Saving Money With Reconditioned Gondola Shelves

One of the most important fixtures for a retail store are shelves. Whether your store sells groceries, liquor, electronics or general items, you need shelving units for displaying them to your customers. Instead of purchasing new gondola shelves for your retail store, you should consider buying reconditioned models. Doing so is a simple and effective way to save money without sacrificing quality; here's why:

First and foremost, let's take a look at what exactly reconditioned gondola shelves are, as some people are likely hearing about them for the first time now. Basically, these are gondola shelves which have already been used. Before they are labeled as "reconditioned," however, they must go through a rigorous inspection process to ensure they meet quality control standards. If there's damage or some other problem with the gondola shelf, the manufacturer will fix it before selling it as "reconditioned."

Trying to fill a newly opened retail store with gondola shelves can easily burn a hole in your company's finances. This is especially true for large retail stores with lots of floor space. The good news is that you can significantly slash your costs by opting for reconditioned gondola shelves instead of new ones. Yes, reconditioned models have been used before, but they've also gone through an inspection process to ensure there's nothing wrong with them. You can rest assured knowing that your reconditioned gondola shelf meets all of the standards set forth by the company.

The truth is that most people can't even tell the difference between a new and reconditioned gondola shelf. Reconditioned gondola shelves see very light use for the most part; therefore, they look almost brand new. The only real difference between them is the significantly lower price associated with reconditioned gondola shelves, and that's a benefit that's hard for most retail store owners to overlook.

Using reconditioned gondola shelves in your store rather than new ones is a simple and effective way to save money. If you are financially conscious business owner who's always on the lookout to cut costs, you should consider using reconditioned gondolas. Not only are they cheaper,  but they've also been inspected for quality assurance.

So, go ahead and see for yourself why so many store owners choose reconditioned gondola shelves over new ones. You'll find a wide variety of reconditioned gondolas for sale available through our website. Just browse through our selections and click on the ones you are interested in.

Increasing Your Store's Profit Through Special Promotions

One of the easiest and most effective ways to increase a retail store's profit is by offering discounts and special promotions. Whether your store sells electronics, liquor, antiques, clothing, groceries or convenience items, chances are it will benefit from the use of special promotions. The fact is that customers want to feel like they are getting a good deal on their purchase. By placing a bug "special sale" sign on your product, you will give customers this feeling. To learn more about how you can increase your store's profits through special promotions, keep reading.

Follow The Holidays

If you've been in the retail business for any length of time, you've probably noticed that holidays are the best time of year in terms of sales. While the Christmas season draws the most sales, you'll still see higher numbers during other holidays as well. You can use this to your advantage by offering your customers special sales and promotions during the holidays.

Let's face it, trying to keep up with all of the different holidays throughout the year can be challenging, especially when you are busy focusing on the more important aspects of your business. However, allowing these holidays to slide by without using them to leverage promotions is a mistake that far too many business owners make. If you haven't done so already, pick up a calender so you can see exactly when the upcoming holidays take place.

Get Rid of Old Product

If your store has product that simply doesn't seem to sell easily, you can encourage customers to purchase it by offering a special promotion. Simply mark down the price on any stubborn products in your store and chances are customers will snatch it up. This can be extremely helpful for moving out-of-season clothes and accessories that customers aren't willing to pay full price for. Of course, you may not be able to use this method to get rid of groceries that are past their expiration date. In this case, you'll have to toss them out and count them as shrink.

Choosing a "Sale" Price

So, how do you choose a sale price for your products? There's a fine line between giving your customers a good deal and losing money on a transaction. To ensure your business remains profitable, you need to avoid pricing your products too low. Instead, work on finding a happy medium that allows you to profit from a transaction while giving your customers a good deal. Always be aware of your profit margins when offering sales and special promotions.

How To Get The Most Benefit Out of Your Gondola Shelving

Most experienced and successful retail store owners will agree that gondola shelving is the best all-around way to display products to your customers. While there are several different types of gondolas available, most of them are designed in the same fashion. Gondola shelving units have fully adjustable shelves that can be moved up or down to better fit the product. In addition, the entire gondola can be moved to a different area of the store by lifting the unit and placing wheels underneath. To learn more about gondolas and how you can get the most benefit out of them, keep reading.

Shelf Sizing

Arguably, the single most important thing to remember when using a gondola unit is to properly adjust the shelves so it gives your product just enough clearance to pull out. Spacing out the shelves too far will result in reduced space, which ultimately forces you to give up some of your product. You can maximize the amount of product space you have by properly adjusting the shelves on your gondola unit. Ideally, the shelf about a row of products should be just tall enough for the tallest product to pull out without hitting the shelf. If you haven't done so already, go around to your various gondola units to adjust the shelves in this manner.

Keep It Clean

I can't stress just how important it is to keep your gondola units clean. While gondolas are naturally durable, you can maintain their fresh new appearance by occasionally cleaning them. So, how are you supposed to clean a gondola unit? We go over this in more detail in a previous post, but the basic idea is to remove all of the product from the shelves before wiping it down with a clean paper towel and glass cleaner. Glass cleaner works wonders to not only remove dust and dirt from a gondola shelf, but it also leaves it with a shiny surface.

Use End Caps

If you aren't using end caps on each and every gondola unit, you are missing out on valuable product real estate. As the name suggests, end caps are designed to fit onto the ends of gondolas. When customers walk by an aisle, they will still take notice of the end caps; therefore, you can use this to your advantage by placing products out on display here. The secret is to display spontaneous purchase items that people will buy on the fly.

Business Tips For Wine Store Owners

Operating a wine store is a fun and financially rewarding venture that allows you to work for yourself. If you are experienced and knowledgeable in the different types of wine, then perhaps this is the industry that's right for you. Unfortunately, far too many people expect their retail wine business to automatically start with a successful client base. Like all businesses, you must work from the ground up to create a client base. Only then can you expect to have a long-lasting, profitable business. If this is something you are interested in, keep reading to learn some more essential business tips for retail wine store owners.

Tip #1 - Know Which Licenses and Permits You Need

One of the most confusing parts of opening and running a wine store is trying to determine which permits and licenses are necessary. Since the requirements vary depending on the city's laws, it's oftentimes a challenge to find out what you need. So, how do you know what's required for opening a retail wine store? The easiest way is to take a trip to the local city planning office in the city where you intend on opening the store. Ask to speak with someone about your desire to open a retail wine store. They should be able to walk you through all of the necessary licenses are permits that are required.

Tip #2 - Naming Your Store

A common mistake newcomers to the retail wine industry make is giving their store a generic name. While this may be easier, it doesn't allow you to brand your business. Instead, take the time to choose a unique name that people can remember. Over time, people will recognize your store's name as a trusted leader in the retail wine business. If you are having trouble choosing a name, go back to the basics of what your store is about -- wine. From there, you can mix some unique terms and words to achieve a uniquely brandable store name.

Tip #3 -  Get Wholesale Prices

You can't expect to run a successful retail wine store if you are purchasing product at a premium cost. Even if there's still a margin to be made, it might not be enough to cover the costs of overhead, employee wages and other associated costs. The only way you are going to make a profit it by purchasing your wine from distributors and wineries at wholesale. Talk with your distributors and wineries to see if they are willing to work with you on the price. In most cases, they will offer a lower price for a greater amount of product purchased. You don't have to necessarily place all of your wine product out in your store for sale, but instead place some on the shelves and the rest in storage.

Simple and Effective Ways To Clean a Gondola Shelf

Gondola shelving offers one of the best all-around ways to display product in a retail store. Instead of using built-in shelves that don't move, you can build completely moveable and adjustable gondola shelving units for your store. Like all shelves, though, you'll need to know how to properly clean and maintain them. Retail stores naturally attract a large amount of dust, dirt and debris from doors constantly being open and new boxed products coming in. If you fail to clean your gondola shelves, they will accumulate layers of thick dust. The good news is that cleaning gondolas is a fairly simple and straightforward process that should only take a couple minutes of your free time; here's how you do it:

Remove The Product

The first step necessary for cleaning a dirty gondola shelf is to remove all of the product from it. I know some people might want to avoid doing this, but it's necessary for a thorough cleaning. Just pull all of the product form the gondola and place it in a buggy or some bread trays. You can leave the price tags on the front of the gondola shelf to help you remember where the product goes. As you are pulling the product off, look for any damaged or expired goods that need to be thrown away.

Vinegar Solution

There are several different ways to clean a gondola shelf, but nothing works better than good old fashion vinegar. It's cheap, all-natural, and works wonders on gondola shelves. You don't have to use pure vinegar, but instead mix it with about half water. This will create a powerful, acidic solution that makes easy work of dust and dirt. Ideally, you should pour the mixture into a spray bottle to use on the gondola shelves. If you don't have a spray bottle, though, you can still use it in a cup or bucket.

Once you've made the solution of diluted vinegar, it's time to get to work. Go back to the gondola shelves that you recently removed the product from and spray them down with the vinegar. Using a clean paper towel, wipe the diluted vinegar and any dust or dirt off the shelf. Continue doing this on each and every shelf until you've cleaned the entire gondola. Be warned, though, it may require a large portion of paper towels to fully clean a gondola. Stock up beforehand on supplies to make the process faster and less of a hassle.

How To Reduce Theft In Your Retail Store

Shoplifting is a growing problem in the retail industry that doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon. It's not something store owners or managers want to think about, but theft does occur, and more often than you may realize. According to some estimates, over $13 billion worth of goods are stolen each year. As an owner, it's your responsibility to tackle the issue of theft to ensure your business remains profitable and successful. Keep reading for some essential tips on how to reduce theft in a retail store.

Use Cameras

When you are busy spending money on products, services and employee payroll for your store, you might not have a lot of cash left over. This of course is especially true during the early stages of a retail store when the business is trying to establish itself. However, it's always a smart idea to invest in security cameras for your store. Once installed, they will allow you to keep an eye on your store at all times. If you notice product is missing, check the recordings to see whether or not a shoplifter is to blame. You can even hand this footage over to the local police authorities to help in their investigation.

Contrary to what some people may believe, a security camera system doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Thanks to the advancements in modern technology, full security camera systems can be purchased for $750-$1,000. As you are shopping for a new security system, pay close attention to how it records. Some of the recent cameras on the market use networking technology to send the feed to an address where you can log in and view it in real time.

Watch Your Employees

Over half of all retail store theft comes from employees. Even if you "think" your employees are trustworthy, you must always err on the side of caution. Avoid placing open products in the back room where employees can freely access it. Instead, a better option is to use a cage for storing valuable products and only give the manager a key to access it. This will naturally help to reduce theft by employees in your store.

You can also setup security cameras in the back of your store where employees frequently work. Even if the cameras never catch your employees stealing product, just the sight of the cameras will likely sway their desire to steal.

What To Look For When Purchasing a Retail Store Cooler

If you own or are planning to open a retail store in the near future that sells refrigerated food products, you are inevitably going to need a cooler. Purchasing one is a smart investment that's sure to pay off in the long run with more customers and ultimately more sales. With so many different types of coolers and freezers available on the market, choosing one can prove to be a challenge. If you are having trouble selecting the right one for your retail store, keep reading for a simple guide on what to look for when purchasing a retail store cooler.

Doors

Arguably, one of the most important things you should consider when purchasing a cooler for your retail store is the number of doors it contains. A unit with 3 doors will allow multiple customers to pickup products simultaneously, while a single-door model will force them to wait. With that said, however, there are some potential disadvantages to using a model with a large number of doors, such as the increased amount of space it requires. Ask yourself how much refrigerated product you intend on offering your retail store and then choose a cooler with the right number of doors to meet your needs.

In addition to the number of doors, you should also consider how they are designed to open. Sliding doors are a popular choice because they don't require any additional space. You can stick them in a tight corner or area in the store without worrying about the doors getting in your customers' way. On the other hand, doors that swing open will require a bit more clearance in front to remain functional and operational.

Shelves

Of course, you can't shop for a cooler or freezer for your retail store without taking into consideration the number of shelves it contains. Common sense should tell you that the more shelves it container, the more product you'll be able to store. While this is partially true, it doesn't always work out exactly like this. The fact is that some products are taller than others; therefore, they will require more overhead clearance to fit inside a cooler. Thankfully, coolers and freezers are built with adjustable shelves that give you the freedom to raise or lower based on the product being stored. If a product in your cooler is tall, just raise the shelf above it to the desired height. Doing so will allow the product to fit inside the cooler without bumping into the overhead shelf.

In-Store Advertising Accessories For Retail Businesses

Any experienced retail store owner will tell you advertising is one of the keys to success. You can offer the best products at the lowest prices, but the fact is that no one is going to buy it unless you spread the message. But how are you supposed to accomplish this? There are literally hundreds if not thousands of different options available when it comes to marketing and advertising. Here, though, I'm going to share a couple of unique in-store advertising accessories for retail businesses.

If you aren't doing so already, you should invest some of your time and energy into creating in-store advertising for your retail businesses. A lot of newcomers to the industry focus strictly on basic "out-of-store" advertising method like flyers, magazines, commercials, etc. Although this is perfectly fine, you also need to encourage customers to make purchases while they are shopping in your store, and this is done through in-store advertising.

Alligator-Clip Sign Holder

See the image of a sign holder up at the top right corner of this post? That's known as an alligator-clip sign holder, and it's a vital advertising tool that every retail store owner should use. Unlike most other holders, it's designed to allows signs and adverts to dangle down. While it's difficult to see from the image alone, alligator-clip sign holders come in multiple height sizes, including 12, 24 and 48 inches. This gives you, the store owner, more freedom when setting up your adverts and marketing material. Personally, I think the taller alligator-clip holders are more effective simply because they are more visible and easy to see.

Acrylic Sign Holder

Of course, we really can't talk about in-store advertising accessories without mentioning acrylic sign holders. These are designed to hold signs and advertising material in place to reduce damage. You can use acrylic sign holders directly on gondola shelving, or you can place them on cash registers, checkout stands, shelving units, or practically anywhere else in your store. Just remember to follow the basic rules of advertising by placing promotional material next to the corresponding product.

These are just a few ideas for in-store advertising accessories to consider using in your retail store business. The truth is that the options are endless when it comes to marketing and advertising. You can use basic alligator-clip sign holders, acrylic sign holders, banner displays, coupon booklets, and much more. See what's working in your industry and then try to replicate it inside your retail store.

Why You Should Purchase From AA Store Fixtures

Do you currently own or are thinking about owning a retail store in the near future? No matter what type of retail store you decide to open, chances are it will require countless hours of planning beforehand. The good news, however, is that AAStoreFixtures.com can make the monumental task of setting up and opening a retail store easier and less time-consuming. If you are wondering why, keep reading to learn some of the benefits to choosing AAStoreFixtures.com.

Used and Reconditioned Gondola Shelving

One of the biggest expenses owners have when opening a retail store is purchasing shelving and fixtures. Whether you operate a convenience store, supermarket, electronics repair shop or practically any other store, you are going to need shelving to display your products. It's a simple fixture that can easily burn a hole in your budget if you aren't careful.

So, how are you supposed to purchase it without burning a hole in your bank account? AAStoreFixtures.com offers reconditioned gondola shelving at a fraction of its original price. This allows you to fill your store with the proper gondola shelving while saving money at the same time. It's a win-win situation that store owners shouldn't overlook. It's important to note that while reconditioned gondola shelving units are used, they've been closely inspected for damage and major signs of wear. Only those that meet high-quality standards are resold in the form of reconditioned models.

Trusted Name

Did you know that AAStoreFixtures.com has been in the business of retail store fixtures for over half a century? This has allowed AAStoreFixtures.com to improve in all aspects of their business from products to customer service. Perhaps this is why AAStoreFixtures.com is the leading retail store fixture company in the world. Their level of experience in unparalleled in the industry, and it's apparent in each and every customer order they receive.

Low Prices

After shopping around at AAStoreFixtures.com, you'll likely notice just how much lower their prices are compared to other competitors. They realize the importance in offering low prices to their customers, which is one of the reasons why so many retail owners choose them. Unless you want to waste hundreds or even thousands of dollars on overpriced fixtures, stick with AAStoreFixtures.com during your next fixture purchase.

The truth is that these are just a few of the many reasons why you should purchase from AA Store Fixtures. Whether you need gondola island, end caps or walk-in freezers, they have you covered. So, check them out today and see why they are the number one provider of retail store fixtures.