Which Gondola Display is Right for Your Store?
Not to be confused with the boats seen floating down the rivers of Venice, Italy, gondolas are freestanding structures used to display merchandise in a retail store. You’re probably most familiar with the gondolas seen in convenience stores. However, you can also find these displays in pharmacies, CBD stores, and just about any other retailer you can think of. But with such a variety of gondola styles available, how can you choose the right one for your store?
It’s helpful to first think about the type of store you have, which will determine the style of gondolas you need. Also, consider the layout and design of your store. This helps you decide on the right number and size of gondolas, as well as the best shelving to display your product.
Sound like a lot to keep up with? Not to worry—this guide breaks down everything you need to know about how to use gondola displays for different stores.
How to Use Gondolas
When displaying products, you want to make sure you’re organizing them in a way that’s visually appealing and makes it easy for the consumer to find what they’re looking for. That’s precisely what gondola displays are best at.
A configuration that works for most stores is to use gondola displays in the center area, along the walls, and by the point-of-purchase. The number of gondolas used along the walls will largely depend on the size of your store and the amount of merchandise you sell.
Keep in mind that your main goal when using gondolas should be to divide your retail space into clear sections, and to create aisles to direct your customers into a natural traffic flow.
Start With Store Type
The exact way a gondola is built and placed also depends mostly on the type of store you have. Also, remember to keep the customers you serve in mind when choosing the right gondola for your store.
Larger retailers like Walmart (take a look at the first image in this story for an example of gondola displays in action) connect several gondolas end to end to form long category aisles. Big supermarkets benefit from this configuration because they sell a large number and wide variety of products.
In a smaller, more specialized store like a CBD shop, you can use single gondolas placed individually throughout the store to highlight a different type of product or theme. Typically, one gondola in these smaller stores correlates to one theme.
Know the Types of Gondolas
There are three main types of gondola displays: wall, island, and end cap. As its name suggests, a wall gondola sits against a wall and is typically connected with other gondolas to display a long row of products (typically belonging to the same category as shampoo or vitamins).
An island gondola sits by itself and is usually two-sided. It’s mostly used in the center of a store and is best for displaying a new product or a product you really want to draw customers’ eyes to.
End cap gondolas also stand alone and are best used to display products at the point of sale. You can also place these at the end of a row of wall gondolas.
Speaking of double-sided, what’s the difference between a single-sided and double-sided gondola? A single-sided gondola only has shelves on one side, while a double-sided (or two-sided) has shelves on both sides of the gondola.
Choose a Style
Among other benefits, gondola displays are popular for their ability to be customized: pick the exact length, depth, and the number of shelves. You can also customize the panel style. Choose between solid, slatwall, or pegboard panel styles.
Below are some gondola ideas that are sure to catch your customers’ eyes.
Slatwall panels have little slats throughout the structure and are great for displaying clothes because the slats are great for holding hangers. On the contrary, pegboard panels have little holes and work well for displaying hardware or jewelry.
Solid panels are—shocker—solid, and don’t have any sort of holes or openings in their structure. Solid panels will typically have more shelves to hold larger products that might not work with a slatwall or pegboard panel.
Also, consider the color you’d like for your gondolas. Popular colors include black, beige, and gray. One great gondola idea would be to create a contrast between the color of your shelving and your product. This creates a more aesthetically-pleasing display for customers and also stands out more.
Finally, think about the style of your store when selecting gondola displays. Ideally, you want these to match and complement each other. A pharmacy might demand a more clean look to clearly display products (white would be good here), while a convenience store might require a bit more diversity in color to create more contrast.
Consider the Store Layout
When choosing the right shelving for your space, it’s key to consider the size and scope of your store. If you have a smaller store like a clothing boutique, you might not need as many gondolas or shelves.
For larger stores (convenience stores and supermarkets), you may need a wider variety of gondolas (wall, end cap, island), as well as more shelves.
The type of store layout you have will also determine the configuration of your gondola displays. Be sure to also choose a shelving structure that works well with your store layout to create a natural, easy direction for customers to shop in.
Upgrade Your Product Displays Today
Hopefully, this guide has taught you how to use different types of gondolas in your store.
Remember that gondolas can be used in a variety of stores—think anything from automotive shops to gardening stores. So when deciding on the best gondola display for you, consider the kinds of products you sell and the type of store you have.
No matter what type of store you have, though, Display Connection has a gondola display for you. Contact Display Connection for a custom quote by calling (888) 282-6518. Or, send them a message by filling out their form. They’ll have your products displayed in a way that looks sleek, professional, and eye-catching in no time!
