aisleadjacency

Aisle adjacency is the spatial relationship between aisles within a retail layout, describing which aisles are neighboring, intersecting, or connected via cross aisles. It affects product exposure, shopper navigation, and traffic flow. The term is used in store planning, merchandising, and retail analytics.

Representations: Aisles can be modeled as nodes in a graph with edges indicating adjacency; adjacency matrices or graphs support layout optimization, walkability, and heatmap analysis. Data sources include floor plans, deployment of planograms, and sensor-based tracking. Aisle width, sightlines, and sight distance influence perceived adjacency.

Implications: Proximity of related categories—adjacency planning—is used to boost cross-selling (for example, placing related items nearby) and to support intuitive navigation. Adjacent aisles can reduce travel time, while poorly designed adjacency can create bottlenecks or congestion. Seasonal changes or promotions may alter effective adjacency.

Design considerations: It is important to balance visibility with easy wayfinding, comply with safety regulations on aisle width, ensure accessibility for wheelchairs, and accommodate emergency egress. Retailers use planograms and aisle-by-aisle analyses to optimize adjacency patterns.