Retail shelving may appear simple at first glance, but each gondola is a combination of carefully designed parts. Every section has a role in keeping stock secure, presenting products clearly, and adapting to different store needs. From the upright posts to the finishing panels, knowing how each part works makes it easier to design displays that perform. At Mills Shelving, we help retailers select the right configuration, yet the components themselves remain the focus of the system.
The upright posts form the frame of a gondola. They run vertically from the base to the top and carry the weight of every shelf and accessory. Without strong uprights, the entire unit loses stability.
Key points about uprights:
For smaller stores with limited ceiling clearance, shorter uprights create a more open feel. Larger supermarkets often select taller units to hold more products and divide aisles effectively. Load capacity becomes important as height increases. Each upright has a weight rating, and exceeding that can compromise safety. Retailers should always check the safe load limits for gondola shelving before increasing stock levels.
Uprights also affect layout. A single upright can connect to panels on both sides, enabling shared frames between units. This reduces material use and makes aisle planning more efficient.
At the bottom of the gondola sit the base shoes and adjustable feet. These elements may be less visible, but they provide the support needed for the entire system.
Shops with polished concrete or tiled floors often encounter uneven sections. A few millimetres can cause shelving to lean, creating hazards. Adjustable feet solve this problem quickly. Once the feet are balanced, the gondola stands firm.
For added safety, many retailers prefer to anchor units in place. Wall brackets or floor fixing plates are simple additions that make a difference in busy aisles. Our team often advises clients to secure gondola shelving for extra stability, especially when heavier stock is stored near the top of the unit. Preventing movement is important in environments where customers lean on displays or trolleys knock against them.
From our experience, the stores that hesitate to anchor shelving usually come back after the first incident of movement—often caused by a customer resting on a unit or a delivery trolley striking it. Anchoring avoids that repeat problem and saves both repair costs and safety concerns.
Back panels close the space between uprights and shape the way products are displayed. They give gondolas both structure and versatility.
Common panel types:
| Panel Type | Features | Best Use |
| Solid metal | Durable, strong support | Supermarkets, hardware stores |
| Slatwall | Horizontal grooves for accessories | Fashion, giftware, electronics |
| Pegboard | Holes for hooks and pegs | Pharmacies, convenience stores |
Solid metal panels are ideal for heavy stock where strength matters most. Slatwall panels make it easy to move accessories such as hooks, baskets, and brackets. Pegboard offers flexibility for hanging items in a neat grid.
Back panels also influence store appearance. Colour-coated panels can blend with branding or create contrast with merchandise. In some cases, panels include perforations for airflow, which helps in areas with sensitive stock.
For retailers aiming to refresh their display style without replacing entire gondolas, panel swaps provide a practical upgrade. A store that once relied on solid panels can move to slatwall to introduce accessories and improve product visibility.
Shelves form part of the gondola most visible to customers. They hold stock directly and create the arrangement that shoppers interact with.
Different shelf styles:
Shelf depth and width influence how much stock can be displayed. A 300mm shelf suits smaller products, while 450mm or deeper versions handle bulk packaging. Retailers often balance depth with visibility. Too deep, and items at the back are harder to reach.
The number of shelves per bay varies. Grocery aisles often run with four to six per side, while electronics displays might use fewer to leave space for signage. The choice between single-sided and double-sided configurations also comes into play. Double-sided gondola units allow shelving on both sides, making them ideal for aisle creation. Single-sided gondolas fit against walls, saving space and guiding customer flow.
The base deck sits at the very bottom of the unit. It is deeper than standard shelves and supports heavier stock. While it may look like a simple plank, its design helps protect both customers and products.
Functions of the base deck:
A well-used base deck improves the balance of a gondola. By placing bulk items at ground level, it lowers the centre of gravity and stabilises the unit. This makes tipping less likely.
Retailers often underestimate the potential of the base deck for merchandising. Seasonal products or promotional stock can be placed here to draw attention. It’s one of the practical ways to get more out of your gondola shelving layout, turning what might seem like wasted space into a productive selling area.
End panels give gondolas a complete appearance. They also offer retailers space to reinforce branding or highlight products.
Options for end panels:
Beyond appearance, end panels improve customer experience. Aisle ends are high-traffic spots, often used for promotions. Adding bright graphics or featured products on the ends increases visibility.
Research shows how powerful these promotional areas can be. Data from Australian supermarkets revealed that discounted items positioned in prime display zones sold up to 70 times more than usual. That figure underlines the importance of how gondolas end and promotional signage are used. A well-designed end panel doesn’t just complete the unit—it can directly influence sales outcomes.
Many stores combine end panels with signage and lighting to grab shoppers’ attention. Lighting strips above end panels make promotional zones more noticeable. Branded signage panels extend the retailer’s identity beyond standard shelving. For chains with multiple branches, consistent end panel styling helps maintain a uniform store image.
Accessories provide flexibility. They turn a standard gondola into a system tailored for specific products.
Common accessories include:
Accessories increase sales opportunities. For instance, hooks on a pegboard display can be used to hang impulse products at eye level. Baskets near checkout aisles are ideal for clearance or low-cost items. Dividers help pharmacies present medicine packets neatly, avoiding clutter.
Retailers often underestimate how much impact simple additions can have. A gondola with the right shelf accessories and signage options can highlight best-sellers, improve organisation, and create a tidier store environment.
No two retail spaces are the same. The right mix of gondola components depends on what type of products are sold, how much space is available, and the shopping flow retailers want to create.
For example:
The strength of gondola shelving lies in its modular nature. Components can be mixed and matched to fit almost any retail format. Mills Shelving works closely with retailers to advise on which pieces to combine, tailoring each layout to maximise both safety and sales performance.
Gondola shelving is more than a set of shelves. Each component plays a part in how products are displayed, how safe the system feels, and how shoppers move through a store. Uprights carry the load, feet and base shoes provide balance, panels shape presentation, shelves display stock, base decks stabilise, and accessories add flexibility.
Retailers who understand their components can design shelving that does more than just hold products. They can shape store layouts, highlight promotions, and improve safety all at once.
