Blog

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Business Management

Getting a business grant is basically the best way to get money for your small business. Funds are provided at no cost to you to put entirely toward your business. According to Forbes, you can find and apply to grants based on the theme of your business in addition to your own demographics. There are grants for minority business owners, women, single mothers, and more. Try visiting FederalGrants.com to find grants offered by the United States government. Here you’ll find information on how to find and... read more.

• September 25, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Store Design

For many store owners, finding enough shelf space to display all of their products can be a challenge. You never want your shelves to look like they are overflowing or sloppy, and it’s important that every product is easily viewable in order for customers to be able to conveniently shop the aisles. In addition to space being a problem, sometimes your merchandise just doesn’t look right on standard retail shelving. Luckily, there are plenty of gondola shelving accessories that can make fitting th... read more.

• September 11, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Pet Stores

If you currently own or are thinking about opening a pet store, now is a great time to be involved with the industry. According to the American Pet Products Association, the total U.S. pet industry expenditures expected for the year 2015 are $60.59 billion. A report by Clarice Brough lets us know that over the next 5 years, pet operations are projected to maintain strong growth, with the number of households owing pets expected to continue increasing. Specialty pet stores have been growing the fastest of al... read more.

• August 28, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Sporting Goods Stores

As a sporting goods store owner you will need to fill your space with all kinds of shelving units and retail store displays. Due to the varied size of many of the products you offer, there is no one-size-fits-all shelving solution. Ranging from golf clubs to soccer balls, to bicycles and clothing, sporting goods stores offer a wide variety of merchandise ranging in size and weight. Having a diverse shelving strategy is important in order to properly display the products you sell in your sporting goods store... read more.

• August 14, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Retail

Creating a brand is so important because it tells the world who you are as a business. When someone hears your company name you want it to be synonymous with the words you’d like to have attributed to your brand. If you own a trendy clothing store for example, you want people to think “stylish”, “cutting edge”, and “high fashion”. Working to really build and develop your brand will get you to that level. It is important to be consistent not only in the message that... read more.

• August 07, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Retail

If you have ever dreamed of opening your own retail store you have probably fantasized about the positive aspects: surrounding yourself with products you are passionate about, being your own boss, setting your own standards, etc. But the hard truth of the matter is that opening up a retail store is expensive. You’ll need to be prepared for all of the costs that opening up and running a retail store will require. Inc.com shares a new business owner’s experience with opening her own store, and div... read more.

• July 31, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Shelving, Store Fixtures

End cap displays are an excellent way to take advantage of every available space your retail store has to offer. Don’t let the end space of your retail shelves go to waste by leaving them empty. By adding end caps you open up added possibilities for showcasing your merchandise without having to invest in a costly and spacious new unit. Look for store shelving that is designed to coordinate with your existing units in order to add critical display space for your highest gross profitable merchandise. He... read more.

• July 24, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Business Management, Store Management

As you probably already know, marketing is a huge factor in the success of your business. You can have a great product or service, but without marketing to spread the word it can be difficult to bring in customers, especially if you are just starting out and newer to the industry. Marketing is a way to tell the community what type of business you run; the voice and brand that you want to share with the world. It is also a way to provide incentives to customers and give them a reason to choose your goods or... read more.

• July 10, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Gondola Shelving & Accessories

Gondola accessories can take your retail store shelving to the next level. You don’t have to be limited to standard shelves that aren’t always suitable for your wide variety of merchandise. Adding dividers, steel front lips, open end baskets and more to your gondola shelves allows you to showcase products that aren’t necessarily a more standard size or shape. Here are a few of our favorite ways to amp up your gondola shelving with accessories. Chrome Wire Fencing & Dividers – The... read more.

• July 03, 2015

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Retail

Opening a retail store is a lifelong dream for many. Filling it with products that you are passionate about, whether it be high-end clothing, rare and unique jewelry, vitamins, sporting goods, etc., being surrounding by things that make you happy and that you want to share with others can be a very rewarding career. But opening a retail store doesn’t come without risks. Keep the following risks in mind in order to run a successful store. The Economy Most likely, your products are typically purchased w... read more.

• June 26, 2015