planogramming

Planogramming is the process of designing and communicating the placement of products on shelves or displays to optimize sales and space utilization. A planogram is a diagram or model that specifies the assortment, location, quantity, and facing of each product for a given shelf or display. The objective is to maximize visibility, maintain category coherence, improve stock availability, and enforce merchandising standards across stores and channels.

Key elements include shelf dimensions, product dimensions, recommended facing counts, and zoning by category. Planograms may designate fixtures such as gondolas, end caps, and wall displays, and often incorporate data on sales, turnover, and seasonality. They are produced with specialized software or manual drafting and are used by store operations, category managers, and visual merchandisers.

Process usually involves data collection and analysis (sales, space, stock), space planning and drafting, validation with suppliers and store teams, pilot testing, and rollout. Compliance is checked through audits comparing actual shelves to the planogram and making updates as needed.

Types include static planograms, which lock in an arrangement for a period, and dynamic or store-specific plans that adjust by channel or promotion. Formats range from two-dimensional diagrams to three-dimensional simulations.

Benefits include increased sales and turnover, better stock availability, reduced out-of-stocks, and more efficient replenishment and consistency across locations. Limitations involve dependence on accurate data and compliance, potential mismatch with actual consumer behavior, and the need for ongoing updates as assortments change.