Liquor Store Shelving

What shelf depth holds liquor and wine bottles

Shelf depth is the first decision. Heavy-duty gondola shelves in 16”, 18” and 20” depths safely maintain the weight of wine and liquor bottles.

On a wall run, start with a 22” base shelf and put 18” and 20” shelves above it, so you can merchandise a large number of bottles on a single run.

Wall units are made in a range of heights starting at 36”. In liquor stores the two most common are 84” and 96”. Whichever you choose, it is essential to tie every wall unit into the wall, into a structural member, for safety.

Gondola shelving for a liquor store

A gondola as ordered includes the uprights, base shelves, back panels and hardware. Upper shelves and accessories are ordered separately.

For liquor, display rows of wine and fine spirit bottles on the gondola shelves and put the awkward stock below. Bottles and oddly shaped packaging that will not sit flat on a shelf go into open end baskets. The frames hold in two positions, horizontal or down sloped, and the baskets themselves are ordered separately.

Back panels come in a range of finishes, wood grain among them. Steel colors are shown in the color guide.

At the ends of the gondola runs, end cap displays are ideal for drawing attention to promotions and seasonal specials. They come in 24”, 30”, 36”, 42” and 48” lengths, with a square or rounded base shelf, and should match the height and width of the gondola they finish.

How to lay out a liquor store

A liquor store floor plan has to balance how the store works against how it looks. Work the room from the outside in.

1. The perimeterWall shelving around the outside walls for a long row of merchandise. Pick 84” or 96” units and tie every one into a structural member.
2. The cornersWhere two wall runs meet, retail corner units carry the merchandising around the angle. They need a 30” x 30” corner space and come in 12 sizes, using inside corner shelves.
3. The middleGondola runs down the floor in 16”, 18” and 20” shelf depths, wine and fine spirits across the shelves, open end baskets underneath.
4. The ends of the runsEnd units in a length matching the gondola they finish, for promotions and seasonal specials.
5. The coolerBeer cave shelving inside the refrigerated unit, or a walk-in cooler built to your floor plan.
6. The frontThe sales counter, positioned so the high value cases are in view from it.

For a more industrial look, wide span shelving is an alternative to standard gondola runs, with steel frames and decks in grid or wood, raw or melamine, in modular sections.

Our store design consultants will work through the space with you, whether you are opening your first liquor store or remodeling one you already run. See store planning and design.

Displaying wine

Three wood wine racks, all 14” deep and available in melamine colors. All three take a wide variety of bottle sizes.

Beer cave and cooler shelving

Beer cave shelving is durable steel racking for cases of beer inside a refrigerated unit. Steel shelves sit on shelf supports, and the units are black, NSF approved.

Sizes are 84” or 78” high, either 24” or 30” deep, in 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 foot lengths. The shelf configuration differs by height:

For the cooler itself, our walk-in coolers are supplied to fit your floor plan. Panels are wood frame, tongue and groove, finished in bright embossed 24 gauge galvanized steel as standard. The standard door is 36” x 78” high.

Displaying high value bottles

For expensive bottles, a steel retail display security cabinet is a professional way to display merchandise under lock. Two glass doors run on a track with a lock, and the case accepts shelves inside.

Sizes are 3 foot or 4 foot lengths, in 24”, 30”, 36”, 42” and 48” heights. Choose shelf type, which adds a bottom shelf, or base type. All steel display cabinets ship knocked down.

Security cases are a good option on an end cap display.

The checkout counter

Retail sales counters play a major part in the success of your store. Ours are custom made with the counter top and sides finished in mica, in standard or custom colors.

Counter heights are 36” or 42”, and depths are 24” or 30”. Counters can be used individually or in combination to make L-counters and U-counters. A standard counter includes adjustable shelves and one locking drawer. All sales counters must be crated, and crating is ordered separately.

Modernizing fixtures you already own

If you already have Handy gondolas and wall units in the store, Space Plus Conversion brings them up to date without throwing them out. It is a conversion kit that modifies the fixtures you already have, using post and beam sections strong enough to hold heavy stock and bulk merchandise loads.

There is no reason to change your current store layout, and no need to disassemble existing retail displays to install it. Space Plus beams mix with standard gondola shelving, and the result is today’s warehouse look on the fixtures you already own.

Will new shelves fit the gondolas I have

Yes. Every new Handy shelf is compatible with every Handy gondola ever manufactured.

We sell new shelving only, not used. Lead times run 2 to 6 weeks depending on the product, and the minimum order is $100.

The same gondola runs, coolers and counters go into convenience stores.

Frequently asked questions