Commercial Equipment, Supplies & Packages
Setting up and running a small business is no small feat. There are many things to organise and you’ll often have to wear many hats to keep things running smoothly. One of the first things on the checklist is securing and fitting out your commercial space – whether it’s a cafe, shop, office, shed or warehouse. This may involve shopfitting and installing fixtures and fittings, getting signage and buying all of the necessary equipment, tools and supplies you need to operate and trade.
What do I need to consider for the ongoing maintenance of my business?
You need to consider ongoing maintenance to ensure your commercial premises is functional, clean and comfortable for your staff and customers. Signage can get weather damaged, equipment can break and health and safety standards need to be met for compliance. This means thinking about commercial cleaning solutions, waste management services and general building maintenance.
What commercial services do I need to consider when growing or scaling my business?
If you plan on growing or scaling you might need to think about moving your shop or office to a different location or look into renovations to cater to changing business needs and operations. There may also come a point when you want to refurbish your shop to upgrade your fixtures, fittings or interior decor or give it a fresh new look. As you grow or scale you might also host more business events such as launch parties, workshops, conferences and client meetings, in which case you’ll need to think about catering services to look after your guests.
What kind of offers can I find on SavvySME?
Taking care of your commercial premises and the operations that keep your business ticking over behind the scenes is so important. We have a range of offers for commercial equipment, supplies and packages here on SavvySME. Whether you’re just starting out, in the process of renovating a commercial space or planning the next stage of growth – our goal is to help you find the right services and solutions for your business. Commercial services is broad but some examples of the types of offers you’ll find on SavvySME include:
- Shopfitting solutions
- Signage solutions
- Catering packages
- Commercial cleaning supplies and services
- Office equipment and supplies
Where can I find industry-specific commercial equipment, supplies and packages?
If you’re looking for more industry-specific equipment, supplies and packages, check out the latest offers on the pages below:
- Construction/trades
- Hospitality
- Retail
- Healthcare
- Wellbeing
- Professional services
There are many different products and packages available, so we’ve answered some of the most common questions to help you choose the right commercial services and solutions for your business.
What equipment and supplies do small businesses need?
Some supplies are essential no matter what type of business you run, e.g. cleaning supplies and stationery, while others may be specific to your industry or business activities. To help you, we’ve broken down some of the common equipment and supplies for small businesses below:
- Furniture: Comfortable and functional furniture can create a more efficient and productive workspace. The right furniture can also make an office or shop look more spacious and help you maximise a space to its full potential. Furniture to consider includes chairs and seating, tables and desks, storage units and office accessories.
- Equipment: You may need to purchase general office and industry-specific equipment and technology. This will likely be one of your biggest expenses, so think about what you need to operate and other nice-to-haves to purchase later on. General equipment and technology include things like phones, printers and scanners, laminating machines, computers and laptops and POS systems.
- Food and kitchen supplies: A kitchen or breakout area is a place where your staff can get away from their screens, grab a cuppa and take a break. You can also host informal meetings with staff, clients or customers. What you provide is up to you, but standard kitchen supplies include coffee machines, kitchen appliances, tea and coffee, condiments and sauces, cutlery, glassware and crockery.
- Office supplies and stationery: Essential office items include paper, notepads, planners, shipping and packaging supplies, mailroom supplies, pens and pencils, adhesives and business cards.
How do I choose the right shopfitting solutions for my business?
- Understand your needs
- Review a shopfitting company’s portfolio
- Ask for samples
- Enquire about returns and warranty policies
Shopfitters are experts in designing, building and installing shop fittings and fixtures for commercial spaces including retail shops, cafes, restaurants, healthcare practices, salons, recreation centres and more. The use of space including placement of furniture, lighting, colour schemes and every other small detail should serve an aesthetic purpose.
It’s important to choose shopfitters that have experience in your industry and can provide the solutions you need for your store. Make sure you’re on the same page and that they understand your requirements. Ask for samples of materials to assess the quality. Review their portfolio and the projects they’ve worked on – you could even visit some shop they’ve worked on to check the quality of work out yourself.
Ask about warranty policies and what the process is if anything breaks or if you want to return something. You don’t want to fall short after not reading the fine print.
How do I choose the right signage solutions for my business?
- Do you need indoor or outdoor signage – or both?
- Consider whether you need durable materials
- Assess portability requirements
Signage works for your business around the clock, sharing key details about your business to customers and passersby. Effective signage is practical but also helps you express your brand identity and create a positive impression. Popular types of signage to consider include entrance signs, banners, window signage, awnings and vehicle signage.
Think about whether it’s for indoor or outdoor use, whether it needs to be fixed or portable and how you will hang or display it. Will it be displayed on a window, wall or pole? Do you need heavy-duty, durable material to withstand certain weather conditions? In terms of design, think about the font, colours, imagery and copy that will convey your message clearly and quickly. Signage companies can usually help you with this.
How do I choose a catering package?
- Consider the type of event
- Determine the number of guests/attendees
- Enquire about dietary requirements
Caterers can offer corporate catering packages to suit every event and budget whether it’s a morning tea, lunch seminar, client conference or Christmas party. When choosing a catering package ensure that they can handle your type of event, accommodate for any dietary requirements and deliver to your location. Most catering packages are priced per person and there may be a minimum order, e.g. minimum of 10 people.
How do I choose commercial cleaning solutions?
- Determine your essential cleaning, janitorial and washroom supplies
- Choose cleaning companies with experience in your industry
- Consider your sustainability preferences
Although you may hire commercial cleaners to clean your shop or office, it’s important to be well-stocked up with cleaning, janitorial and washroom supplies to meet health and safety standards including cleaning chemicals, hand wash, toilet paper, hand towels and sanitary disposal supplies. Create a checklist of essential items for your business and place orders ahead of time.
If you’re purchasing a cleaning package, make sure they have experience in your industry – this is particularly important for the healthcare sector. If you’ve already implemented more sustainable practices or you’re trying to be more eco-friendly, ask a cleaning company about their green cleaning practices and the types of chemicals they use.
Some suppliers may offer discounts on bulk goods or bundled services, so it’s always worth asking to see if you can work out a price. Make sure you check in regularly to see the latest offers for commercial equipment, supplies and tools on SavvySME.
