Apparel start-up store question. Where to buy shop furnitire?

[S.C.A]

Hi

Yep I can use Google... but there doesn't seem to be anyone in the UK who provides / sells decent retail space furniture for an apparel boutique?

I've only found Mandai Design in Germany which I like but is expensive

Which I like. Anyone know any more?

 

[Mark T Jones]

Take a look at the SDEA directory

 

[Deleted member 362062]

For a startup shop looking to purchase furniture on a budget, eBay can certainly be a good option, but there are several other places worth considering as well:

1. Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace are excellent for finding second-hand furniture locally, often at very low prices

2. Charity furniture stores, especially those on industrial estates, can offer extremely cheap options. British Heart Foundation furniture stores are particularly recommended for limited budgets

3. IKEA is a popular choice for new businesses due to its affordable prices and wide range of options. However, be aware that many shops may end up with similar furniture

4. Local antique and salvage shops can provide unique, high-quality pieces that may retain their value better than new items

5. Discount retailers like TK Maxx, Dunelm Mill, and B&M often have good deals on furniture and homeware

6. For smaller items and decorations, consider budget-friendly options like Poundland, Home Bargains, and the middle aisles of Aldi and Lidl during their homeware weeks

7. Online marketplaces like Wayfair and Amazon can also offer competitive prices on new furniture.

Remember to balance cost with quality and durability, especially for items that will see heavy use in your shop. It's often worth investing a bit more in key pieces that will last longer and create a good impression for your customers.

 

[S.C.A]

For a startup shop looking to purchase furniture on a budget, eBay can certainly be a good option, but there are several other places worth considering as well:

1. Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace are excellent for finding second-hand furniture locally, often at very low prices

2. Charity furniture stores, especially those on industrial estates, can offer extremely cheap options. British Heart Foundation furniture stores are particularly recommended for limited budgets

3. IKEA is a popular choice for new businesses due to its affordable prices and wide range of options. However, be aware that many shops may end up with similar furniture

4. Local antique and salvage shops can provide unique, high-quality pieces that may retain their value better than new items

5. Discount retailers like TK Maxx, Dunelm Mill, and B&M often have good deals on furniture and homeware

6. For smaller items and decorations, consider budget-friendly options like Poundland, Home Bargains, and the middle aisles of Aldi and Lidl during their homeware weeks

7. Online marketplaces like Wayfair and Amazon can also offer competitive prices on new furniture.

Remember to balance cost with quality and durability, especially for items that will see heavy use in your shop. It's often worth investing a bit more in key pieces that will last longer and create a good impression for your customers.

Thanks for the reply.

I'm not necessarily looking for budget tbh though.

 

[Deleted member 362062]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm not necessarily looking for budget tbh though.

Okay, well having been involved in lots of fit outs, here’s the other end of the scale:

Oakwoods UK is a well-established commercial shopfitting company with an impressive client list including major brands like Adidas, H&M, and Starbucks

The KoolMax Group is a leading retail shopfitting company offering comprehensive services from design to re-launch

B3 Shopfitting Ltd has been providing top-quality shopfitting services since 2001 and has worked with major brands like Starbucks, Costa Coffee, and Subway

London Shopfitter And Design is considered one of the leading shopfitting contractors in the UK, offering quality services at competitive prices

 

[S.C.A]

Okay, well having been involved in lots of fit outs, here’s the other end of the scale:

Oakwoods UK is a well-established commercial shopfitting company with an impressive client list including major brands like Adidas, H&M, and Starbucks

The KoolMax Group is a leading retail shopfitting company offering comprehensive services from design to re-launch

B3 Shopfitting Ltd has been providing top-quality shopfitting services since 2001 and has worked with major brands like Starbucks, Costa Coffee, and Subway

London Shopfitter And Design is considered one of the leading shopfitting contractors in the UK, offering quality services at competitive prices

Thank you

 

[S.C.A]

Thank you

What about someone that sells the furniture rather than the whole fitting and design?

 

[MJD12]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm not necessarily looking for budget tbh though.

I don't think you should rule out ebay completely. There's a whole spectrum of quality on there, and if you're not in an immediate rush for the furniture you could set up some filters and notifications. It might be a long shot for the stuff you're looking for, but you could end up with some real bargains.

 

[S.C.A]

I don't think you should rule out ebay completely. There's a whole spectrum of quality on there, and if you're not in an immediate rush for the furniture you could set up some filters and notifications. It might be a long shot for the stuff you're looking for, but you could end up with some real bargains.

Thanks for your advice. I'll check

 

[Mark T Jones]

Thanks for your advice. I'll check

It's important to realise that good advice always starts with some detailed Q & A - at this moment we are guessing because we have very limited information from you.

The SDEA I mentioned is a relevant association, with a list of member suppliers on their website http://www.shopdisplay.org/ which at least will give some feel for the range of suppliers out there.

I deal with several of them, but can't really give a meaningful intro without knowing a lot more

 

[Duke Fame]

Hi

Yep I can use Google... but there doesn't seem to be anyone in the UK who provides / sells decent retail space furniture for an apparel boutique?

I've only found Mandai Design in Germany which I like but is expensive

Which I like. Anyone know any more?

It depends if you want to be bespoke or not. If you are a boutique, you are probably sourcing part of your stock from wholesalers, when you go to Corporation Road (for the cockneys) or Cheetham Hill in Manchester, you will see loads of shop-fitting wholesalers for the basics and they will do bespoke stuff too.

There are tons of independent shop-fitters, who will adapt standard stuff to look a little bespoke.

When we started, ebay was your friend.

A friend of ours is closing her boutique next month, what are you after?

 

[Duke Fame]

Hi

Yep I can use Google... but there doesn't seem to be anyone in the UK who provides / sells decent retail space furniture for an apparel boutique?

I've only found Mandai Design in Germany which I like but is expensive

Which I like. Anyone know any more?

Where is you boutique going to be? Do you know the floor space? Remember that being a boutique is partly about originality and being unique. Boutique customers do not want their shopping experience to be like being in M&S or Zara so don't feel you need to look corporate (unless you are opening a few at the same time)

 

[S.C.A]

It's important to realise that good advice always starts with some detailed Q & A - at this moment we are guessing because we have very limited information from you.

The SDEA I mentioned is a relevant association, with a list of member suppliers on their website http://www.shopdisplay.org/ which at least will give some feel for the range of suppliers out there.

I deal with several of them, but can't really give a meaningful intro without knowing a lot more

The shop I plan is a mid to high level boutique. So it needs to look good. I don't necessarily want a full shop fitting service. More somewhere I can buy shop furniture. Decent stuff.

There is a German co called "mandai design" and I like their offer. Can't post the website but that's the "look" I want. I'm kind of surprised I can't find a UK equivalent. The Uk retail store furniture websites I have found are really cheap tacky stuff. Low end shall we say.

So that's my q really. I appreciate you all taking the time to help me and answer

 

[Mark T Jones]

The shop I plan is a mid to high level boutique. So it needs to look good. I don't necessarily want a full shop fitting service. More somewhere I can buy shop furniture. Decent stuff.

There is a German co called "mandai design" and I like their offer. Can't post the website but that's the "look" I want. I'm kind of surprised I can't find a UK equivalent. The Uk retail store furniture websites I have found are really cheap tacky stuff. Low end shall we say.

So that's my q really. I appreciate you all taking the time to help me and answer

There are quite diverse products and price ranges but in truth, whilst loyalty is nice, if you've found the right thing in German I'd go with it.

If you are 'just shopping' you might also want yo chat yo a fitter/joiner - it's not unknown for them to create a similar look for less money than buying premium stand-alone units.

Several angles to explore!

 

[S.C.A]

Where is you boutique going to be? Do you know the floor space? Remember that being a boutique is partly about originality and being unique. Boutique customers do not want their shopping experience to be like being in M&S or Zara so don't feel you need to look corporate (unless you are opening a few at the same time)

Hi. It's not London. An affluent seaside town. I def won't be going corporate. That's why I'm asking for quality fittings.

 

[S.C.A]

It depends if you want to be bespoke or not. If you are a boutique, you are probably sourcing part of your stock from wholesalers, when you go to Corporation Road (for the cockneys) or Cheetham Hill in Manchester, you will see loads of shop-fitting wholesalers for the basics and they will do bespoke stuff too.

There are tons of independent shop-fitters, who will adapt standard stuff to look a little bespoke.

When we started, ebay was your friend.

A friend of ours is closing her boutique next month, what are you after?

Hi. Display tables. Counter. Clothes rails.
Send me a DM if it may be of interest. Thanks

 

[Duke Fame]

Hi. Display tables. Counter. Clothes rails.
Send me a DM if it may be of interest. Thanks

If you look for Modiste Boutique, bramhall. She's coming to the end of her lease and doing something different, she has a lot of fittings.

The other suggestion was a carpenter who does shop fittings, it will be the best way to get that German look.

 

[S.C.A]

If you look for Modiste Boutique, bramhall. She's coming to the end of her lease and doing something different, she has a lot of fittings.

The other suggestion was a carpenter who does shop fittings, it will be the best way to get that German look.

Thanks

 

[Duke Fame]

Hi. It's not London. An affluent seaside town. I def won't be going corporate. That's why I'm asking for quality fittings.

What are the price points that you are looking at?

Hi

Yep I can use Google... but there doesn't seem to be anyone in the UK who provides / sells decent retail space furniture for an apparel boutique?

I've only found Mandai Design in Germany which I like but is expensive

Which I like. Anyone know any more?

Go to PURE / JATC trade show this week at Olympia, MODA at the NEC where there will be plenty of shop-fittings guys with stands.

A high end finish can be achieved with a good carpenter and Off the shelf items such as slat boards or stand alone rails.

 

[S.C.A]

What are the price points that you are looking at?

Go to PURE / JATC trade show this week at Olympia, MODA at the NEC where there will be plenty of shop-fittings guys with stands.

A high end finish can be achieved with a good carpenter and Off the shelf items such as slat boards or stand alone rails.

Thanks

 

[savagelondon]

If you still need it please let em know; We have full set for the shop from our other store, beautiful screens with glass and oak, shop rail hangers, light units, frames for the walls, glass shelves, so basibally you won't need anythign else at all. Let me know if you are interested. Would love to sell it to someone in one go whoh want to open coll looking shop

 

[ethical PR]

What about someone that sells the furniture rather than the whole fitting and design?

What about them ?

 

[S.C.A]

What about them ?

Good one