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How to Create a Trade Counter that Works

How to Create a Trade Counter that Works

How to Create a Trade Counter that Works

From nuts and bolts to power tools and from adhesives to PPE, the trade counter has a veritable cornucopia of products that its customers need – and often need quickly.

To use the metaphor of a swan gliding on a lake, an efficient wholesaler or supplier looks calm on the customer side, but there’s a heck of a lot of work going on behind the scenes, ensuring that the orders are being fulfilled and stock replenished.

Whether you’re an electrical wholesaler, plumbing supplies merchant or a general DIY counter that sells all the tools, hardware and ironmongery you could ever need, organising the shop front and warehouse needs a strategic approach.

While you might not consider that a shop dealing in DIY essentials has much in common with a high-end boutique, there are some similarities: both need to employ similar tactics to capture the customer’s eye.

Consider carefully at the visual aesthetic, from how branding is used to attractive positioning of displays so customers can see what offers there are.

However, unlike a high-end boutique, which often has a few choice items on display, the trade counter is usually packed with goods and relies on the fast turnaround of customers. Coping with demand requires a smooth passage in the ordering and buying process.

The customer side

Outside, banners and flags, plus ‘A’ boards and pavement signs can be used to great effect to market lines and promotions because they help to draw in the customers.

Once inside, consider the type of shelving and display boards. Robust and functional furniture works best in the retail space of a trade wholesaler’s.

Strong, modular retail shelving is an obvious choice because there are myriad choices to fit all spaces. The easy-to-assemble Gondola range is freestanding, manufactured from solid steel, with each shelf having a high-capacity load to reduce bowing. The brackets can be re-angled, so that one shelf can be used multiple ways, and because the pitch is standard 50mm, it’s compatible with all European systems, should you wish to mix and match in the future.

It’s the ultimate choice for any trade counter and comes with back panels that can be slatted, perforated or plain – or all three can be combined. You can even match your corporate colours as the range is available in RAL colours.

Don’t waste an inch of space: slatwall panels are a popular and cost-effective way to maximise wall space. 18mm thick with a melamine-faced finish, they are strong and can be used with a variety of hooks, arms and shelves to make a unique display. Grid mesh panels also look stylish and can create an eye-catching display. This space-saving storage can be used with Euro hooks, baskets, sloping arms, hanging rails and shelving, making it easy to switch merchandise easily and quickly.

And dump bins are another good way to put products in front of the customer – and when the promotion is over, just fold it up and store it until it is needed again.

The stockroom

The beating heart of any trade counter is the stockroom. Carefully zoned, with distinct packing and dispatch areas, the back of house at any wholesaler and supplier is a hive of activity. Every inch has to be used to the max, but it’s vital that staff can work safely, working with good-quality equipment.
From boltless and easy-to-assemble industrial warehouse racking to heavy duty shelving – all of which has high-capacity load – and from portable trolleys and platform trucks to packing bays, a warehouse or stockroom needs a wide range of storage to accommodate the vast array of goods.

There are myriad choices for industrial-standard shelving and storage, as well as retail displays. Our experienced customer service team are experts in all aspects, so are on hand to offer advice on design and products, as well as ongoing account management support.

Contact us today on 0800 834 782 to see how we can help you.

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