Critical importance of choosing the Right Display stands
Thursday, 21, Apr 2011 05:16
Whether you are refitting your entire store, planning to replace a display stand or add a new product to your shop floor, there are a number of things you will need to take into consideration to ensure you select the most appropriate display stands to meet your and your customers needs.
The size of your retail space, the products you stock and the appearance of your shop are some of the most pressing.
Picking the right display stands to fit in your store
Arguably one of the most important things to work out at the beginning of the buying process is what size and how many display stands - you need.
If you are starting from scratch, you should make sure that you take accurate measurements of the dimensions of your store and from there work out how to optimise your floor space without compromising on the display of your products.
Don't forget to think about your space in three dimensions - for example, if you have high ceilings in your shop you may benefit from some shelving that uses this free space along the walls.
Once you have some shop fittings in mind, it could be sensible to mark out the areas where these will stand in your store and check that there is enough space between them for customers to move around comfortably. And remember, not all customers are the same size!
Taking such steps before you make a purchase could save you valuable time and money in the long run as a poor first shopping experience could put customers off to never return.
Of course, you may just be seeking one or two display stands to add to those already being used in your store. But the points above on working out your dimensions, stand positioning & customer movement are just as relevant.
Choose the right shop fittings for your products
This may sound obvious, but thinking about the items you sell is an integral part of selecting the right display stands for your store.
In some cases, this could be straightforward - for example a fashion retailer is likely to want clothes rails and racks to showcase outfits to their best effect - however, it never hurts to think carefully on this point.
And there is such a vast array of different shop fittings available, you are likely to find that you have more choice than you first imagined.
In terms of clothes rails, would you prefer wall-mounted or freestanding racks? Should these be straight and run parallel to the walls or would you rather have rails that stick out from the walls? How high do you need them to be to ensure that the bottoms of dresses, for example, are not trailing and crumpled on the floor?
All these questions will need to be answered before you make your final decision about which display stands to buy.
If you sell goods that are delicate or of higher value then you will probably want to consider display cabinets. Whilst this may seem a straight forward purchase, picking the right cabinet can really add value to your products and help them sell.
When it comes to cabinets, there is a whole host of options for you to choose from.
One popular choice is glass display cabinets, as these provide maximum visibility for the products inside, while offering a degree of protection and security.
They range from tall corner units, to counter stands and smaller counter-top plinths, so consider the layout and size of your store plus check that the items you sell will not only fit comfortably inside, but look appealing to customers.
Jewellers often find glass display cabinets are an excellent choice due to the protection they afford the products inside without restricting the customer's view of the items.
Tie the store together with your display stands
The appearance and style of the display stands should also be a consideration. If you are refitting an entire store, you should ensure that the fixtures and fittings you choose match and work well together in the space that you have available.
Meanwhile, if you are adding to your display with a new cabinet or stand, you should ensure that it is in keeping with the rest of the fixtures in your shop to create a cohesive display.
For example, if all of your existing cabinets have wooden frames, it is advisable to stick with this theme rather than opting for a metal finish, which could look out of place and actually put customers off rather than help sell products.
You also need to think about how the display stands will look with your products inside or on them. This may involve choosing cabinets that enable you to highlight particular items through the use of display cabinets with built-in lights, or using levels of shelving to make one product stand out above the rest.
With so many possibilities available, it is vital that you take the time to plan your shop display and research all the options on the market before purchasing new display stands.