As a supplier in the retail store fixture industry, we see trends coming and going. We see them on both sides of the supply chain, influencing what we buy from vendors and what we sell to customers. Some years it’s not clear what will be the biggest trends for customers. This year the vision is clear. Our predictions for 2020 in retail store fixture products are:
- Fade to Black – In gondola shelving, almond and white are fading into black. That’s right. Customers appreciate the more dramatic look that black shelving provides for product displays, and they believe it doesn’t show the flaws that lighter colored fixtures do. Retail floor designers are leaning toward darker colored gondola shelving, even with a store that has mostly lighter décor.
- Hanging in Thin Air – Frameless showcases are also in vogue. Showing all seems to be the hit of the show. Instead of half-displays, more retailers are doing full display glass showcases, so that customers can see merchandise from all sides of the display. These showcases are easy to install and give the store a more contemporary look. It’s a lot of glass, so be prepared to keep it clean.
- Maximum Mannequins – The more life-like Brazilian mannequins are expanding both in their variety of offerings and their physical appearance. The market is moving toward more realistic bodies on mannequins instead of the Barbie doll figures of the mannequins we all know and love. Mannequin manufacturers say the mannequins’ bodies are curvier than previous models and more like the average person’s physique. They maintain that these fuller-figured mannequins will help customers to better imagine how the clothing will fit. Retailers who use them may also be more likely to be perceived as empathetic to the customer, because the mannequins’ bodies are closer to the real human body.
- Old Standbys – Gridwall will continue to be a staple in retail stores. Its flexibility is more important than ever to a tight budget, and its creative potential is limitless.
- Back in Black – Slatwall will also continue to be among the top fixtures bought by retailers. It, too, is moving toward black or darker colors. Slatwall can be used in many different configurations to make good use of wall space. Black makes most items “pop” against it.
