Master the Art of Setting Up Gondola Shelving for Your Retail Store

Retail success hinges on strategic planning and effective merchandising, and the layout of your store is a crucial part of this. Gondola shelving, known for its versatility and durability, is a go-to choice for many retailers. Whether you’re running a grocery store, pharmacy, or convenience shop, correctly installing gondola shelves can transform your space and enhance customer experience.

Understanding the Basics of Gondola Shelving

Before jumping into setup, it’s essential to understand what gondola shelving is. These shelving units are freestanding fixtures that can be placed anywhere in a store. They offer various configurations that make them adaptable to any retail environment, such as (but not limited to)–single-sided or double-sided units, small or large shelf depths, various heights & more!

The adaptability of gondola shelving means you can use it for different types of merchandise (from snacks in a convenience store to bottles in a liquor store), industries (such as liquor, convenience, grocery, pet stores, pharmacies, beauty supply, universities/colleges, etc), and can accommodate any store layout. These units are typically made of metal, offering stability and strength to support a wide array of products, even if the products are heavy.

Gondola shelving is popular because it helps maximize retail space. With the right setup, these shelves can accommodate large amounts of inventory while maintaining an organized and aesthetically pleasing environment for customers.

Choosing The Right Configuration For Your Space

Single-Sided Units for Walls

Single-sided gondola shelving units are perfect for placing against walls. This configuration allows you to utilize wall space effectively, creating a streamlined look. It’s ideal for displaying products that customers can easily browse as they walk around the perimeter of your store.

Consider the height and depth best fitting your store layout when setting up single-sided units. A well-planned wall display can enhance product visibility and encourage impulse buying. Gondola shelving can also be fully customized to fit your wall space for an optimal display.

Double-Sided Units for Aisles

Double-sided gondola shelving is an excellent choice for your store’s main aisles. These units allow customers to access products from both sides, maximizing the use of floor space.

Double-sided shelves are perfect for displaying high-demand items that require easy access. When setting up these units, focus on creating wide enough aisles for customers to move comfortably, promoting a smooth shopping experience.

End Caps for Impulse Purchases & Stability

End caps are the shelving units placed at the end of aisle shelving and are prime real estate for impulse buys and seasonal promotions. Products displayed here are typically high-margin items that can catch a shopper’s attention as they make their way through the aisles.

However, these units are not only there to boost sales, but they also serve a more functional purpose–they stabilize the double sided runs! The less units there are that make up a run (or row), the less stable that run is without an end cap. Similar to how you would want to mount the wall units to a wall via wall mount brackets, the end units are there to serve as anchor points to the free-standing aisle units since these can’t be mounted to a wall. At least one end cap is recommended per double-sided row for safety (& peace of mind!).

Installing Upper Shelves for Additional Storage

Upper shelves add another layer of storage above the standard gondola units. These are perfect for showcasing more products without taking up additional floor space.

When installing upper shelves, ensure they are locked securely to the upright posts and are not overloaded. Each brand’s shelf capacity is different, but it is industry standard for the shelves to hold at least 400 lbs of evenly distributed weight per flat shelf. 

Some brand’s shelves (like ours) can also be placed on a downward slope of 15-20 degrees–and the weight capacity should drop by half. 

Customizing Your Shelves with Accessories

Gondola shelving offers a range of accessories to customize your displays further. Consider using options like:

• Wire Baskets on the peg boards for smaller items that can be difficult to display neatly (like travel sized items)
• Hooks and Pegboards to hang products like tools, accessories, or packaged goods
• Vertical Shelf dividers to keep your inventory organized, separating unrelated products from each other
• Horizontal Wire fences to keep merchandise, like wine bottles, from falling off the shelves

These accessories help with organizing your inventory effectively, making it easier for customers to find what they are looking for.

Customize Your Gondola Shelving At Store Displays

Setting up gondola shelving in your retail store is a smart way to organize your products, make efficient use of your space, and ultimately drive sales. By understanding the different configurations and customizing your shelves with accessories, you can create a shopping environment that enhances the customer experience.Ready to get started? Explore the wide range of gondola shelving options at Store Displays. Our team is dedicated to helping you choose the best shelves for your store. Transform your store today with our customizable gondola shelving solutions! Have questions? Contact our team at Store Displays for any of your shelving and retail system needs.