When opening a shop there are many things to take into account. It can be a very stressful process, if you are not in the right hands. We at Meuter Creations wish to make this new and exciting time in your life, as smooth and stress free as possible. Here is a few pointers to start with:
Location: Whatever you’re selling, the location of your business is one of the most important decisions you can make. From the customers that come through your door to the overheads of rent, maintenance and decorating, there’s a lot to consider. Good-quality retail shop units at an affordable price are like gold dust and competition for them is fierce, so be prepared to spend a while finding the right place. Make sure you have enough space to display whatever you are going to sell. Customers do not like a cramped space but remember that you also do not want your merchandise to look lost in ALL THAT SPACE.
Layout and display: Please remember to not go into this blind. Start with an idea of what you would like your shop to look like, the feel you want to create and the atmosphere you want your clientele to enjoy. Find a good interior designer or at least a good shopfitter that has been in the business for a few years. They will be able to help with important questions. You do not want to open a shop that has not been thought through and where customers have no idea what goes where. Displaying your merchandise is important and it needs to be easy to see and reach. Clients can buy when they see your merchandise, they are there to shop and not search. Eye level displays and easy to reach shelving is a must.
Have fun: This will be evident when your shop is open... did you have fun in the design process, did you enjoy creating a beautiful, relaxing shopping environment. Is it a place people will love to visit?
Talk to your shopfitter: It is important that you talk to the person who is building your dream (literally). Make sure to choose someone with a track record that you can build a relationship with. Good shopfitters are hard to come by (I should know hahahaha) but seriously. You need someone that is good not average. You get what you pay for. When we meet a client I ask them what their budget looks like. This is important for me as a shopfitter. I want to give the client the best and make there dreams become a reality. I can only work with the client if I have all the info and we can come to a understanding. I appreciate a client that is truthful, it helps me to help the client. There is a bunch of alternative ways to make dreams happen.
Lastly for today: Enjoy every minute, we as shopfitters put ourselves in the client's shoes for that short while. The project becomes very personal to us and we see it as ours. This stand point, has brought us clients that became friends. We have clients that has come back time and again. One of our favorite "client's" has come to us for the 5th time now. This is a relationship that will last for years to come and we enjoy every minute of the ride!!
