If you’re about to outfit your retail store, you’re probably thinking about display solutions. The ideal display solution shouldn’t take up a lot of space, should be easy to access and organise (and clean), and should present a pleasing appearance to customers. Slatwall systems tick all those right boxes. They have become the sleek, elegant, and versatile display solutions preferred in big brand stores, small boutiques, and even in residential garages.
Slatwall Is Everywhere In Retail.
But if there’s one thing Slatwall is not, it’s not a stereotype. There are arguably more ways of using slatwall accessories to organise merchandise than there are ways of managing your inventory.
Made of PVC, wood, MDF (medium-density fiberboard), aluminium, or a host of other materials, slatwall panels can be quite durable and sturdy. They have an impressive strength-to-weight ratio. They are an excellent innovation, simplifying storage and display in retail. Merchandisers can display everything from sports equipment and heavy tools or heavy coats on the one hand to jewelry or brochures on these display systems. You just need to use suitable slatwall shelves and accessories for the job.
Besides wall paneling, you can also use them in the form of slatwall gondola shelving. These are free-standing systems reinforced to carry heavier weights. Slatwall gondolas make excellent displays for the center of your shop floor.
Not only are Slatwall units functional, but they can also be decorative. Your local shop fitting store is likely to carry slatwall panels in a variety of colours and finishes.
And there is not just one way to use these display walls and units at your store. Here’s a look at some of the creative ways that merchandisers use Slatwall and slatwall fittings in retail environments.
Types Of Slatwall And Slatwall Accessories
First, it’s good to know what kinds of panels and Slatwall accessories you can bring to your store.
Slatwall Material, Grooves, And Finishes
Most Slatwall is made of MDF. MDF is also the most economical option. If you need waterproof panels, or want to hang heavier weights than most MDF Slatwall allow, you may prefer aluminium panels.
You’ll find them in a variety of laminates and finishes. These include:
- Real wood veneer, coated with varnish, stained or lacquered, or unfinished. Walnut, beech, and oak are common finishes.
- Matte painted, to match your store decor. The most common options are matte black, white, charcoal, grey, etc.
- Melamine, also called low-pressure laminate, is a finish that offers an affordable high-end look. It doesn’t need to be painted. LPL comes with a wood grain finish or solid colours.
- The high-pressure laminate is heavy-duty and sturdy. You’ll find these in a variety of colours, but they are not cheap.
- Aluminium Slatwall systems offer the heaviest duty displays. They are powder-coated and finished to last longer than most other kinds. This resilience is reflected in the price.
You’ll want to think about groove spacing when buying Slatwall. It’s not the measure of a groove between slats, but a measure of the distance from the centre of one groove to the centre of the next one.
Knowing the groove spacing will help you plan the kinds of Slatwall accessories to use. You’ll want to keep the following in mind when you plan:
- Smaller grooves give you more grooves to use.
- Larger grooves offer higher strength.
In general, the groove itself is going to be a standard size. Usually, the lowest you can go in groove spacing without compromising strength is 3 inches. You’ll also find Slatwall with vertical grooves versus horizontal grooves for different uses.
Now let’s take a look at the different ways Slatwall accessories can be used in a store.
Common Uses Of Slatwall Accessories For Displays
Slatwall themselves are quite flexible. But slatwall accessories bring more versatility to how you can use these displays. By simply changing your accessories you can transform your display of caps and shoes to a magazine rack in minutes. These slatwall fittings can come in various colours, such as white, silver, and black, to go with your slatwall shelves and store decor.
Hangrails For Clothing
Hangrails of square, round or rectangular tubing make it easy to hang a great number of heavier apparel like pants or coats. They are best used with hangers if you’re displaying clothing. Hangrails make the clothing displayed easy to view, as they are hung ‘shoulder out’, with nothing obstructing them.
Peg Hooks For Lightweight Items
These standard hooks come in varying lengths, ranging from 100mm to 300 mm. They may be painted or chrome finished. They are best used for lightweight items such as gift cards, candy, batteries, jewelry, etc.
Heavy-duty hooks are also available in various lengths, for hanging items around 50 grams and higher.
Slatwall Baskets For Small Items
Slatwall or pegboard baskets are usually made of wire, acrylic, and other materials. They come in a variety of sizes and styles. The advantage of using these baskets instead of shelves for display is visibility. Metal bins are economical, and customers get a full view of what you’re displaying. Bins are great for displaying magazines, sunglasses, and loose items. They can easily fit into the grooves without additional hardware or adhesives, which is another advantage.
Crescent Hook Space-Savers
Crescent hooks are great for saving space. They are usually fitted with hooks and can hang belts, scarves, ties, and other small items.
Waterfall Arms For Angled Display
Waterfall’s arms are angled arms that either come with hanging hooks or pegs. If they are fitted with pegs, they can be used for clothing with hangers. If they have hooks, they are great for hanging bags, purses, and other items with straps.
Pronged Spinning Hooks For Belts, Ties, Scarves
Spinning hooks with 6 arms are popular for space-saving when hanging scarves, belts, ties, etc. They are easy to assemble, with a single screw.
Hat Display Rings
Hat display rings aren’t just meant for caps and hats. They are also used in sports goods stores to display balls, which appear to be floating in space.
Frame Hooks For Photo Studios And Art Galleries
Frame hooks make it easy to hang photo frames, plaques, pictures, or other single items on Slatwall units. They are great for use in art galleries and photo studios as well.
Slatwall Shelving
A variety of Slatwall shelving options will suit your design and functional needs. Your shop fitting store will carry a variety of shelvings, including metal shelving, MDF shelving in black and white, chrome shelving, and more.
Shelves are great for freestanding spinning Slatwall gondola shelving as well as double-sided centre bay and end-bay gondolas and H-frames.
Groove Treatments
Many retail shops insert channels in the grooves of unfinished slats for a customised look. These strips may be made of vinyl, PVC, or plastic. They can be finished or painted to match the store decor. Aluminium and metal inserts can make for stronger display units that need to display heavier loads.
The Bottomline
Stores have many options to display their wares, including acrylic display stands, grid walls, garment racks, POS shelves, window displays, glass display cases, and more. But Slatwall is versatile and one of the best options, with endless ways to customise. Speak to your local store fitting shop to find out how Slatwall can work for your store.
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