The slatwall display is the lighter, sleeker, more mobile alternative to gondola shelving when you need to display merchandise neatly and attractively with a smaller footprint.
What are slatwalls?
Slatwalls are shelving units, somewhat like gondola shelving, but they can be moved easily and don't need to be stationary as gondola units do. You can attach them to legs and use them as freestanding units, or you can attach them to walls. Either way, whenever you want to move one, you don't have to break anything down, necessarily. Everything can be left intact, unlike gondola shelving.
Use these slatwall accessories to display merchandise:
- Panels
The panels provide the backdrop to the slatwall's accessories, but they can be considered an accessory themselves simply because you can choose your panels to fit your decor instead of settling for bland beige or pegboard.
- Floating shelves
This is probably the most ubiquitous of the slatwall accessories. Floating shelves can be installed anywhere on the slatwall panel, and usually don't need brackets. Instead, just slide them into the slot you choose. Change the way shelves are positioned just by moving them – no setting up or breaking down needed. Use them to display light shelved merchandise like folded clothing, small toys, or small tools.
- Slatwall hooks
Instead of placing merchandise on shelving, hang it on hooks. Slatwall hooks come in a variety of colors and are usually made of heavy-duty metal; these fit in the wood grooves of the paneling. These hooks also come in lighter weight nylon for lighter displays and delicate objects. Belts, ties, and small packages of merchandise like rubber bands can be displayed properly on light duty hooks, while heavier objects like utility implements will need heavy duty hooks.
- Shelf brackets
Even though slatwalls are popular because they give you the ability to use floating shelves which don't require brackets, you can choose to use shelving with brackets to slatwalls to use shelves of glass or wood for a more upscale clothing or jewelry display.
- Faceouts
These straight metal strips attach at a 90 degree angle into the slatwall and "face out" from the slatwall. These metal strips contain hooks that can hold small merchandise like jewelry, or clothing.
- Waterfalls
These slatwall accessories are very similar to faceouts except that they attach to slatwalls at a downward angle. This provides a sort of "cascading" effect for anything that you hang from the waterfalls' hooks. If you sell clothing, for example, waterfalls let you hang clothing pieces one at a time, each immediately behind the other; customers can see the clothing in back just as easily as they can see the clothing in front.
- Baskets and bins
These slat wall accessories are offered in a variety of sizes to accommodate differently sized merchandise. Bins are lightweight but strong and are generally used on bottom most bracketed slatwall shelving for heavier items, while baskets can display small items like individual candies, travel sized personal items, or over-the-counter medications for quick grab.
- Lights
Although not normally thought of as slatwall accessories, specially constructed lights can be attached to slatwall grooves to bring some focus to items on display. Strategically placed lights can also highlight small items that may be difficult for customers to see otherwise.
Although floating shelves are most commonly thought of as slatwall accessories, there are many more options to choose from. These accessories make the slatwall as functional and versatile as your more heavy-duty go-to, gondola shelving, but in a lighter and more mobile option.
