Choosing custom or standard retail fixtures is one of the biggest choices you make when designing your retail space. Standard retail fixtures may seem the economical choice but actually you have to consider the total costs with respect to your retail vision potential and the long-term operations of your business.

The Costs

Standard retail fixtures are the economical choice and the choice with the most availability. They can be the fixtures you install when you have the tightest time constraints. If your budget is a primary concern standard fixtures are your best choice.

The price of custom retail fixtures is only part of the total cost. You pay for the custom design the custom prototypes and manufacturing of the retail fixtures. Your custom retail fixtures will compliment your store your brand and your products and will be flexible to your needs.

Standard Retail Fixtures Cost More

Standard retail fixtures may help you save in the early stages of your business but they are more expensive in the long run. Standard retail fixtures are often generic and do not display products in a way that allows you to make the most sales.

Standard retail fixtures will need to be modified or even replaced over the costs of your business to keep them up to date with your products and with your branding. The costs to do this and to store and re-marshal your displays will add up to be a significant amount.

When Are Custom Fixtures Best?

Custom fixtures offer the best return when you have a unique product or a limited amount of retail space you need to optimize. If you want to create a unique retail experience that is only possible with custom retail fixtures.

Multi-site businesses do better with custom solutions because they make it easier to maintain brand standards across multiple sites and simplify new launches. Fixtures also make it easier for customers to see products and make them more likely to engage with products and spend more.

Working with a display fixture manufacturer means you may have a lot of options as they often include standard pieces and custom branding to stay in budget.

Things to Consider: Upkeep and Replacement

Custom fixtures cost less over time due to less frequent replacement. This is because standard fixtures are made with materials of a lower quality than custom.

Standard fixtures are often more available but custom fixtures’ infrequent replacement helps standard fixtures avoid the need for frequent costly and mismatched repairs.

Examples

To save on startup costs a boutique retailer opening their first location may use standard fixtures. Custom fixtures typically are made to a higher quality standard and are beneficial for regional franchises opening in different markets to standards gaps but also economically scale.

Sometimes the right standard is the right custom. Select the option for the one that best meets your budget and business goals.