Planograms are diagrams that show where products or merchandise should be placed on a shelf or other sort of display. The idea is to maximize the amount of merchandise on the shelf and the amount of sales by arranging in such a way that makes it appealing to the consumer while minimizing wasted space.

Typical Uses

Often retail distributers use planograms to decide how best to get as much on their shelves as possible or increase sales. Even more often, however, the suppliers will send a planogram before sending their product as a suggestion to help in displaying their good s so they can be easily seen and will be placed alongside like objects.

Best Practices

• Identify the purpose. Decide what you are making the planogram for, whether for a store or for your home. Also, decide what will be going on the shelves or display you are outlining.
• Set the scene. Begin by drawing the backdrop, the display case or shelf that the items are to go on. Draw it as accurately as possible so it can be used literally as instructions for organizing your shelves.
• Organize the items. Decide where you want the products or items to go using shapes that share the actual items dimensions and form. Experiment with different ways of arranging the objects so that they fit as best as possible and will be easily seen.
• Add visuals. Although optional, using pictorial representations of the objects will give you the complete feel of what you've arranged. It will also allow anyone you share it with to imagine the display.
• Use it. Now that you've completed your planogram, use the diagram to create the life size display. Since all of your dimensions are accurate, you should not have to worry about whether or not everything will fit as you envisioned it; you know it will all fit together perfectly.