November 8, 2026 · Gondola Shelving Plus
How to Build an Effective Planogram for Gondola Shelving
A planogram is a diagram that shows exactly which product goes on which shelf, how many facings it gets and where it sits in the run. To build an effective one for gondola shelving, measure your sections, group products by category and customer mission, give your best sellers prime shelf space, then draw it, set it, and adjust it using sales data. You do not need expensive software. A spreadsheet and a tape measure are enough to start.
- A planogram turns merchandising from guesswork into a repeatable plan.
- Start from the fixture: section width, shelf count and shelf depth.
- Prime space is eye and reach level. Give it to the products that earn it.
- Review the plan against sales and adjust, rather than setting it once.
What a planogram does
Without a plan, shelves fill up in the order stock arrives. Items drift, categories blend, gaps appear and best sellers end up on the bottom shelf. A planogram solves this by deciding in advance where each item belongs. It helps staff restock consistently, helps customers find things in predictable places, and gives you a basis for testing what works. Even a small shop with one run of shelving benefits.
Step 1: Document your fixtures
List the shelving you are planning for. For each section, record the width, height, number of shelves, shelf depth and the heights at which shelves sit. If you adjust shelf positions, note the spacing. Our guide to adjusting shelf heights explains how shelves are repositioned. Knowing what the fixture can hold stops you from drawing impossible plans.
Step 2: Gather product data
For each product you plan to stock, collect its name, size (width, height, depth as displayed), case pack, price and recent sales. If you are new and have no sales history, use supplier recommendations and your best judgment, and expect to revise.
Step 3: Group by category and mission
Group products the way customers think. Cleaning supplies together. Pet food and treats together. Breakfast items together. Within a category, sub-group by brand, size or use. The goal is that a shopper can find a whole family of products in one place. See cross-merchandising guide for deliberately pairing categories.
Step 4: Assign shelf positions
| Shelf level | Customer view | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Visible but hard to reach | Lightweight bulky items, signage, backstock |
| Eye level | Prime selling space | Best sellers, high-margin items, new products |
| Waist or reach | Easy to grab | Strong second sellers, family sizes |
| Bottom | Requires bending | Heavy, bulk and low-turn items |
See eye-level merchandising for the reasoning, and remember that eye level differs by customer. In stores with children or older shoppers, adjust accordingly.
Step 5: Allocate facings
A facing is one unit of a product visible at the front of the shelf. More facings mean more visibility and more stock on hand. Allocate facings in rough proportion to sales and margin, but also consider minimums: every product needs enough facings to look stocked and to avoid constant refills. Do not give a slow seller a large space just because it is expensive.
Step 6: Draw the plan
Draw each section as a grid, with shelves as rows. Place each product in its position and mark the number of facings. A spreadsheet works well: one tab per section, each cell group representing a product. Include the shelf heights, notes on pricing, and any tags or signage. Keep a printed copy at the shelf for staff.
A worked example
Take a five-shelf, 4-foot section for snack foods. The top shelf holds light, large bags of chips. The eye-level shelf holds your best-selling brand in two or three facings, with a premium local brand beside it. The waist-level shelf holds the second-tier flavors. The bottom shelf holds family-size packs and multipacks. The shelf strip above carries a sign that reads Game Day. After two weeks, sales show that one flavor is out of stock often, so you add a facing and reduce a slow flavor. The planogram changed because the data changed.
Step 7: Set, check and track
- Set the shelves according to the plan, including shelf heights and labels.
- Photograph the result and attach it to the plan, so everyone can compare.
- Check weekly for gaps, misplaced items and drift.
- Review monthly against sales, margin and stock-outs.
Tools you can use
- Spreadsheet: flexible and free, good for small stores.
- Paper and a ruler: a perfectly acceptable start.
- Planogram software: useful for multiple locations or large assortments.
- Supplier planograms: some vendors provide them as a starting point. Treat them as suggestions, not commands.
Accessories that make plans work
Dividers, fences, price tag holders and pushers keep products where the planogram puts them. See shelf dividers and fencing, price tag holders and labeling, and pushers.
Common mistakes
- Planning without measuring shelf depth and product size.
- Giving every product equal space.
- Never updating the plan.
- Ignoring staff input. The person restocking knows what actually happens.
- Overfilling shelves, which looks cluttered and makes tidying harder.
Frequently asked questions
Do small stores need planograms?
Even a simple one-page sketch helps. It saves time and keeps resets consistent.
How often should I change it?
Review monthly, reset seasonally, and make small tweaks any time sales data tells you to.
Can I move shelves to fit?
Yes, within the system's adjustment range.
Build it on the right fixtures
Browse shelves and parts, wall units and island units, or call (609) 635-3005.