Hello and welcome to another issue to the TRIO Display Newsletter! Summertime in San Diego is fast approaching and we’re all looking forward to a healthy dose of sunshine, beach days and backyard barbecues. Summer also signals the season of well deserved vacations, and since we feel that you and your employees’ time off should be spent soaking up the sun and not nursing work-related injuries, our feature article for this issue focuses on workplace ergonomics.
Our design staff has been working overtime on several exciting projects, and you can see a list of these below along with a feature article on our work with the New York Islanders Hockey Organization for their new team store. As always we’re offering several specials through our online catalog, and don’t forget to check out our new products and services for the months of June and July! Until next time, take care and happy retailing!

Best Regards,
Adam Jones – Editor
TRIO Display Newsletter

Contents

• New Product Lines
• Feature Articles
• Current Store Design Projects
• Money Saving Coupon

New Product Lines

Waterfalls

Waterfalls and Water Features are a cost effective way to add a unique design element to any retail space, restaurant or private residence. These displays are attractive and easy to maintain, and can be customized to suit the needs of any of our customers.

Anti-Fatigue Mats

Reduce workplace injuries and increase productivity with our new line of therapeutic retail mats. Lightweight, durable and easy to maintain, these unique floor coverings will keep your employee’s morale high while and protecting your bottom line from missed work days.

Point-of-Sale

Setting up a new merchant account? Visit our friends at SoftwareIndex.com to find out how you can qualify for a FREE TERMINAL! Already processing credit cards? Compare rates and learn how to save money on your credit card processing fees!

If It Feels Good, Do It: The Economics of Ergonomics
Eric Fairbanks

Poor workplace ergonomics cost retailers millions of dollars a year in lost productivity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 1980 only 18 percent of work-related illness could be attributed to “ergonomic disorders,” but only ten years later that number had risen to a startling 55 percent. Some studies even paint a bleaker picture. To be sure, the exponential increase of computer usage has led to a rapid growth of cumulative disorders such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).

Ergonomic disorders run far beyond the well-known culprits such as CTS. Poor lighting, ventilation, temperature control, and seating all contribute to an unhealthy environment. And while the impact of missed work days due to ergonomic disorders is easily measured in your bottom line, the insidious slow leak of morale and productivity from uncomfortable employees is no less costly. Eye fatigue, lower back pain, and muscle discomfort can lead to poor attitude and a lack of motivation…and lost business.

The link between ergonomics and productivity has spawned an entire industry. Everything from keyboards to chairs is now ergonomically engineered. Smart retail space design doesn’t just take into account product display and customer needs, but employee comfort, too.

To ensure safe wheelchair access, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines specifies a thirty-six inch gap between wall and retail counter if the space is open-ended; sixty inches if there is only one entrance. Trio Display recommends placing no merchandise above eight feet, though displays can go higher, to prevent accidents. A minimum space allowance of four feet between floor fixtures protects both employees and customers.

(The Japanese have taken workplace ergonomics to an interesting place with the application of “environmental fragrancing.” In a Tokyo building, ten unique scents are dispersed at very specific times in finely calibrated amounts through the ventilation system to enhance mood. Apparently, citrus is best for the morning.)
 
While dumping sandalwood essence into the air conditioning might be unrealistic, there are more economical steps a small retailer can take to increase employee productivity. As mentioned, a well-designed retail space is a good start. Ample lighting is another key element that shouldn’t be overlooked. Generally speaking, incandescent lighting produces the least eyestrain. And, believe it or not, rubber anti-fatigue mats placed behind the counter can reduce employee discomfort and fatigue by up to 50 percent according to a formal study conducted by ergonomist Mark Redfern for the University of Michigan. The soft surface causes subtle muscle movement that increases blood flow and, subsequently, combats fatigue. The thick padding also cushions in the event of a fall.

By paying close attention to the ergonomics of your retail space, you can build morale, productivity, a safer work environment, and revenue.

This Month's Featured Projects
The Puck Stops Here
By Eric Fairbanks

When the New York Islanders needed a new wingman, they called one up from their farm team, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. When they needed someone to renovate their team store, they put a call into Trio Display. “The National Hockey League gave Trio Display a terrific recommendation,” said Islander Director of Merchandising, Terry Goldstein. “Then we looked at the work they did designing the team store for the San Jose Sharks and liked what we saw.”
           
The store is located in the Broadway Mall, a mid-level in Hicksville, New York. Working with a generous budget, the Trio design department looked forward to the opportunity. “The budget affords us a great opportunity to be creative,” said Todd Murphy, Trio Store Designer. “We can theme every detail, and we’re designing from scratch.”
           
The Trio Display department drew a bead on the hardcore Islander fan with detail that includes a floor rendered as an ice rink. The designers came up with custom-built hockey stick clothes racks and gravity-fed puck dispensers. You’d half expect to see a Zamboni sweeping the aisles.

“We have extensive experience in designing and planning team stores to draw from, and that’s vital when it comes to designing the theme into the store,” said Murphy. “And that was the biggest challenge, applying hockey imagery to a retail setting.”

Other Current Projects

• Woly Board - Skateboard specialty shop in Mineral Wells, TX
• Closet Fuel - Consignment clothing store in Loganville, GA
• Boomtown - Casino gift shop in Biloxi, MS
• Mission San Juan Batista - Gift shop in San Juan Batista, CA
• La Bella - Maternity specialty shop in Frisco, TX
• Delle Donne Naturals - Health and beauty products retailer in Tampa, FL
• Bebe Beau - Children's clothing boutique in Ramsey, NJ
• Style Child - Children's clothing boutique in Hillcrest, CA
• Tennessee Traditions - Team apparel store for Neyland Stadium at the University ofTennesee
• The French Shoppe - Women's clothing boutique in Hendersonville, TN
• Ace Uniforms - Uniform supplier in San Diego, CA
• Triton Health - Health products retailer in Port St. Lucie, FL
• Oceanside Espresso - Premier coffee shop in Oceanside, CA