Display units are more than furniture, they provide the functional structure for your store’s layout. And even though they serve primarily as background and support for your merchandise, their aesthetic role is undeniable. So knowing when it’s time for new store fixtures requires evaluating both functional and aesthetic factors.

The right time depends on your type of store, how long you’ve had your fixtures, what materials they’re made of, and how much interaction display units have with merchandise or customers. Shelves that hold heavy canned goods that move quickly will look worn sooner than shelves that hold soft sweaters in a boutique.

When it's time for a new look.

An antique or comfortably-funky look may be appealing and even desirable in certain stores, but worn-out, dirty, dented, etc. fixtures make your store look unkempt and dirty. This reflects poorly on your merchandise and overall store brand. 

Besides, successful visual merchandising relies on “refreshment” to keep customers interested. (It can also spark fresh interest in the sales people who work in your store every day.) But that doesn’t mean you have to replace all your fixtures at once. A single new unit or grouping can spur excitement on its own by revitalizing your store’s appearance. Or it can create a new merchandise focal point or department.

Simply replacing visually prominent end caps with something entirely different can create a big impact.

When it's time to make way for new products.

You’re expanding. Whether you’re remodeling an existing location or adding a new one, fixtures are a must for the new space.

Perhaps you’re introducing a new product line not suited to your existing fixtures because they are bulkier, heavier, or more vulnerable to breakage or theft. Or perhaps your space is finite but you need to house more items. For instance, pharmacies now have to store an increasing volume of generic as well as brand-name drugs, but it’s often not possible to expand behind-the-counter space. This calls for new, space-efficient fixtures.

When new store fixtures don’t have to be brand new.

Using a variety of fixtures works well for all types of retail stores. Of course, mix-and-match has to remain true to your brand and overall atmosphere.

For some retailers, found objects add visual interest. You can also refurbish used fixtures – your own or items you pick up elsewhere – by repainting. A fresh coat of paint, maybe in a new color, brings new energy. You could also breathe new life into existing units by replacing only the front-facing sections.

But should you recycle and reuse? There are aesthetic and functional opportunities here, but also environmental and safety factors to consider. Understanding lifecycle management will help you make the smartest investment.

Once you’ve decided it’s time for new stores fixtures, think about whether you need something that’s more customer-friendly than your current display units. That way, you’ll choose fixtures that enhance the entire shopping experience while making the best use of your available space.

Palmer Retail Solutions strives to offer our clients the absolute best combination of innovation, quality, service, and value for our diversified custom store fixtures and merchandising displays. For more information about our designs, retail fixtures, cash wraps, kiosks, or point of purchase displays, visit our website at: http://www.palmerretailsolutions.com.