Making Fixtures work for you.

FIXTURES AND MERCHANDISING TOOLS

Combined with product and signage they result in a successful design that increases sales and marketing, and provide maximum exposure to product while using optimum floor and wall space.

They are increasingly being called upon – in manufacture, function and design – to carry the brand’s image and to solve real marketing problems

CHOOSING NEW FIXTURES

should be based on answers to the following;

1. How much room do you have?

2. What is your budget?

3. What is your stores image or brand message?

4. What type of merchandise do you carry.

WELL CHOSEN FIXTURES WILL:

1. Keep your stock level in check
2 .Keep your inventory accessible.

THIS IS A THREE-PART PROCESS
Customers will be able to:

1. Locate items faster

2. Merchandise will be more visible and...

3. The store will be more aesthetically pleasing.

STORE FIXTURES CAN BE

Conventional * Furniture Pieces * "Found" objects * Vendor fixtures and lastly...* Custom fixtures

APPAREL FIXTURES

THE COMMON ONES or 'Traditional' ones INCLUDE:

FLOOR FIXTURES

Quad or Four-Way - With 16" arms it typically holds 64 garments and is used for coordinates

T-Stand - with 16" arms holds 32 garments and is meant to be used for small collections that are typically 'testing' the market.

Rounder - The 'Capacity Fixture' with a 36" diameter typically holds about 113 garments.

Here's the biggest problem with 'rounders'. It's incredibly difficult to shop, and your store immediately looks like a 'thrift store'. Not that I have anything again thrift stores, because I don't, but the expectation is not the same as shopping at a higher end retailer. These fixtures immediately de-value your merchandise!

Another example of 'what not to do'. I mean "How do you shop here?" Who has the time to surf through all this stuff?

WALL FIXTURES & ACCESSORIES

1. A 3' slat wall bar - holds 36 Garments
A 4' holds 48
2. A waterfall holds 8 - 12 garments or....1 garment per notch
3. A 12" straight arm holds 12 garments

HOW MANY GARMENTS GO ON A FIXTURE?

IT'S REALLY EASY!

1" of Fixture = 1 Garment

Imagine how this knowledge can help you with buying?

Overcrowding of merchandise is the biggest flaw that I see
in my consulting work.

Terrible overcrowding!

WATERFALLS

The 2nd biggest flaw
would be the misuse of the "waterfall'.

Waterfalls are to be used - if at all , and yes... I hate them! - for the same garment in different colours. They are NOT to be used for different profiles, and it looks really bad when you're mixing hanger types. i.e. pant hanger with top hanger.

The other reason I wouldn't use them is that they take up a lot of vertical space on a wall. You lose a minimum of 6" of vertical space every time you use a waterfall. People often think that they're 'cool' but if you're trying to maximize space for product...then I would NEVER purchase them! With longer tops and jackets we need all the space we can grab to keep product reachable.

You can see below that there would be no need AT ALL to place these adorable sleepers on waterfalls...and especially the ones on the area below the shelf. All we see is slatwall, which is NEVER a good thing.

HARDGOODS AND ACCESSORIES

There are a whole set of fixtures available for merchandising. Mannequins and body forms, shelves, cubes, tables, jewelry displayers, belt holders, bra holders, torsos, hat stands and so much more.

During one store re-vamping we removed three 4-way fixtures and moved all clothing to 12 horizontal feet of 8' high wall fixturing, with space left over.

Imagine the freed-up floor space and new and better traffic flow that occurred.

WHERE DO I START?
Retailers often wonder, "Where do I start?"

Think of your store as a box with a ceiling, walls, windows and floors. Here's a challenge for you. Look at stores in a shopping centre and find ones that are unique and appealing. Notice which ones catch your eye. Notice what fixtures they have and how they have positioned them. Did they incorporate signage or lighting?

Ask yourself the following questions.

How can I improve my own fixtures?
What do I need to either add to what I have or do I get new fixtures?
Do I need a change?

Great fixtures are Modular. They are easily adapted for different product or different spacing of product. They can move easily from one location to another. They have signage and lighting capabilities. You can add components to them as your products change or as you "have the budget"

A great store has 'layered' fixtures. Combinations of tables, showcases, floor fixtures, and wall fixtures; each with different elevations so that the customer can have a variety of shopping experiences, and yet access to the product.

Is it time for your store to have a facelift?
Let's look at some images for inspiration.

First of all...fixtures don't need to be boring. Look at these custom raw edge layered tables. Aren't they great!

What you choose depends on the
'branding message' of your store.

One of my favorites. It's just plywood on simple risers, and look at the great wall presentations. Maybe you don't have this much room, but possibly you have space for one component of this great space.

Another favorite! Barnboard walls. Simple ladder crossbars for easy height changing. Clean neat merchandising. Pantform showcasing the denim!

Rustic and Current!

Looking for a new way to showcase accessories. Maybe pegboard is the way to go. This one and the two below are in Migration in Victoria, BC.

What about using sawhorses for the base of your tables
or jewellery cases? and check out the green glass containers for accessories.

If I were suggesting props for the brand message above,
wouldn't these be ideal?

Above and below images show how Olive The Best in Port Moody transitioned from a clothing store into a Olive oil and Vinegars store. They used existing Wall Brackets and added shelves. They added new the modular Illico system by RHO for uprights in the bottom left photo and then purchased a vintage cart from an architectural furniture supplier, and ordered the cabinetry from an online source, which perfectly fit the existing pre-clothing areas. It just shows you that you don't have to throw out everything and start anew.

You can salvage what works, and add to that!

LETS LOOK AT SOME CUSTOM WORK

These beautiful wall units are definitely custom. Its important that the shelves are moveable. The vertical columns are 36" apart, and lend themselves to great vertical presentations.

Peregrine created and installed the interior fixtures and fittings including millwork, metalwork, hanging shelves and copper accents for this flagship store in Richmond Centre using a combination of different materials that gives the store a feeling of natural wellness reflecting Saje’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

I did not design this store, but I have often worked with one of their industrial designers when designing custom fixtures. To me this store design really speaks to their brand message.

CUSTOM LUXURY BUST FORMS
Talking about custom...
Did you know that you can customize every mannequin and bust form?

In the above image - Note: custom wall fixtures, suspended branch for a floor fixture and...using 'found pieces' for their tables!

Another great example where a design was developed using modular fixtures by RHO. I have repped and used this system in so many ways for a very long time in fashion and in giftwares. It is incredible! Today I would be mixing it up with a very Industrial look for a modern take on retail store design. Your local rep is Kamila Gougain or you may certainly call me for more information..
Below are three more examples of this modern Canadian-made system. Fashion, Optical and Giftware.
PS...did you know that Cirque du Soleil uses this system in all their Pop-up tents!

On the left is a simple high-end looking floor fixture from Europe.

On the right is a wall unit that I saw at IKEA which could easily work in both gift or a Boutique fashion store as it comes with crossbars and also adjustable shelves.

LET'S LOOK AT PLUMBING PIPE!

This is one of the latest looks for retailers. If it fits your branding then I think it's great. I like that all the units are on wheels, and easily mobile. I can see people purposefully using any of these, as they rid themselves of the chrome 4-ways and 2-ways.

Below is an image sent to a client who wanted a new look for their brand. As soon as I get professional photos I'll share them. We used all of this and more. It is very exciting!

MANNEQUINS

Since my last post...a number of retailers jumped at the chance to get in-stock mannequins at exceptional pricing. Thank you! They're going to make you money!

Every post, I'll put update what's available, and what's coming.

The BIGGEST retail show in the world is coming up soon in Dusseldorf so there'll be lots to fill you in on as we see trends develop and new collections coming available.

Below are some great full-body and bust forms available immediately from our Montreal showroom. - and at discounted pricing!
Let me know if you'd like them.

Everything has been selling out quickly...so don't snooze!

The base on the bust forms is height adjustable, and these could be used on shelves or tables.

This morning I got the latest 'LIQUIDATION MANNEQUINS AND BUSTFORMS' list as Gender is moving to a different warehouse. Unbelievable pricing. If there's anything you want you must contact me immediately.

Just click on the links to see what's available.

Silhouette Pink
Silhouette Blue
Half Busts Male and Female

What's up?

My next email will offer you a great opportunity to get retail training for you or your staff, and....
at a huge discount .
Watch for it!