Need Shelving & Display Ideas for Your Swimming Pool Store?  Here are some tips:

Swimming Pool Stores use Metal Gondola Shelving because of its durability and versatility. Our Metal Gondola Shelves are made of heavy duty steel with each Gondola Shelf capable of holding heavy loads (up to 500 pounds of general merchandise) such as swimming pool chemicals, chlorine tablets, pool shock, pool water balancers, pool algaecides, pool clarifiers and more.  In addition to displaying swimming pool and spa chemicals, our gondola shelving is perfect for displaying pool equipment and other pool accessories.

A huge benefit that Metal Gondola Shelving provides is that it creates an effective traffic flow management system throughout the store that makes use of the entire retail space, and can help maximize sales. One can achieve this by placing the more common items such as: BioGuard®, Aqua Chem®, Pool Time® and other pool chemicals near the end of the shelving unit. Using this method of swimming pool store organization, your customers can be exposed to all of the other swimming pool accessories that they may need, before finding the ones that they came in for.

Along the perimeter walls of Swimming Pool Stores, many stores use slatwall panels to display a variety of swimming pool and spa equipment accessories including pool skimmers, pool vacuum hoses, pool tile displays, and many other products. Slatwall panels provide a similar benefit to peg backing displays, but in a much more visually appealing manner. You can still display oddly shaped items or shelves, but you also can use it to brand your store while maximizing the retail space in your swimming pool store.

At Discount Shelving & Displays, we have been helping Swimming Pool Stores with affordable, high quality store fixtures including metal gondola shelving, retail displays, store supplies, and many other store fixtures since 1995.

For more ideas check out our Shop By Store Swimming Pool Store Shelving Facts & Tips Page at:  www.discountshelving.com 

As you put together your retail merchandise displays, it’s important to balance creativity with practicality. Plastic Bullnose Shelves are a great store display solution that accomplishes both goals. Retail Bullnose Shelves allow you to achieve a high-end look in your store without the expense of custom shelving.Add New

Plastic Bullnose Shelves are made of injection molded plastic. These store shelves are durable, lightweight and feature a rounded front edge, (also known as radial edge, radius edge or bullnose edge), creating a contemporary and clean looking store display.

Bullnose display shelves come in different color options including black, white and simulated wood grains such as the Maple Bullnose Shelf sold at www.discountshelving.com. One of the best things about Plastic Bullnose Shelving is that the color is infused throughout the shelf so the color doesn’t fade. The plastic material also will not chip or fade.

The Versatility of Plastic Bullnose Shelves

Plastic Bullnose Shelves are versatile, as they can be used with Gridwall, Slatwall and Slotted Standard displays. These plastic bullnose shelves typically come in 13” deep or 15” deep options in 24” or 48” lengths.

• Use shelf knife brackets, sold separately, made to fit your Gridwall, Slatwall and Slotted Standard displays.
• Use 12” knife brackets for 13” deep Plastic Bullnose Shelves. For 15” deep shelves use 14” shelf knife brackets.
• The number of brackets you need depends on the length of shelf.  Use two shelf brackets per 24” long shelf. We recommend using a total of three shelf brackets per 48” long shelf for extra support.
• Each Bullnose Shelf features an open bottom design so that the shelf bracket is hidden from view giving your Plastic Bullnose Shelves a floating appearance.
• Each Plastic Bullnose Shelf will hold up to 40 pounds per four feet of small to medium sized merchandise such as clothing, packaged products, small electronics, stationery, books, giftware, toys, cigars and etc.

Set up is fast and easy. Any store employee can quickly set up these lightweight shelves. No tools, glues or  heavy lifting required! Plastic Bullnose Shelves are also popular shelving display options if you are exhibiting at trade shows or selling at street fairs. Changing up your Plastic Bullnose Shelving displays for new merchandise, or just freshening up your look is simple – just rearrange your Plastic Bullnose Shelves as needed!

When you want beautiful form and reliable function consider using Plastic Bullnose Shelving to create the perfect retail display for your store.

Visit www.discountshelving.com or call 1-888-957-4353 for more information on Plastic Bullnose Shelving , and other retail fixture and display solutions.

For more useful retail fixture display tips & savings follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

We have many great options when it comes to signage for slatwall. Our slatwall economy sign holder is made of clear pvc and fits most standard slatwalls. It holds signs that are .o8” thick, and is the simplest and best way to draw attention to your sporting goods.

We also carry a slatwall acrylic sign holder. This sign holder comes in a variety of sizes from 3.5”h x 5”w to 7”h x 11”w. You can choose from either a horizontal or vertical sign holder.

I suggest purchasing a sign card along with your holder, since neither of these holders come with sign cards.I recommend the Value Price Cards, which can be used if you are running a special discount. There are three styles to choose from: Special, Sale, or Blank.

One of the most useful product display hooks for slatwall is the slatwall scanner hook, also known as a flip scanner hook. This uniquely designed scanner display hook fits on slatwall or slat board and features an attachable clear plastic plate in which product and price labels, UPC Bar Code labels, QR Code Labels, etc. can be placed. Scanner hooks are ideal for use with POS (Point of Sale) Systems. Slatwall scanner hooks offer simple ways to display merchandise simultaneously while helping in product identification for both customers and inventory control purposes. Slatwall scanner hooks are popular among supermarkets and grocery stores, pharmacies and drug stores, convenience stores, dollar stores, party stores, beauty supply stores, variety stores, pet stores, health food stores, liquor stores, gift shops, automotive and are also used in warehouses. 

Slatwall scanner hooks (flip scanner hooks) are made of metal and come in different finishes such as zinc, black and white epoxy. Scanner hooks for slatwall are available in different lengths including:  4-inches, 6-inches, 8-inches, 10-inches and 12-inches.  The metal hook itself is 3/16-inch diameter wide.  The clear plastic label holder for the scanner hook measures 1 ¼ -inch high by 2-inch wide.  The label holder can be flipped up for easy access to merchandise and for product stocking.

When buying slatwall scanner hooks, choose the right length size to suit the number of products you wish to display.  Also consider your display area when deciding on placement of your slatwall scanner hooks. For example, it’s a good idea to use shorter length scanner hooks if your aisle space is tight between your slatwall and other floor displays.

As the retail industry continues to adopt digital inventory and POS systems, slatwall scanner hooks in particular will continue to be a must-have store display accessory.

Visit www.discountshelving.com or call 1-888-957-4353 for more information on Slatwall Scanner Hooks and other retail fixture and display solutions.

For more useful retail fixture display tips & savings follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Spring is finally here! Retailers have been busy recently gearing up for the change of season.  One of our customers sent us photos showing how she tricked out her gridwall for Spring Sales.

It’s no surprise that gridwall panels continue to be a favorite choice for store owners especially those who want to maximize space.  Plus, retailers can get really creative with merchandising by simply using the many accessories available for grid displays.  Choose from wood shelves, tempered glass shelves, acrylic shelves and wire shelving, as well as gridwall baskets, specialty product holders and containers designed for grid panels.  Add hang rails, face-outs and grid hooks to best present your products to customers. Finish grid displays off with grid sign holders and signs of varying styles to further attract your customers’ attention.

If you have floor space, consider using standing grid displays.  Add grid legs and bases with rolling casters to create a portable grid display.  Grid displays are our top seller for use at trade shows or outdoor markets.  For more information about Gridwall and Gridwall accessories visit: www.discountshelving.com.

For retailers fall comes early.  In fact, odds are that even before you’ve had the chance to break-in your flip flops, many stores already have their summer clearance sales in full swing and “new for fall” merchandise already on display.

Getting ready for fall sales is serious business when you consider that Back to School shopping is the second biggest consumer spending event for retailers behind the winter holidays.  In fact, combined K-12 and college consumer spending in fall 2010 will reach $55.12 billion, according to NRF’s 2010 Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey conducted by BIGresearch.  This Back to School survey says that the average American family will spend $606.40 on clothes, shoes, supplies and electronics this year compared to $548.20 last year.

Retailers, it’s never too early to plan and move in new seasonal merchandise.  Whether you sell clothing, shoes, backpacks, electronics, dorm or school supplies, it’s a good idea to take stock of your store and supplies to make sure you’re set for autumn sales. Here are a few Store Planning tips to help you transition from summer sensational to fall fabulous:

1. Plan your new window display.  One of the main ways to update your window display is to change your colors to evoke the change of seasons.  Hot for fall is “sustainable” trends.  According to color and textile design experts, “urban concrete and formal darks meets mid-tones and bright shades” will be “in” this autumn.  So, think colors like: Flax, Dark Oak, Antique Pewter, Sandstone or Champagne, Venetian Red and Sable for your window and displays.  For inspiration on color choices check out fall 2010/winter 2011 Textile/Fashion Color Trends here.
2. If you have space, consider using mannequins to add visual appeal to your window and in-store displays.  Mannequins come in a  range of shapes, sizes, poses, etc. and can be positioned in different ways. Plus mannequins give you great styling options.  Remember customers like to be able to visualize how merchandise, particularly clothing and accessories will look on them.
3. Determine your focal point.  Keep it simple.  Placing too many items will create confusion.  Pick and choose your key items and place them at eye level.  This goes for your window display as well as your in-store displays.
4. Review your store layout and plan your displays. Your goal is to make it easy for the customer to find what they are looking for and to make sense of your product arrangements.  Keep your groupings logical by grouping similar products together, with complementary products nearby.  Remember to view your displays from different angles as your customer would.  Are your focal points still good from different angles?  Is your retail signage clear and readable?
5. Clean it up! You’ve worked hard to attract customers into your store, you’ll want to make sure you keep them there as long as possible and also wanting to come back for more. Nothing ruins a shopping experience more quickly than an unorganized and untidy store.  Evaluate your store from head to toe.  Dispose of litter, reposition displays that may have shifted to where they don’t belong. Check your shelves and make sure all your merchandise is dust-free and in its proper place.  Re-stock inventory as needed.  Are your signs, tags and labels legible and correct?  Enter your store and take a fresh and critical look.  Does it pass your white glove test? Remember that your customer will form an impression of  your store within the first 10 seconds of entering.

Finally don’t get caught unprepared make sure you have the tools and supplies you need to succeed.  Must have items on your Fall Store Fixtures & Supplies Checklist:

• Price labelers, tagging guns – When ordering supplies for price labelers and tagging guns remember one size does not fit all.  Check your brand and model number to get the right labels for your price guns and needles for your tagging guns.
• Retail sale signage, sign holders – Fresh signage helps call attention to your sales. Consider different sizes and colors.  Look for places you can add signage in your store.  In addition to stationary sign holders there are many versatile and portable sign holder options available today.
• Clothing Hangers and Size Dividers / Markers – When ordering hangers keep in mind the sizes you need.  Hang children’s clothing on child sized hangers.   Size dividers and markers help customers find the sizes they need quickly.
• Countertop Displays/Merchandisers – Your counters are prime selling space! Entice impulse purchases with countertop displays and merchandisers.
• Clothing Racks – If you sell clothing make sure you have the right displays.  For clothing: use multi-tier or 4 way racks to pair tops with bottoms to show how coordinated outfits will look.
• Shelving & Hooks – Use shelving to create interesting new displays.  Add new types of merchandise hooks for your slatwall, gridwall or pegboard displays to display more items in new and interesting ways.  Shelving hooks are one of the most cost-effective supplies you can add to your visual merchandising tool kit.
• Acrylic Displays – Help your merchandise really shine through with acrylic displays.  Not only are these displays durable they are versatile available in a range of sizes and shapes.  There are specialty displays available to show off everything from shoes to school supplies.
• Display Tables – Entice shoppers to stop and look with display tables placed in strategic locations throughout your store.  Create visually appealing displays on your tables that make them irresistible and convenient to shop.
• Shopping bags, tissue paper – Customers remember the finishing touches so make a good lasting impression through your shopping bags and tissue paper.  Don’t get caught short of these essentials. It’s a good idea to order and keep a good supply on hand.

For the widest selection of retail store fixtures and supplies for Back to School visit www.discountshelving.com.

© Copyright 2010 Discount Shelving & Displays, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

Father’s Day is one of the biggest shopping events focused on men.  According to NRF’s 2010 Father’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, the average person will spend $94.32 honoring Dads this year, up from $90.89 last year.  Total Father’s Day spending is estimated to reach $9.8 billion.

What do people think are on Dads’ wish lists this Father’s Day? According to the report, shiny new gadgets/toys will be one of the biggest hits this year, along with special outings, gift certificates and clothing. The survey found 39.9 % of those celebrating Dad this year will treat him to a special outing such as dinner or brunch, spending $1.9 billion. With 36.7 % planning on spending a total of $1.3 billion on clothes, Dad can expect a few more work shirts and ties to add to his collection as well. Others will shell out $1.2 billion on electronics, $749 million on greeting cards, $578 million on tools or appliances, $550 million on home improvement or gardening tools and $400 million on automotive accessories. Three out of 10 (31.2%) will give Dad a gift card, spending an estimated $1.2 billion on those purchases.

When it comes to where people will buy their gifts, discount stores (34.4%) and department stores (34.1%) will see the most traffic. Specialty stores such as greeting card or gift stores (26.4%), online (20.5%) and specialty clothing stores (7.6%) will also be popular shopper destinations.

Are you ready for Father’s Day sales and beyond? Here are five terrific store supply and retail display items to have in your merchandising tool-kit: 

1. Paper Shopping Bags in masculine colors like navy, chocolate, hunter green and black offer a great way for customers to take home purchases.  Don’t forget to stock up on matching tissue paper!
2. Tie & Belt Racks are available as hooks for your gridwall or slatwall as well as countertop and standing displays.  Don’t forget belt hangers and neck tie riders.
3. CD/DVD Displays show off your titles using countertop CD/DVD displays to spur impulse purchases or use free-standing or island displays if you have larger quantities to sell.
4. Eyewear Displays are ideal for showcasing a single pair or multiple pairs of eyewear.  We have several spinning eyewear displays that can hold anywhere  from 38 to 72 pairs of eyewear at a time.
5. Grid Merchandisers  Do you want to add a display quickly? Grid Merchandisers are easy to assemble and fit perfectly in many areas of your store.  You can even mount grids to your wall or fit merchandisers around columns or beams!  Grids combined with any number of versatile hardware and accessories can be used to set up an effective display of complementary merchandise giving customers plenty of add-on buying opportunities.

DEER PARK, NY,  Discount Shelving & Displays (www.discountshelving.com), a leading retail store fixtures supplier, announces availability of the new Majestic Series clothing rack line.  These contemporary garment racks feature attractive dark grey steel finish capped with filigree flourishes. 

“Boutique owners interested in a fresh, contemporary and more feminine look in merchandise displays will appreciate the Majestic Series line,” says Tim Enright, president of Discount Shelving & Displays, Inc. “In addition to being contemporary, attractive and functional, this line is affordable.” At Discount Shelving customers can find the Majestic Series clothing racks starting at under $100.00.

The Majestic Series boutique-style clothing rack line available from Discount Shelving includes:

•  Majestic One-Arm Clothing Rack
• Majestic Four-Way Clothing Rack
• Majestic Single-Bar Rolling Clothing Rack
• Majestic Double-Bar Rolling Garment Rack
• Majestic Round Garment Rack, Two-Tier
• Majestic Three Piece Table

About Discount Shelving & Displays

Since 1995, Discount Shelving & Displays has been a leading source for store fixtures and displays. We import, distribute and manufacture high quality products. Our extensive inventory, low prices and quality service ensures that we have what stores need to be successful. Among the many products Discount Shelving & Displays carries include: gondola shelving, slatwall, gridwall, showcases, counters, mannequins, clothing racks, shelving, clothing hangers, retail signage, tagging guns, jewelry displays, gift boxes, tissue paper shopping bags and more.

For more information visit: www.discountshelving.com or call: 1-888-957-4353.  Customers can also visit our showroom at: 698 Long Island Avenue, Deer Park, NY  11729.

Retail sales are looking up for Easter.  According to the NFR’s 2010 Easter Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, the average person celebrating the holiday is expected to spend $118.60, up from $116.59 last year. Total spending is estimated to reach $13.03 billion.

The typical Easter consumer will spend $17.29 on candy and $18.16 on gifts. Other holiday purchases include clothing ($19.03), food ($37.45), flowers ($7.84), decorations ($6.34) and greeting cards ($6.30).  When it comes to buying Easter merchandise, most Americans will shop at discount (64.8%) and department stores (33.2%). People will also head to specialty stores such as florists or gift/greeting-card stores (22.0%), online (13.1%), specialty clothing stores (7.0%) and catalogs (3.7%).

Gear Up for Your Easter Sales

It’s not too late to gear up for those potential sales! Make the right impression with your customers by updating your supply of bags, tissue paper and gift boxes.  Also, don’t forget bright new signage. Freshen up your color palette for these items.  Go from dark to light by choosing pastels or vibrant hues like purple and orange.  For your sales signage try fluorescent colored signs like pink, yellow and green.  There are plenty of fun color options now available.

© 2010 Discount Shelving & Displays.

When displaying clothing for sale, remember that people prefer to see clothes on people. The next best thing is to merchandise clothing on mannequins and forms. It’s proven that you can sell more when you display it well. Mannequins and forms make it easier for customers to visualize how the garment will look on them. Today there are literally hundreds of mannequins and forms available to choose from. Following is some useful info to help in figuring out whether a mannequin or form will fit your needs.

Space considerations

• Forms give you more opportunities to displays clothing in limited areas. You can use forms as displays on top of racks and hung from walls.

• Mannequins are available standing or sitting, in action or still, and take up floor space.

Merchandise considerations

• Forms allow you to display individual items (tops, bottoms, tee-shirts, swimwear, etc.).

• Mannequins allow you to display full outfits (tops with bottoms, dresses, suits, etc.).

Style Differences

Forms

Forms are available in complete rounds or plastic shells. Shell forms cost between $8.00 and $15.00 with full rounds increasing in price, but are still economical. There are also separate heads, hands, legs, and bottom forms.

Jersey Forms are a long-time standard in the industry. Covered in jersey fabric, they offer smooth contours and shape. Jersey forms make pinning and shaping garments easy. They also offer a classic look with neck block and wood base.

Mannequins

Mannequins come in a lot of styles. Typically mannequins have arms and legs. They can come in all sorts of different poses. Style wise, there are abstract mannequins that have no facial features, sculptured heads that don’t require any wigs, and those that give you different wig styles as options. Mannequins also come in different ethnic styles.

Then there are the headless models considered “timeless” because they don’t depict a specific style or genre. You don’t have to worry about ethnicity, hairstyles that go out of fashion, you don’t have to show age, etc. Retailers like headless mannequins because they’re not affected by current fads/looks.

Both forms and mannequins come in male, female, adult, child styles and in different shapes and sizes (plus-size, pregnant, petite, active, etc.).

If neither mannequins, nor forms fit your needs, consider alternative displays such as flexible forms and metal displayers. These non-traditional displayers offer a more abstract way to show off clothing.