The types of retail display cases that will work best in your new store depend on the type of merchandise you sell. Jewelry requires a very different presentation than lawn mowers or auto parts or baked goods. Size and scale matter, too. You want to make maximum use of available sales space – without cramming in so many displays that your store feels cluttered.

First things first, though. As an aspiring retail entrepreneur, you want to be fully prepared to open your new store. There’s a lot to do before shopping for retail display cases. 

There are styles just right for your merchandise and desired floorplan.

• Floor-standing cabinets with glass doors, rotating towers, or enclosed showcases topped with glass or acrylic. Use concealed lower or rear space to store back-up merchandise.
• Wall-mounted cabinets or shelves. We don’t usually think of slatwall as a “display case,” but it’s so versatile you can turn it into this type of display. For example, these wooden boxes not only display the products temptingly, they add visual interest to the store itself.
• Countertop display cases can be open or enclosed towers, trays, baskets, boxes and bins. 

There are materials and finishes to fit your brand and ambiance.

Your retail display cases could be:

• Constructed from beautiful woods, with chrome, copper, brass or glass accents. Or constructed of metal, plastic, or almost any other sturdy material.
• Found objects such as an old wooden wheelbarrow or recycled furniture such as a table or antique hutch.
• Brightly painted in multiple colors. Or all-white (or all-black) to show off your array of brightly-colored merchandise such as candies or nail polishes. 

On a budget? The versatility of acrylic is nothing short of amazing. This material is also affordable and both lighter and stronger than glass.

Boost the sales power of your retail display cases.

• Add wheels for easy mobility. One of the keys to merchandising success is creating fresh looks that keep repeat customers interested. Modular design also makes it easier to rearrange periodically without sacrificing stylistic and branding consistency.
• Add locks to protect tiny, fragile and/or expensive items from damage or theft.
• Add visual interest by varying the height of your display cases, as well as items within each display. Keep displays closer to the front lower in profile, so customers can easily get a feel for your entire store when they enter.
• Add even more visual interest by interspersing your display case with self-standing interactive kiosks or mannequins.
• And don’t forget about your cash wrap. Make it a showpiece that reinforces your brand and leaves an indelible final impression on shoppers. Make it a showcase, to promote last-minute impulse sales.

Ultimately, your goal as a burgeoning entrepreneur should be to create an interior that is irresistibly interesting, welcoming, and most important – uniquely yours. With the right merchandise, presented in the right retail display cases, your customers will linger longer, buy more and leave determined to return.