Does your shop need a complete refurbishment to give it a fresher look ? Or are you opening a new retail store and need some advice on shop fittings and fixtures? There are hundreds of options available to shopkeepers looking to give their retail outlet a new lease of life by using either new or used fittings and fixtures. There are fittings and fixtures to suit all kinds of retail businesses -- from clothes, shoes, jewellery, greeting cards, CDs, and books. Whether you are an experienced or novice shopkeeper, the information below may give you some tips and ideas before you start the exciting but possibly stressful task of fitting or re-fitting your shop.

Principal Types of Shop Fittings and Fixtures
There is an astonishing array of shop fittings and fixtures to suit every type and size of business and budget. The following inventory covers the main categories of shop fittings and fixtures available, both used and new:-

Garment Rails and Stands
Counters and Showcases
Mannequins, Body Forms Busts and Heads
Coat Hangers
Basket Stands
Dump Bins
Shelving Wall
Gridwall Panels and Accessories
Acrylic Displays and Fittings
Greeting Card Display Units
Greeting Card, CD and DVD spinner units
Slatwall boards, trims and inserts
Wooden Slatwall board shelves, gondola ends and end panels
Slatwall fittings and accessories
Pegboard Hooks and Fittings
Suspended Cable Displays
Pricing and Tagging Guns
Pricing and Sale Tickets

Additionally, there are many miscellaneous items that are required in an average retail shop such as mirrors of various sizes, barrier ropes, sale signs, sale posters, hand baskets, shopping trolleys, hanging wires, ceiling clips, banana hooks to name but a few.

Where To Go for Shop Fixtures and Fittings
If you are an experienced shopkeeper, you will probably already have an established relationship with a shop fitter you know and trust. However, if you are new to the business, here are some suggestions on the types of shop fitting services available to you.

Shop Fitting Supplies Company -- there are large shop fitting suppliers who tend to have contracts with major retail companies such as nationwide departmental stores and high street chains. There are also smaller independent shop fitting companies who cater for local businesses such as your local newsagent or florist. Many of these independent shop fitters are family-run businesses. They tend to have a good reputation among the local business community who use them regularly. Whilst the larger shop fitting suppliers may be able to offer you better value and lower costs because of the sheer scale of their business, the smaller family-run shop fitter may be able to offer you a better level of customer service and support.

The Internet -- as with almost all products and services, you can now buy your shop fittings and fixtures via the internet. Many shop fitting firms have created websites to showcase both new and used shop fittings and fixtures. You can browse through their entire product list at your leisure. You will also be able to obtain information about prices, dimensions, colours and brands. This is undoubtedly the most comfortable and convenient way to shop. You can simply add the items you require into the shopping basket. The order will be duly processed and delivered to your shop.

Mail Order-- another popular way of buying shop fitting and fixtures is to use mail order companies. These companies will send out copies of their latest sales catalogues to prospective customers. All prices, and other relevant information can be found in the catalogue. There will also be an order form which you can use to order your items. You can choose to email, fax, post or telephone your order to the customer services team. This method is ideal for those who prefer to browse through a catalogue whilst, perhaps, on the train or bus or otherwise away from a computer, rather than the internet.

Trade Magazines and Business Directories -- these are a useful source of shop fittings and fixtures suppliers. It is always worth looking at the classified sections of retail trade magazines and directories which may carry advertisements for shop fitting services. There are frequently both online and offline versions of these magazines and directories.

Things to Consider Before Buying Shop Fittings and Fixtures

The look and feel of a retail shop is of vital importance -- it is well-known that customers will buy and spend more if they feel comfortable and relaxed in your shop. A well-designed shop wherein customers can see and find items easily, is crucial to its success!

Fitting or re-fitting an entire retail outlet can be an expensive and complicated project. In order to ensure the job goes smoothly and is completed to a high standard, it is important to hire the services of a professional shop fitter. Talk to your fellow-shopkeepers who may be able to give you a recommendation. Even if you are fortunate enough to be given a good recommendation, do make the effort to obtain more than one quote. In order for you to work within your budget, it is essential that you think through all your requirements and specifications carefully. Once you have decided what exactly it is you need, it is a good idea to prepare a written and detailed job specification to give to your shop fitter to enable him or her to prepare an accurate quote. Once all the quotes are submitted, you can make a fair comparison and choose the best shop fitter for your needs. If you are working to a tight budget, it may be worth requesting to pay by monthly instalments which some of the larger firms may offer. In all cases, be sure that you pay in stages as the work progresses rather than in advance -- for obvious reasons.

Another important consideration to take into account is your deadline. Any shopkeeper will tell you that even a minor delay can equate to a significant loss of business and earnings. It is vitally important for you to agree a realistic timeframe with your shop fitter to enable you to budget according and prepare your business and your customers for the period during which you may have to close the shop in order for the refurbishment to be completed. This is even more important for new businesses who may already have announced their opening day -- it is not a good start to any business to delay opening! If you are ordering items online, do check that they are in stock and can be delivered to you in good time. Also check that delivery costs and installation costs are included in the total price. On delivery of the items, always inspect the items carefully and report any damage and missing parts immediately.

Aside from budgets and deadlines, other issues you may want to think about include the following:

Can you use second-hand shop fittings and fixtures or is your budget able to accommodate all new items?
Remember to measure your items accurately -- most customised items cannot be returned or refunded.

Buying Used Shop Fittings and Fixtures
It is quite common, particularly amongst smaller or new retail businesses, to buy used shop fittings and fixtures. If you are a new business, buying used items will enable you to save a significant amount of money which you can then spend on stock or on promoting your business and getting customers into your shop.

If you are buying used items from the internet, it is important to prioritise your personal safety and that of your staff. Be prepared to contact the seller to ask any questions you may have about the items you are intending to buy. Be upfront about any concerns you may have especially about the safety of these fittings and fixtures. The National Shop fitters Association can give you advice and help on any safety issues.

If you are buying on the internet, you will not be able to physically check the condition of the items until they are delivered to you. Read the written description carefully and if possible, ask to see photographs. Be realistic: if an item has been used, some dents scratches and chips are to be expected.

If appropriate, ensure the following:

Check that any spare or replacement parts needed are easily available.
Check the warranty, if any, on all used fittings and fixtures.
Ask the seller for all safety manuals and assembly.

A Few Final Thoughts
Whether you decide to buy new or used shop fittings and fixtures, it is worth employing the services of an expert. Using a professional shop fitter will make the process of re-designing your shop less stressful and more pleasurable.

All shop fittings and fixtures purchased must meet the highest standards of manufacturing and safety. They must carry the appropriate EU safety labelling and if appropriate, meet EU fire safety regulations. Failure to ensure compliance may invalidate your insurance.
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03 June 2008
Amazing Shop fittings & Fixtures..
Must be seen, amazing shop fittings and fixtures, hanging rails, shelves, till, hangers etc, too much too list.
£1,400
SY5
23 May 2008
Job Lot of DIY Paints ..
Job lot of diy paints from my fathers diy store he has now retired, over 10k worth of products including dulux, cuprinol, unibond, johnsons, crown, ronseal, bedeck, international,isoflex, leyland, thaumafix, liberon. emulsion, silk, matt, primer, gloss, undercoat, floo. .
£2,700
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09 May 2008
FS: 2 Tall Shop Glass Show Cases..
For sale: 2 tall shop glass show cases, with lockable doors 40cm by 80cm by 180cm. good condition.
£250
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