Running a retail store requires a lot of attention to detail. In comparison to bigger questions about what types of goods to sell and where to source them, or how to craft advertising campaigns that get more people in the door, fixture management may not seem like a huge deal. However, this minor detail can significantly improve business efficiency. Read on to find some tips for fixture storage and management that will make it easy to get on the right track.
1. Choose the Right Fixtures
One of the first decisions business owners will need to make regarding fixture storage and management is what type of shelving to use. The most popular shelving type for retail store floors is gondola shelving. This versatile shelving type offers an affordable and customizable way to display a wide range of products in different retail environments, but it’s not the only type of fixture stores need.
For the back room, gondola shelving would be impractical. Lozier shelving is a much more effective solution since it provides more vertical space for storing products. The exceptions are establishments like furniture stores and large home goods showrooms, where excess inventory is stored in warehouses rather than cramped back rooms. In this case, pallet racking is a better choice.
2. Create an Effective Store Layout
How shelves, displays, and other retail fixtures are placed on the sales floor is one of the most visible aspects of fixture management. There are six basic layouts for retail stores, including:
- Grid
Loop
Diagonal
Forced-path
Angular
Mixed
Which of these floor plans a store owner chooses can influence not just how customers navigate but also how products are displayed. Grid layouts are highly efficient, while forced-path floor plans are popular for furniture stores, and most high-end shops utilize angular or mixed layouts.
3. Don’t Forget About Legal Requirements
When designing a store layout and deciding where to put fixtures, store owners must ensure they are following the standards outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA mandates that retailers leave at least three feet of aisle space between shelving, for example, to accommodate mobility-impaired customers.
Areas of the store that feature wall-mounted shelving or hanging displays are another area where fixture placement can leave businesses in violation of the ADA. Be sure that these fixtures provide sufficient head clearance and cane detection to avoid creating hazards for low-vision customers.
4. Replace Damaged Fixtures Immediately
Whether fixtures are found on the floor or in the back room, they need to be kept in good condition. Damaged shelving can pose a danger to customers and employees and create unnecessary liability concerns, so it has no place in the store. Small business owners worried about how they will replace damaged shelving without breaking the budget should look into retail liquidation services. They sell high-quality fixtures at very affordable prices.
Start Making Changes
A store’s fixtures are usually relatively static. Unlike temporary displays, they don’t get changed with the seasons or altered to accommodate new products. However, that doesn’t mean retail store owners can’t make changes to an ineffective fixture layout. Just be sure to take the time to consider the design carefully, ensure that all areas of the store are ADA-compliant, and purchase high-quality fixtures that will hold up well to the test of time for both the retail floor and the back room.