Released on = May 3, 2007, 7:07 am

Press Release Author = The Nu-Era Group

Industry = Retail

Press Release Summary = Successful country-themed stores use fixtures to create the
right "down home" environment and put their customers in a comfortable state of mind
to take in their atmosphere and shop.

Press Release Body = ST. LOUIS, MO - Country stores are popular destinations in
small towns and tourist hot spots across the country. Country store retailers rely
on home spun products, as well as fixtures and décor when it comes to turning their
store into a destination.

Hand cooked peanuts, homemade candles and fresh picked apples are part of the
allure. But Nu-Era's VP of Sales and Marketing Jim Minard says that the fixtures
and atmosphere have become just as important as products when it comes to drawing
large crowds and finding success running a country store.

"The theme of a country store has to go beyond just the products," Minard said. "A
successful country store is like a time machine, providing an environment that
reminds shoppers of a simpler time in America."

Minard's company, Nu-Era, is a leading provider of store fixtures and supplies to
retailers across the country. They carry a wide variety of in-store fixtures that
country store retailers use to develop an ambiance at their website, www.nu-era.com.

According to Minard, shelving is a great place to start. Wherever possible, he
suggests that retailers use wooden fixtures and shelving to create an old time
atmosphere as customers browse through the aisles. In addition to wooden shelving,
bushel baskets have also become popular tools for displaying products in country
stores.

When it comes to décor, Minard simply suggests using anything that is old, or looks
old, to create authentic accent pieces. Anything from old car parts to 5 cent soda
signs will do the trick. When it comes to lighting, wall mounted electric lanterns
and candles are popular choices for country store fixtures.

"When in doubt," Minard said, "Rent a movie that's set in the time period you're
trying to recreate. Sometimes retailers just need to find that small spark of
inspiration that gets them headed down the right path."

Nu-Era and nu-era.com are services of The Nu-Era Group, LLC -the industry leader in
store fixtures, supplies, and fulfillment. Nu-Era has been providing its customers
with competitively priced quality products with customer-oriented service since
1949. For more information, visit them online at www.nu-era.com. Visit the
company's blog at www.retailstoresupplyinfo.com.

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Web Site = http://www.nu-era.com

Contact Details = The Nu-Era Group, LLC
515 Olive Street,
Suite 1900
St. Louis, MO 63101
Toll Free: 800.325.7003
Fax: 314.231.3917
genfeedback@nu-era.com