In retail, shelving isn’t just about holding stock. The type of fixture chosen dictates how customers move through a store, how much product can be displayed, and even how long shoppers remain engaged. Gondola units play a central role in this process. Their modular design, adaptability, and durability make them the preferred option for everything from small boutiques to large supermarkets.

Yet, not all gondola units serve the same purpose. The choice between one-sided and double-sided gondolas can transform how a space feels and functions. One is designed to maximise perimeter walls, the other to create structured aisles. Both have a place in modern retail, but understanding when and where to use them is the key to making the most of your space.

At Mills Shelving, we’ve seen how a thoughtful mix of both formats can improve customer experience, boost product visibility, and create smoother traffic flow. Let’s explore the strengths and applications of each.

Single-Sided Gondola Units: What They Bring to the Table

A single-sided gondola unit is exactly as the name suggests: shelving accessible from only one side. Designed to sit flush against a wall or fixed perimeter, they are the workhorses of smaller retail spaces or stores aiming to conserve valuable floor area.

Why retailers use them:

• Space efficiency: With stock presented on only one face, these units keep aisles clear and allow for narrow walkways without compromising safety. They’re particularly suited to convenience stores, chemists, and speciality shops where every square metre counts.
• Ease of stocking and organisation: Staff can replenish shelves quickly since access is straightforward, and customers benefit from neat, uncluttered product presentation.
• Product visibility: Items face outward, making them easy to locate. In categories where clarity matters — think pharmaceuticals, auto parts, or electronics accessories — single-sided shelving reduces visual noise.
• Adaptability: Accessories like peg hooks, dividers, and branded signage can be added to enhance the display.

Common placement:

• Along the outer walls of a shop.
• Behind counters for high-value or restricted items.
• Used in combination with end bays to promote featured lines or seasonal offers.

For many stores, single-sided units provide the backbone of their layout. They give structure to the perimeter while leaving the central space free for additional fixtures, counters, or customer movement.

For retailers aiming to boost visibility and capacity without clutter, explore practical ways to maximise gondola shelving—from shelf risers to effective end-bay promotions.

Double-Sided Gondola Units: Double the Impact

Where single-sided units work quietly along the edges, double-sided gondolas are the centrepieces. With shelving on both sides, they stand independently to form aisles or islands. Retailers often view them as the most efficient way to maximise every square metre of floor space.

Key strengths of double-sided units:

• Higher display capacity: By doubling the available faces within the same footprint, these units dramatically increase stock density. Supermarkets, department stores, and discount outlets rely on them to carry large ranges without overcrowding.
• Improved customer flow: Positioned correctly, double-sided gondolas guide shoppers through the store, leading them past multiple categories and encouraging browsing. A series of long aisles creates rhythm and order, especially across store layout styles such as grid, loop and free-flow.
• Flexibility for merchandising: Each side can carry a different product category, allowing retailers to combine complementary ranges or encourage impulse purchases through strategic adjacencies.
• Durability under pressure: These units are built to handle high footfall and heavy loads, making them ideal for fast-moving consumer goods.

Common placement:

• In the central floor area to form aisles.
• As free-standing islands for promotional or clearance stock.
• Integrated with end bays that draw customers down an aisle and highlight priority items.

When used well, double-sided units create a structured shopping journey. They don’t just store products; they shape how customers explore the shop, how long they stay, and how much they buy.

When to Use One vs The Other (or Both)

In practice, most retailers will benefit from a combination of both unit types. Choosing the right balance depends on the size of the store, the range of products, and the desired flow of traffic.

The most successful layouts consider how both formats can work together. A pharmacy, for example, may use single-sided shelving around the edges for health products while placing short runs of double-sided gondolas in the centre for everyday essentials. A supermarket, on the other hand, will rely on long double-sided aisles for groceries, but still use single-sided fixtures near the walls for chilled goods or pharmacy items.

Cost is another factor in the decision. In Australia, standard single-sided gondola units are typically priced between AUD 81 and AUD 85 (excluding GST), while double-sided units generally range from AUD 146 to AUD 150. These figures are based on standard configurations with 300 mm or 450 mm base shelf depths. (Source: Mills Shelving Pricing Guide: How Much Does Gondola Shelving Cost?)

Layout Best Practices to Maximise Impact

Getting gondola shelving right is about more than choosing between single-sided or double-sided units. The real gains come from how the two formats are integrated into a wider store plan.

• Space between aisles matters: Aisles that feel too tight discourage customers from exploring. The recommended clearance is around 1.2 metres, which allows comfortable two-way traffic and space for prams or baskets. In high-traffic supermarkets, wider spacing may be required to prevent bottlenecks.
• Consistency brings clarity: Maintaining uniform shelf heights within a zone creates a sense of order. Customers find it easier to compare products and navigate categories when the eye line is consistent. Breaking that rhythm deliberately with a taller or shorter unit can be useful for highlighting a promotional zone.
• Eye-level drives sales: Stocking high-margin or popular items at eye level remains one of the simplest yet most effective merchandising techniques. Both one-sided and double-sided gondolas benefit from this approach. Lower shelves are best for bulk packs or heavier items, while higher shelves suit lighter or slower-moving stock.
• Check gondola shelving weight limits and safe load ratings to prevent sagging or instability, especially on longer double-sided runs. Confirm shelf and bay capacities during planograms and replenishment.
• Secure gondola shelving to walls or floors where appropriate to improve stability in high-traffic zones and on uneven surfaces; follow local compliance and installer guidance.
• End bays pull attention: Positioned at the head of gondola runs, these areas attract more attention than standard shelves. They’re perfect for seasonal goods, impulse buys, or complementary products.
• Traffic flow should feel natural: In most environments, shoppers instinctively turn left on entry and then move counter-clockwise. Placing double-sided gondolas in alignment with that natural behaviour makes the store feel easier to navigate.
• Trial layouts before committing: Using temporary floor tape to outline aisles and fixture placement lets retailers experiment before finalising a layout. It’s a low-cost way to spot potential dead ends or crowded areas before investing in a permanent plan.

These principles help strike the right balance between density and comfort, creating an environment that feels welcoming rather than overwhelming.

Customisation & Accessories: Enhancing Both Formats

While single-sided and double-sided gondola units are the backbone of many shop layouts, their adaptability comes from accessories. These additions elevate basic shelving into tailored solutions for different industries.

Popular accessories include:

• Adjustable shelves: Allowing height changes as ranges evolve — vital for fashion, hardware, and general retail.
• Peg hooks and slat panels: Perfect for hanging items like tools, accessories, or packaged snacks.
• Branded signage: Category markers and shelf-edge ticketing help customers find items faster while reinforcing the retailer’s brand.
• Lighting: Integrated LED strips make displays more appealing and highlight premium stock.
• Security features: Lockable cabinets or reinforced shelves are valuable for high-value goods such as electronics or cosmetics.

Customisation options:

• Finish and colour choices allow gondolas to blend into a retailer’s existing décor. A matte black finish suits premium electronics, while white or light grey keeps pharmacies clean and clinical.
• Material choices — such as mesh backs, perforated panels, or solid boards — can be selected depending on whether visibility, ventilation, or branding space is a priority.
• Add-ons like baskets, brochure holders, and promotional headers adapt units for specific campaigns.

Flexibility is the key. A well-chosen base unit, combined with the right accessories, can adapt to product range changes for many years without requiring a full refit. For inspiration on execution, see our guidance on signage, lighting and accessory options for gondola displays—from shelf-edge ticketing to integrated LEDs.

Summary Table: Quick Comparison

A simple side-by-side overview can help retailers make decisions quickly:

This quick guide shows that neither option is universally better. The right choice depends entirely on the store’s goals, size, and customer journey.

Final Thoughts: Which Should You Choose?

When weighing up one-sided versus double-sided gondola units, the decision is less about which is “better” and more about which suits the store’s purpose. Both formats have clear strengths, and in most cases, the best results come from using them together.

• A small pharmacy benefits from single-sided gondolas around the walls, paired with short double-sided runs in the centre to display everyday essentials.
• A supermarket depends heavily on long double-sided aisles for high-volume goods, while still making smart use of single-sided units for specialist areas and chilled displays.
• A convenience store might lean almost entirely on single-sided shelving to keep aisles open and layouts simple.

The question every retailer should ask is: What do I want customers to see, feel, and do as they move through my shop? Gondola shelving, in whichever format, provides the framework for that journey. Thoughtful planning, supported by the right mix of units, accessories, and spacing, creates a store that is not only functional but also profitable.

At Mills Shelving, we know that shelving is more than fixtures. It’s a tool to shape how your business operates, how customers interact with products, and how smoothly a store runs day to day. The right gondola mix is the starting point for all of that.