Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/751848
November/December 2016 17 The Old vs. The New Desiring to shed the warehouse feel, Burkett opted to use slatwall panels instead of the pallet racking it used in its old showroom (pictured above). "We wanted to do something on the more retail-friendly side that made it easier to see items so we focused on shelving, lighting and subtle colors that scream modern," says Burkett. Note the endcaps at the end of each aisle in Burkett's new showroom (pictured left). All of the dealership's clearance items are merchandised there. "Our clear- ance inventory used to just stockpile at the old place, and now it's fl ying off the shelves ," says Burkett. "More than anything, that's confi rmed that customers are willing to buy more when products are properly merchandised." One Big Open Box The greatest contrast between the old and new space is the layout. With its 175,000 square feet and four levels, the former loca- tion was more spacious— but it was choppy, says Burkett, who traded in the space for a more effi cient single-fl oor layout. "We can store everything in that one big box, the showroom, the service area, shipping and receiving," he says. Pictured: Burkett's service area.