3 Trends in Retail Cash Wrap Surfaces You Need to Know

Cash wraps and customer service counters are customer touchpoints that contribute to both first and final impressions.

Whether upgrading, replacing, or installing new units, the surface materials you select affect performance and help you ensure a favorable experience for your customers.

In this post, L.A. Darling’s Engineering Manager, Larry Johnson, shares insights about trends in materials used for cash wrap surfaces and how choosing the right material can resolve common challenges.

Material Trend 1: Movement away from laminated wood surfaces

Cash wraps and service desk countertops have often been made of wood, sometimes with just a painted surface, or frequently topped with laminate, melamine or vinyl finished with edge banding. Over the years, these solutions have offered retailers variety, with different colors and textures. In practice, however, these materials generally have not held up to wear and tear as well as anticipated. Constant use across a range of applications has led to some common difficulties:

• Laminate and melamine surfaces can be damaged by sharp items scratching and tearing the surface.
• Edging materials break and tear.
• Exposure to harsh cleaners, chemicals, spills, and sunlight cause deterioration and discoloration over time.
• Over time, vacuum sealed vinyls can develop bubbles beneath the surface making it become brittle and begin to break down.
• Once surfaces and edges have breakage, like school desks, they are vulnerable to further damage defacement.

As a result, Johnson says, these surfaces are losing popularity as retailers are seeking out more long-lasting surfaces and surfaces that can be easily upgraded.?

The difference in performance is clear. Fixtures “were trading out in stores every seven years” notes Johnson. Now, he says, metal materials in particular are delivering long-lasting service, with some metal surface fixtures lasting 10, 15, or even 20 years.

Material Trend 2: Movement toward stainless steel, recycled plastic, and solid surfaces

Hard surfaces–recycled plastic, stainless steel or solid surface material–are adding durability to deliver this longer fixture life and proving to be particularly well suited for specific applications: Longer life and upgradeability translate into savings.?

Sanitization and health concerns

The need to disinfect and sanitize surfaces increased dramatically with the rise of COVID-19 and has not gone away. Unlike the surface materials historically in use, stainless steel and modern plastic options can withstand routine use of these powerful cleaners without damage.

Harsh use and extreme conditions

High traffic check-out areas call for robust materials, especially stainless steel. Special areas, such as automotive or paint departments, where paint and chemicals might splash on a surface or heavy products and containers could damage the countertop also call for rugged surfaces.

Garden centers, as well, notes Johnson, present a harsh, wet environment for cash wraps and require additional protection.

Durability and contemporary looks

In some heavily used areas, especially around computers, retailers want high durability and a clean, fresh look that’s less “industrial” than stainless steel. Solid surface materials such as Avonite, a plastic solid surface commonly used in kitchens, deliver on both counts.

Avonite is one step below granite, says Johnson, but a little more forgiving. It’s not as hard as granite although it is very hard to scratch and it offers super high durability.

Material Trend 3: Movement toward understated design

Cash wraps contribute to the brand image and overall look of the store, and looks continue to be important.?

Subtle fixtures, feature lighting

In the past, painted surfaces, wood finishes, and colored laminates were called upon to give cash wraps a certain “pop” to support brand identity.?

As more retailers move toward a greater use of stainless steel, the fixtures are more low-key. Johnson notes, “retailers are looking to lighting to get that pop to bring somebody to the area and not necessarily looking for the pop of the fixtures anymore.”

Answers to key questions help identify the right surface material to use

A variety of factors affect cost and long-term usefulness. Your answers to questions like these will guide your decision and help you balance performance with lifetime costs.

Will the unit be used as a customer service counter or a cash wrap?

• Customer service counters are usually modular units, two to four feet in length, and their surfaces do not have a belt.?
• Cash wrap lengths vary and the units may or may not be belted. In terms of material choices, a belted cash wrap requires less countertop material because the belt covers much of the surface area. Johnson notes that the tendency is to lean toward recycled plastic for long, large surfaces to control costs.

What is the expected traffic and usage pattern?

• High traffic and heavy usage applications–paint, automotive, and garden areas–frequently require the durability of stainless steel; grocery applications, particularly belted cash wraps, also favor stainless steel for reasons of sanitization and high traffic.?

What regulations must be met?

• Americans with Disabilities Act requirements affect countertop surfaces for height and wheelchair access that may apply to either the customer or the associate side of the counter. Modular design is particularly helpful in addressing these needs effectively and determining the best surface for the usage case.?
• Requirements set by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) may dictate specs for electrical ratings or standards tied to how much weight the cabinet can hold. L.A. Darling complies with all UL standards, typically providing the customer with a prototype for testing.

Will the unit be required to match a legacy look?

• Laminates are phasing out, but L.A. Darling can provide close matches in these legacy materials as well as matches in modern materials–Avonite, Corian, and other solid surfaces.
• Color matching metal cabinet sides is straightforward, particularly for colors that are part of the standardized RAL color matching system. All vertical and interior surfaces are powder coated, so as long as the color is on a RAL chart, L.A. Darling can match it.

You have surface material choices that are both versatile AND durable

Hard surface materials–stainless steel, plastics, and solid surfaces–are raising the bar for handling tough working conditions and delivering brand integrity and style that will last.

Store layouts may include an ever-shifting mix of belted and unbelted countertops as well as attended and self-checkout stations, but regardless of the application, contemporary hard surfaces keep them looking good longer.

When you’re ready for new cash wraps–or cash wrap surfaces alone–the L.A. Darling team has the know-how to help you achieve the right custom solution.

L.A. Darling’s expertise extends far beyond cash wraps and counters. Learn what it’s like to partner with us.?

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