In the world of retail, first impressions matter. You can think of your display as a silent salesperson; it is what catches the eye of customers walking by, sparks their curiosity and draws them in, well before they have even touched one of your products. Great merchandising starts with investing in the right essential display furniture. Here’s our guide to the store fit out essentials that every boutique retailer should consider, and where to find them. Hint: we are your one-stop shop!
Plinths - Versatile For Any Product
Plinths are a retail display staple, and for good reason - they are endlessly versatile. You can highlight a single product on a plinth, or display an entire range across a series of plinths. They are perfect for showcasing new releases or limited edition stock. A cluster of plinths at varying heights is always visually impressive. Plinths can be easily moved around your space to change up your display, and make the perfect pedestal for a window display, where you want to champion a product. Raw plywood or white painted finishes are great choices as they complement any style beautifully.
Retail Counters - The Checkout Zone as a Brand Statement
It’s important not to just see your point of sale as the place to check out, but as a complete display in itself. Make sure that your POS area is spacious enough not to look cluttered. A simple counter can be customised using vinyl decals or acrylic lettering to feel authentic to your brand. Counters that have ample storage space underneath are a bonus, so you can store excess bags, papers and stationery out of sight. Pair your POS counter with a simple tabletop display to feature some sneaky add-on products. Many of our counters double up as fantastic display surfaces that can be used throughout your store, not only as a point of sale.
Shelving Units - Flexible Layout For Changing Stock
Every boutique can benefit from a shelving unit, or five. Whether you sell apparel, jewellery, homewares or giftware, everything can be styled nicely on some shelves. Don’t be afraid to sprinkle in some décor pieces on your shelving display in between your products. A well merchandised shelving display will create a point of interest to break up your store, as well as give your floorplan some structure and height. Utilising height in a display is not only eye-catching, but makes the most of a compact space. My top picks for your essential display furniture are our stacked shelving units and freestanding shelving units. If you’re tight for space, I highly recommend our centred floating stand.
Pegboards - A Visual Merchandiser's Dream
Pegboards are a truly flexible retail display. Beautiful, eye-catching displays can be created using our range of pegboard accessories including pegs, shelves and rungs. The beauty of the pegboard is that you can really build a story with your display; capturing many different products on a single display fixture. Stack products onto pegboard shelves, lay some over the rungs, and hang others on the pegs. Pegboards can be mounted directly onto walls, or you can opt for our pegboard with cabinet for a built-in look without the commitment. Another freestanding option to consider is our gondola double sided pegboard, which is a traditional retail fixture found in the majority of store retail environments. That's why it was essential it featured in one of our shopping centre kiosk designs.
Signage - Command Attention in Small Spaces
Signage earns its place on this list of essential display furniture because it’s of its impact. In a busy and competitive retail environment, clear and consistent branded signage at every touch point is so important to stand out and be seen. Your business name shouldn't stop at the door. Incorporate signage at your point of sale, and throughout the store to create a cohesive and memorable brand experience. Well-placed signage, such as our lollipop sign, can also guide customer flow, by highlighting new arrivals or directing them to the sale section.
Don’t overlook the small details either. Our tabletop plywood sign holder is perfect for communicating pricing and product features to your customers. Every sign is an opportunity to enhance your branding, visual merchandising and connection with your customer.
Final Tips
Don’t be afraid to change up your floorplan regularly, and experiment with new combinations of your display units. Tip your plinths on their side to create mannequin risers, push your tables together to create a larger display island, try some shelving units positioned behind your point of sale – just get creative with it!
Investing in good retail display furniture is like investing in a great pair of jeans, it will always go with everything! Opt for versatile and quality infrastructure that can be used over and over again. Timber and white finishes are always classics and will continue to complement your brand as it evolves over time. With the right essential display furniture in place your store will not only look amazing, but will be working harder for you to convert customers into sales.