MAKING STORE INTERIORS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31161, 10 September 1966, Page 12

MAKING STORE INTERIORS

(Specially written for "The Frets’’ by A. J. Petrel A CHRISTCHURCH-BORN firm which has helped change the face of merchandising in New Zealand, RMS Shopfitters, Ltd., is now just 10 years old. By using qualified staff and providing a service needed by retailers it has come a long way in those 10 years.

The firm is now New Zealand’s largest manufacturer of shop interior fittings and from its Christchurch factory supplies most of New Zealand, as well as providing a complete design and drafting service.

The company started as Metson Displays, Ltd., in 1956 —Mr F. R. Metson is the present managing director—specialising in the planning and construction of store interiors. At this time restrictions on imports were becoming more severe, and consequently the company started to make some of the fittings it needed.

Demand grew rapidly, and the company continued to make many components under licence to overseas firms, but the stage was reached where it was impossible to keep up with the demand and manufacturing of all fittings was started.

Today the firm employs a staff of 50 in three branches: Christchurch, where most of

the manufacturing is done, Wellington, and Auckland, where some manufacturing is carried out. The Auckland branch of the company was opened about four years ago and the Wellington branch in March, 1965. The addition of these two branches has made a large difference to the company’s turnover, the Auckland branch in particular encouraging considerable extra business. In 1963 the company became an associated company of an Australian group of companies, and its name was changed to RMS N.Z., Ltd., this being later changed to RMS Shopfitters to give a better impression of the work done by the company. Overseas associate companies send the firm the latest information on equipping and planning store interiors. At present the firm concentrates on the planning and construction of store interiors, manufacturing modular units for the interior displays and selling areas. However, it has plans to develop into shopfront planning, and eventually into the planning of complete shops and shopping centres.

trade and consequently have, experience of lay-outs and what is required in a store interior. The production line is divided into two major departments: the metal department

Store In Week

The company plans and' outfits the entire interior of stores where necessary, and this role is now recognised by many architects. The company will even recommend the proportions of stock that the store should carry, and it also advises on decor and lighting. Interior “furniture,” display stands and racks are the only products, but a large amount of the work lies in planning the actual layout of store retailing areas. The firm has formulae for the amount of space which should ideally be occupied by back-store areas and offices, walkways, and displays and selling areas. It advises firms to work to these formulae, which are calculated to provide most economic usage of space. The main raw materials are wood, metal, and glass, with some newer materials, such as laminated plastics, taking a growing place. Stands are made in several modular units, which can be mixed and interchanged to provide a wide variety of layouts. Some work, notably the plating of metal parts, is done for RMS by other Christchurch firms. The design of the display units makes re-arrangement at a later date simple, and the firm encourages stores to change layouts from time to time and provide a fresh atmosphere for their customers. The company has planned and equipped the interior of many of the major department stores throughout New Zealand, and on any one day may be remodelling or equipping six or more store interiors. The company’s staff ihave all been in the retail

The picture shows a workman welding the steel frame for a display cabinet.