Make Space Count in Your Small Store with Efficient, Versatile Retail Shelving

Do you find yourself struggling to create displays that truly showcase merchandise in your small retail store -- without crowding customers or creating feelings of claustrophobia?

How to maximize your small retail space with the right retail shelving

• Choose standard gondola shelving only for truly heavy items

Gondola shelving is usually the go-to option for retail stores, but it is less versatile and useful to you if you are in a small space – except for truly heavy or large items. In that case, position gondola shelving strategically (and sparingly) in your store. A single gondola run, or one or more gondola islands or endcaps can be placed in areas of your store where they are easily visible, but will not get in your customers' way.

• Opt for smaller, mobile slatted gondola units instead of standard gondola shelving when you can

Slatted gondola units are as versatile as stationary gondola shelving is – but they are less bulky and are easily moved without having to be broken down and set up again. In essence, slatted gondola units give you all of the benefits of gondola shelving in a lighter, mobile incarnation. They can't hold quite the weight gondola shelving can, but they are quite sturdy and can often fill in where gondola shelving will not be suitable.

Use heavy-duty slatted walls and shelving

While ordinary slatted wall panels are not suitable for heavier items, slatted gondola units can take much more weight. You can easily customize displays with "mix-and-match" accessories like hooks, baskets, and rails to create product displays of differently sized merchandise, so that you can make the most efficient use of space.

• You can move them whenever you need to

• Use your available wall space for display

Don't overlook your wall space. Utilizing it fully will give you a lot more display room and can expand your merchandise offerings without making your store feel crowded. Use one-sided gondola shelving or single-sided slatted gondola units for heavy to medium weight merchandise, and slatwall shelving for lighter items.

• Use table displays strategically

Table displays can be used effectively in your small store. Put them in corners or near the entrance to your store when you want to sell seasonal or holiday items like Halloween candy, or cooking utensils for Thanksgiving. You can also use them for high-volume items like over-the-counter medications or "hot" items like a vocal artist's latest album release.

• Don't forget countertops

Countertops are valuable real estate when it comes to creating effective displays. You can use countertop displays for smaller merchandise like candy, travel sized over-the-counter medications, even perfumes and lotions.

• Give "impulse buy" items starring roles in your checkout lanes

Use wire rack shelving and other display fixtures in your checkout lanes to entice customers to buy last-minute "impulse" items like candy, gum and the latest magazines. You can also place much-needed but often forgotten items like aspirin and other over-the-counter medications for quick grab. Customers will appreciate the convenience.

You don't have to risk inducing claustrophobia in your customers just because your retail space isn't as large as you might like it to be. The right retail shelving and fixtures can make efficient use of that space so that there is enough room for your merchandise and your customers, no crowding necessary.