We see the same pattern across stores of all sizes. Accurate bay counts cut waste, protect aisle flow, and keep budgets under control. Store size, stock mix, and aisle shape drive the final number. Our team at Mills Shelving helps with measurements and drawings, yet the goal here is simple. Give you a clear method to calculate what you need with confidence.

Recent figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that retail turnover in Australia rose 0.2% in May 2025 (seasonally adjusted). In a market with steady yet moderate growth, every square metre of selling space needs to perform. Precise bay planning helps retailers match inventory with actual sales flow instead of overinvesting in unused fixtures.For layout ideas and system options, many readers start with our Retail Shelving solutions page. It shows common configurations that suit supermarkets, pharmacies, bottle shops, and convenience formats.

What is a Shelving Bay

A bay is a single unit between two uprights. Connect bays to build a continuous run. Wall runs use single sided bays. Central aisles use double sided bays. Bay width and depth set capacity and aisle clearance.

Key points in plain terms:

• Bay width is the face, often 900 mm, 1000 mm, or 1200 mm.
• Bay depth is how far the shelf projects, often 300 mm or 450 mm.
• Single sided sits against a wall.
• Double sided serves two faces in the aisle.

A simple rule sits at the heart of planning:

Bay count = usable run length ÷ chosen bay width.

Round down to a whole number, then decide if end treatments or corner units are needed.For specs and accessories that match common Australian store formats, see gondola shelving.

Factors That Change the Bay Count

Short, sharp, and practical.

Store dimensions

Measure length and width of the sales floor. Remove doors, service counters, POS areas, columns, and any fire egress zones. The remainder is usable.

Bay width

Narrow widths help tight spaces and small goods. Wider widths suit general merchandise and bulk. Pick one width per run for clean joins and neat ticket lines.

Bay depth

300 mm supports light packs, small health and beauty, and narrow aisles.

450 mm supports cartons, bottles, and higher volume lines.

Depth choices affect aisle clearance, so confirm walkway targets before locking in.

Product mix and rate of sale

Fast sellers need more facings or deeper shelves. Fragile or premium items often sit better with fewer facings and more visual space. A category planogram helps convert this into facings per bay.

Aisle layout and traffic flow

Grid layouts use parallel runs. Free flow layouts use shorter runs and feature zones. Double sided aisles should line up cleanly with wall runs for a balanced view from the entrance.

Growth buffer

Leave space for seasonal lines or a future category. Modular frames let you add bays later with minimal disruption.

Step by Step Method to Calculate Bay Quantity

Follow the same sequence we use in early planning. Keep a calculator and your scale drawing nearby.

1. Draw or import the floor plan: Use grid paper or a simple layout tool. Mark a clear scale, for example 1 square equals 500 mm.
2. Mark fixed structures: Doors, counters, columns, windows, and any restricted zones.
3. Choose a standard bay width per run: Common picks are 900 mm or 1200 mm. Keep widths consistent within each run.
4. Plan wall runs: Subtract any gaps for access or features. Divide the remaining wall length by your chosen width. Round down.
5. Plan central aisles: Select double sided bays. Allow 900 mm to 1200 mm clear walkway, measured shelf edge to shelf edge. Add cross aisles near POS and high traffic zones.
6. Add corners and end units: Corner connectors or end displays may consume partial widths. Add or remove a bay to keep spacing clean.
7. Check depth and height: Confirm 300 mm or 450 mm depth for each run. Confirm upright height suits the ceiling and sightlines near the entrance.

Worked example table

The table shows a simple shop with two wall runs and one central aisle. Adjust the counts after you add end treatments or promotional gaps.

Sample Store Scenarios

Use these as starting points, not fixed rules. Stock mix shifts the numbers.

Small boutique, narrow footprint

• Two single sided wall bays for the staple range.
• One double sided feature bay in the centre for seasonal or new lines.
• Focus on tidy ticketing and a clear front path to POS.

Busy convenience store

• Six to eight double sided bays for centre aisles.
• Four to six single sided bays on walls for bread, dairy, and impulse.
• Larger walkways near fridges to handle baskets and trolleys.
• End treatments near the front for promotions and beverages.

Mid size supermarket

• Ten to fourteen double sided bays in the core grid.
• Perimeter wall runs for fresh, bakery, and health.
• Wider cross aisles for stock movement.
• Aisle lengths kept consistent for planogram repeatability.

For budgeting benchmarks that pair with bay counts, many readers compare against our guide on how much retail shelving installation costs in Australia. It helps align equipment counts with a realistic spend.

Tools and Methods That Make Planning Easier

Pick the lightest tool that gets the job done. Speed matters during early scoping.

• Grid paper and scale ruler: Fast and clear for first pass counts. Ideal for boutiques and small refits.
• Simple layout software: Drag and drop bays at fixed widths. Useful for quick what-ifs and aisle spacing checks.
• CAD drawings: Precise dimensions, corner details, and service cutouts. Best for multi-site rollouts or tight programmes.

We can take a floor plan and convert it into bay counts, depths, and a clean layout drawing. The focus remains on your goals, such as more facings for high sellers, faster restocks, or clearer sightlines from the door.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Quick checks that save time later.

• Skipping a small growth buffer for seasonal peaks.
• Ignoring minimum walkway width near fridges and service counters.
• Mixing bay widths within a single run, which breaks join lines and ticket strips.
• Choosing one depth across the whole store even though categories differ.
• Forgetting corner connectors or end displays during counts.
• Leaving no headroom near low ceilings or bulkheads.

Cost Implications of Bay Count

Bay count connects directly to your fit-out cost. Each unit adds to the total for equipment, installation, and freight. A balanced layout avoids both waste and shortage.

How bay numbers affect cost

• Equipment cost: More bays increase spend on frames, shelves, and accessories.
• Installation hours: Each extra unit takes time to align, bolt, and level.
• Freight cost: More pallets or longer loads increase delivery fees.

Yet fewer bays can restrict range or lead to overstocking on each shelf. The right number creates a layout that supports steady sales without overloading the floor.

A single 1200 mm bay might cost less than $150 ex GST, while a full aisle of ten could reach $1,500 before accessories. Adding hooks, fences, or baskets pushes the total higher.

When to Seek Expert Help

Certain store types benefit from outside help. Multi-aisle supermarkets, pharmacy chains, and liquor stores often need precision layouts for compliance and product flow. Professional input shortens project time and avoids misalignment between sections.

At Mills Shelving, our design team handles full layouts and bay counts from client floor plans. The process covers:

• Site measurement or plan review.
• Calculation of wall and aisle run lengths.
• Selection of depths and heights per category.
• Drawing of a scaled layout with labelled bay positions.

From our experience fitting out independent retailers and large chain stores across Australia, early planning consistently saves both time and budget. Store owners who start ordering equipment without confirmed bay counts often find themselves revising layouts halfway through a project, which adds cost and causes delivery delays. In contrast, projects that begin with clear measurements and confirmed runs usually finish faster and require fewer adjustments.

The result is a plan that can move straight to quoting or installation. For single-store projects, we also supply quick layout checks for clients who already have rough measurements. The advice keeps projects practical and cost-aware.

Final Checks Before Ordering

Before confirming your order, review each point carefully.

1. Measure again: Reconfirm room length and aisle width. Even a few millimetres off can change the total.
2. Confirm bay width and depth: Keep consistency for clean joins and safe spacing.
3. Check accessories: Hooks, baskets, and signage need matching slots and dimensions.
4. Assess traffic flow: Make sure staff can restock without blocking customers.
5. Review freight and installation schedule: Confirm delivery timing, ground access, and any after-hours work.

A short checklist on paper or spreadsheet helps track each section. Once finalised, send the confirmed run lengths to our team for quoting.

How Accurate Bay Planning Saves Money and Space

Accurate bay planning creates order from the start. The right layout makes better use of every square metre, supports smooth restocking, and keeps aisles clear for customers. An overfilled floor slows movement and hides stock. A layout that underuses space leaves gaps and weakens the store’s visual rhythm.

Well-chosen bay widths and depths give flexibility. Modular systems can grow or contract with your product range, making future adjustments easier.

Retailers who invest time in precise measurement see long-term payback through lower rework costs and improved store performance. For ideas on layouts, specifications, and accessories, visit our Retail Shelving solutions page or the gondola shelving section to find configurations that match your space.