Types of Layout

• Grid

• Free Flow

• Loop/Boutique

Grid Layouts

• A linear design for a selling floor where fixtures are arranged to form vertical and horizontal aisles throughout the store. Supermarkets, discounters, grocery, drug store and other convenience –oriented retailers, typically use it. This layout is done for more of the store’s convenience and the need to get a lot of product out on display.

Advantages

• It is efficient in terms of space use• Allows orderly stocking• Helps shoppers see a great number of items

easily• Is simple and predictable to navigate• Efficient to maintain.

Disadvantages

• The psychological effect on customers is one of feeling constrained and rushed, which reduces the time they spend browsing.

• Not aesthetically pleasing.• Contains long gondolas of merchandise and aisles in a

repetitive pattern, which creates a monotonous effect that makes the customers feel bored after a certain time.

Free Flow Layouts

• It is an asymmetrical arrangement of merchandise that encourages an unstructured traffic flow. It is mainly used in specialty stores and within departments of department stores that emphasize mainly on ambiance and personal selling. This layout is the most flexible of the three plans.

Advantages

• It does not restrict the customers who do more browsing and unplanned purchasing

• It also enhances interior design, as the individual departments are more easily distinguished

• Tends to provide a more relaxed atmosphere• Personal selling is emphasized

Disadvantages

• inefficient use of space and customer disorientation

• requires higher labor and security expenditures

• Lends itself to higher rates of theft because of blocked vision

• Setup is expensive

Loop or Boutique or Racetrack Layouts

• It exposes shoppers to a great deal of merchandise as they follow a perimeter traffic aisle with departments on the right and left of the circular, square, rectangular or oval racetrack. This layout divides the selling floor into shops within the store. This layout is employed in a discount or a department store.

Advantages

• This layout exposes shoppers to a great deal of merchandise

• It forces the customer to visit multiple departments as they pass through

• This loop effect facilitates impulse buying• The newest merchandise is prominently

displayed on these main aisles

Disadvantages