Some big-ticket items go on sale seasonally, and you automatically know when to buy them, like linen sales in January, televisions and electronics in February and appliances in April, to name a few. These big sales are the result of retailers’ efforts to sell out their inventory so that they can receive new goods. Whether it’s a new version of an existing model, or a completely new product, its predecessor is going on sale.
Store fixtures can be said to be the same way, but there are a few more ins and outs to sale-watching the retail fixture market. First, consider what you need in your fixture repertoire. No matter how good the price is on a certain item, such as slat wall, if you don’t use it, you’ve wasted your money.
Keep in contact with your warehouse to see what’s coming up for sale pricing. Warehouse managers know what’s going in and out of their facility and they’re the first to know of inventory gluts or shortages. If you hear of a major retailer closing stores in your area, you can be pretty sure there will be used inventory of store fixtures available in the near future at a warehouse near you. The closure may also prompt sales on new merchandise as retailers re-evaluate their own floor plans. A local store closure often signals other retailers to be on their toes, because “it could have been us.
Busy times for shelving and fixtures are when new shops are opening in town or when a large retailer announces its arrival in your community. You won’t find any deals, and you may not find any inventory, depending on the retailer. Check out racks, dress forms and mannequins after major New York fashion shows. Sales of fixtures to showcase the newest fashions might be a possibility. Or, there may be used pieces that designers are trying to unload at great prices. In essence, if you watch the various markets for trends, you’ll see emerging trends in the fixture industry.
The best deals come to those who do their homework and have a good working relationship with their warehouse fixture sales and managers. That’s the real way to get the inside scoop on sales.
