An inside look into crafting retail shop fit-outs for international brands
Written by
11 June 2024
•
4 min read
Established in 2004, Dimension Shopfitters began as a successful cabinet-making company and has since evolved into a full-service contractor, offering services to a diverse range of local and international clients.
Simon Dickson, General Manager at Dimension Shopfitters, remarks, “No shop fitting concept is beyond our capability”—thanks to the company’s expertise in estimating, quantity surveying, project management, construction, wooden joinery manufacture, installation, storage and logistics.
Inside the retail shopfitting process
1. Pre-project planning
The journey begins with detailed store drawings from the international brand’s architects or interior designers. Dickson explains, “We review these drawings or concepts with the designer, addressing construction methodology and any unusual materials or finishes. While we price the job, we discuss materials and lead times. Pricing the job with our estimating team takes approximately 10-15 days.”
Winning the job marks the next phase: the logistics of importing fixtures to New Zealand shores. Dickson remarks that Dimension Shopfitters offers comprehensive warehousing logistics and installation of imported products, a service that truly sets them apart.
“We import customer-owned or customer-built products from offshore,” says Dickson. “For instance, brands like Jimmy Choo or Balenciaga send us containers of fixtures made offshore in various locations. We check and fix any damages that may occur during transport, store the fixtures, combine them with items we manufacture in our factory, and then transport them to finalise the fit-out of the entire store.”
Dimension Shopfitters works with the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries and is certified to receive and unload imports. Dickson explains, “We check the international brand’s imported items, which are often made of expensive materials such as glass, polished brass or mosaic tiles. We find that handling the imports just solves a massive problem – ultimately, alleviating a lot of storage anxiety for the client.”
Dickson adds, “Every shopfitter offers an end-to-end solution; it is our warehousing logistics and installation of imported products that set us apart in the New Zealand market.”
2. Onsite
Once the planning phase is complete, the project management team takes over. “Our team oversees the build, confirming finishes and possibly prototyping items for the designer or client approval.”
“During the construction and on-site phase, the joinery is underway in our factory, progress photos/videos and reports are supplied to the brand representative, and they can even call in to view the fixtures before they head to the site,” says Dickson. “This is ideal for approving the final materials, size, and static display product, such as testing the product’s size and scale on the finished display units.”
The designer or client representative is involved throughout the shopfitting project, from planning to handover, ensuring every detail aligns with the brand’s vision. “Once everything is approved, our team installs the fixtures on-site, and we move to the handover stage,” says Dickson.
3. Handover
The final stage is the handover, where precision meets perfection. “We do this for many large international brands, including Specsavers, H&M, Mecca, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Golden Goose, Balenciaga and Lululemon,” says Dickson.
Dickson provides examples to illustrate the process: “For Jimmy Choo, we store and install floor fixtures, sales counters and wall bays. For Mecca, we handle cosmetic units and construct their signature ceiling feature. Golden Goose items include various high-end fixtures made with materials like glass and polished brass – We ensure all these items are imported, stored safely and assembled perfectly in-store.”
During the handover, the Dimension Shopfitter’s project manager walks through the store with the client, noting any defects and providing a detailed document with as-built drawings and a list of finishes for maintenance purposes. This thorough approach guarantees that every store not only meets but exceeds the brand’s expectations and impresses its customers.
Dimension Shopfitters' approach to shopfitting for international brands involves a meticulous process that guarantees the brand's vision is realised to perfection. By managing the complexities of importing and integrating fixtures from around the globe, Dimension Shopfitters ensures that each retail space is not only visually stunning but also operationally flawless. This commitment to excellence has positioned them as a trusted partner for some of the world's most renowned retail brands.
“Our warehousing logistics and the installation of imported products are what set us apart,” Dickson emphasises. This unique capability allows Dimension Shopfitters to handle intricate projects seamlessly, ensuring that every store, whether it’s a high-end fashion boutique or a large-scale retail chain, is completed to the highest standards.
In the volatile retail industry, brand identity and customer experience are essential. Dimension Shopfitters' bespoke solutions and ease of custom brand imports bring retail visions to life. With their extensive experience, comprehensive services, and dedication to quality, they continue to set the benchmark for shopfitting excellence on an international scale.
For more information, reach out to Dimension Shopfitters on ArchiPro today.