Customers are now so attuned to seeing characterful and innovative food display solutions. On the countless TV shows devoted to both food and travel, that it’s become vital to any food retailer to come up with different ways to attract their attention. Of course, the basics of health, cleanliness and easily understood signage and labelling still apply. However, you can really push the boat out when it comes to finding adventurous. Also, by coming up with surprising ways with food display solutions to produce in your deli counter.

8 impressive Food Display Solutions

1. Be bold and showcase new on-trend produce:

TV shows like Masterchef and US baking shows have a huge following in New Zealand. This means you have to keep an eye out for what’s hot and on-trend around the world. Equally, food and travel shows featuring celebrity foodies. Examples are Rick Stein and Peter Kuruvita. They have introduced customers to cuisines from the likes of Korea, the Pacific Islands and Sri Lanka.

Innovative food display solutions can reflect novel dishes and ingredients from recent shows. Furthermore, they help customers feel part of the total food-as-entertainment experience. For example, a recently finished Masterchef show had episodes featuring contestants having to name many different types of herbs. Also, they have to use peculiar NZ ingredients in a dish. Why not use this as the basis of a NZ-themed deli display?

2. Use skilled staff to become a food authority:

The growth of foodie culture has led to a rise in customers who see themselves as self-taught chefs and “experimenters”. These customers soak up as much information as they can and really respond to advice from authority figures. Your deli counter is the ideal place for them to find advice so don’t hide food preparation away behind the scenes. Have your staff on hand to show off their knife skills and creativity; give them the authority to answer questions and offer advice; have them skilled to be able to hand-make deli items to order if required. For example, pre-prepared salads are always popular deli items. However, why not have staff on hand to supply recipes to interested customers and then have the ingredients nearby for purchase separately? Engaging the customer at the counter is a great way to both instil loyalty and provide the chance to upsell items.

3. Push total experiences:

Food customers – especially those at deli and produce counters – enjoy thinking not only about ticking items off their shopping list but also about working out how they’re going to use their purchases. When you’re grouping items or writing signage consider telling a story about how that produce might be used. Good examples in New Zealand – especially at this time of year – are grouping items which might be good for a picnic suitable for an Easter trip to the beach, a big family get-together, or planning a long-weekend visit to the bach.

4. A “market” theme can bridge a number of different cultures:

Almost all food and travel television programmes these days include a visit to a typical market. There you can see how people buy and sell produce in different parts of the world. The idea of showing this is that it helps construct a narrative in the viewer’s mind leading up to the recipe. The actually cooking and eating part of the show – and the human brain is actually hard-wired to find storylines (especially completed storylines) is particularly attractive. Organising food display solutions to show off foods which go together geographically is a good way to start this storytelling process. This means you can start to inspire customers’ creativity right from the display cabinet.

5. Make use of sampling stations:

The foodie customer is especially attracted to the whole “hands-on” experience. Predominantly with new or interesting produce and ingredients. So, it’s important to give them a taste of what’s on offer. Their inspiration may have come from a recipe book or a TV show. However, it can also be boosted by how you organise your retail display and then clinched by testing flavours. And samples don’t have to work alone. Try testing out customers’ tastebuds with different combinations, or food-and-drink matches, or innovative preparations of familiar ingredients. These sampling stations are also ideal places to bring in guest-chefs, producers or suppliers. If customers become used to visiting your store to discover new tastes, skills and methods, they’re more likely to see you as an authority in the food industry; not just the place to buy ingredients.

6. Guide choices with matches and recipes:

Use signage and display to let customers know which wines to serve with different ingredients. Also, try to supply recipe cards and booklets to promote new or promoted items. Even a sign with a recipe or “match of the day” creates intrigue in the customer’s mind. This gives your deli counter a sense of authority.

7. Use tickets and display signage to tell stories about sourcing:

The more knowledgeable customers become, the more they want to know about the source of what they’re putting in their shopping basket. Particularly when it comes to food. Not only is there a food miles, ethical sourcing, eco-friendly aspect to this information, but it also pre-arms them with the information to tell those they’re cooking for or feeding where their food originated. And, again, foodies really like their story-telling. Cheeses have traditionally been sold with information about place of origin. Still, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to do the same with all sorts of fresh produce. And if you can show food display solutions with a story which goes from farm gate to deli counter, you’ve already started a story in a foodie’s mind.

8. Consider added attractions:

With so many different types of food store vying for attention – and the customers’ dollars – you can gain an edge over the competition by offering an alternative shopping experience. In-store dining, floral displays, live music, events which show off favoured or new suppliers and producers are all ways in which you can theme your food display or deli and produce counters to specific times of the year or to highlight specific ingredients. More and more customers see food shopping as an outing. You can play to this trend by offering them a destination as well as a store.

9. Personalisation and customisation are the new freshness and quality:

Throughout retail, customers are demanding a more personalised experience. This is something that hi-tech and online retail can respond to easily. Nevertheless, that instore food presentation and retail is fast catching on to. Freshness and quality, of course, are primary sales points (and a big advantage over online shopping for food) but a store which offers personalised butchery, preparation, sourcing, recipe ideas, planning for large groups or specific events, or themed educational or display events can gain a winning edge when it comes to a hands-on bespoke service.

For more inspiration about how Mills Display can help transform your deli counter or produce display, download a catalogue, email us or talk to one of our salespeople on Live Chat.

Retail is a fiercely competitive sector. To remain successful, you need to have great products and outstanding service. But also provide your customers with a good shopping experience. Shopping Baskets improve Customer Experience massively, read our guide below to find out why.

Shopping baskets are a crucial element of this experience, making buying straightforward and comfortable. This guide illustrates exactly why that is.

Mills Display specialise in display solutions and have a thorough understanding of retail requirements. We offer a large range of baskets, even with the possibility of branding.

10 Ways Shopping Baskets Improve Customer Experience

What’s the point of spending a fortune on merchandising and great stock if your customers can’t get it to your point of sale easily?

Shopping baskets and the stands which allow for their efficient distribution are an absolute necessity for any size store. Stores where you’re looking to make multiple sales and you don’t want your customers juggling their purchases while looking at other display cabinets. It also helps when they’re trying to ferret around for their Eftpos card.

So here’s our 10-point guide to why introducing them into your small store, or adding them to existing trolleys in a larger store can help change your customers’ retail experience for the better.

Mills Display’s 10 Point Guide:

1. Efficiency:

Shopping for things like groceries, produce or small goods needs to be a swift, efficient process. Therefore shopping baskets keep the aisles clear of queues of trolleys. Also, they give your customers the option of just a couple of items or a few items for that special recipe. The swifter the customer’s experience the more likely they will return. Furthermore the better you can monitor and control your point of sale queues.

2. Ease of use:

Mills Display’s range of baskets can be either 20-litre capacity (320mm x 420mm x 230mm depth) or 26-litre (320mm x 470mm x 260mm. This means they have room to stack hard and fragile articles alongside each other without any risk of damaging produce before it’s paid for.

3. Versatility:

As well as the usual carrier baskets, Mills Display also stocks baskets fitted with telescopic handles and casters so they can be pulled around. Again, this saves space around your aisles compared to trolleys. Still, it allows customers who can’t or don’t want to carry their purchases around the store, to have them contained right up to the point of sale.

4. Store Guide:

Having a stand for your baskets at the front of the store next to the entrance keys your customers in to the shopping experience. And having a similar stand next to the checkout means they can move through the point of sale quickly. They don’t even have to look for somewhere to leave a trolley.

5. Comfort:

As well as the baskets with telescopic handles and wheels, our range of baskets can be carried comfortably. This happens without the risk of the handles pinching customer’s hands; regardless of the weight of goods inside.

6. Trust:

Our shopping baskets manufacturing place is New Zealand. Also, they have been independently tested in New Zealand to show that the 20-litre baskets can carry more than 100 kg. We also proved that the 26-litre baskets can withstand more than 120kg of weight. This is more than enough to accommodate a Christmas ham or multiple boxes of bolts, screws and nails! They are also constructed with a reinforced rim and unbreakable handles. This helps to minimise breakages and gives you and your customers’ piece of mind.

7. Economics:

When your customer steps into your store they don’t want to feel railroaded into thinking they have to spend a lot of money. But, equally, you want to be able to give them the impression that they can handle multiple purchases. By supplying them with a shopping basket, it allows people who wouldn’t think they need anything as lare as a trolley to browse your display shelving and retail display cabinets. This happens without juggling what they originally came in for.

8. Branding:

Although we provide baskets in three standard colours of black, red and yellow, all our baskets can be branded with stamped company logos and designs. We also manufacture in your store’s branded colour. Just give us the details around type fonts, artwork and colours and we can arrange to manufacture a unique shopping basket. This allows you to stamp your brand on your customers’ experience.

9. Display:

As well as being able to brand the baskets, the basket stands can also be customised to display your branding. Another way is to show retail signage detailing special promotions or information for customers.

10. Intent:

In online shopping, retailers spend a large amout of time trying to reduce the number of people who abandon the buying process before they reach checkout. Well, the same applies for the shopping experience in a bricks-and-mortar store too. Supplying a shopping basket reinforces the intent to make a purchase and lessens the likelihood of a customer browsing, not finding what they’re looking for; and simply leaving.

Mills Display has a great range of baskets to suit your needs. We can help with any customisation or bespoke baskets you think might complement your store.

For more information on how to order shopping baskets for your store or to talk through other potential solutions which would help your customer’s shopping experience, contact one of Mills Display’s experts via email, Livechat with us on the website or phone our Auckland showroom on 09 634 5962.

Follow us on Facebook and Google My Business for our latest products and NZ Retail updates. Also, take a look at our 8 innovative retail merchandise display ideas for you.

We know how much customer service benefits mean to your business. This is why Mills Display prides itself on offering a professional and friendly service. We  have experts on hand who will go the extra mile for you. Our Retail Display products are designed to keep your business up and running. This means our customer service has to reflect just that. It’s our job to work alongside you so your retail displays, ticketing and pricing, and your fixtures, clips and hooks function at their best.

Customer Service Benefits of Mills Display

So here are the five points of difference you can expect when you come to Mills Display.

1. We’ll get straight back to you:

Because so many people research products online these days, it’s important to respond to inquiries straight away. Nothing’s worse than spending an hour researching exactly what you want to then have your request, order or question hanging around someone’s inbox for a day or two. At Mills Display, our target is to get back within one or two hours to confirm receipt of your email. Then find a solution to the request in less than 24 hours.

2. We’ll keep technology at our fingertips to help you find what you need:

A major upgrade over the past year has been the introduction of LiveChat to our website. With that, you can deal directly with our customer support and sales expert Lena Lautua. Customer feedback has been excellent. Especially from small business owners who say they can carry on serving customers or working while multitasking a request on LiveChat. That is something which certainly doesn’t work with a phone call, or from businesses who enjoy the personal touch of a direct conversation with Lena rather than a long email trail. We’ve also brought the inspiration of the showroom online through our blog and showroom tour video. This helps your online research.

3. We’ll provide the innovation and solutions you didn’t even know existed:

Another of our Customer Service Benefits at Mills Display is that the staff have the benefit of the business’s 30 years’ experience behind them. This means they have often seen or provided solutions to challenges which you haven’t thought of. Our catalogues are just the start when it comes to successful retail display solutions or practical uses for many of our fixtures products. Furthermore, because we have a fully comprehensive working knowledge of how our products can be used. That is why we can show you fresh ways to keep your business looking good and running smoothly.

4. We have the insider expertise to run smooth processes:

Whether we’re working alongside your in-house designer to create a bespoke, customised display product, or liaising with overseas suppliers and shipping companies to import products to meet your deadline, we will either use our own trusted processes or develop a relationship with you company to ensure projects run smoothly and efficiently. We have developed a national and international network of trusted suppliers and shipping companies. This ensures a ready supply of all our products. Moreover, we have a great in-house design and manufacturing team to help create customised products to give your business an edge.

5. We will follow through on all our decisions and requests:

Because even the smallest fixture and fitting can make all the difference to your business, we know how important any inquiry, order or question can be. That’s why will always follow through on any contact; why we’ll always work hard to find solutions to your business challenges; why we’ll strive to design and create customised productsto suit your business needs; and why we’ll continue to introduce new and innovative products which help your business thrive. Those are only a few of our Customer Service Benefits at Mills Display.

For more inspiration about Mills Display’s range of products and to enjoy our excellent customer service, download a catalogue, email us or talk to one of our salespeople on Live Chat.

Follow us on Facebook and Google My Business for our latest products and NZ Retail updates. Also, take a look at our 8 innovative retail merchandise display ideas for you.

Contact us for information about our extensive Range of 3,000 display products.

For any enquires or to place your order please contact our friendly Customer Services Team on 09 634 5962 or send us an email to sales@millsdisplay.co.nz. Use our online contact form below for further information. Follow us on Facebook and Google My Business for our latest products and NZ Retail updates. Also, take a look at our 8 innovative retail merchandise display ideas for you.

Do not forget you can also Live Chat in real time to Customer Services with any questions.

All the major areas of growth in retail seem to involve high-tech gadgetry, big data analytics and customised personal sales. At Mills Display we believe there’s still a high demand for good, basic bricks-and-mortar display in the New Zealand market. What’s more, many of the new retail display trends and innovations are creating extra emphasis on how you store is fitted out and planned. It’s a case not of letting new technologies bury the old-style of retail display trends.

However, traditional store design can adapt and grow to accommodate a new generation of customers and new methods of selling products. Globally, the pace of retail display trends development is gathering speed all the time. This seemed out of the realm of possibility even 12 months ago is likely to become the norm during 2016.

New Zealand is generally slower to adopt some of the more futuristic retail trends. However, we’re likely to see a large change in the way our stores do business. Also, our customers hunt out merchandise over the near future.

So here are three new retail display trends and innovations which have been a global highlight in 2016. Mills Display can help your business adopt them and make them a success. Wearable technology and the Internet of Things 2016 will likely see a huge growth in wearable technology; mostly glasses and watches.

Also, what the gimmick of the last couple of years is likely to become more mainstream. One of the key areas where wearable technology and the Internet of Things (homes, devices, appliances, vehicles and buildings embedded with WiFi-connected technology) is likely to make a real difference is in the world of retail display trends.

New Retail Display Trends you should adapt to

As this article predicted last year, imagine a person carrying or wearing a WiFi connected device walking past three shops each day on their way to work. A mix of that person’s own technology and technology owned by each of the stores. The stores will soon be able to record and “learn” that person’s regular route. They are able to use this data is able to send real-time deals to the wearer; just as they are approaching the business. Also, potentially customising those offers to that person’s likes and dislikes.

Impact on future shopping behavior

The impact is still a futuristic scenario. However, the growth in wearables and the collection of data makes it very much a near-future experience. Retail businesses need to be able to foresee how their shops will have to change to serve this new brand of customer. From a retail display trends point of view, shops will need to create new areas of display. They will signage to reflect the fact that wearable technology is guiding customers to products.

Yes, aisles and point of sale displays will still be important for regular shoppers. However, this new generation of customers will have products “displayed” virtually. So, stores will require more backroom storage and “drop-points” within the store where merchandise can be picked up.

Retail Display Trends – Showrooming Techniques

The days of thinking that mobile devices and online shopping sounded the death-knell for bricks-and-mortar businesses are long gone. Plenty of businesses which originated as virtual stores have now learnt the benefit of a High St presence. Whether that’s a flagship store where their products can have the spotlight shone on them, or in showrooming stores where customers can try out products before, potentially, buying online.

The importance of showrooming is that it requires a slightly different appreciation of displaying a product. They need more emphasis on signage and information. Furthermore, security devices attached to loose items to avoid theft are important.

There’s obviously less emphasis on point of sale displays because that’s not the sole aim of the store. Instead fixtures and fittings are likely connected with Beacon technology. This “learns” how long a potential customer spent browsing a certain category of product. Therefore it is then able to connect with them later in the day via email to supply further information about special offers or new and related products.

Retail Display Trends – Personalisation is the key…

Being a generally friendly and open country, New Zealand already excels at many forms of customer interaction.

However, the amount of data to share about ourselves (regardless of how we might think of it) has increased dramatically over recent years. 2016 is likely to see a further increase in the amount of personal details shoppers. There are handed over to retailers in a bid to receive a more customised, personal service. Loyalty programmes which understand frequent purchases, buying behaviour, time-poor customers – even birthdays – allow retailers to tailor the way they approach or serve specific shoppers. They also improve the overall customer experience. And there’s always the opportunity to cross or upsell when you understand you customers’ needs.

In terms of display, this personalisation of the customer experience requires clear signage and information points. It also requires fitting out your store to allow types of customer (for example those who want to browse as opposed to those who have little time to shop) different zones. There’s also potential to mix products on retail shelving or in display cabinets according to personas which you’ve identified.

Contact Mills Display to find out more

For more inspiration about how Mills Display can help your business prepare for the future of retail, download a catalogue, email us or talk to one of our salespeople on Live Chat.

Follow us on Facebook and Google My Business for our latest products and NZ Retail updates. Also, take a look at our 8 innovative retail merchandise display ideas for you.

From the basics like product display hooks and poster displays to more task-specific items like food presentation and point-of-sale queue control. You can trust Mills Display Catalogues fully. We have exactly what you want when you need it.

But keeping your business running requires more than just the peace of mind. It goes along with knowing that you can find all your retail display solutions in one place. It’s just as much about having an experienced team working alongside you to create innovative and successful solutions that help drive your business forward.

Ask for Mills Display Customer Service

With nearly three decades under our belts at Mills Display, we’ve learnt a great deal about what our customers expect and require from us. Moreover, we’re confident that we can deliver great customer service. And because our commitment to customer service is reflected in how we do business with our own suppliers, you can trust a seamless supply chain throughout the process of ordering, manufacturing and delivering your retail display products.

We’ve invested in a direct-to-customer retail showroom in the Auckland suburb of Penrose, as well as the ability to live chat with one of our sales team via the website so you can talk through your requirements. And you know we’ll go the extra mile to ensure that you source and receive what you need – from wherever in the world it needs to come – swiftly and efficiently. We know that good customer service drives efficiency and the relationships which spring from trusted business partnerships can drive product and business development – so feel free to talk directly to us about practical or supply issues and we can custom-deliver a successful solution.

Mills Display Experience and innovation

Thousands of New Zealand businesses return to Mills Display time after time because they understand that as well as the catalogues full of retail display solutions, our 30 years of business reflects a history of problem-solving throughout a range of retail situations. Whether it’s a nationwide rollout of point-of-sale displays, fitting out a new or concept store, or understanding how our range of existing products can solve our customers’ specific display issues, our team has the smarts to know what can work for you. Just because you have our catalogues at your fingertips, doesn’t mean you necessarily know all the insider secrets about making the most of them – but our in-house experts do and will work alongside you to find the perfect combination to meet your business needs.

Mills Display Product Sourcing and Professional Networks

As well as knowing that we can source everything listed in our retail display catalogues – it’s important for Mills Display to build and maintain a trusted network of suppliers around the world, including Asia, Australia, Europe and the United States. It’s important to your cashflow – especially if you are a small or medium-sized business – not to have to keep large inventories of display-related stock so Mills Display has large warehousing capabilities, a national supply and distribution network and a tried-and-tested international freight process to ensure that we can turn around your request in time to keep your business rolling.

Mills Display Customised Creativity

Whether you want branded, bespoke display products or specific products made to measure for your business, Mills Display has a history of designing and creating a range of customised solutions. And because we have invested heavily in keeping our manufacturing systems up-to-date, we have the capability to custom-design and build innovative site and task-specific retail displays which involves screen or digital printing, injection molding, plastic fabrication or wire and metalwork.

Contact us for more information about Mills Display Catalogues

If you have a specific challenge that you don’t think can be met by simply ordering direct from our catalogue, contact Mills Display via email, call us on 09 634 5962 or talk to one of our experts on Live Chat via the website. Follow us on Facebook and Google My Business for our latest products and NZ Retail updates. Also, take a look at our 8 innovative retail merchandise display ideas for you.

Mills Display has got you covered when it comes to running a safe and healthy business. Learn how to secure your store with our safety equipment and our health and safety signage NZ.

Mills Display – The Best Health and Safety Signage NZ

When the Health and Safety at Work Act came into force on April 4, 2016, there was a lot of scare stories in the media about schools banning kids from climbing trees or sports clubs having to remove coat-hooks from changing rooms. The central role of the new legislation is to emphasise how businesses should be proactive in managing risks in their workplaces. And the best way to do that is to source your safety equipment and health and safety signage NZ from a company you can trust.

Safety Equipment and Health and Safety Signage NZ Solutions:

Here are 12 ways in which Mills Display products can keep you, your workforce and your customers safe:

1. Signage

A major part of conforming to the latest health and safety legislation is showing that you have a system in place to deal with potential hazards. And a good way to ensure that is to let workers and customers know what those specific hazards are. Signs can range from temporary warnings about wet floors to permanent no smoking, entrance and emergency exit signs.

2. Preventing Slippages

Keep your staff and customers safe by providing the right surface for them to tread on.
Secure your staff that are restocking shelves or working behind the scenes. And secure your customers browsing your aisles. Mills Display has ranges of safety mats and steps to prevent them slipping or over-reaching.

3. Preventing Spillages

The best way to prevent in-store spillages is to have well-organised shelves and retail display units. Mills display has everything you need from shelf talkers and dividers to customised produce bins to ensure your products stay where they can be seen and not end up as a hazard on the floor.

4. Food Preparation

Spoons, tongs, chopping boards and knives – all can be colour coordinated to avoid cross contamination and protect your customers. They are made of the highest quality materials to ensure your staff are safe while using them. And when you are working with food, we have the perfect range of benches and trolleys to help keep the area clean.

5. Food Presentation

Whether you’re displaying in a deli, equipping a café or restaurant, or running a catering business, you need to be sure that your equipment meets the very highest food standards. Your plates, platters, trays, display stands, barrels, crates and baskets not only look attractive but also has to be safe.

6. Customised Display Products

If you have a specific product you want to display but can’t find the ideal display solution, Mills Display can create the perfect unit. Our in-house team can design and manufacture plastic, PVC, textile and wooden products that both look great and make sure that – whatever your requirement – keep your products safe and secure.

7. Customised Signage

Does your retail store or inventory has specific requirements around safety signage? We are capable of creating specific signage to help keep your workforce and customers well informed.

8. Baskets and Stands

When it comes to carrying retail goods, you need to have a range of baskets you can trust to do the job. We have sturdy plastic or wire baskets in several colours and a range of stands to help reduce clutter and facilitate basket storage.

9. Ceiling and Hanging Posters

When you want to hang posters on walls, in window recesses or from the ceiling you need to have systems you can trust to keep the posters in place and not damage your store. Talk to us about the many solutions available to make the most of your whole store when it comes to merchandising and display.

10. Organising Store Layout

Although it’s important to keep putting your products in front of your customers while they’re inside your store, it’s also important to keep the aisles as clear as possible to maintain a good flow. Mobile display units need to be sturdy, stable and safe. And we have a range to suit all styles and requirements.

11. Brochures and Advice

Health and safety is as much about providing the right information as it is the ideal environment. If you are compiling brochures and information leaflets, you’ll need to keep them both handy and organised. Use one of our range of brochure holders.

Contact us for more information about Health and Safety Signage NZ

For any enquires or to place your order please contact our friendly Customer Services Team on 09 634 5962 or send us an email to sales@millsdisplay.co.nz. Use our online contact form below for further information. Follow us on Facebook and Google My Business for our latest products and NZ Retail updates. Also, take a look at our 8 innovative retail merchandise display ideas for you.

Do not forget you can also Live Chat in real time to Customer Services with any questions.