Have you allocated funds for shelving and fixtures immediately as a central expense when you first set up your budget – or do you think that this is an expense you will "fit in" as you are able?
If getting the appropriate amount and types of retail shelving are things you plan to do "later" in your setup process, stop and reconsider. It may seem to make sense to wait and see what you'll need, or to squeeze them in after everything else is done – but don't skimp. You need to budget in at least some retail shelving fixtures right at the start. You can add more as you grow.
The type of retail shelving you will need the most of will depend somewhat on the type of merchandise you sell, but you can't go wrong with these versatile pieces as first choices. They can be set up and broken down quickly to reconfigure displays as needed:
Gondola shelving is the most ubiquitous and versatile of shelving types; it doesn't just hold merchandise for you; it can actually help you establish your store's layout. Buy enough gondola shelving units to house most merchandise; you can make the units even more versatile by buying baskets, hooks, and slatwalls to make displays more versatile.
Mix and match a few pieces that are comprised of "islands," which are double-sided gondola shelving; wall units (one-sided gondola shelving); and end caps, which extend a series of single or attached gondola islands (called "runs") slightly, for good use of space.
Invest in a few fixtures that will be placed right next to or on checkout counters; wire baskets and racks to hold magazines, gum, and other small purchases are good choices. These help you turn a profit immediately, because they encourage last minute impulse buys.
You can use tabletop display fixtures throughout your store to showcase hot new items, or high-volume staples. You can also use them for seasonal items, or for holiday displays.
Gondola shelving is the gift that keeps on giving. Buy once and you shouldn't have to replace again for a long time. Add a few pieces every year to keep up with expanded merchandise displays.
If you don't have the appropriate retail shelving and fixtures, you'll miss out on "impulse buy" sales. Start just by buying one each freestanding and tabletop fixture for each checkout counter.
Tabletop displays can be placed right near the store's entrance and at the checkout counter for products that you want to move. You will improve your bottom line and give customers what they need, as well.
These retail shelving and fixtures suggestions should get you started as you set up your store. As you grow, you can add more as you need to, and easily expand the amount of merchandise you showcase.