Display cabinets: dimensions, glazing and lighting evidence
- Topic
- Retail and catering
- Reading time
- 3 minutes
- Last reviewed
On this page
A display cabinet listing should show the space it occupies, the display space it offers and the condition of its glazing and fittings. Buyers also need to know whether lighting or refrigeration forms part of the lot.
Start by identifying the cabinet as freestanding, wall-fixed or built into a counter. That affects both the inclusion list and removal plan. A fitted cabinet should not be described as a simple movable unit without checking its construction.
Measure beyond the outside box
Use a measurement sheet with units and a dated source.
| Measurement or feature | Why a buyer needs it |
|---|---|
| Overall width, depth and height | Transport and receiving-site space |
| Doors open or drawers extended | Working clearance around the cabinet |
| Shelf dimensions and count | Usable display arrangement |
| Door opening and shelf access | Whether intended goods can be placed inside |
| Fixed projections and base | True collected size |
| Sections or modules | Whether separability has been established |
| Weight | Manufacturer evidence or specialist assessment, not a guess |
Record seller measurements as measurements. A tape reading should not be presented as a certified transport weight or manufacturer tolerance.
The kitchen and retail removal-route guide helps compare these dimensions with doors, turns and the loading point.
Describe glass and hardware carefully
Photograph cracks, chips, missing panes, damaged hinges and lock condition from safe positions. Do not manipulate unstable glazing to complete the inventory.
Record keys and the number of locks they are known to operate. If a shelf or door is missing, name it. A picture of the cabinet with its doors open can otherwise make an omission difficult to notice.
Keep any glazing identification or supporting documents, but avoid claiming a particular safety-glass specification from appearance alone. Ask a suitable specialist if the condition or intended reuse raises a safety question.
Separate lighting from the cabinet shell
Identify lights, power supplies, controllers and switches that are included. Record plate information and known faults. A lamp illuminating briefly does not establish the condition of the whole electrical arrangement.
HSE's electrical-equipment guidance explains the need for competent planning and work. Fixed wiring or uncertain connections should be assigned to an appropriate contractor before removal. Do not tell a buyer to bring an adapter based on the visible plug.
For a chilled display, use the refrigeration record card as well. Include remote equipment or explicitly exclude it. The word "display cabinet" should not conceal a refrigeration system requiring specialist preparation.
Define a useful sale lot
Keep shelves, brackets, locks, keys and removable display fittings tied to the cabinet. The retail shelving guide gives a component-count method for modular items. Do not distribute a cabinet's own shelves into a separate mixed fitting lot unless the resulting incompleteness is intentional and clear.
Photograph the empty interior after stock and private material are removed. Use a wide image to establish shape and separate close-ups for defects. State whether props or merchandise are excluded.
Where the cabinet is work equipment supplied in Great Britain, HSE's second-hand guidance provides the relevant safety and information context. Accurate photographs help, but do not replace assessment of known defects.
Send UK Auction Group the measurement sheet, inclusion list and condition photographs. Highlight fragile or fixed elements that need a contractor survey before a collection arrangement is agreed.
Sources
This guide gives general information. Equipment-specific, legal, tax and safety decisions may need a qualified adviser or competent specialist. The guides do not promise sale prices, fees or results.