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High-quality, graphically interesting store barricades can turn an unsightly construction or remodeling site into a brand-enhancing billboard for a retailer. Chain Store Age spoke with Bob Putnam, the president and founder of Boston Barricade Company, about the evolving nature of retail construction barricades.
How have retail construction barricades changed over the years?
Thirty years ago, 98% of all retail barricades were constructed using metal framing and drywall. But today, that number is down to 35%. Modular reusable barricades have evolved into prefinished engineered systems specifically designed for graphic applications. We now understand that building and finishing a drywall barricade only to dump it into a landfill 10 weeks later is not good for the environment or our planet. And FYI, an average drywall barricade generates 1.5 tons of solid waste.
What trends are you seeing in barricades?
Graphics, and more graphics - retail brands are now seeing the ROI of branding barricades with graphics, especially when the brand is new to the market.
New technology such as water-based latex inks that contain no VOCs and meet the most stringent environmental standards in the world are now available for barricade graphics. This same technology prints at 1200 DPI which produces high-definition images.
One key trend is the branding of the retailer or developer. A properly installed barricade with full wrap graphics makes a significant...