The magic of ergonomics.

I keep thinking that I've used up every inch in the store. And I do mean inch. 

Then I get a brainstorm. Often it's consolidating and moving stuff around, but every once in a while I actually figure out how to put a new shelf or a new bookcase in. It's very labor intensive because the store is packed and it requires a lot of lifting.

I bought two new fixtures for the front of the store, but after I got them in I realized that I hadn't measured right. I thought since they were thin bookshelves they'd fit, but they are 15" wide instead of the 12" I was expecting. You wouldn't think 3" would make a difference, but it makes all the difference. The shelves also weren't adjustable, which also made them less than ideal.

So I basically blew $200 buying the wrong thing. I'm going in early today to see if I can squeeze them in or not. If not, I've already researched a couple of bookcases that would probably do the job better. 

In order to fit all the books I'm getting into the store, I'm moving farther up the wall. It's not ideal, but there is nothing else I can think to do. Any book that is at eyesight or below (except perhaps a bottom shelf) will sell better than any book above people's heads. 

There was a period of time when I was putting up slatwalls, and I wish now that I'd basically covered the entire store that way. The old-timey brackets just don't have the adaptability that slatwalls have.  

But it's always been that way. Leftover fixtures, used fixtures, weird sized fixtures. Whatever I can squeeze in. Ironically, when I consolidate and move stuff and even add stuff, it looks like I've cleared away space. That's the magic of ergonomics. Making more look like less. (Instead of the way I spent the first half of my career---making less look like more...)