3 Reasons to Choose an Alternative to Slatwall

Successful retail business owners find out sooner or later that their store’s walls are some of their most valuable selling space, especially in small stores where floor space is limited.
Keeping the floor uncluttered will make it easier for your customers to shop and also by displaying your products on the wall, you’ll be able to make them more noticeable: walls are perfect for displaying merchandise at eye level, which makes it easier to draw people’s attention to an item or a group of items you wish to promote.
So put on your thinking cap and get your creative juices flowing! There are many wall-mounted display options available out there for retailers such as yourself and you need to find the display solution or mix of solutions that are right for you and your store.

Let’s start with a simple question: why wall mounted? What’s wrong with a simple wedged-against-the-wall, shelving unit?

The answer is simple as well, wall-mounted fixtures are flexible and easily reconfigured, some can be taken out when you have less merchandise to display or added when needed. Most retailers will go with the obvious wall display solution: Slatwall!

The Slatwall fixture system was patented in 1966 by H.E. Graham and ended up influencing merchants around the world. Today it can be seen almost everywhere since it is a very practical & flexible wall system that offers retailers versatility in displaying their products. The problem is it will make your store look dull, unimaginative, and like every other store around. That’s why it’s important to make an informed decision and consider an alternative to Slatwall, before going ahead with the obvious Slatwall choice.

 

 

Here are 3 main reasons why you should consider an alternative to Slatwall:

1. Unique Store Design:
If you wish to make your store look unique and stand out, then you might consider using an alternative to Slatwall. Slatwall is a functional system, but not a decorative one, the repetition of horizontal lines detracts from the merchandise and makes the entire store look the same.
A vertical wall-mounted solution can really help you in creating different wall sections, each dedicated to a different theme.
For example, wall-mounted slotted standards, to which you can add all your Slatwall accessories for shelving, hanging, or visual displays. This vertical solution combines the Slatwall advantages you’ve grown accustomed to, with a minimalist appearance allowing the products to be the focus. Also, these fixtures are installed on the wall, only where needed, allowing the beauty of the wall to be visible and the background design to show whether it’s paint, wallpaper, or exposed bricks, unlike Slatwall panels which cover the entire wall.

Having a unique store design is not just a matter of aesthetics. As you well know, a unique store design can increase customer traffic in your store and boost sales! And that’s what we’re all here for. Slatwall is safe and comfortable but as Thomas Jefferson once said:
“If you want something you’ve never had then you’ve got to do something you’ve never done”.

 

SlatStrips (wall-mounted strips to which you can add all your Slatwall accessories), can really help you in creating different wall sections, each dedicated to a different theme.

 

 

Slatwall is a functional system, but not a decorative one, the repetition of horizontal lines detracts from the merchandise and makes the entire store look the same.
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2. Functionality:
Slatwall is one of the best wall systems available for small products such as gifts & accessories. It’s perfect for areas like the wall behind the counter, where you can encourage impulse or “last-minute” purchases by using hooks to display various small items.
Unfortunately, shop owners often misuse Slatwall: for example using it to display heavy items, which it is not designed to carry (the actual slats are just pressed board and can break with heavy weights). If you need a wall display system that is able to support heavy weight loads, you can utilize a combination of wall-mounted vertical solutions, shelf brackets & shelves to display your heavy items such as kitchenware, as seen in the image below.

 

A combination of SlatStrips, shelf brackets & shelves for heavy items such as kitchenware.

 

 

Slatwall is perfect for small products such as gifts & accessories but not able to support heavy weight loads.
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3. Low-Cost Shipping & Nice ‘N Easy Installation:

Let’s face it most of us don’t like those high shipping costs. Unfortunately, Slatwall panels can only be shipped via freight or box truck, which means you’ll have to pay a lot to have them delivered. Also, Slatwall involves a lot of planning: after paying the high shipping costs, you will need to prepare a storage place for the panels before installation, then you will need to find a way to carry the panels into your store, and an experienced contractor or carpenter to install the panels correctly, adding to the cost of set-up.
Wall-mounted slotted standards are very easy to ship, handle & install: in most cases, you will be able to install it without the assistance of a professional carpenter. You can also save a lot of planning time & money since these wall standards can be shipped in a package via all the major carriers such as FedEx, UPS, and the U.S. Postal Service.

 

 

So now it’s time to start planning!
Whether you are opening your doors for the first time or just giving your store a brand new look, you must remember that Slatwall is a great solution for specific store areas and for selected types of merchandise. However, installing Slatwall from floor to ceiling and around the entire store is probably not the best design choice – many alternatives are waiting out there, all you have to do is choose the best one.