Pan-European Retail Fixture & Governance Audit

Consurv was appointed to investigate concerns regarding the security of merchandising fixtures within a major European retail store. Our investigation identified inadequate fixings, unsuitable fixing methods and inconsistencies in the supporting wall construction, with some fixtures failing under relatively low pulling forces.

Further reviews identified that these concerns were not isolated, with inconsistencies in fixing practices observed across stores in Europe, Ireland and the UK.

Consurv carried out a detailed investigation into the installed merchandising systems and the construction of the walls to which they were fixed.

The investigation identified a number of significant issues, including unsuitable mixture of screws and anchors, inadequate fixing installation, inconsistencies in the construction and backing of stud walls, and merchandising frames secured into substrates that were not capable of providing the required support.

In some locations, fixings failed when relatively low pulling forces were applied. Further opening-up investigations also identified areas where the expected plywood backing was either inadequately secured or absent altogether, resulting in fixtures relying primarily on plasterboard for support.

The findings formed part of a wider review of fixing practices across the store portfolio, highlighting the need for greater consistency in how fixtures were specified, installed, tested and verified.

Working collaboratively with the client, project teams and specialist contractors, Consurv helped develop a standardised approach to the governance of fixing works across the wider store portfolio i.e. a consistent benchmark rather than relying on individual installation practices from project to project.

This established clearer requirements for fixing selection, installation, inspection, testing and verification, providing greater consistency, accountability and assurance across future fit-out works.