For a large store you will certainly appreciate having a forklift. While there are costs associated with acquiring one, maintaining it, and then allowing employees to obtain and use an operating license, and the associated liability, a portion of the equipment will quickly pay for itself. Higher volume stores will avoid additional fees because you can unload at the truck level and don't need a tailgate.
If you are going to buy material handling equipment that is small in size you would strongly consider having a pallet jack. If you're shopping in pallet-sized loads this will help you manage incoming consignment quickly and easily. Instead of lifting and pulling the pallet by hand, you quickly and easily move the entire pallet as needed. With a little buying you can get a solid pellet jack for a few hundred dollars.
Hand trucks are a must for almost every shop. For almost every other standard need, from moving box stacks to storage fixtures, the hand truck is the essential tool. They are relatively light and easy to operate. At less than 100, they have a fair price for each retailer.
If so, you can't forget to have one or more merchandise stocking carts to speed up the stocking process. A wide variety of merchandise stocking cart options are available to you. Most are very cheap and will serve you well. Remember to choose a size that is large enough not to create obstructions to the wing as merchandise is being stocked on the sales floor. |