What furniture do we need for the retail premises to start a retail business(shop)?

[yaqootrs]

Hi,

I am doing some business planning, and have come to the wondrous task of initial investment. So far i know that atleast we need checkout/display counter, Storage furniture (i.e Gondola Shelving units),lighting, dining furniture?

What else do we require to open a retail business in a small unit (100 sq fit)? and what would be the % split of the investment among these furnitures/furnishing?

Example:
Checkout/display counter: 25%
Storage furniture (i.e Gondola Shelving units):40%
Storage organisers and stands: 10%
Lighting:25%

Any spotlight on the initial investment?

Regards,
Yakut

 

[kelvin1950]

It depends on what you're selling in a lot of ways. We're a sweet shop so we predominantly needed shelves. I bought flat pack from Wickes, £15.99 (although they've gone up a bit) total cost £240 I fixed CLS to the walls and screwed them to that. They look good. Counter/display was around £1000 and we also bought about £200 worth of slatwall and fittings. A couple of kitchen island units from IKEA at around 80 quid each in the centre of the shop.

Bought the counter here: http://www.shopcounter.net/

 

[mhall]

100 sq ft?

That's 10ft by 10ft - you won't have much space for gondolas after you have put your till unit in, do you mean 1000 sqft

 

[EddyP]

Many different types of furniture are required to start a retail business, if you think about the amount of fixtures and fittings that a retail space comprises of. If you are looking for trade furniture manufacturers why not have a look at this directory of furniture manufacturers and suppliers http://www.furniturenews.net/directory

 

[LED Lightworld]

Brave brave man going into retail now.

 

[BelindaChong]

With the amount of retailers supposed to be going out of business I'm surprised there isn't a lot of second-hand shop fittings for sale.
Anyone know of any good places to look?

 

[gr9ce]

We sourced from ebay, Habitat plus freebies from suppliers if just displaying their products. As said with many retailers folding, these items find their way onto online selling platforms. Try and avoid brand new slatwall which can be expensive. Also it might be cheaky but many large stores throw out display material if changing ranges etc as they probably get it for nothing. Have a word locally as this prevents it ending up in landfill or in their bins which they pay to be emptied.

My argument is that customers are looking at stock and prices and not what it is displayed on. Just make sure the display method is the best/easiest possible for ranges etc (for example avoid displaying various designs of same range on one prong and the customer has to remove all the stock in front of the one they want...or they pull it off, wreck the hanger, then decide it isn't what they want)

 

[matilda duck]

My advice to you, depending on what you are selling is, to buy little and see where you are going. Retail moves in myserious ways. If you kit your shop out fully with furniture then theres no room to improve or add on.
Just get basics for now and let your shop evolve.

 

[matilda duck]

Me personally I wouldn't put too much in yet. Money needs to be spent on stock. Also by holding back abit, it allows you to develop your space as you go on. Shops evolve if you let them and this is more fun. Retail equipment can be bought from anywhere.
There are plenty listed on ebay and sometimes its places like Ikea where you get inspiration from.
What are you selling?

 

[scm5436]

Brave brave man going into retail now.

Depends what your selling, and who you're selling it to. We're just opening a B&M shop, and aren't worried at all.

 

[BelindaChong]

Me personally I wouldn't put too much in yet. Money needs to be spent on stock. Also by holding back abit, it allows you to develop your space as you go on. Shops evolve if you let them and this is more fun. Retail equipment can be bought from anywhere.
There are plenty listed on ebay and sometimes its places like Ikea where you get inspiration from.
What are you selling?

Thanks all for your suggestions. I will be selling jewellery and paintings initially. Paintings are easy - hang them on the wall. The jewellery is harder to display effectively without a great deal of attention to light and presentation. I don't want to overspend on furnishings and put myself out of business before I even start! I have an art degree and a reasonable eye for presentation, so hopefully I can make it look good.

 

[anthony_herve]

Hi BelindaChong,

As far as checkout is concerned, you could use a cost-effective online POS software. Vend is great and comes with an iPad-based version. It costs £26 per month and you can cancel anytime. You can visit our website to learn more. And do not hesitate to contact me by pm if you have any questions.

Best regards,
Anthony