Today, retailers are looking for value

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1 Importing Retail Fixtures Made Easy: 5 Tips for Choosing the Best Supplier Today, retailers are looking for value and quality when buying their fixtures. The job of a smart retailer is to make an informed choice about their fixture supplier to ensure the best quality at the best price. Store fixtures should help retailers drive sales without breaking their budget. One of the best ways to find quality, affordable fixtures is by choosing a supplier who works with overseas manufacturers and has an extensive knowledge of the overseas marketplace. Every retail fixture buyer must trust their store fixture supplier to help them meet their goals which can often present a difficult choice for the buyer. How do they know what qualities to look for in a supplier? While price can be a major factor in determining where one buys their imported fixtures, there are many more important factors that should influence the final choice. The buyer should look for a supplier who can provide fixtures with ease of assembly, short lead times, expert project management, at affordable freight costs and, most importantly, quality of product. Here are five things to look for in your supplier to ensure you get the highest quality and best pricing for your fixtures: 1. Value-Add Engineering Quality and Price As a buyer, you want the best quality for the best price. A reliable store fixture supplier will work with you to help drive down manufacturing costs. This all starts with the initial design of the product. How big is it? How much does it weigh? Can smart and efficient packaging be used to cut down shipping expenses? One of the benefits of working with an experienced fixture supplier is they can work with you from the start to reduce the cost by helping you choose the most effective materials and design, thereby giving you the best price and quality possible.

2 page 2 Overseas Marketplace There are multiple benefits to using a supplier who has experience with the overseas marketplace. Using one who has employees based overseas can increase the amount of options for the buyer. They are significantly more in-tune with the buying environment compared to suppliers with no onshore employees. They can negotiate and guarantee the best prices for you. Also, they can find the best partners because they have the availability to meet the owners in person, visit the factory site, understand the professional customs of the overseas businesses and check the product s quality before it ships. Freight Process Because multiple factors like packaging and design determine an imported fixture s freight costs, it is important to take these costs into consideration when choosing a store fixture You need a partner who listens to you and works alongside you through every step of the process supplier. A supplier typically ships finished products to their domestic location first, then delivers to the buyer s store location. Because freight costs can contribute anywhere from 5-30% of the fixture s total cost, the supplier should use smart packaging to reduce costs, allowing more product to be packed in a smaller space. Also, make sure that the supplier s manufacturing facility is actually producing the entire product and not farming out different components of the project. Sending the product to multiple factories increases the lead time and cost. 2. Quality Assurance Process To make sure that you are receiving the best quality product, there needs to be a secure and documented inspection process at each project stage. First, the prototype must be designed and approved, and then production can begin. When production is complete, the supplier s overseas employees will inspect the final product on site to make sure it meets all the buyer s specifications. They also keep the project moving to ensure the buyer s deadlines will be met. The supplier needs to have a rigorous process

3 page 3 for testing quality, finish and packing before the finished fixture leaves its offshore destination. A good supplier will not ship a product that does not pass inspections. The lead time for the overseas manufacturing process Every retail fixture buyer must trust their store fixture supplier to find the best source to meet their goals is generally about 8-10 weeks, but can be shortened to a mere 6-7 weeks with the right planning and preparation. This all depends on the type of product and which sourcing partner has the right skillset and abilities that will deliver the best results. Once the product has been shipped, it generally takes about 3 weeks to reach its stateside destination. When the final product arrives at the supplier s facility, it undergoes another rigorous inspection to make sure there are no missing parts or defects. Since a poorly-made product that is not created to the correct specifications will waste the buyer s valuable time and money, the supplier should have a detailed and comprehensive inspection process for each product before delivery. 3. Overseas Capabilities When choosing the best fixture supplier, it is important to choose one with multi-sourcing capabilities. It is critical for the supplier to have multiple sourcing partners and have a deep knowledge of the market so they can match the requirements of each fixture order with the most capable manufacturer. Having multi-sourcing capabilities gives the buyer the opportunity to create something unique, affordable and onbudget. Each factory differs in specializations and capabilities. For example, if you want to utilize wood materials to create your display, one factory may deliver better results than another. 4. Inventory Management Capabilities Suppliers need to have the capability to deal with large orders and keep track of materials. It is imperative that they have successful project management skills to deal with the large amount of fixtures that may pass through their warehouse. Having this management capability will maintain efficiency and keep all products where they should be. Because each supplier has many different clients, they should have a quality, state-of-the-art inventory control system to keep track of the different products that come and go from the warehouse. There are systems that can be utilized to keep track of the date and time the product entered or left the warehouse, when it was inspected, who inspected it and which buyer the product belongs to. Each step

4 page 4 of the product s journey can be monitored and tracked through an inventory control system, which simplifies the process and keeps the buyer at ease knowing their product will be delivered on time. Selecting a supplier in the right location will save you money 5. Importer Location A final important factor to consider is the cost and location of shipping the product to its final destination. Fixtures are shipped from overseas to the supplier s domestic location; from there, they will be sent to the buyer s store or end destination. If the supplier location is on the West Coast, but you are on the East Coast, shipping costs may be higher. Instead, consider choosing a supplier that is more centrally located to your location, such as the Midwest, which will provide more shipping options. Selecting a supplier in the right location will save you money and possibly decrease the expected lead time. Conclusion These days, the question isn t whether or not to import; it is how to choose the best supplier to meet your fixture needs. A reliable and trustworthy fixture supplier will offer opportunities for value-add engineering and have a thorough quality assurance and inspection process. They should also have a wide overseas network and knowledge of the marketplace, in addition to possessing state-of-the-art inventory management capabilities. Finally, they should be centrally located to the buyer s ultimate destination. As we have discussed, many factors go into the production and shipping of fixtures, and as a buyer, you need to know the most important ones to consider so you can make well-informed and smart choices. You need a partner who listens to you and works alongside you through every step of the process, ensuring that you get the best product possible. Choosing the right fixture supplier will bring you the best return on your investment, and ultimately help you drive store sales.

5 About SCUBE From concept development to store delivery S-CUBE works collaboratively with clients to customize a comprehensive solution for each program. We seamlessly integrate ideas, processes, and resources into solutions that are customized to support specific program needs. The strategic leveraging of our manufacturing, engineering, and logistics resources enables us to consistently fabricate high quality fixtures, adhere to stringent production schedules, and maintain budget goals. We manage our resources around the globe to create the ideal combination of quality and economy. Comprehensive services and dedicated client support complete our offering. Learn More Contact Us: Fax: Address: Website: (M-F, 8am-6pm CST) Jarvis Ave. Des Plaines, IL