When deciding on your store’s layout, keep in mind that the layout will direct customer flow, guide product placement and provide the overall appearance and feel of your store. There are many factors that affect your floor plan of choice such as the products you sell, shape and size of your sales floor and even the customers you want to attract.
For instance, supermarkets use a grid store layout since it can help with organising aisles and it is easy for customers to navigate around the store. A small brick and mortar store usually uses creative layouts that enables staff to highlight new or best-selling products.
Here are three types of the most effective store layouts:
Grid Plan
Also known as a straight layout, grid floor plans use both wall and floor space efficiently. With shelving placed parallel to walls, this floor plan maximises every area of available floor space even the corners. A grid floor plan makes it easy for customers to navigate around the store and for store owners and staff to organise their products.
Grid layouts are commonly used in grocery and convenient stores since they tend to provide a grab-and-go experience for customers. This type of layout is also appropriate for small retail stores that stock products in quantity such as books, toys, and kitchenware. However, a grid layout is not ideal for stores that require a high-end, branded environment that encourages relaxed browsing.
Loop Plan
A loop floor plan, also known as a racetrack layout, provides a guided shopping experience to customers. It features a pathway throughout the store that enables customers to see every product on display. With a loop floor plan, you can combine different store layouts such as a free-flow or grid layout or even a mix of both.
Whatever way you design it, a loop floor plan will surround customers with product displays and allow many types of creative display variations to encourage customers to purchase your products.
Free-Flow Plan
When it comes to free-flow store layouts, browsing is king. The free-flow floor plan is popular for many special retailers since it enables store owners and staff to easily change and update the appearance of their store. Shelves and fixtures are placed at the right angles to encourage customers to stop and look at highlighted products at every turn.
A free flow plan makes it easy to bring customers toward specific areas in a store using signs with eye-catching colours and large text.
Use The Right Shelving
If you are looking for the right shelving to create effective store layouts, Shelving Shop Group can provide you with many options. We have many types of commercial retail shelving solutions for every type of business and facility, such as wall-mounted racks, mobile storage, steel shelving and supermarket rack systems. Our high-quality shelves are categorised into three ranges, namely:
- A-Span Longspan shelving. These are suited for several applications, such as garages, retail shops and warehouses. They are smart solutions for organising medium and small products.
- Display shelving. They highlight your best products and make them more appealing to customers. They are a durable choice for featuring a variety of items, such as canned goods and liquids.
- Panel shelving. Panel shelves are a popular choice among commercial and retail stores, as it is modular and can meet the continuously changing needs of the retail industry.
Our range of display shelves is made to complement the visual appeal of your products while keeping them organised, encourage your customers to make a purchase and keep items within reach of the customer and staff.
They are the preferred choice of many retailers in New Zealand because they are durable and adjustable.
Our shelving solutions are easy to assemble, allowing you to maximise the available space with ease. They are also capable of holding heavy loads and are designed to withstand the tough conditions in New Zealand such as seismic activity. These features help you reduce costs for maintenance and repair.
Effective Storage Solutions for Your Business
Since 1993, Shelving Shop Group has been committed to helping our customers maximise the use of their space with innovative storage solutions. From complete retail fitouts to large-scale warehouses, from pallet racks to one-off display stands, we have what you need to optimise space and keep your operations smooth.
With 25 years’ worth of experience, we have come across a wide range of industries and worked with countless businesses in New Zealand. These include big names like Farmlands, Heinz Watties, McCain Foods, No. 1 Shoe Warehouse and Progressive Meats. When you come to us, we understand your challenges, and we will help you create an efficient and effective workplace.
We are always ready to deliver quality service. We understand each business has different requirements and we tailor-fit our solutions accordingly. Whether you want to have specific products customised or need certifications for your rack, our dedicated service team can help.
Not sure what shelves fit your property? Find the right storage solutions for your business with us today. Send us an enquiry here or call us on 0800 180 280 for more details.