Articles by 'Steve Di Orio'

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Convenience Stores, Store Design

Have you ever walked into a convenience store and asked yourself, why was this store designed this way? As you can probably imagine, the store layout was not created by chance but by data. Large convenience store chain retailers have data on which products to display on which gondola shelf based on projected purchases. As an independent c-store operator, you might not have the resources to obtain such granular data, making your convenience store design even more critical to set your business up for success.... read more.

• March 04, 2021

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Pharmacy, Retail Growth Strategies, Store Design

Independently owned pharmacies are one of the fastest-growing businesses in the United States. And here is an interesting fact, the Independent pharmacy marketplace accounts for nearly US $81.5 billion in revenue. Filling prescriptions is the key driver many pharmacies have for obtaining and retaining a loyal customer base.... read more.

• February 12, 2021

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Convenience Stores

This October, the convenience store industry will gather once again in Chicago for the 2021 NACS Show. This year, the annual convention will take place from October 5th to the 8th at McCormick Place. With over 1,200 organizations exhibiting and 23,000 industry professionals attending the show worldwide, the NACS Show is the perfect opportunity for convenience store owners to network with industry experts and discover new products and services.... read more.

• December 28, 2020

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Gondola Shelves

When designing your retail space, your There are many types of walls that are useful for retailers looking to create the best display for their store. For those who are looking for something that looks neat and organized while also saving space, one of the best panel options are slatwalls.... read more.

• March 20, 2017

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Pet Stores

The Challenge When creating shelving for pet stores, it can be tempting to stick to plain, functional gondolas and counters. But what if you want to get a little more creative with your shelving, but still maintain functionality? That was the challenge posed to Handy Store Fixtures. An owner of a pet store wanted us to create something a little more interesting than just a simple display unit to hold their “Biscuit Buffet,” an array of dog treats that could be selected individually. Their reques... read more.

• December 13, 2016

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Gondola Shelves, Liquor Stores

Handy Stores Fixtures created a custom wine display unit to make a sleek and classy display When it comes to creating your liquor store shelving system, finding a balance between functionality and aesthetic can be difficult. While you want to keep your shelving utilitarian, it is also important to keep the shelving looking nice and appealing to customers. For one of our customers, these competing factors led us to create a custom solution: our wine four-way shelving unit. The shelf is able to display at lea... read more.

• November 15, 2016

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Store Design

Color is one of the most significant determining factors directly related to sales. In various studies, color has been found to account for over 80% of purchases made based on color. That’s why choosing color carefully, thoughtfully and strategically for your retail store design can be a make it or break it deal. Did you know that every color conveys a different feeling to your customer? Did you also know that too much of one color can be irritating to a customer to the point where they may exit your... read more.

• August 12, 2016

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Beer Cave Shelving, Liquor Stores, Store Design

It’s easy to understand why convenience stores continue to dominate year after year in beer sales.  They’re a fast, easy and, well, convenient place for customers to grab beer on the go. There is one interesting shelving trend that sets them apart too: beer caves. Walk-in beer coolers or beer caves, as they are commonly referred to, are designed for a particular store and its specific layout needs. These beer caves are temperature controlled walk-in coolers that allow stores to sell more pr... read more.

• August 05, 2016

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Gondola Shelves

If you feel overwhelmed by the sheer number products stacked on gondola shelves in each aisle when you enter a store, you are not alone. Consumers are faced with so many choices nowadays that it’s easy to get distracted and forget what they came into the store to buy in the first place. Most consumers come into stores with limited time, and either a paper list or mental list of what products they need to purchase. However, there are always opportunities to grab the attention of the consumer to tr... read more.

• July 29, 2016

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Liquor Stores

Making your liquor store thrive, not just survive While liquor stores are typically considered a stable business, there are many ways independent owners can make their stores stand out and become even more profitable, rather than just surviving by virtue of being an alcohol vendor. Show and sell: A major trend in retail is to provide customers with an experience beyond plain shopping. This is seen in things like grocery stores adding specialized cafes, or coffee shops hosting live music. Liquor stores can t... read more.

• July 21, 2016