. Keep this in mind when designing your shop floor.

• Consider the 'transition zone': The transition zone is the first couple of metres inside your door, where customers adjust to the lighting, music and layout of your shop. To encourage customers to pause at this point, and to gently entice them further inside, consider placing a bargain or special-offer table within this zone. 

• Minimise clutter: Resist the temptation to cram as much stock as possible onto your shop floor. Clutter, like jammed clothing racks, makes searching difficult and creates a confusing, unpleasant shopping experience.

• Encourage impulse purchases: The shopping experience doesn't end at the counter. A glass display cabinet in your counter filled with handy accessories and convenience products is a great way to encourage last-minute impulse buys.

Do your products justice

It's not enough to rely on the quality of merchandise to make a sale; your product displays are just as important, with many customers basing purchasing decisions on emotion and first impressions.

So consult a retail shop fitting specialist today to make your products work harder for you.