When many people think about retail store design, the first thing that springs to mind is the sales area, the part of the store that customers see. No one would deny that an attractive, functional retail area is an important part of the customer experience. However, the “back room” where stock is stored also has a part to play in making your store’s operations efficient and profitable.

These are some of the things that need to be considered when designing the layout of a shop store room:

• The total amount of stock to be stored in the back room, and the size and weight of individual items and bulk packs, will determine the type of storage solutions to be employed. Storage racks are suitable for a wide range of merchandise.
• The function of the room determines the layout. A room that is used for picking and packing needs a work space or bench in a convenient position, while a room that is used purely for storage might call for a different design.
• Leave room to manoeuvre in your store room. Consider the height of racking and whether step ladders will be needed to reach upper shelves of storage racks.
• Floor surfaces should be in good repair and easily cleaned.
• Give some thought to your stock control methods when planning the positions of storage racks in your store room.

For a small retail store, a well-organised store room makes the whole operation run more smoothly. It’s better for staff morale, and increases profitability by making stock control easier and reducing wastage. At Bethel Shopfitting World we offer storage racks suitable for all types of products –foodstuffs, clothing, hardware, pharmaceuticals, jewellery or anything else that needs to be stored in a retail shop.

Our storage racks are selected for practicality and value. They come in flat packs to reduce shipping costs, and have been designed for easy on-site assembly. We source high quality products at factory-direct prices that offer the best value for our customers. Whether you are refitting an existing store or fitting out a new retail store, it makes sense to pay close attention to the store room. Don’t let the store room become an afterthought; have store room needs at the top of your mind when you’re designing a retail store.

Effective retail merchandising is all about appealing to the senses. The yeasty aroma of a bakery attracts a customer who had no intention of buying bread that morning, and hearing a favourite tune played encourages someone linger longer in a store. The most important sense for most retailers, though, is sight.

The unique look and visual feel of your retail display is one of the things that can set you apart from your competitors and benefit your business by attracting customers and retaining their interest.

• To attract potential customers to your store, create visually appealing displays, with engaging colours and effective stock arrangements.
• To keep potential customers in your store, design customer traffic flow to encourage them to see as much of your merchandise as possible.
• To maximise sales, strategically direct shoppers towards a specific retail display such as new season arrivals, or an area where high-margin products are displayed.

Use your retail display to your advantage. When deciding what merchandise you want to feature, how much shelf space a product will get, and where in the store it should be displayed:

• Avoid giving a cluttered appearance.
• Place an interesting, striking or appealing product where it can be seen from outside your shop.
• Use the spaces at the ends of shelving bays to feature targeted merchandise.
• Place popular or targeted merchandise between knee level and eye level.
• Place profitable products at eye level.

Display related items of merchandise together to maximise sales.

• Encourage add-on sales by grouping similar products together, for example winter gloves and scarves.
• Encourage companion sales by grouping related but different products together, for example a display of table linen, crockery, cutlery and glassware.
• For maximum visual impact, remember the rule of three: the same merchandise but in three different sizes of the same colour, three different colours of the same size, or variations of this theme.

We have a wide variety of free-standing racks, stands and retail display shelves to suit a multitude of retail purposes.  Bethel’s shop fittings can help you to highlight the visual appeal of your merchandise and maximise sales opportunities.

If you run a retail shop that sells a lot of different products, you may be aware of the challenge involved in keeping your shop displays organised. Products can easily become mixed up with each other, and very similar products can be hard for customers to differentiate. Shelf management tools are one way of keeping your shop displays organised.

The benefits of shelf management tools include:

• improved presentation
• better organisation
• better division of similar products
• easier stocktake

Magnet dividers

Magnet dividers are a type of shelf management tool that can be easily attached to any type of metal shelf. They can be used for holding small items that may otherwise become mixed up, such as pens and other stationery, hair accessories, small toys, or very small electronics products. Magnet dividers feature mesh walls that allow products to be easily viewed.

Shelf dividers

Shelf dividers are plastic dividers that can be spaced as required along a shelf. They are transparent, meaning that they do not disrupt the visual flow of your merchandising, but are still able to keep items neatly divided and organised. Shelf dividers are common in convenience stores, supermarkets, gifts and souvenir shops, home and kitchenware shops, and discount shops that sell a variety of small products.

Using shelf dividers

Shelf dividers vary slightly in their application depending on whether they are magnetic or self-adhesive. Magnetic shelf dividers can be simply placed on the shelf as required, while self-adhesive products are applied by pressing them to the shelf rail.

Shelf dividers are a simple but effective tool for keeping your shop displays organised, and may help your staff and customers more easily find your stock.