About Slatwall Hardware

Slatwall is one of the most useful display tools a retailer can use, but it's the slatwall hardware that makes it so versatile and useful. By using the right hardware with the right products, it's possible to create eye-catching, high-selling displays that can quickly and easily be changed as your products and the seasons change.

Types

For as many types of merchandise as you can imagine, there are just as many types of slatwall hardware. The most popular types include clothing hooks, adjustable shelves and bins, but some of the most underutilized hardware includes spotlights that can be used to highlight high-end products, clear acrylic trays and bins, and velvet busts and partial mannequins that attach directly to the slatwall.

Considerations

Obviously, displaying merchandise in an attractive way that is also accessible to customers is a first priority, but in doing so you must consider the weight and size of your products compared to the strength of the slatwall hardware and the slatwall itself. Choose hardware that evenly distributes the weight of your merchandise and is resistant to breakage and damage. Using slatwall hardware for multiple purposes is great, but make sure the items can't be damaged or fall on customers. Make sure the slatwall hardware you choose is designed to securely and safely hold your merchandise.

Potential

Slatwall hardware offers almost unlimited display options. You can change a display monthly, weekly or even daily without a huge amount of effort and without damaging walls with nails, tacks and other attachments. Hardware designed to hold signs and banners is great for advertising sales and specials as well, without losing important shelf space. If your business offers seasonal items or merchandise that changes frequently, slatwall hardware offers a way to have constantly evolving displays without a lot of work.

Warning

Before installing any slatwall hardware, make sure that it is built for your type of slatwall and is strong enough to hold your merchandise. Even light individual items, like T-shirts, can quickly become heavy when stacked or hung together. Some slatwall hardware is made for different sizes of slatwall, such as walls with one-inch spaces or 1/4-inch spaces. Large slatwall hardware, such as wooden shelves and metal brackets, should be used with care if it is placed above shoulder level. If the weight is too much, the entire shelf could fall and injure an employee or a customer.

Misconceptions

While slatwall hardware is typically made for a very specific purpose, that doesn't mean it has to be used only for the products it is advertised for displaying. As long as it can easily hold the weight of the merchandise and is stable, your creativity is the only limitation to its use. A wire basket made for holding folded clothes also makes a great display rack for bundles of silk flowers or piles of stuffed animals. Baseball cap display hardware is also great for displaying decorative plates, bowls and baskets. Literature racks are perfect for displaying thin flat items like placemats, DVDs or picture frames.

Resources

• Store Supply Warehouse is a great source of slatwall hardware.