Retail Store Fit-Out Guide

Storefront and entrance

The entrance sets the first impression. Doors, glazing, signage and weather protection need planning, and in Alberta a vestibule helps control cold air. Mall tenants often have design criteria from the landlord to follow.

Our doors and hardware team installs entrances, locks and accessible operators.

Landlord criteria for signage, storefront materials and construction hours can restrict your choices, so review them before you finalize the design.

Layout and fixtures

Plan sightlines, aisle widths, the cash desk and fitting rooms to suit your products and security needs. Fixtures can be custom or off-the-shelf, and our carpentry and millwork crew builds feature walls, counters and displays.

Allow for stock rooms and receiving.

Flexible fixtures that can be rearranged keep the store fresh without renovation. Plan electrical outlets in floors and walls so layouts can change without new wiring.

Lighting and power

Lighting makes merchandise look its best. Track, recessed and accent fixtures, controlled by dimmers, create zones. Power in floors and walls is needed for displays, screens and registers.

Our electrical team installs lighting, power and controls, and coordinates ceilings with our interior systems crew.

Security and technology

Cameras, alarms, access control and anti-theft systems protect stock. Cabling for point of sale, Wi-Fi, music and digital signage should be run before finishes. Our low voltage team handles this as one package.

Digital signage can be built in at the design stage.

Schedule

Retail has hard dates. Plan around the opening season, supplier lead times for fixtures and mall rules for working hours. Build in time for permits and inspections.

Keep a contingency for items the landlord requires late, such as extra fire protection or sprinkler adjustments.