Shopfitting

Shopfitting 

Choosing the right commercial premises in a location with decent foot traffic is half the battle when starting a business. In order to set your business up for success, you need to create a commercial space that is both highly functional and aesthetically pleasing. A well- designed shop or office can help you:

• Attract more customers to your establishment 
• Maximise product exposure 
• Provide a comfortable environment for customers and employees
• Make the most out of foot traffic to increase profits 

Whether you’re just starting out or are looking to revamp your existing shop, a fitout project can feel overwhelming – it means thinking about fixtures, fittings, lighting, flooring, interior design and more. We’ve put together this guide to help you maximise your commercial space and understand the key aspects of shopfitting to consider. We can also point you in the right direction of shopfitters in your local area.

What is shopfitting?

Shopfitting is the process of designing, building and installing the fixtures and fittings for commercial spaces including offices, retail shops, cafes, restaurants, healthcare practices, salons and recreational centres. The main purpose of shopfitting is to ensure your business has everything it needs to function and trade properly, but it’s also vital in creating a positive customer experience. 

Why is shopfitting important?

Shopfitting is important for several reasons:

• Utilise a commercial space to its full potential
• Attract and retain customers
• Create a positive working environment for employees
• Express your brand 

A well-designed, high-quality fitout helps you utilise a commercial space to its full potential. Customers are more attracted to visually appealing shops and are more likely to stick around and browse if they can navigate around easily. It also provides a positive working environment for your employees which has a direct impact on your team’s wellbeing and productivity.

As well as the necessity of needing a physical store to operate, your store is an expression of your brand. The use of space including the placement of furniture, choice in lighting, colour schemes and every other small detail should serve an aesthetic purpose. All of these things will create a lasting impression, so let this be the driving force behind your design choices.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the key aspects of shopfitting.

What are the key aspects of shopfitting?

There are some basic principles of shopfitting to consider when planning your commercial space:

1. Floorplanning
2. Signage 
3. Fixtures, fittings and equipment 
4. Lighting 
5. Interior decor 

1. Floorplanning

The type of floor plan you use is largely dependent on your business type and/or what you sell. The placement of cabinets, display units and shelves affects customer movement, traffic flow and the atmosphere of a space. Things to consider for a floor plan include:

• What are your current and future needs as a business?
• How much private and open space do you need?
• How can you utilise the size and shape of your property?
• What are your customers’ natural movement tendencies?
• Are there any building regulations you must follow?

2. Signage

Signage is crucial as it’s how people notice and recognise your business. It’s important that both your internal and external signage is on-brand, informative and visually pleasing. If you’re using signage as a way to direct customers to your website or elsewhere, make sure your message is clear and concise. Types of signage to consider include:

• Entrance signs
• Banners
• Window signage
• Awnings
• Vehicle signage 

3. Fixtures, fittings and equipment

Fittings include things like flooring, shelving, cabinets, counters and display units. Fixtures include items such as mirrors, chairs, tables, refrigerators, etc. It’s important to choose fixtures and fittings that are suitable for the type of products you sell. For example, if you sell expensive or luxury products you could use glass cabinets to emphasise the luxury quality of the products. 

4. Lighting

Lighting is super important in helping your customers see and navigate around a space, find what they’re looking for, read product labels and highlight certain products on display. You can also use lighting to create a certain ambience. It’s best to avoid overly bright lighting as it can be harsh on the eyes and deter customers from your shop.

5. Interior decor

Your choice of colours, textures and interior decorations play a significant role in the overall theme of your space and how customers perceive your brand. For example, dental and medical practices often incorporate a minimal colour scheme with fresh colours to create a clean and tidy theme. Or if you are trying to create a chic and sophisticated feel, opt for luxe colours and fabrics.

Who provides shopfitting services?

Shopfitting involves a lot of work and requires the expert services of professional shopfitters. Shopfitters coordinate and manage all stages of a fitout from floor planning and design to custom joinery and construction. 

There are few things you will need to do before you hire a shopfitter:

• Set a clear budget: Before you do anything else you need to determine how much you can afford to spend on a fitout. This will help you identify what options are within your budget. 
• Identify your needs: Get a rough idea of the type of services you’ll need and the type of fixtures, fittings, equipment and decor you want to go for.
• Determine your timeframe:A fitout can put your business out of action for days, weeks or even months. If you are an established business, set a realistic time frame of how long the project will take and what you can to lessen the impact on business operations. 
• Start searching for shopfitters: Find shopfitters that specialise in your particular type of commercial space. This will help you narrow down your options and find a company that can bring your vision to life.

You can learn more about shopfitters and the services they provide on SavvySME. We can also connect you with shopfitters in your local area to get your project underway.