The best store display system is not about the system itself. The best store shelving and display system will be the one that matches what you want to achieve in your store. What is best for your store may include factors like:
- Your target market and the quality perception of your brand you want to portray
- The type of products you sell and the volume sold
- The time customers spend in store and how much information they need to make a purchase decision
- The floor space you have available
- Your available budget for your fitout
- The likelihood of changes to your product type in future years
- Whether you need to change your store layout regularly
- If this is a permanent store or one that may move location in future
The best shelving system will be the one that achieves the most important objectives for your store. The main systems to choose from are:
- A full custom shop fitout
- Retail slatwall
- Standalone slatwall gondolas
- Modular slatwall gondola shelving
- Modular metal gondola shelving
- Glass showcase counters and wall-mounted display cabinets
Here are some reasons you might choose each style of shelving and displays:
A Full Custom Store Fitout
If you have a brand that is targeting high-value sales and you want to make a statement that enhances the quality perception of your brand then a custom fitout may be suitable for you. You would also be planning to stay in a location for a significant period of time and have products that will remain roughly the same over time, ie. you won’t need change the layout of the store or the style of display fittings. If this is the style of store you have then a custom fitout might be for you.
A custom fitout is the most expensive store fitout and mistakes will be costly so you want to ensure you get it right the first time. If you choose this style of fitout you should engage a professional retail designer or interior fitout designer to help you navigate the process, provide you with extra ideas and avoid common pitfalls. You can search in google for retail designers and commercial interior fitout companies, or alternatively contact an association such as the Interior Fitout Association of Australia for referrals to their members who can help you with a professional design.
Retail Slatwall Displays
Slatwall is used in many retail displays because it allows the flexibility to configure a wide range of display options through the use of interchangeable slatwall fittings. Slatwall consists of a melamine board with grooves routed through the board. The groove is replaced with an aluminium or PVC slatwall T-extrusion that allows for fittings and accessories to be inserted.
ADS Slatwall is manufactured from board made from sustainable plantation timber that is EO certified and can be chosen from over 500 colours. This allows you to match it to your store branding and cabinetry to create a stylish design to appeal to your target customers. Slatwall can suit a wide range of product types and slatwall poster-holders and brochure-holders can allow information to be positioned adjacent to important products.
Slatwall is ideal for stores with a large amount of wall space, or narrow spaces where the bases of gondola shelving may use up valuable space or become a trip hazard. Limitations of slatwall is that it can only hold light-to-medium weight products, must be installed by a professional and is permanently attached to the wall so you must be confident you will not be moving locations in the near future. To see answers to commonly asked questions about slatwall see our Slatwall Frequently Asked Questions page.
See our slatwall project gallery for examples of slatwall installations in retail stores.
Stand-alone Slatwall Gondolas
Stand-alone slatwall gondolas are custom-made display stands for your retail floor that complement slatwall. The slatwall gondolas come in a range of base styles that are then sized to your exact requirements. The gondolas use slatwall panels so deliver similar benefits to slatwall and can be colour matched to other cabinetry and slatwall.
Slatwall gondolas generally come pre-assembled so installation is easy although transportation and unloading can require some planning. One advantage of slatwall gondolas is that they are mounted on castors which makes it easy to change the layout of your store, although the gondolas themselves cannot be reconfigured from their original design.
See examples of this style of slatwall gondola in our Vivo project gallery.
Modular Slatwall Gondola Shelving
Modular Slatwall Gondola Shelving is a free-standing system that uses a welded steel frame with a drop-in slatwall back panel. The system creates the look of slatwall with the additional benefit of being able to mount shelves for heavy products directly into the steel frame. As the system is modular it can be easily reconfigured or relocated at any time. Assembly is easy as well as two people can set up the gondolas quickly without any need for skilled labour.
Modular slatwall gondolas are ideal for stores wanting the look and functionality of slatwall, and the ability to match the colour of back panels to other cabinetry to brand the store better. The store may also want to sell heavier and bulky products that may be too heavy for slatwall fittings. The gondolas also provide flexibility in moving locations in future as it can be reconfigured or relocated at any time. For more information on the difference between slatwall and slatwall gondolas read this article.
See our project gallery for examples of this style of slatwall gondola shelving.
Modular Metal Gondola Shelving
An affordable option for shelving is a modular gondola shelving system. The system is similar to modular slatwall gondolas but have a punched-metal back panel. This reduces the weight of products that can be displayed on the panels so products on punch-metal fittings usually need to be lighter with heavier items on shelves. Metal gondolas also come in standard colours of white or hammertone so reduces the ability to match the system to your brand colours.
One of the quality factors to check with metal gondolas is whether it is made from ‘cold-rolled’ virgin steel or hot-pressed recycled scrap metal steel. The recycled steel will often appear to be thicker than cold-pressed new steel but the tensile strength is often significantly lower, which reduces the weight that can be supported and its longevity.
A reason to choose metal gondola shelving is if you want affordable quality and if the design of the store doesn’t need to fit a custom-branded colour scheme. It will be ideal for a store that sells either heavy products suited to shelves, lighter products suited to display on prongs or a mix of heavier products that come with lighter parts and accessories. Technology retailers, industrial products sellers, automotive parts stores, discount stores, supermarkets and convenience stores are examples that are suited to this style of gondola.
See examples of metal gondolas in our project gallery.
Glass Showcase Display Cabinets
Retail glass showcase display cabinets enclose shelving or slatwall display panels within a secure, lockable toughened-glass case. This is ideal as a section of a store shelving system for displaying valuable products, restricted products like knives or products that you want to add a prestige element to. Jewelry stores, electronics stores, outdoors stores and sporting stores will often add glass showcases for small but high-priced products. These display cabinets can be wall-mounted or free standing on the floor and can include sections for storage of stock in the bottom of the cabinet.
Advanced Display Systems is one of Australia’s last remaining manufacturers of retail glass showcases and our display cabinets come with a 10-year warranty. Every cabinet can be made to your exact colour and size requirement. You simply choose the basic style from 15 different core designs and we customise the cabinet to your needs.
See examples of our glass showcases in our project gallery.
Further Information and Advice About Store Shelving For Your Store
If you need further advice on what shelving and display items to choose for your store call our experienced team on 1800 111 477 and we will be happy to help. We have worked with a wide range of stores from Australia’s biggest retailers to mum and dad stores. We can give you ideas of what has worked of other stores like yours and guide you on what you are trying to achieve. You can also browse our product range to find the best displays for your store.
