Talk to Your Warehouse in Advance
Chances are your product displays will arrive at your warehouse prior to reaching your store. In fact, they may sit there for months until you are ready to install them. Talk to your warehouse in advance to make sure they have the proper storage, packing and shipping accommodations for your displays. The warehouse will need to prepare for the size and shape of the displays, as well as the materials they are made of.
If you work with an experienced retail warehouse like Overflo, they will be able to adapt to your needs with ease. You can plan the entire process with them, from the time the displays arrive at the warehouse to the time they reach your store. Get up to date shipping information so you know exactly where your displays are at all times. We use real-time inventory management software, so you can stay informed every step of the way.
Create a Flexible Delivery Schedule
The tighter the shipping schedule, the more likely an issue will arise. There are certain elements of shipping that are beyond anyone’s control, like severe weather or large-scale road blocks. Ideally, you should have a little wiggle room in your schedule so your store opening is not impacted by the displays. You want to plan for the worst case scenario, so leave a few days between the time of delivery and the time you actually need the displays. If you get them early, great! If not, you won’t suffer any damage as a result.
Have a Plan for When the Displays Arrive
Once the product displays are safely delivered, you need to have a plan for how to handle them and set them up. If you are updating existing displays, you may need to do so in sections. It takes quite a while to move products from one display to a next.
If you are setting up a new store, map out where your product displays will go. You can put painter’s tape the floor to mark display locations, and then your employees will have an easy guideline to follow when they set up the shelves and racks. Make sure your employees are trained to handle the material your displays are made of – glass, metal brackets, cardboard, wood, etc. Also make sure they use the right cleaning products to wipe off the displays after they get set up.
What Will You Do With Your Old Product Displays?
There are several ways to get rid of your old product displays so you do not have to store them at your location. You could put them up for sale and see if any store owners or customers would like to purchase them. You could also contact thrift stores, food banks, and other organizations to donate your old displays. If you have a large volume of displays to get rid of, you may try to sell them as a lot online. Just make sure you plan out the shipping accommodations in advance, just like you did for your new displays.
Contact Overflo today to learn more about our retail warehousing solutions.