POP Displays Place

Archive for the ‘Tips on Buying’ Category

There is a difference between antique or vintage store fixtures and used store fixtures. Antique or vintage store fixtures have a classic look and style.  In most cases these pieces are brand new but were manufactured to replicate items used in stores in times past. Some may be in a style such of the past such as deco or minimalist, but they are created to represent a specific period in history. Used store fixtures are exactly that, they have been previously used in a store.

They may not be very old, having been purchased by a business owner who did not have the success he intended. They may be in good condition, and since they have been previously used, if they are what you are looking for, may be a good investment because the price should be inexpensive. If you are interested in opening a certain kind of business, and you find that a store in a nearby area is having a going out of business sale, the chances are that once the retailer is done selling his merchandise to the general public, he will sell his fixtures to anyone interested in purchasing them. These fixtures will likely be sold at a very good, discounted price. Be sure to look for going out of business sales in areas near you. The retailer going out of business does not have to be in the same business you plan to open. The fixtures may meet your needs even if the business is not the same. Remember slatwall panels and gridwall panels can be used to display almost anything.

If you can get these fixtures for twenty five cents on the dollar from someone who is moving their business, you will be able to make your budget go further than if you had to order these items new from a catalog, especially if the items are in good condition. If you do end up buying your gridwall and slatwall panels used, you can still accentuate them with modern or updated accessories to display your products in the best possible light, with your own personal touches. When your store has come together the way you had hoped it would, take time to sit down with your receipts and compare the actual cost of what you spent on fixtures to the cost of what you would have spent had you purchased all the fixtures new. You can consider the difference as the first profit your store has made.

If you have a limited budget when outfitting store, you may wish to choose a used mannequin. There are several reasons why you might want to choose a used mannequin. Many retailers do not feel that spending the money for new mannequins is justified when used ones work just as well. Although some mannequins need small repairs or need to be repainted, they can look quite good when cleaned up and dressed. You may also be able to rent a used mannequin.

Buying a used mannequin could be the ideal solution for a store that is opening with a very small budget. By purchasing a used mannequin, you could actually save hundreds of dollars. You should be able to find many used mannequins that are in very good condition, although some may need minor repairs. You can find a wide variety of used mannequins to fit the needs of your store including males, females and children.

You will also be able to find mannequins with moveable arms and legs, so that you will be able to change their position. Although you may be concerned that used mannequins will look to dated or have haircuts that are out of style, you will find that used mannequins do not look much different from the new ones. Differences can usually be fixed. Used mannequins can be refurbished by adding new wigs and other finishing touches if they need to be updated. If you will only need to use a mannequin for a short period of time, you should look into renting a used mannequin. You will find a variety of mannequins for rent from the same outlets or website that you would find used mannequins for sale.

Rental companies will keep the mannequins in good repair since those mannequins are used over and over again, and the company wants the mannequins to be presentable so that they can rent them again. If you are on a tight budget, you should certainly consider buying or renting used mannequins. Most used mannequins do look like new. You can also update the look of your mannequin by giving it a stylish makeover. If you need a mannequin for a short period of time, renting one may be ideal for you.

This concept may sound strange, but it is a fact that if you are opening up your own retail store, you will likely never want to purchases anything retail again, especially if it is for your own business.

Buying your fixtures wholesale is the best possible solution, unless you are looking to purchase antique fixtures for a reasonable price. Even if you have chosen to hire a professional designer who specializes in retail design, you should be getting your fixtures and other products at prices even better than wholesale.

The designer will charge for her services but should not be making a profit on the fixtures for your business. If you have decided to design and set up your store on your own, you should be sure to shop around to find the best wholesale prices for the fixtures you will need.  If you are interested in having custom made pieces for your business, you will be paying a higher price to the manufacturer of those items. If you want to create a certain look imitated in a specific material, you will pay higher prices for that special design aspect.

If your tastes are not too exotic and your store can be decorated tastefully in the variety of attractive displays that are available to you, you should have little difficulty finding the right fixtures as good wholesale prices to fit into your budget. You will need to invest the time to research where you can get the best prices.  You will also need to remain flexible with your design so that you don’t needing many specialty items. You wouldn’t pay the retail price for the items you are selling, you shouldn’t pay retail price for the fixtures in your store either.
You will find numerous stores in your area that specialize in selling fixtures for business at wholesale prices. Enough stores exist in major cities in America, and enough new stores are opening up, to create a healthy market for competitive pricing. Be sure to investigate several stores, visit the store, get their catalogs and be sure to ask them about closeouts ad discontinued items that are being sold at even lower costs. These businesses also change their stock with the seasons, to stay current with the trends and to stay up to date with technology.  If you plan in advance what fixtures you want to purchase, you could end up getting the fixtures you really wanted at even better prices than you had planned on.