Action Steps for Effective Retail Displays
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Explore renting or buying used retail displays to save money

Large retail displays, especially those made from glass and wood, can be very expensive if you buy them new. If you still want quality and style but cannot afford to buy display cases brand new, you can choose to rent display cases or buy them used to save money.

I recommend: You can find many models of used display cases from Value Store Fixtures, or buy a used display case from UsedBizStuff.com.

Choose smaller display racks for a cheaper way to attract buyers

There are many buyers who enjoy a good impulse buy. These buyers will often be attracted to display racks and display stands near the point of sale. The good thing about smaller display racks you can install near the cash register is that they are inexpensive and can attract a lot of last-minute sales.

I recommend: If you are looking to save a lot of money on your smaller displays, choose cardboard display racks from Displays2Go. You can also go with sturdy acrylic display cases from Display Warehouse.

Get display stands that offer security for valuable items

Security is one of the biggest reasons retailers use display cases. Valuable merchandise can easily be slipped into pockets and stolen if it's not in some sort of protective, lockable display case. Investing in lockable display cases to protect small, valuable items will save you costs in lost merchandise over the long run.

I recommend: M. Fried Store Fixtures has many styles of lockable display cases for sale. You can also find a variety of models from Alfax Furniture.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Though the pricing and costs of display cases will be an important factor in your decision, you final consideration should be how the case works in your store. Just because you can get a good price on a display case does not mean it will be the right fit or style for your retail space.

Guide to Racks, Shelving and Display Cases

Retail displays can really help your products stand out

By Jennifer Baljko, Freelance Writer and Editor

1. Flexibility. The right kind of retail display offers many ways to effectively present your product to customers and the ability to change without a lot of trouble.
2. Efficiency. Everyone in retail knows that space is at a premium. Since you don't want to waste the space you're paying for, it pays to use a retail window display, table top displays and display racks efficiently.
3. Improved sales and lower costs. A good store display system can be used many times, allowing you to dedicate precious money and resources to the products they help you sell.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide what you want to accomplish with your store display

Do you want a clean look with smooth lines? Do you need functional storage space? Do want something that is easy to work with as the seasons change? And is it racks, cases or shelving that will work best?

I recommend: Trio Display gives tips for figuring out which items will be most appropriate for your business and an online catalogue of retail display cases, display racks and more. At Allen Designers Inc. you can check the specs for a display case, mannequin, shelving and all sorts of other items for retail window display and store display.

Browse online to order retail display cases and more

Many good companies sell retail display racks, display cases and shelves. Browse their Web sites for ideas; many also have a shopping cart where you can buy what you like online.

I recommend: Visit Virtual Display Mall for a wide variety of acrylic, glass, metal and wood retail display cases and display racks. Art Display Essentials specializes in table top displays and stands to showcase fine jewelry, art and other high end goods. Find a rotating display stand and point-of-purchase retail displays at Azar Displays. For a good selection of basic, functional retail display cases, try KC Store Fixtures. Find an extensive list of dealers in retail display cases, jewelry display cases and garment display racks at Business.com.

Save money with used display cases and other store display equipment

You don't have to buy everything new. Save money and still get what you need with used display cases and racks.

I recommend: Adisplaycase.com, which connects buyers and sellers, has a link where you can find used retail display equipment. You may also find deals on eBay; search in the business and industrial section under shelves, racks or display cases.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Shelving options include steel shelving, rivet shelving and wire shelving. To help focus on the right rack and shelving choices for your business, you'll need to know the 1) width of area the racks or shelves will occupy, 2) the width, depth and height of products being stored, 3) the weight of products being stored, along with the number of products to be stored for each rack or shelf, 4) the depth of the shelf-depth, front to back dimension, 5) total weight each shelf will need to carry, 6) and total height of shelving needed, keeping in mind ceiling height, number of shelves desired and spacing needed between shelves.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose retail display cases that partition your sales floor

Display cases are often used to partition customers away from employee areas, such as near the cash register, around employee-only rooms, and between store sections. You can find many models of display cases that will highlight your merchandise and function as counter space near cash registers and check-out areas.

I recommend: Large display cases, such as those from Barr Display and Display Case Company, double as a partition between the customer and the register.

Use open product display cases to promote impulse buys

In any given retail space, display racks near the cash register will get the most attention. While your customers wait in line to purchase a product, their eyes immediately see an open product display rack where they can reach out and grab the merchandise. This results in shoppers making impulse buys before it's their turn to check out.

I recommend: Countertop displays from Display Case Showcase are perfect for attracting those who cannot resist impulse buys. Achieve Display has many models of open display racks for a variety of products, including cell phones, jewelry, and CDs.

Purchase custom built display cases

In order to give your retail space a unique feel, or fit an unusual space, purchase custom built display cases. The cases can be built to match your color scheme, a custom shape or built special for specific items that need to be encased in your store.

I recommend: You can find many options for custom built retail displays from Ivar's and Gabriel Logan.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When purchasing display cases, make sure the quality of the display matches the quality of your product. Inexpensive items should be in easy reach, perhaps on a plastic rack, to promote impulse buys. Likewise, expensive items belong in a classy display case. This signals to customers that the product is worth the price.

Guide to Display Cases Key Terms

Learn the display case lingo

By Lori Carver

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Counter display cases

Counter display cases sit on a counter and display the wares of the store. Typically, store owners use counter top display cases to sell impulse items that they position next to the check out registers.

I recommend: Display Case Showcase shows a counter top display case along with dimensions and how to use it.

Refrigerated display cases

Refrigerated display cases keep the products cold. Bakeries and other food product stores use these cases to show off their cold foods while still keeping the products at the required temperature.

I recommend: C Kitchen sells refrigerated and non-refrigerated display cases.

Glass shelves

Glass shelves in a display case tend to show off the contents due to the interaction of light and the glass. This type of shelving is ideal for selling crystal items, blown glass, trophies and other fragile pieces.

I recommend: Ergo in Demand offers display cases with glass shelves to better show off the contents.

Wire racks, wire shelving

Wire shelving or wire shelving systems display all sorts of products. Since wire shelving is strong enough to support almost anything, including books and tools, many merchants use it to display heavier products.

I recommend: Go To Pac offers wire shelving systems and wire racks. They provide information on how to use the shelves and systems.

Rivet shelving

Rivet shelving systems go together easily and provide access to the merchandise from all sides since there is no front, back or sides. However, this may not be a good alternative if the merchandise is fragile.

I recommend: Shelving offers rivet shelving for sale in an assortment of sizes. Choose single or double rivet shelving systems.

Floor display cases

Floor display cases are large cases standing typically about 5 or 6 feet tall. Usually, they will have several shelves to house display items. Most will have glass doors to protect fragile items while still showing them.

I recommend: Modern Office provides floor display cases in a variety of colors. Useful information follows the picture of the case which includes possible uses as well as the materials that make up the display case.