Fixture Tips & Best Practices
Imagine walking into a store that looks visually appealing, is easy to browse, and allows you to move around comfortably.
Yes, that’s exactly what you should aim for when choosing the right fixtures for your store.
In this blog, we’ll share a few tips and tricks on how to choose the right fixtures and display them effectively to increase your product visibility.
1- Ergonomic setup for maximum store flow
Choosing the right fixtures begins with understanding your store’s flow, product type, and customer behavior.
Your #1 goal is to remove visual barriers and smooth your customer’s shopping experience. You can achieve this through strategic fixture placement and an ergonomic setup.
- Use clear, wide aisles (at least 4 feet) between fixtures to prevent customers from bumping into each other.
- Place fixtures in an orderly fashion to guide customer flow.
- Use taller fixtures along the walls to improve mobility and product visibility.
- Keep center displays short or minimal so customers can easily see across the store.
- Avoid overloading shelves with too many products – it creates visual friction.
- Place heavy products on lower shelves to reduce trip risks and make it easier for staff and customers to handle them.
2- Create a decompression zone
The decompression zone is a small area (10 to 15 feet) near the entrance where customers can pause for a moment and take a bird’s-eye view of the store before deciding where to move first.
And that’s where your fixture placement comes into play. Based on layout adjustments, traffic flow, pop colours, power-wall setup, and signage, customers will decide which side of the store to explore first.
3- Use fixtures for product sustainability and organization
Beyond maintaining customer flow, high-quality, sturdy fixtures help stores keep products safe, organized, and fresh.
- In food marts, coolers keep products fresh.
- Cigar cabinets and cigarette stands are a must for smoke shops to maintain organization and product integrity.
- For bulk inventory in warehouses or wholesale stores, pallet racking provides the strength and capacity needed.
- Garment racks add mobility and structure to fashion displays, making them suitable for any clothing-focused retailer.
4- Personalize your Fixtures
Select fixtures that not only accommodate your product needs but also align with your store’s branding and customer experience.
Fixtures give your store visual appeal and uniformity. If you want to be seen as a brand rather than just a business, align your fixtures with your brand colors.
This adds a touch of personalization and makes them stand out. So, every time a customer enters your store, they can instantly connect with your brand.
5- Always follow the installation manual
Instead of guessing or trying to install the fixture yourself, always use trained staff or follow the manufacturer’s guide to ensure proper assembly, stability, and safety.
Most of the time, a staff member comes along for the installation – if not, hire someone qualified to do it.
6- Conduct weekly inspection
Store fixtures take daily wear and tear. Inspect them regularly and decide whether to repair, replace, or refresh.
- Repair minor issues like scratches, chipped paint, or loose parts. Quick and cost-effective.
- Replace fixtures that look outdated, clash with new branding, or no longer support products safely.
- Refresh when possible. New finishes, added lighting, or updated signage can extend life and lift the look.
Set a consistent maintenance routine. Keep fixtures functional and the store looks clean, organized, and sharp.
|
Damage Type |
How to Identify |
Recommended Action |
Action Detail/Best Practice |
|
Scratches & Scuffs |
Visible lines or surface abrasions on wood, metal, or acrylic. Paint or finish is missing in the line. |
Repair/Refresh |
For wood, use scratch repair markers or filler pencils. For metal, use a matching touch-up paint or clear coat. For acrylic/glass, use a polishing kit to buff out minor marks. |
|
Chipped/Flaking Paint or Finish |
Small pieces of paint, veneer, or laminate are missing, often exposing the material underneath. |
Repair/Refresh |
Gently sand the damaged area to smooth the edges. Apply a matching paint or use veneer/laminate repair kits for wood-based fixtures. Ensure the area is clean before application. |
|
Loose/Wobbly Parts |
Shelves, brackets, or entire units move or shake easily. Screws or bolts are visible, or their holes appear widened. |
Repair |
Tighten all visible screws, bolts, and fasteners. If the hole is stripped, use a larger screw, a threaded insert, or a wood filler/epoxy to secure the connection. Check structural integrity after tightening. |
|
Faded Color/Discoloration |
Areas exposed to light (especially sunlight) are noticeably lighter or yellower than protected areas. |
Refresh/Replace |
Refresh with a new coat of paint or finish. Consider applying a UV-protective film to nearby windows to prevent future fading. If the material is brittle or severely discolored, replace it. |
|
Cracks or Fractures |
Linear breaks in glass, acrylic, plastic, or wood. Common near stress points or mounting hardware. |
Replace |
Cracks compromise safety and structural integrity. Do not attempt to glue or repair structural cracks; replace the component immediately. Minor non-structural acrylic/plastic cracks might be sealed with a specialized adhesive as a temporary fix. |
|
Rust or Corrosion |
Orange/brown flakes, pits, or discoloration on metal fixtures, especially in damp areas or near cleaning fluid residue. |
Repair/Replace |
For minor rust, use a wire brush to remove flakes, then treat the area with a rust-inhibiting primer and a topcoat paint. If the rust is deep or affects the unit’s load-bearing capacity, replace the fixture. |
|
Outdated Style |
Fixtures clash with current branding, look visibly old, or lack modern features (e.g., integrated lighting). |
Refresh/Replace |
Refresh with updated signage, new lighting (e.g., LED strips), or re-facing (e.g., applying a modern laminate). If the basic structure is sound, refresh is cost-effective. Otherwise, replace for a cohesive brand look. |
7- Upgrade with demand
Store owners are more concerned about the look and feel of their spaces after the boom in e-commerce. Because e-commerce offers complete, visually appealing product catalogues. But physical stores still have an edge because they deliver a real-time, tactile experience. To maximise this, include modern fixtures that are both stylish and practical.
For example:
- Minimalist metal frames, mixed wood and glass, and easy-to-move modular pieces are popular choices.
- Fixtures with built-in lighting or spaces for digital screens add functionality.
- Wheels and foldable designs make it easy to change your layout when needed.
In simple terms – focus on making the store look good and work better.
Where to find the best quality economical fixtures?
Now that we understand the tips and tricks to maintain store fixtures, you might be wondering where to buy them.
Here’s an option: choose high-quality, economical store fixtures from the wide, exclusive collection at King Store Fixtures.
From cigarette racks to gondola shelving, slatwalls, pegboards, mannequins, shelves, and supporting accessories, King Store Fixtures has you covered.
Pick your fixture, confirm with the staff, and it’s on its way.
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