A Step-by-Step Playbook for Durable, Brand-Aligned Retail Displays
By Yan Luo | Samtop Display
โ Buying floor displays from China can be fast, scalable, and cost-effective โ but only if you approach it with clear specs, supplier vetting, and rollout foresight. Many buyers stumble on vague RFQs, misaligned samples, or poor shipping structure.
At Samtop, weโve helped global VM and procurement teams source and ship floor fixtures that look right, arrive safe, and last across campaigns. Hereโs our sourcing blueprint.
โ Summary: What to Get Right When Buying Floor Fixtures from China
To succeed with your fixture order, you must:
โ๏ธ Define fixture type + brand finish expectations
โ๏ธ Choose the right factory for your mix (wood / metal / acrylic)
โ๏ธ Prepare complete technical specs, not just renders
โ๏ธ Sample logically โ material first, then structure
โ๏ธ Plan for knock-down, CBM efficiency, and store rollout handling
๐ Related: How to Write a Factory-Ready Fixture Brief
๐งฉ 1. Define Your Floor Fixture Type (And Match the Right Supplier)
| Fixture Type | Use Case | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plinth / Podium | Hero product, fragrance, jewelry | MDF or acrylic, often premium finish |
| FSDU | Promo or mass display | MDF + metal or corrugate, price-driven |
| Modular Shelving Tower | Multi-SKU rollouts | Precision assembly, requires 3D drawing |
| Backwall Bay / Counter Island | Shop-in-shop, beauty corners | Usually needs lighting + logo integration |
| Gondola / Mid-floor Unit | Store layout fixtures | Metal + wood laminate, 4-sided display |
๐ One supplier rarely does it all โ find one who excels at your primary material (e.g. acrylic, powder-coated metal, MDF).
๐ง 2. Supplier Vetting Questions That Matter
- โDo you fabricate all materials in-house or outsource some (metal, acrylic)?โ
- โDo you provide 3D drawings + assembly diagrams for approval?โ
- โCan you integrate LED + logo plaques into the structure?โ
- โDo you offer flat-pack designs to save CBM?โ
- โWhatโs your certification experience? FSC, UL, CE?โ
๐ Related: How to Vet a Fixture Factory in China or Vietnam
๐ 3. Cost-Efficiency Tips Without Compromising Quality
โ๏ธ Use a shared base design across multiple SKUs
โ๏ธ Avoid over-complex angles or shapes (adds tooling + paint defects)
โ๏ธ Design for flat-pack (KD) to cut shipping volume
โ๏ธ Combine SKUs with shared BOM parts
โ๏ธ Lock pricing only after test production to validate real costs
๐ "Cheaper per piece" doesnโt matter if you're paying extra per crate in freight.
โ๏ธ 4. What to Prepare for Quoting (RFQ Must-Haves)
- โ Dimensions + expected load
- โ Exploded drawings or CAD (PDF/DWG)
- โ Finish spec: Pantone, gloss %, texture type
- โ Branding spec: logo method, zone, material
- โ LED spec: voltage, cable exit, dimming (if any)
- โ Packing method: foam, KD, pallet spec
- โ Store-level install requirement (video/manual?)
๐ Related: What to Include in a Display BOM
๐งช 5. Sampling + QA: Save Cost, Avoid Risk
| Step | Reason |
|---|---|
| Sample each material separately | Avoid full unit rework if only finish fails |
| Ask for assembly video | Flat packs often confuse store teams |
| Ship 1 full test kit internally | Touch, test, and stress before approval |
| Provide a QC checklist | Define acceptable gaps, gloss, color |
| Approve photos every 50โ100 units | Prevent full-batch mismatch |
๐ Related: Visual QC Setup for VM Fixtures
๐ 6. Logistics & Shipping from China
โ๏ธ Use EPE foam + structured trays for fragile gloss surfaces
โ๏ธ Match pallet sizes to warehouse spec (Euro/US)
โ๏ธ Align on correct HS Code (9403 for MDF/metal, 3926 for acrylic)
โ๏ธ Request: PI + COO + test report + packing list in advance
โ๏ธ Bundle SKUs per rollout destination to reduce repack
๐ Add spare screws, glue, logo plates, and touch-up pens in every crate.
๐งช Advanced: How to Pre-Test Multi-Material Finishes
Each material = unique finish risk. Use one sample board for multiple checkpoints.
