Introduction
In the physical retail world, “Eye Level is Buy Level.” If your products are poorly positioned, customers will walk right past them. Shelf audit and planogram basics are the two most important tools for any retail brand. A planogram is a visual diagram that dictates exactly where every product should sit on a shelf, while a shelf audit is the process of checking if those rules are actually being followed in the real world.
Why You Need a Planogram
The first step in shelf audit and planogram basics is creating the plan. A planogram isn’t just about making the shelf look “pretty”; it’s a strategic layout designed to maximize sales. You place high-margin items at eye level and use “brand blocks” to make your products stand out from the competition. Without a planogram, your shelf becomes a disorganized mess that confuses shoppers.
Conducting the Shelf Audit
A plan is useless if it isn’t executed. To master shelf audit and planogram basics, your field team must regularly visit stores to verify compliance. Are the items in the right order? Are the shelf-talkers and POSM correctly installed? Using a field management tool like Merchio allows your team to take photos and log audit results instantly, providing “Proof of Execution” to the management team.
Tracking Out-of-Stock (OOS)
A critical part of shelf audit and planogram basics is identifying empty spaces. If a product is missing from the shelf, you are losing sales every minute. Merchio helps you track OOS trends, so you can see if a specific store is failing to restock your items from their backroom. This real-time visibility allows you to take immediate action.
Using Data to Improve Displays
Finally, use the data from your audits to refine your planograms. If Laksana.ai shows that a specific product is trending online but selling slowly in-store, your shelf audit and planogram basics check might reveal that it’s placed on the bottom shelf where nobody sees it. By combining digital sales data with physical shelf audits, you can optimize your retail space for maximum profit.