Grocery stores are one of the oldest business types, offering fresh produce and meat in an easy-to-access location. How you plan the layout of your store matters. Not only will this plan change how customers navigate the store, but it’ll also give them a chance to impulse buy, purchase more expensive things, or simply spend more time in the store.
Balance matters, though! Nobody wants to feel like they’re in a maze trying to find eggs. These are the top tips for laying out a grocery store.
Grid or Herringbone?
The literal layout of your store is an important thing to consider. The top two options for most groceries are a herringbone or grid layout. Grid lays isles in straight lines that make them walk all the way up or down them to find what they need. This is common for stores like Walmart or Kroger.
Herringbone is a twist that has been extremely popular. This takes the grid, places it at an angle, and cuts the long isles in half. Herringbone allows customers to get through the store easier and find the items they’re seeking. Stores like HEB in Texas have taken this on and are thriving with it.
Where to Place the Most Needed Items
One of the hottest debates in grocery news cycles is where to place the high-value items versus the most sought-after items. Eggs, milk, cheese, meats, and bread should be placed in the back third of the store. This makes people walk through the entire store, and see the other things they can buy before they find the common goods they need.
Layout On the Shelf
Where you place your items on the shelf needs to be carefully decided. There’s a simple rule of thumb almost every store follows that seems to work well enough. This layout is that the most commonly needed things stay in the center of the shelf where customers will reach for them. This is name-brand cereal and foods that customers will recognize.
On the upper shelves, many grocers place high-end labels that cost more and are reached for less often. On the lower shelves, you’ll find store-brand and discounted selections. These are still easy to get but not as popular for the average buyer.
Make Impulse Buys Happen
Impulse buys are an easy way to get extra money without even trying. This means keeping soda, snacks, and hot foods near the registers. These will lure people into buying them and give you a boost your store wouldn’t have otherwise. When people are waiting in line to check out, they’ll spot a pack of gum or a fresh drink and think they’ve made a choice on their own when they grab it.
Grocery Stores Should Be Easy Shopping Safaris
Although you’d love to have shoppers lost in your store so they’ll buy more items, you should still remember to make it clear. Frustrating a buyer by leaving them feeling lost and helpless will cause you to lose business from your store.
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