For many store owners, finding enough shelf space to display all of their products can be a challenge. You never want your shelves to look like they are overflowing or sloppy, and it’s important that every product is easily viewable in order for customers to be able to conveniently shop the aisles. In addition to space being a problem, sometimes your merchandise just doesn’t look right on standard retail shelving. Luckily, there are plenty of gondola shelving accessories that can make fitting those extra products on the shelves a little bit easier.
Take advantage of end cap shelving. Adding an end unit to aisles provides plenty of additional space. End caps are great for any retail industry because they are able to display a variety of merchandise. Various hooks, shelves and baskets can attach to them and hold items in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Try gondola shelving accessories. Accessories like chrome wire fencing, steel front lips, candy risers, open end baskets, and Y extenders all attach to your existing shelving and provide additional space for your products. These accessories are ideal for merchandise that maybe doesn’t look quite right on standard shelving, like dog bones, PVC piping, sporting goods and more.
Organize your merchandise. If you have multiples of the same product crammed on the shelf, consider taking some of that to your back stock area. As long as your employees are keeping an eye on stock levels, clearing some of the extra merchandise should provide some extra space without leaving your shelves empty. Additionally, once you are down to just a couple pieces of the same product, consider consolidating. Create a section for “Almost Gone!” items that is a collection of products you are almost out of. That way you clear your prime shelf space for new and fully stocked merchandise.
Think about seasonality. If a holiday or new season is approaching it might be time for a display refresh. Relocate off-season items to a sale section or remove them entirely. With each day that passes and brings you further from the season the merchandise is meant for, the lower the chances of it being purchased.
Having enough shelf space is an ongoing dilemma that you will likely be dealing with the entire time you run your retail store. By taking advantage of end caps and accessories, as well as taking a step back and considering stock levels and seasonality, you should be able to comfortably fit the products you are most interested in displaying.