Read the ultimate guide to display and storage solutions for new retailers. Part 1: Shop furniture, fixtures and fittings. In this part 1 of the ‘What You Need To Set Up Shop’ guide, we take you through the considerations for shop furniture, fixtures and fittings. These are the larger elements that will create the structure of your store. The guide takes you through the considerations for furniture such as shop counters and shop gondolas, fittings such as slatwall and shelving, and also includes some helpful visual merchandising tips and tricks. Look out for part 2: Shop Equipment and part 3: Retail Accessories in the coming weeks.

1. What you need to
set up shop
PART 1: FURNITURE, FIXTURES AND FITTINGS
The ultimate guide to display
and storage solutions for new
retailers.

2. Contents
About Shopfitting Warehouse........................Page 2
Page 2
Getting Started With Your New Shop............
Choosing Your Furniture................................ Page 3
Counters and Glass Display Cabinets............
Page 3
Shelving Units................................................ Page 4
Chrome Shelving............................................Page 4/5
Page 5
Wall Fix and Cube..........................................
Page 6
Saving Space With Fixtures............................
Page 6
Slatwall...........................................................
Gridwall..........................................................Page 7
Cable Displays............................................... Page 7
Page 8
Selecting The Right Fittings...........................
Page 9
Visual Merchandising Tips And Tricks............
Final Thoughts............................................... Page 10
Page 11
Connect With Us............................................
References & Resources.................................Page 11
shopfittingwarehouse.co.uk | Page 1

3. About Shopfitting Warehouse
With over 130 years of experience, Shopfitting Warehouse by Drakes Display,
provide all the equipment needed to set up your own shop – from shop fittings
and display units, right through to compulsory retail accessories such as coat
hangers and signage.
Supplying to the UK and EU, they make the purchasing and delivery process
simple, so that you can focus on making your business the best it can be.
You can find Shopfitting Warehouse online at www.shopfittingwarehouse.co.uk or
call the team based in Dorset, UK on 0800 834 782.
Getting Started With Your New Shop
Whether this is your first shop or not, the empty shell can seem incredibly daunting
– particularly if you have your merchandise lined up ready to be displayed without
the means to do it.
Store design is an art, but at its very core you must have your customers in mind.
Brands that actively engage with shoppers tend to turn them into buyers (*1), and
your displays are a great place to start.
You need to start thinking about the best ways in which to show off your products,
and how to create an atmosphere for your shoppers which makes it easy for them
to browse through your items.
This User Guide will explore the larger pieces of furniture, as well as the fixtures and
fittings you will need in order for your shop to begin to take shape. The guide will
also offer some tips on effective visual merchandising.
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4. Choosing Your Furniture
Shop furniture will range from counters through to shelving units and
gondolas. Depending on what you sell, you will want to consider the
benefits of each different type of furniture in order to assess whether it is
suitable.
If you sell a lot of precious items, such as jewellery, you need to focus on a
more secure counter or unit. In contrast, if you sell shoes or other clothing that
your customers may wish to try on, it is recommended to opt for shelving or
gondola units.
Furnishings don’t stop at the sales floor. You will also need to think about what
is needed for behind the scenes, such as stockroom shelving and packing
benches. Let’s take a look at all of the options in more detail.
Counters and Glass Display Cabinets
The till point is a crucial area for your store. When considering the purchase of a
counter, you will need to think about its function. Is it just a space for your cash
register to sit? Or maybe you want to use it as an additional form of merchandising
by creating POS (point of sale) displays?
Made with toughened glass and high quality MDF, glass top counters are great for
displaying items, as well as keeping valuables stored safely and securely.
By using glass top counters, you can also capitalise on merchandising around the
till space, encouraging further spend. Alternatively, you can opt for a glass-free
counter of various sizes and styles to suit your store.
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5. There are also add-ons such as corner counters and dedicated till stands to choose
from to build the ideal sales point area. Accurately measure the space your shop
counters will take up to ensure enough space is available for customer queues and
for staff to easily move behind the counter.
Many retail accessories can be stored within
the counter for easy access, whether it is
further stock, such as jewellery and other
valuable items, or tags and price stickers.
Allow enough space to organise these neatly
to avoid loss or damage.
Beyond the shop counter, there is the option
of having display cabinets around your store
for expensive or delicate merchandise. These
are best wall mounted, or placed on top of
units so that they are at eye-level for
browsers.
Shelving Units
Shop Counter,
Glass Top, Storage
There are plenty of available options when it comes to choosing shop floor and
stock room shelving for your products. When setting up, decide if it is important to
you that your shelving is flexible in order to adjust to stock levels, as well as making
the most of available space.
Out front, you need your shelves to show off your products in a way that makes it
easy for your customers to see and reach them, whilst out back you want to be able
to keep stock organised and well supported. You don’t want shelves that are too
weak to support the amount of stock you intend to store.
Here are the options for the types of shelving available and their benefits.
Chrome Wire
Chrome wire shelving is a great choice if you need a versatile display or storage
solution. Chrome shelving can be adapted to changing stock and display as well as
where it is placed.
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6. Chrome shelving units are very easy to assemble and
disassemble. Shelf heights can be adjusted, additional
shelves can be purchased as well as clothes rail
accessories and castor wheels for when mobility of your
shelving unit is required.
Chrome wire shelving is surprisingly light yet has very
strong shelves. Heavy duty chrome shelving can cope
with loads up to 250kgs UDL (uniformly distributed
load).
The chrome wire has additional benefits such as
enabling items to be hung from the wire and being less
likely to catch dust. It is also easily cleaned making it
very popular where hygiene is important.
6 Tier Chrome
Shelving Unit
Wall Fix and Cube
Wall fix shelving is commonly used in a home
environment, but there’s no reason why you can’t
utilise these in your shop to create a homely
atmosphere and to show off promotional products.
Floating shelves are easy to attach and have hidden
brackets for a clean and modern look. Remember
with these shelves to distribute weight evenly and
keep them at a sensible height to avoid injury.
The Cube Display System comes from Germany, and
offers a great solution for display or storage. The
cubes can be combined in different ways to create
almost endless shape and size possibilities. This is
ideal for difficult spaces or for creating interesting
displays. Each shelf can hold up to 15kgs, and works
as a freestanding unit either against a wall or in the
middle of the shop floor.
If a contemporary, spacious looking store is what you
are after, both of these options are a great choice.
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7. Stockroom and Industrial
This style of shelving is incredibly beneficial for stockroom
storage as the units are made up of galvanised steel and can
take weights of up to 200kgs.
What’s more, it provides the perfect solution if you are
storing products in cold or outdoor environments, such as
garden centres.
No nuts or bolts are needed to build these units, and the
centre beams keep them sturdy and upright with no need for
wall fixings.
Saving Space With Fixtures
Fixtures refer to equipment and furniture which is fixed permanently into
position. Even though you might be tempted to stick to moveable items in
order to make it easy to change the layout of your store when needed,
fixtures are excellent space saving solutions and provide plenty of
opportunities to customise your store through the variety of accessories
available.
By including fixtures as well as furniture, you avoid the risk of your shop
looking messy and jumbled. Once again, you have a few options of fixtures to
choose from.
Slatwall
Slatwall is commonly used in retail due to its
extensive customisable options, which include
the panel shapes, colours and
accessories.
The accessories include arms for displaying
clothes, as well as hooks for smaller items and
baskets for articles that cannot be hung up.
Use Slatwall around the walls and till spaces to
save space for larger display units in the centre.
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8. Gridwall
Gridwall panels are made from thick steel wire making
them a popular display choice for a wide range of items
using accessories such as hooks, baskets, shelves and
display arms.
These panels can be attached to the wall to save space
whilst displaying a large number of products. Alternatively,
you can purchase wheels or legs to attach to them.
Use gridwall if you have plenty of stock and limited space
to display it. Freestanding Gridwall with L-legs or T-legs is
also a great solution for trade shows and events as it is
easily dismantled and transported.
Gridwall Mesh Heavy Duty Stand
with 2 Sloping Wire Shelves and
Side Hanging Rail
Cable Displays
Most commonly used at estate agencies
for window displays, cable displays allow
you to clearly showcase information about
your current promotions.
They are also great for displaying any
posters or prints that you sell, with the
acrylic keeping the inserts safe and
protected from damage.
Wall Mounted Cable
Display Set - A4 Portrait
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9. Selecting The Right Fittings
Fittings include the display arms, prongs, hooks, baskets, brackets/shelves
and other accessories required to piece together and customise your shop
furniture and fixtures.
Before purchasing any fittings, make sure that you are aware of the
measurements required, and that you are opting for high quality pieces made
of steel and chrome for long lasting strength.
The types of products you wish to display will determine the types of fittings
you need. Larger items that cannot be hung up will require shelves or baskets,
clothing items are normally displayed using sloping or straight arms, and
smaller items can use hooks.
Also check your product packaging for what can be displayed on hooks. If your
product packaging uses the Euro-hook slot then you can use Euro Hooks. If
your packaging has no slot, you can purchase plastic slot tabs that stick to your
packaging.
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10. Visual Merchandising Tips And Tricks
Now you know about the furniture, fixtures and fittings that make up your
store, it’s time to carefully plan how they are going to be positioned and
used to maximise the space as well as encourage sales. Here are a few tips
and tricks to help you along the way.
Draw the layout first, marking where the furniture and fixtures will go to ensure
there will be no obstructions and that there is a natural flow of movement for
your customers as they browse.
It all starts from the shop window – you need to get this right to entice people
into your store. Focus on creating a simplistic display which clearly reflects your
brand and produce, and don’t fall into the trap of letting the display get too
busy and jumbled.
Keep your shelves well stocked – not only do low stock levels make your shop
look empty, but also shoppers are not always likely to ask if a product is
available if it’s not out on display.
Be creative – create a story and vary your displays where appropriate. Research
from Brandon Gaille shows that 46% of shoppers are more likely to buy from
retailers that personalise the shopping experience (*2). This includes the
customer service experience, but also the atmosphere created by visual displays.
If you only have a small retail space, check that you are not creating multiple
aisles that are difficult to navigate. Utilise the walls and till point areas instead to
make room for your browsing customers.
Use colours to create different moods and reflect seasons. Bright colours attract
attention, but use them in moderation and avoid them if you are looking to
create a more relaxed vibe in your store.
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11. Shoppers may feel embarrassed to ask the cost of something, so price your
items and signpost any sale or promotional items clearly.
Carefully consider the lighting. Whilst you do not want the light to be glaring,
you will need to have it at a level where your products can be seen clearly. Try
and utilise natural daylight as much as possible instead of relying on lamps and
bulbs.
Assess your product placement. Place the merchandise that you are looking to
push at eye level and grab your customers’ attention with signage or decoration.
Don’t forget to plan your next seasonal display – if you do not prepare for
changes, they don’t often get made. If you stick to the same display across
seasons, the layout of your store can become stale.
Final Thoughts
This guide has highlighted the larger, necessary items that you will need
to set up your shop. There are several decisions to be made about what
equipment is right for you, so make sure you carefully consider your
options before purchase.
shopfittingwarehouse.co.uk | Page 10

12. Connect With Us
If you want to keep up-to-date with Shopfitting Warehouse, why not follow us on
our social media accounts?
Facebook
facebook.com/ShopfittingWarehouse
Twitter
twitter.com/ShopfittingWhs
Pinterest
pinterest.com/ShopfittingWhs
You can also read our blog for further tips on setting up your shop.
References & Resources
1. Turning Shoppers Into Buyers
http://www.wpp.com/~/media/sharedwpp/marketing%20insights/
reports%20and%20studies/turning_shoppers_into_buyers.pdf
2. 19 Retail In Store Signage Statistics And Techniques
http://brandongaille.com/19-retail-store-signage-statistics-and-techniques/
shopfittingwarehouse.co.uk | Page 11