Buyer's Guide
Every fixture, display, and piece of equipment you need — from an empty space to a fully operational store.
Updated 2026-03-01 • Based on 278+ real store buildouts • By TX Store Fixtures
Setting up a new retail store is a big project, and getting the fixtures right is critical to your customer experience and sales. After completing 278+ full store buildouts across 9 different industries, we have distilled the process into a practical checklist. This guide covers every fixture category you need to consider, roughly in the order you should plan and purchase them.
Shelving is the first fixture most stores need. Gondola shelving creates your aisles, defines traffic flow, and holds the bulk of your inventory. Plan your gondola layout before buying anything else — it determines where everything else goes.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Every store type — grocery, convenience, liquor, beauty supply, smoke shop
Price range: $200 – $500 per 4-foot section
Our verdict: Start with your gondola shelving layout. The number of aisles and their placement dictates your entire store flow. Most convenience stores need 4-8 double-sided runs; liquor stores need 6-12.
Display cases protect and showcase your most valuable or theft-prone products. Position them where customers naturally congregate — along the front counter, near the entrance, or as a focal centerpiece.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Smoke shops, jewelry stores, pawn shops, gun stores, electronics
Price range: $300 – $1,200 per case
Our verdict: If you sell anything worth more than $25 per item, display cases will both protect your inventory and increase sales. They are the second fixture category to plan after shelving.
Your walls are valuable retail real estate. Slatwall and gridwall systems turn blank walls into adjustable product displays using hooks, shelves, and brackets. Install these early — they go up before your floor fixtures.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Clothing stores, beauty supply, phone stores, smoke shops, any store with wall space
Price range: $30 – $60 per 4x8 slatwall panel; gridwall panels $20 – $40
Our verdict: Every retail store should use their walls for display. Slatwall is the premium option (sleek finish, more accessories). Gridwall is the budget-friendly option (easy setup, great for apparel).
If you sell any type of clothing or apparel, you need a mix of floor racks and display mannequins. Racks hold your inventory; mannequins sell the outfits by showing customers how items look together.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Clothing boutiques, department stores, thrift stores, beauty supply (accessories)
Price range: Racks $40 – $150; mannequins $80 – $300
Our verdict: A typical 1,000 sq ft boutique needs 8-12 racks and 4-8 mannequins/dress forms. Use your best outfits on mannequins near the entrance — they are your silent salespeople.
Your checkout area is where every sale happens. A well-designed checkout counter includes space for your POS terminal, bagging area, and last-chance impulse displays. Plan this area carefully — it handles every single customer transaction.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Every retail store needs a checkout area
Price range: $200 – $800
Our verdict: Place your checkout near (but not blocking) the exit, on the left side of the store if possible. Include a countertop display case for last-minute add-on items — this consistently boosts average order value.
Acrylic displays are the finishing touches that polish your store presentation. Risers, bins, sign holders, and specialty displays go on top of and inside your cases, on counters, and on shelves to organize small products and highlight featured items.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Every store — especially those with small, high-margin items
Price range: $5 – $100 per piece
Our verdict: Budget $100-$300 for acrylic accessories when setting up a new store. Focus on risers for your main display cases and sign holders for pricing. These small investments significantly improve how products look.
The total fixture cost for a new retail store varies widely by type: a small boutique might spend $3,000-$8,000, a smoke shop $5,000-$15,000, a convenience store $8,000-$20,000, and a jewelry store $10,000-$25,000. These ranges are based on our actual buildout data from 278+ stores. Contact us for a free fixture quote based on your specific store type and floor plan.
Based on 278+ real store buildouts: small boutiques spend $3,000-$8,000, smoke shops $5,000-$15,000, convenience stores $8,000-$20,000, and jewelry stores $10,000-$25,000 on fixtures. The total depends on store size, fixture quality, and how many display cases vs. shelving units you need.
A typical smoke shop needs 3-5 glass display cases (extra vision is most popular), 2-4 wall cases behind the counter, slatwall for walls, a checkout counter with display, and countertop acrylic displays. We have outfitted 338+ smoke shops and can provide a complete fixture package.
For a typical retail store of 1,000-2,000 square feet, fixture assembly and placement takes 1-3 days with 2-3 people. Gondola shelving takes the longest. Display cases take 15-30 minutes each. Slatwall installation depends on wall area. We recommend scheduling fixture setup 1-2 weeks before your planned opening.
Yes — we offer free store layout consultation for customers purchasing fixtures. Send us your floor plan dimensions and store type, and we will recommend a fixture plan based on our experience with 278+ buildouts. Request a free quote at txstorefixtures.com/quote.
Yes. Full store buildout orders qualify for volume pricing. The more fixtures you purchase together, the better the per-unit pricing. Contact us at 469-277-2710 or submit a quote request for a buildout package price.