The shelf planogram is a key feature in retail management and organization. This piece of the planogram dictates how products are arranged on a particular shelf. Often produced alongside more global, store-wide planogram designs, the shelf planogram provides retailers with the opportunity to optimize individual sections and product categories.
But organizing a retail shelf is a bit more complicated than it may seem. Using planogram products, like Scorpion Planogram, can improve the space. But, in general, there are a few strategies to keep in mind when developing a plan. Here are the top 5 tips you should consider before setting out to design a shelf.
1. Put high-priority products at eye level.
Research on eye tracking shows that shelves placed at eye level receive the most attention from prospective customers. This makes it the most lucrative shelf space in the store. Choose your high-priority items for this part of the shelf. This could be a specific brand you are pushing, high-margin items, or those associated with special deals.
2. Prioritize vertical organization.
Research shows that products placed vertically on several shelves perform better than products placed horizontally. Called vertical blocks, these units can drive more attention to more items. Whenever possible, avoid horizontal blocks, which can be difficult for customers to browse.
3. Understand your landmark products.
Landmark products are those that perform best in your store. In other words, they are the most popular items and brands. When looking at a shelf planogram, customers are likely to begin with the landmark product, then search in a “Z” pattern to find additional items. Choosing a strategic position for your landmark product can help customers discover new brands. This can also help drive purchasing behavior toward higher-margin items.
4. Stick to chunks.
Shelf planogramming functions in sets, or “chunks.” There are two types of chunks: Sign and Layout. Sign chunking forces organizers to consider how specific signage may break up a shelf. For example, Sale labels may change the ways in which a customer interacts with the space. By contrast, Layout chunking helps retailers break shelving into discrete sections. This type of organization helps customers more efficiently move through the space.
5. Choose and stick with a category driver.
Category drivers are products that establish the shelf section. They are often placed at the center of the display. This gives the product high visibility and draws the customer’s eye. Most retailers reserve this space for their highest-margin items. These are products that provide the store with the greatest revenue.
Plan Your Shelves with Ease
While the above tips can help plan a shelf planogram, only a software tool can provide intelligent category insights. For retailers looking to optimize their stores, Scorpion Planogram has a solution. Our unique platform combines space planning applications and inventory management in a single tool. The intuitive user interface makes the software easy to use. Users can add bays, shelves, and products to personalize their planogram – all without moving a single product inside the store. Visual merchandising, planogramming, and category management are simple with help from Scorpion.