A store layout shapes how customers move, what they see, and how they interact with products. The right design improves sales potential, controls traffic flow, and supports operational efficiency. Gondola shelving fits into nearly every retail format, providing flexible display options for a variety of store types.

This guide outlines common store layouts, how gondola shelving integrates with each, and practical merchandising tactics to maximise their impact.

Quick Comparison Snapshot

Choosing the Right Layout

Key factors to assess before selecting a layout:

• Space dimensions – length, width, ceiling height, and obstructions.
• Product volume – number of SKUs and category mix.
• Customer mission – planned purchase or browse-driven.
• Replenishment patterns – stock turnover and frequency of restocking.
• Security – sightlines, camera coverage, and potential blind spots.
• Accessibility – aisle width for trolleys and prams.
• Brand goals – functional, high-volume, or experience-led.

Gondola Shelving Overview

Gondola shelving is a core fixture in retail environments due to its adaptability across different store footprints and product types. From our experience working with supermarkets, convenience stores, and specialty retailers across Australia, gondola shelving consistently proves to be the most adaptable fixture for both high-volume and niche product categories. In many store fit-outs we’ve managed, adjusting bay heights and integrating end-caps has directly improved product visibility and sales performance.

Each unit consists of uprights, base shelves, adjustable shelves, and kick plates, providing a sturdy framework for displaying a wide range of merchandise. Back panels are available in solid, perforated, or pegboard styles, giving retailers flexibility in how products are presented and supported.

Bay widths and heights can be configured to suit specific product dimensions, making it easier to balance display density with customer accessibility. End-caps offer high-visibility space for promotions or seasonal items, often influencing impulse purchases and driving incremental sales. Mobility is another advantage, with castor-mounted gondolas enabling seasonal re-sets or layout changes without significant downtime. Accessories such as hooks, shelf dividers, fencing, ticket strips, LED lighting, and signage frames further enhance merchandising potential, helping retailers create effective and visually appealing displays.

Layout Types

Grid Layout

A traditional choice for grocery, convenience, and pharmacy. Long, parallel aisles give predictable movement and clear category separation.

Gondola placement:

• Tall centre runs for maximum product density.
• Wall bays for category anchors.
• End-caps for promotions and high-margin items.

Merchandising tactics:

• Group brands vertically for clear comparison.
• Place essentials at the back to guide customers past other products.
• Use shelf talkers and LED lighting on high-profit categories.

Pros:

• High product exposure.
• Simple to plan and replenish.
• Familiar for customers.

Cons:

• Can feel repetitive.
• No direct route for quick missions.
• Overcrowded shelves may overwhelm.

Herringbone Layout

Adapts grid principles for narrow, elongated spaces. Works well for hardware, bookshops, and specialist trade stores.

Gondola placement:

• One central spine with short side bays angled or perpendicular.
• Lower heights near entrance for visibility.

Merchandising tactics:

• Clear category signage at each aisle entry.
• Feature products at the ends of each side bay to attract movement.

Pros:

• Efficient for high SKU volumes in tight footprints.
• Creates continuous display space along both sides of the spine.

Cons:

• Reduced sightlines increase theft risk.
• Congestion possible if aisle width is too narrow.

Loop (Racetrack) Layout

Directs customers along a fixed circuit past all product areas before reaching checkout. Often used in large department or showroom environments.

Gondola placement:

• Perimeter runs guide movement.
• Centre islands for secondary categories or seasonal promotions.
• End-caps and corner bays to maintain interest.

Merchandising tactics:

• Organise categories in a logical journey (e.g., from entry to complementary products).
• Place high-margin items along the most visible sections of the route.

Pros:

• Consistent exposure to all merchandise.
• Predictable flow supports strategic category placement.

Cons:

• Limits customer choice in navigation.
• May frustrate those wanting a quick purchase.

Spine Layout

Centres on one primary aisle from front to back, with shorter aisles branching off. Common in medium-sized retail spaces.

Gondola placement:

• Strong central run with high visibility.
• Shorter side bays for category breaks.

Merchandising tactics:

• End-caps at the spine and branch points for impulse lines.
• Position premium categories along the main aisle.

Pros:

• Simple to navigate.
• Easy to adapt for mixed product ranges.

Cons:

• Traffic congestion possible at aisle junctions.
• Side bays can be underused without clear signage.

Diagonal Layout

A layout designed to improve visibility and guide movement through angled aisles. Common in convenience stores and pharmacies aiming for faster shopping trips.

Gondola placement:

• Centre runs positioned at a 45-degree angle.
• End-caps angled to face the main entrance and key walkways.

Merchandising tactics:

• Use angled bays to highlight high-margin or seasonal products.
• Maintain consistent aisle widths to avoid bottlenecks.

Pros:

• Better sightlines to multiple categories.
• Encourages smoother flow without rigid direction.

Cons:

• Awkward fixture joins in corners.
• Some wasted space if angles are poorly planned.

Free-Flow Layout

A layout without strict aisle patterns, encouraging customers to browse and move freely. Typically seen in boutiques, premium retailers, and showrooms.

Gondola placement:

• Lower gondolas mixed with display tables and stands.
• Feature bays placed to create focal points rather than linear aisles.

Merchandising tactics:

• Create themed zones for product stories.
• Keep key categories visible from multiple points.
• Use lighting to draw attention to high-value displays.

Pros:

• Flexible and adaptable to different promotions.
• Allows more creative merchandising styles.

Cons:

• Can feel disorganised without strong visual cues.
• Reduced product density compared to structured layouts.

Hybrid or Zone-Based Layout

Combines elements from multiple layouts to suit different sections of the store. Often used in large-format or multi-department retail.

Gondola placement:

• Grid or spine format in core ranges.
• Free-flow or diagonal in lifestyle and seasonal sections.
• End-caps marking transitions between zones.

Merchandising tactics:

• Maintain consistent signage across all zones.
• Change fixture height between areas to signal a different shopping experience.

Pros:

• Tailored approach for varied product categories.
• Allows experimentation without changing the entire store plan.

Cons:

• Inconsistent navigation if not carefully designed.
• Visual flow can break down if fixture types clash.

Layering Merchandising onto Your Layout

Merchandising is the factor that turns a chosen layout into an effective sales tool. Placement, signage, and lighting all work together to improve product visibility and engagement. Research published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology found that optimising in-store displays can increase store revenue by an average of 11.15%, reinforcing the value of thoughtful merchandising.

Key merchandising principles:

• Vertical blocking: Place the same brand or product type from top to bottom.
• Horizontal blocking: Group similar products across the same shelf level.
• Colour blocking: Use colour groups to create visual impact.
• Price laddering: Position premium products at eye level, value ranges below, and entry-level items higher or lower.

Cross-merchandising: Place complementary items together, such as sauces near pasta or batteries next to electronics.

Traffic Flow, Sightlines, and Security

Customer movement is influenced by aisle widths, entry positioning, and visual anchors. A well-planned layout guides shoppers past key zones while preventing congestion. A decompression zone at the entrance provides space for initial orientation, helping customers adjust before engaging with products.

Hot spots, or high-traffic areas, are ideal for premium product placement, while cold spots benefit from additional signage or lighting to attract attention. Sightlines from the counter to high-risk categories should remain clear to support monitoring, and tall bays near exits should be avoided as they can obstruct visibility and create opportunities for theft.

Planograms and Ongoing Optimisation

Planograms give a visual map for product placement and facings. They maintain consistency between store resets and help track category performance. As one Reddit user pointed out in a discussion on store layouts, “Changing the layout ensures that a majority of the items being sold have more visible rotation to customers”. While some shoppers welcome the change, others prefer familiarity, making it important to balance rotation with ease of navigation.

Steps for effective planogram use:

1. Set shelf heights according to product dimensions.
2. Keep premium lines at eye level.
3. Group complementary items together.
4. Review sales data to adjust product positioning.
5. Rotate seasonal or promotional products into high-visibility spaces.

Implementation Checklist

1. Measure and map the store space, including any fixed structures.
2. Select the layout that fits store size, product mix, and target customer behaviour.
3. Choose gondola specifications for height, width, and back panel type.
4. Plan end-caps, accessories, and lighting before installation.
5. Position high-margin products in prime areas.
6. Create and test planograms before full rollout.
7. Train staff on maintaining product placement and fixture presentation.
8. Monitor customer flow and make adjustments as needed.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Mills Shelving: Products and Support

Mills Shelving supplies gondola shelving, accessories, and lighting solutions suitable for a wide range of retail formats. Our product range includes gondola shelving accessories designed to improve functionality and LED shelf lighting to enhance product presentation.

We also provide industry-specific solutions for pharmacies, supermarkets, service stations, and general retail environments. For store planning assistance, retailers can browse the Retail Shop Fitting range or request a tailored shelving configuration to suit their space and product needs.