Flexibility in fixturing is key to maximizing sales and ensuring that the product offering remains relevant to customer demands, seasonality, and trends. Store fixtures play a critical role in creating a dynamic in-store environment. As retailers strive to enhance customer experiences and optimize their layouts, the latest innovations in store fixtures are making a significant impact on the supermarkets of the future.
In today’s fast-paced retail landscape, supermarkets are increasingly turning to modular store fixtures. These adaptable solutions provide the agility needed to effectively respond to changing consumer preferences, seasonal trends, and inventory variations. According to Steven Duffy, SVP of design at Cuhaci Peterson, a commercial design firm based in Maitland, Florida, “Modular fixturing is on the rise in the domestic and European grocery sectors.” This trend highlights the essential nature of modular fixtures in areas such as the produce department, where the need for change and adaptability is paramount.
Jeff Cady, VP of produce and floral for Northeast Shared Services, which operates Tops Markets LLC and Price Chopper/Market 32, emphasizes the importance of flexibility in produce fixturing to maximize sales. He explains that the ability to quickly adjust displays based on inventory fluctuations or promotional opportunities can significantly impact the department’s performance. For instance, Tops utilizes mobile display vehicles for cut fruit during summer when demand is high. These same units can be adapted later in the year to highlight other items, such as fall produce or pre-packaged salads.
Moreover, Tops employs repositionable display bins that can be modified easily to accommodate seasonal produce. As Jeff Cady detailed, during the summer months, bins might be focused on fast-moving items like melons, while in the fall, they are adjusted to feature squash or apples. This kind of flexibility not only maximizes sales but also minimizes wasted inventory.
In addition to produce, other departments also benefit from innovative fixturing. Tops uses tables in its bakery that feature drawers on all four sides. This design allows for an expandable display area that can accommodate fluctuations during busy seasons like holidays or specific local events, such as Bills games. The ability to scale back displays when traffic decreases not only saves on space but also prevents overexposure of products that may not sell.
Independent grocers face unique challenges as they service diverse populations that can drastically shift according to tourist seasons. Dan Phillips, owner of Food Market Designs, notes that for these retailers, it is crucial to have fixtures that are flexible enough to adapt to varying customer flows throughout the year. Phillips emphasizes that using modular fixtures like orchard bins on casters can help stores create effective displays while maintaining the ability to rearrange or store them as necessary.
The smart shelving trend is also gaining traction in the retail space. Retailers are implementing technology-driven solutions that consist of sensors, digital labels, and cameras. These elements work together to track inventory and provide personalized shopping experiences. Kroger is at the forefront of this technological transformation, partnering with Microsoft to test smart solutions designed to gather actionable shopper data. According to Kevin Kohler, VP of retail marketing solutions at Miller Zell, the data collected could influence everything from gondola shelf height to product placement and overall store layouts.
The integration of smart technologies into store fixtures offers great promise. Kohler suggests that utilizing ongoing shopper data can dictate various aspects of product presentation, enhancing the customer experience and potentially improving sales. However, retailers must skillfully navigate privacy concerns that arise from data collection practices.
Sustainability remains a key consideration for retailers in the design and implementation of store fixtures. As many stores phase out hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, they are also upgrading their systems and opting for more sustainable practices. Innovations in refrigerated cases and systems have been recognized, such as those adopted by ALDI, which have been acknowledged by the EPA for reduced refrigerant emissions.
Ultimately, the future of store fixtures is centered on adaptability and consumer engagement. Retailers are keen to provide varied experiences within their stores—be it through tasting areas, pop-up setups, or dynamic product displays. For example, creating mobile checkstands can help optimize space for other uses during off-peak seasons, demonstrating how retailers are strategically managing their environments to enhance customer interaction.
In conclusion, as retail continues to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and market dynamics, the future of store fixtures will prioritize flexibility, sustainability, and technology. This evolution represents not just an improvement in operational efficiency but also an overarching commitment to delivering a better shopping experience.