Fixtures & Fittings
"If the shelf fits..."
We moved into the existing retail space with fridges, shelves and a working till, but it didn’t fit our vision or brand for the CFCS.
Quotes for wooden / period shelving units came in around £70k, so we built them ourselves at a fraction of the cost by deploying skills of a resident DIY enthusiast! Meanwhile, paint colours, lighting and flooring were all carefully sourced with the original mood board in mind.
Mixing retro-rural with a modern twist meant homemade cake stands, and a state-of-the-art contactless payment system (essential for social distancing shoppers). All of this was backed up by EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) software to track stock.
Seating, accessible toilets, baby-changing facilities and a coffee machine would mean added comfort for customers. Our premises needed to be totally accessible, so dogs and are bikes welcome (though not dogs on bikes!) and a child eye-height tempting display of sweets and chocolate.
And let’s not forget the people actually running the shop - the volunteers; we factored in CCTV for added security, a private kitchen area, a separate sink for hand washing and a small back-office area for essential admin work.
- Think about the skills that exist within your community; ask around for help with fixtures and fittings, or for personal recommendations from residents who have engaged tradesmen in their own home.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for discounts on any fixtures and fittings or skilled work – the CFCS model has excellent ethical credentials which suppliers and manufacturers were willing to support… and long term, they could reap the benefits of having a well-built and reliable local community shop on their doorstep.
- CFCS volunteers of all ages got involved in tasks where basic DIY skills could be applied - painting walls, fitting shelves, plumbing, and generally getting the new re-furbished shop ready, so rally the troops in your community and ask whole families to become involved.
- Tackle the project in the same way as your own home renovation by making YOUR community shop work for YOU – your customers, your volunteers and your local needs.
- A little careful thought – coupled with a large amount of common sense – will result in a logical store layout that will encourage customers to feel welcome, make browsing the shop easy, and hopefully tempt them to stay and spend a little bit more.
Getting Started
No shop or premises are the same. However there are some key factors to consider from a practical standpoint that will help you start the initial task of sketching out your layout of fixtures and fittings and make the most of the space you have available:
Till area
Located to avoid congestion within the shop, and with room for shoppers’ goods to be processed.
Shopping aisles/floor space
Must be wide enough to accommodate prams, wheelchairs and with clear access to fire exits, etc.
Display heights
Central aisles and shelving should be at a height that can be seen over, whilst wall-mounted units can be higher, whilst remaining easily accessible for shelf stocking.
Clear sight lines
Create an open feel within the shop, particularly to the door so that customers can easily see what is where.
‘Eye-line is buy-line’
Position popular or high-margin products at eye-level, as these will be seen easily and it will make your shop feel well organised.
Electrical
Use an industry-approved tradesperson. Although your premises may already have a mains supply, a qualified locally based ‘spark’ will be invaluable for any re-wiring or additional needs. Make sure there are plentiful strategically placed wall power sockets – you will need these for freezers/fridges/till & card machine/phone lines or chargers/air conditioning & fans/cleaning appliances. A suitable outdoor socket is also a bonus (don’t forget the outdoor Christmas Tree in December!) and will help any tradespeople working on the exterior area needing access to power.
In terms of lighting, aim for bright and uniform throughout the store, especially at the counter. Ask your electrician for any trade discounts that may be available, and think of the look you are trying to achieve e.g. stark strip lighting may not be the best ‘fit’ for your mood board aesthetic! Good lighting can work wonders – poor or unsuitable lighting can destroy the ambiance you are hoping to achieve.
Plumbing
As with electrical work, using the services of a qualified technician is the best route. Ask around for local tradesmen who are willing to help with discounted rates, or even better free of charge, during their own free time. Consider fixtures such as a kitchen area or hand-washing station – if someone locally is renovating their home, they may ‘donate’ their old kitchen or bathroom fittings that can be adapted to suit your needs? At worst, ask your plumber if he would allow you to have the items ‘at cost’ from their supplier – every saving helps!
Natural light
Make the most of any existing windows in the premises that allow natural daylight into the shop which will enhance the natural and open feel overall.
Chillers/fridges/freezers
Locate these OUT of direct sunlight. This also includes including shelves containing perishable goods that can be tarnished, or result in faded packaging.
Merchandising
Aim for vertical stacking of products which gives the impression of a well-stocked shop. Ensure items are grouped in logical sections e.g. household/cleaning, personal hygiene, pasta/sauces, baking, jams, herbs & spices etc. Think about appealing ways in which these can be displayed (e.g. wooden crates or wicker baskets).
Promotional hot spots
Use any ‘spare’ smaller spaces for promoting new lines or seasonal local produce such as homemade jams or or seasonal craft items.
Impulse buys
Position confectionery or special offers near the counter to encourage shoppers, especially ‘treats’ which usually carry a good margin.
Over 18’s products
Place high value and age-restricted goods such as medicines and batteries behind the counter on display shelving. If you are selling cigarettes or tobacco products, ensure there is a non-display storage area for your till staff to access e.g. deep draw or cupboard. It would be a good idea for the shelves displaying alcohol products to be in direct sight for staff to monitor from behind the till.
Outside
Kerbside appeal is hugely important for any shop. Clear, professional signage is key to attracting customers and should follow your colour palette or overall theme of the shop interior. Use external space for items that can be displayed outside e.g. fruit & veg and charcoal, and don’t forget a simple awning for protecting your stock during changeable weather. If possible, make allowance for customers’ four-legged friends with some dog lead tie posts (and a regularly replenished bowl of water). Space permitting, include a bike rack if your local area is popular with cyclists.
Looking good!
If a long list of work seems overwhelming, pull out the mood board to remind you of your ultimate goal. Don't forget the appearance, layout and atmosphere of your community shop are vital contributors to its success.
Put yourself in the customers’ shoes
What would you like to see when you walk in? What would make you stop and browse and buy?
More Help…
For a full list of considerations, check out the Plunkett Foundation's detailed checklist.
