No, not shoplifter. We’re not professional thieves! What is a shopfitter?
Working all over Australia, we’ve had many people read our shirt branding and express to us they incorrectly read it as shoplifter. Then obviously thinking this can’t be right, realised we are shopfitters. Then they ask, “What IS a shopfitter anyway?” So we thought we should explain what our profession actually is, and what shopfitters do. So let’s start with what shopfitting is …
What is shopfitting?
Shopfitting is the business of building and installing, known to our trade as ‘fitting-out’, commercial spaces. This can be fitting out small retail shops and cafes or large commercial offices, department stores and restaurant fitouts.
Shopfitting consists of constructing, and sometimes manufacturing, counters, cupboards, shelving and display units. It also incorporates necessary shop fittings, fixtures and equipment a business needs to be able to function and trade.
What is the role of a shopfitter?
Along with building and assembling joinery, the role of the shopfitter is also to supply and install shop fixtures and fittings. For example, for a hair salon fitout, you would be provided with fixtures such as mirrors and wash chairs. Refrigerators, freezers, mixers and bain-maries would make part of the shopfitting requirements provided for a café fitout. These would generally all be arranged by the allocated shopfitter.
Best of all though, is the shop fit out contractors will organise all trades required for the project. From glaziers, plasterers and painters to plumbers, electricians and flooring specialists; shopfitters coordinate and project manage them all.
That’s why, as an experienced shopfitter, the best shopfitting advice I can give is to engage your shopfitter early in the design process. Doing this prevents clients wasting unnecessary time and resources on project management.
A good shopfitting company will schedule, coordinate and control all of their trades. This is from conception to completion, and allows clients time to concentrate on other important aspects of their role.
In need of a shopfitter? AAFS Shopfitting have constructed and installed fit outs all over Australia. To obtain a quote, forward your plans drawn up by an architect or retail designer and email them to us at sales@AAFSshopfitting.com.au or phone our Pakenham office to discuss your upcoming project.