4 Reasons to Work with a National Fixture Supplier

Finding reliable, high quality retail fixture suppliers can be difficult, especially as you expand your store footprint.

You may have worked with a single supplier in your local area, but for various reasons they might not able to handle your needs nationally.

When you started building your stores, you probably worked with one fixture supplier locally. This supplier may have been able to do the first couple of stores, but as your stores got further and further away, they may not have been able to support you anymore. Many local millwork houses are not able to provide installation or warranty support outside their local areas. Additionally, they may not have the capacity to support more volume.

Here are a few reasons to consider working with a national millwork/fixture supplier.

1. Time and Hassle

When you started building your stores, you probably worked with one fixture supplier locally. This supplier may have been able to do the first couple of stores, but as your stores got further and further away, they may not have been able to support you anymore. Many local millwork houses are not able to provide installation or warranty support outside their local areas. Additionally, they may not have the capacity to support more volume.

Maybe you've entrusted local general contractors (GC's) to find fixture suppliers for you. Even so, in this case each fixture supplier will need to generate their own shop drawings. It's extra work for the GC to manage this process, and extra work for you to make sure the fixtures are being made correctly by each new millwork house.

Dealing with a single national fixture supplier who can deliver your store "in a box" can cut down greatly on time spent on these hassles. From an administrative and logistical standpoint, dealing with fewer suppliers always saves time. And from a peace of mind standpoint, you will know you are getting:

2. Consistency

Consistency is one of the goals we all strive for in retail buildout projects. You want your stores (or clinics, or spas, or restaurants) to look consistent, and that your customers have a consistent brand experience regardless of location. The construction team wants a consistent buildout process, in order to minimize surprises that can slow things down.

Using multiple fixture suppliers introduces the risk of inconsistency. On the other hand, using a single supplier reduces that risk. A single fixture supplier will possess engineered drawings of all fixtures and will be able to reproduce identical items, with the same materials and finishes. Small tweaks can be made to accommodate specific locations.

3. Opening On Time

Because of the consistency and predictability of using a single fixture supplier, you can rest assured that this is one element of your buildout that you don't need to worry about. A single fixture supplier can also offer you a Store in a Box program, where all the store fixtures and many other interior items can be consolidated and delivered to each location.

Because your single supplier doesn't have to engineer new fixtures for each store, their lead time is shortened and they can deliver what you need to get your store open, when you need it. This predictability and consistency helps to get more stores opened on time, more often.

4. Avoiding a GC Markup

When you work with GC's in various markets, often they will pick the fixture supplier. And they will add a markup to the fixtures, around 10 or 15 percent. You can save the 10-15% by purchasing directly from the fixture company, although depending on the distance this may be partially offset by higher freight costs.

Is Store in a Box for You?

To find out more about Store in a Box programs, download our free E-Guide: Simplify your Buildout with Store in a Box. If you would like to talk to an F.C. Dadson fixture consultant about a custom program for your stores, please contact us.