How to arrange your delicatessen: our best advice for independent retailers

When designing and fitting out a delicatessen in particular, it’s crucial to acquire furniture suited to the different product types from the start. 

For example, choose open shelving for items you want to show off to their best advantage, but opt for closed shelving when it comes to showcasing more delicate products. Consider investing in bespoke furniture for fruit and vegetable stalls, ideally made of wood and perfectly suited for your commercial premises. 

Our team’s advice: invest in a counter on wheels! It’s versatile and lets you be flexible with your displays throughout the season. You can use it to showcase your bestsellers and special selections. It can even be converted into a tasting area. Last but not least, it’s a practical piece of furniture when busy, allowing you to clear the way quickly!

Remember that every element in your shop exists in correlation with the others and must fit in with your visual identity so that your company’s values and philosophy are instantly recognisable.

If you offer fresh products in your delicatessen, you must implement procedures to guarantee their freshness while making them look as delicious as possible. Your shop aesthetic, along with your personal preferences, will guide the refrigerated display units – whether curved or straight glass, open or closed, etc. Lighting also plays an important role in the presentation of these products. 

(Top tip: When choosing the lights for these displays, remember to use LEDs rather than neon to avoid overheating and reduce power consumption.)

A tasting display is a fantastic opportunity to engage your customers and introduce them to new products. So think about creating a warm and friendly space to offer these experiences. Simple but practical ideas include a tasting tray for charcuterie or cheese, small cups for herbal teas, and breadsticks for spreads. Let your imagination run wild!

Fitting out a delicatessen is not just a question of the interior but also the shop’s exterior. That’s why we recommend you take the time to carefully plan your window display and invest in a quality sidewalk display board. This striking duo is sure to turn passers-by into customers!

The humble chalkboard is the perfect tool for attracting customers to your delicatessen. With funny messages, creative puns, new products or current promotions, you can communicate the latest news and share snippets of your personality with those who don’t know you.

The shop window of a delicatessen plays a central role in your sales strategy. As an important visual focus point, this space must clearly display your company’s values (like organic, regional or local products, vegan, etc.) and encourage passers-by to enter your world of epicurean delights. (It’s also the perfect place to display your bestsellers and new products.)

Here’s how to get the most out of your window display

• Be intentional with the lighting.
• Install a focal point to draw attention to a particular item.
• Follow the pyramid principle when placing your products.

It might go without saying, but always ensure that the decorative elements in your window display match your shop’s overall look and feel. 

Top tip: Regularly change your delicatessen window display, guided by the seasons, sales events or product launches. 

A positive shopping experience encourages impulse buying, and the first step to achieving this is to perfect the layout of your delicatessen. 

Here are our tried and tested tips for encouraging impulse buying: 

• Display your promotional products at the entrance to the shop or next to the checkout counter
• Style your products creatively by placing olive branches around olive oils, flowers or herbs around herbal teas, regional emblems around local specialities, etc.
• Organise cross-merchandising displays by creating themed selections to encourage complementary sales. 

Delicatessen products are perfect for encouraging impulse buying. Make the most of low-priced sweet items dotted around your checkout counter – think confectionery items, chocolates, cupcakes, etc. Sweet treats, strategically placed, are your ally in increasing sales!

In conclusion, establishing a successful delicatessen requires meticulous organisation, creative vision, and a thoughtful approach. Here’s a concise recap of essential considerations:

1. Prioritise product quality: Make superior product quality the cornerstone of your business strategy.
2. Themed displays foster cross-purchasing: Engage customers with creatively themed displays that encourage complementary purchases.
3. Carefully selected furniture reflects your vision: Choose furniture meticulously, aligning it with the envisioned atmosphere of your delicatessen.
4. Leverage outdoor space strategically: Maximise outdoor areas to enhance your ambience and attract new clientele.
5. Sweet treats at the checkout are always a good idea: Incorporate tempting sweet treats at the checkout counter for extra sales. 
6. Optimal layout for an ideal customer journey: Design the layout of your space to facilitate an optimal customer journey, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Remember, each delicatessen is inherently unique, and your creativity is your superpower. Experiment, be open to adjustments, and actively seek customer feedback to continually refine your layout and boost sales!

As an independent retailer, every day-to-day activity in your business is an opportunity to create content! So don’t hesitate to share your journey on social networks through photos, stories or reels.