Retail brief from a Pretoria footwear floor
The client was a footwear retailer in Pretoria serving everyday shoppers, school wear buyers and weekend customers looking for quick service. The brief was practical: make product discovery easier, reduce staff interruptions at the counter, and give customers a better way to check what is in stock before they start asking around the store.
They wanted a setup that would suit a retail environment where space is always limited, people move quickly and staff are often busy with fittings, exchanges and size requests. The solution had to work during load-shedding with local backup power arrangements, and it had to stand up well to dust, fingerprints and general daily use. Pretoria winters can be dry, but the humidity from cleaning routines and open doors still needs to be considered.
- Client type: footwear retailer
- Town: Pretoria
- Goal: faster stock checking and stronger product discovery
- Store condition: active sales floor with constant customer flow
What the store needed and what was getting in the way
The main issue was that customers were spending too long waiting for staff to confirm sizes, colours and range availability. That slowed down the buying process and sometimes led to missed sales when shoppers moved on. The store also wanted a better way to highlight featured footwear lines, promo ranges and seasonal stock without relying only on printed signage.
Space was another constraint. The outlet had enough floor area for customer movement, but not for bulky fixtures that would block access or make the aisles feel tight. The store needed hardware that could sit neatly near the browsing zones, with clear screens and stable stands that would not wobble when people leaned in to use them. We also had to consider municipal compliance for routing cables safely and keeping walkways clear, which is always important in a busy retail site.
- Slow stock queries at the counter
- Limited floor space for display equipment
- Need for clear product promotion without clutter
- Safe cable routing and tidy installation
Touchscreen stock lookup and footwear display setup
We supplied interactive stock lookup touchscreens positioned for easy use near the main shopping area. These allowed staff and customers to check product information, size availability and style groupings without leaving the floor. The units were specified for frequent public use, with responsive touch panels and durable housings suited to retail handling.
Alongside the touchscreens, we installed feature footwear display stands to draw attention to selected ranges. The display format was arranged to support visual merchandising, with product visibility from multiple angles and enough space for pairs, signage and seasonal featured lines. The stand layout was kept low enough to preserve sight lines but tall enough to make the products stand out.
Key facts included 22 inch touchscreen displays, commercial grade metal frames, lockable access panels for service checks, and anti-glare screen surfaces for better visibility under retail lighting. We also configured the systems for simple content updates, so product lines can be changed when stock moves or new promotions begin. A small typo here and there happens in retail, but the main thing is that the setup stays clear and easy to use.
- 22 inch interactive touchscreens
- Commercial grade steel frames
- Anti-glare front surfaces
- Lockable service access
- Feature display stands for footwear ranges
Design, branding and content loading carried out on site
The solution was planned to suit the store’s existing colour palette and branding style, so the equipment felt like part of the shop rather than an add-on. We handled custom branding on the visible panels and loaded the initial content for the stock lookup menus and featured product sections. That included category paths for mens, ladies and school footwear, plus clear navigation that staff could explain quickly to shoppers.
Software configuration was completed to keep the experience simple. The interface needed to be easy enough for first time users and quick enough for busy peak periods. We also checked network integration so the touchscreens could communicate properly with the store’s internal systems. Where cable runs were required, these were kept neat and protected. Installation was done with attention to foot traffic, so the store could keep trading around the work without major interruption.
Our installation supervisor worked with the store team to position each unit where it would be visible but not in the way of the fitting flow. Final checks covered screen response, menu logic and the look of the display units under store lighting. The end result was tidy, practical and suited to a retail floor that needs to keep moving.
Timeline from assessment to handover
The project was completed over 4 weeks from the first site assessment to final handover. Week 1 covered measurement, floor planning and the retail brief. Week 2 focused on solution design, display configuration and content structure. Week 3 covered fabrication, branding and software setup. Week 4 was delivery installation, network testing and staff training.
This short programme worked because the store had a clear brief and the team on site was ready to make decisions quickly. We kept communication direct and practical, which helped avoid delays. The handover included basic care steps for the touchscreens and display stands, plus guidance for daily use in a retail environment that sees plenty of handling.
- Week 1: site assessment and measurements
- Week 2: design and content planning
- Week 3: setup and preparation
- Week 4: installation, testing and training
Results on the shop floor and what we would repeat
After installation, the store had a clearer path for product discovery. Shoppers could check stock earlier in the visit instead of waiting at the counter, which improved flow across the floor and gave staff more time to focus on fittings and closing sales. The footwear displays also helped draw attention to selected ranges, especially when the store wanted to push seasonal stock or special promotions.
The retailer gained a more organised browsing experience and a cleaner way to present information. Staff reported fewer repeated questions, and customers could get to the right size and style faster. We would repeat the same approach for similar stores by starting with a proper floor assessment, keeping the interface simple, and making sure the hardware is easy to maintain in everyday retail use. Preventative servicing is worth doing too, because a clean screen and checked connection points keep the system reliable.
For Pretoria stores, this kind of setup makes sense where shoppers expect quick service and clear guidance. It is especially useful when the team wants to improve the in-store experience without overcomplicating the floor layout or adding clutter. The project did exactly what it needed to do, and it did it without taking over the space.
Key facts
| Project type | Retail footwear store upgrade |
|---|---|
| Town | Pretoria, Gauteng |
| Solution scope | Stock lookup touchscreens and feature footwear display stands |
| Timeline | 4 weeks from assessment to handover |
| Touchscreen size | 22 inch commercial touch display units |
| Core services | Site assessments, content loading, delivery installation, software configuration, staff training |
