What is Gondola Shelving?

Gondola Shelving is one of the most effective and popular options for displaying a large variety of merchandise for all types of retail environments including: Auto Stores, Hardware Stores, Liquor Stores, Clothing Stores, Beauty Supply Stores, Convenience Stores, Grocery Stores, Pet Stores, Toy Stores, Sports Stores, Office Supplies Stores, Computer Stores and many more.

Gondola shelving systems are manufactured with heavy duty steel components and feature baked enamel finish making them extremely durable and reliable. In addition to strength, Gondola Shelving is a popular retail merchandising system because it offers versatility and maximizes space.

Some of the reasons why Gondola Shelving continues to be a top choice in store fixtures include:

• Shelf heights are adjustable on 1” centers for maximum merchandising capabilities.
• Heavy duty Pegboard and Solid backing Panels are ¼” thick.
• Shelves support up to 500 lbs.
• Low profile 51/2” high base shelf allows more capacity.
• Easy leveler adjustment helps to compensate for uneven floors.
• Easy-to-assemble bolt-less system.  No hardware is needed.
• Optional baskets, fences, hooks and shelves offers multiple versatility for merchandising and displaying products.

What are the types of Gondolas Shelving available?

Gondola shelving systems can include:

• Gondola Shelving Unit – Two-sided standing units.  Used in the center of the floor. Gondola Units are used individually or joined together to form runs.  The first unit is known as a Starter and is free standing.  Additional units joined to the Starter are known as Add-Ons.  Standard backing is heavy duty pegboard or solid panels.

• Gondola Shelving Wall Unit – Single-sided unit mounted against a wall.  Similar to Gondola units, but are one-sided and placed against a wall.  Available in heights from three feet to ten feet in six inch increments.

• Gondola Shelving End-Cap Unit – Single-sided placed at the end or capping-off and facing out of a Gondola Run, a number of Gondola Units placed consecutively next to each other.  The Gondola End-Cap Unit is usually the same height as the Gondola.  It’s recommended that the width of a Gondola End-Cap Unit match the depth (side view) of the Gondola Run.

What should I consider before purchasing Gondola Shelving?

First have a game plan! When laying out your store it is important to consider how to best utilize the available floor space. You want to create an effective traffic flow throughout your retail space. This means maximizing the existing floor space from all four corners.  When planning your gondola store fixtures consider a layout that best allows your customers to move freely from aisle to aisle. Careful planning and positioning of gondola shelving units give you the ability to display a visible variety of merchandise and in turn to potentially increase sales.

Two common store Gondola layout styles include: Racetrack and Power Aisle.

Racetrack Layout consists of a main aisle designed to lead customers from the front of the store and takes them around in a circuit through the entire store past all major merchandise departments, and finally back to the check-out.  It promotes customer traffic in two directions and helps lead them to the sought after items.

The Power Aisle Layout consists of a main aisle running the length of the store from front to back or from corner to corner.  Branching off the main Power Aisle on both sides are departments with retail displays set up on the floor and end units. Power Aisle layouts are set up to allow two way traffic flow and provides  the opportunity for stores to organize merchandise for maximum accessibility and to promote seasonal, specialty or sale items.

What Type of Shelving is available for Gondolas?

Standard Shelving fits all Gondola Unit types and can be positioned flat or angled.  Gondola shelves offer convenient price tag molding in front.  They include perforated holes in front and back ready for you to add fencing and dividers. Arms and brackets come welded to the all steel constructed shelf. Each shelf will support up to 500 pounds.  The most popular color is Ivory, which is carried in stock.  Other colors are available but require longer lead times for delivery.

Shelf sizes are available in 8”, 10”, 12”, 14”, 16”, 18” inch, 20”, 24”, 26”, 30” depths.

The hardware that is used for Gondola shelves are called Wall Uprights.  They come 96” H, but can be cut to size.

What are the steps in determining what size Gondola Shelving I need?

After you’ve determined your store layout and know the types of Gondola units you’ll need (Display, Wall, End) you will need to figure out the height and base size, the length of your Gondola run(s) and the number of shelves you’ll need:

• Step 1: Determine the Gondola Height and Base Size.

The height of a Gondola Shelving Unit starts at 36 inches with a maximum height of 120 inches. Each Gondola Shelving unit requires a deck base.  Base sizes starts at 10 inches wide and come in a maximum width of 22 inches per Gondola side.   Note, for free standing floor gondola units, consider whether you want to be able to see over the units. In addition to allowing customers to see other merchandise in different aisles, many retailers prefer lower units to provide a clear line of sight for store surveillance.

• Step 2: Measure your store to determine available floor space to determine the length of your Gondola Shelving run.

Gondola Shelving Units are available in lengths of 24”, 30”, 36” and 48” long.

• Step 3: Decide on the number of shelves you need for each Wall unit.

Gondola Shelving sizes and colors available from www.discountshelving.com include:

Gondola Shelving Specifications

What are the different types of Gondola Shelving Accessories available?

Adding to the popularity of Gondola Shelving is the availability of a huge range of accessories.  All of these parts and accessories install easily.  Changing or refreshing merchandise displays is simple. Among the different variety of Gondola Shelving accessories available are:

• Display Label Holders
• Divide A Way System
• Fencing Dividers
• Channel Strips & Sign Holders
• Hook Systems
• Open End Baskets
• Power Panels
• Shelving Merchandisers