The Only Guide You Need to Design the Best Retail Store Layouts (2025)

Using an intuitive store layout to shape customers’ shopping journeys should be on top of every merchant’s to-do list, no matter the size of one’s business. From the moment your customer walks through the door, they will feel more inclined to stay and browse, given an enticing environment. Curious to learn how to ace different retail store layouts based on your business goals? This blog will have you covered, and then some.

Retail Store Layouts 101: Learn the Basics

What is a retail store layout?

A retail store layout refers to the strategic arrangement of various elements in a store, including the browsing path, shelves, fixtures, aisles, product displays, etc. By altering these details, businesses can adopt different types of store layouts to meet their needs.

The impact of store layout on customer behavior?

The layout and design of a retail space have a profound impact on several key business outcomes. The way a store is organized can determine its ability to attract customers, the duration of their visit (dwell time), the sell-through rate of specific products, and the likelihood of customers returning in the future.

Beyond mere aesthetics, effective store design helps achieve retail merchandising goals by deliberately guiding shoppers through the space, maximizing their exposure to your inventory, and carefully managing the sensory cues that ultimately drive purchasing decisions.

Optimizing the Entrance: The Decompression Zone

The moment a customer steps inside, they enter the Decompression Zone, which spans roughly the first $\mathbf{5}$ to $\mathbf{15}$ feet. This area functions as a mental transition space; customers take a wide, sweeping look to survey the store, and as a result, anything placed directly within this zone often goes unnoticed.

Because shoppers are still adjusting to their new surroundings here, they tend to overlook products. For this reason, it is crucial to avoid placing key items like new arrivals or high-demand merchandise within this initial entry space.

Guiding Customer Flow: The Invariant Right

According to consumer behavior expert Paco Underhill, most shoppers have a natural tendency to turn right immediately upon entering a retail environment and proceed to move in a counterclockwise pattern before exiting. He termed this psychological phenomenon "the invariant right."

You can use this understanding to strategically organize your store's layout by:

• Placing essential tools like shopping baskets and carts conveniently on the right side of the entrance.

• Ensuring the floor plan includes additional space to the right of the entrance to minimize crowding and bottlenecks during peak foot traffic.

• Displaying high-demand products or special promotions on a prominent "power wall" located on the right side of the store.

The Value of Dwell Time and Impulse Purchases

Research indicates that a high dwell time (the length of time a customer stays) significantly increases a shopper’s chance of making a purchase, particularly in higher-end retail settings. This is primarily due to two factors:

• Increased Product Discovery: The more time a person spends in your store, the more products they are exposed to. This extended browsing time naturally increases the probability of them finding something they wish to buy.
• Psychological Commitment: Longer dwell time can lead to impulse or unplanned purchases. The sunk-cost fallacy often kicks in, prompting customers to reason, "I've spent so much time in here, I shouldn't leave empty-handed."

Creating an Immersive Sensory Experience

A successful store layout involves more than just product placement. Since contemporary shoppers seek immersive experiences, optimizing the store's sensory environment is essential:

• Scent: Top retailers understand that a store should not only look good but also smell good (e.g., vanilla, floral, woody notes). Studies confirm that almost two-thirds of shoppers report that a store's scent influences their choice of where to shop, with about $\mathbf{54\%}$ saying a pleasant aroma encourages them to spend more.

• Lighting: Customers make buying decisions more easily when they can clearly see the products. Eliminate dark spots and use strategic, mood-enhancing lighting to spotlight your bestsellers.

• Music: Research suggests that playing slow-tempo, low-volume background music encourages shoppers to relax and stay longer, effectively boosting dwell time. Always ensure you have the proper legal license to play music in a commercial setting.

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10 Types of Retail Store Layout Ideas for Your Business

1. Grid Layout

Grid is a common layout for stores with a variety of products (i.e. supermarkets). Source: Fohlio.

The first layout example on our list is grid layout - the most commonly used idea in retail store design. If you have ever been inside a grocery store, you have experienced this type of layout first-hand as a customer.

In this layout, the products are displayed in a parallel manner, which together form a grid-like pattern. Customers are naturally guided throughout every aisle on a pre-destined path, where they will go past goods that were not initially on their shopping list. Thus, this layout is the secret to enhancing product visibility and maximizing sales.

The grid layout is best for:

• Large retail chains
• Supermarkets
• Grocery stores
• Variety stores

2. Loop Layout

Guide your customers through a pre-destined path with the use of the loop layout. Source: Fohlio.

The loop layout is best for:

• Department stores
• Furniture stores
• Variety stores
• Apparel stores

3. Herringbone Layout

Shelves and fixtures are distinctively displayed in a bone-like manner to create a dynamic floor map in a herringbone layout. Source: Shoppermotion.

The herringbone layout is not hard to spot, due to its distinctive structure of diagonal sections, which are neatly arranged in a zigzag-like manner. If you are looking for a design that is less on-the-nose but still equally engaging, this layout might be your next best friend. Instead of building parallel sections where visitors have to gradually explore one by one, the herringbone approach offers a sneak peek at each aisle at the beginning of the pathway. This way, shoppers will feel more inclined to explore each section as they wish.

A bonus point of this layout is the clever use of awkward space. As aisles are placed at an angle, the same number of products can fit into a smaller shop as they do in a standard one. To simply put, the herringbone layout is a more zhuzhed up, flexible version of the grid design.

The herringbone layout is best for:

• Boutique stores
• High-end fashion stores
• Art-related stores

4. Free-flow Layout

The free-flow layout allows for a flexible customer path where products are shown without much calculation, thus the browsing freedom is prioritized. Source: DGI Communications.

The free-flow layout is all about providing customers with an open, independent customer journey, hence the name. This approach breaks free from the norm since the shopping experience is favored above all. How exactly does this layout generate profits for sellers like other examples of retail store layouts in this list? The key lies in the buyers themselves: they will create their own pathways and purchasing decisions when there is no reinforced rule.

As erratic as this approach sounds, there is still a certain technique to follow through. Merchants are advised to construct a visually pleasing scenery, albeit being random. This is why despite seeming simple, the free-flow layout requires extensive preparation and execution.

The free-flow layout is best for:

• Boutique stores
• Lifestyle brands

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5. Spine Layout

Utilize space wisely with the spine layout, where products’ visibility is maximized as customers browse the store. Source: DGI Communications.

The name “spine layout” is self-explanatory: a design that consists of a central path, AKA the spine, with branches of different sections on both sides of the store. The picture above will give you a general idea of how a usual spine approach is mapped out in an establishment.

The goal of this particular layout is to showcase the product variety in full display the moment a customer enters the store. They will then navigate through the store in a logical manner where most of the areas will be explored. It is also brilliant at managing customer flow, which makes this layout fitting for businesses with higher traffic.

The spine layout is best for:

• Electronics stores
• Department stores
• Large-scale retailers

6. Angular Layout

Create a unique purchasing path for your customers with an example of an angular layout. Source: Smartsheet.

If you value aesthetics and a unique brand identity, the angular layout is not to be overlooked. There is nothing ordinary about this design since it is all about encouraging shoppers to explore the store at their own pace. The repetitiveness of a pre-destined pathway is omitted, and customers are bound to be impressed with strategically placed focal points as they browse. Stores with unconventional or limited products will get a chance to shine with this approach as well.

The angular layout is best for:

• Home decor stores
• Concept stores
• Boutique stores

7. Diagonal Layout

Provide buyers with a visually engaging shopping journey with the implementation of the diagonal store layout. Source: Smartsheet.

A variation of the herringbone layout is the trusty diagonal design - a no-fuss design concept that works well with businesses across many industries. Instead of angling the sections to create a bone-like pattern, these aisles follow the same direction all throughout. As a result, they intersect harmonically to create an exciting shopping path for visitors.

From a glance, this approach might obstruct merchandise exposure, but it excels at showcasing special, in-campaign items instead. That is why this layout is among the types of retail store layouts that are best at highlighting niche businesses with a curated product collection.

The diagonal layout is best for:

• Art stores
• Fashion retailers
• Themed cuisine food stores

8. Geometric Layout

The implementation of shapes and patterns is the core of a typical geometric store layout. Source: DGI Communications.

If you are the type of business owners who like to go all out with the most minute details, this geometric store layout is a brilliant medium for you to go to town with. This concept challenges your artistic abilities, as well as knowledge about symmetry, structures, and of course, shapes. Instead of presenting a straightforward shopping pathway, the geometric layout aims to divide your store into different sections. These blow-by-blow areas have a specific theme each, thus, customer navigation is streamlined.

Since the ultimate goal is to take shoppers on a venture in which visual elements are preferred, this layout will mingle well with contemporary brands whose vision is well-realized.

The geometric layout is best for:

• Beauty stores
• Jewelry stores
• Boutique stores
• Home decor stores

9. Hybrid Layout

The hybrid layout is a foolproof idea for stores with a diverse audience demographic. Source: Smartsheet.

Not many businesses are keen on this approach, since it requires more effort to set up than most of the retail store designs and layouts in this blog post. That said, if you are a veteran retailer who wants to augment your business’ performance, the hybrid store layout could be a part of your next project.

In layman’s terms, instead of opting for one layout, the hybrid concept is a mix of 2 or more layouts. The objective is to have a well-rounded approach that embodies both visual appeal, space optimization, flexibility, and intuitive customer experience. You will likely see this layout in large-scale retailers.

The hybrid layout is best for:

• Department stores
• Grocery stores

10. Boutique Store Layout

Small-scale businesses can benefit from the boutique store layout to boost their revenue. Source: Smartsheet.

We have mentioned several design concepts that are suitable for fashion stores, but perhaps the most surefire example of retail clothing store layouts is the boutique store layout. This style can be identified through the combination of intimate sections that boast curated items, instead of identical shelves carrying similar merchandise. This is where the boutique layout stands out from other direct approaches which are more effective for larger retailers.

The boutique-like ambiance can be felt through other interior design elements, apart from the product areas themselves. This way, clients will not feel pressured to make a purchase but could rather enjoy a relaxing, personalized environment.

The boutique store layout is best for:

• Small to medium-sized boutiques
• Jewelry stores
• Luxury skincare stores

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3 Real-Life Examples of Efficient Retail Store

Layouts

Now that we have gotten a grasp of how different store layouts work, let’s dive in further to see which design these famous brands are implementing, and how exactly they are working out in their favor.

1. Apple - Free-flow Layout

Apple’s clients are free to explore the establishment and make a purchase at their liberty with this intuitive store layout. Source: Shutterstock.

In the past decades, people around the globe have learned another meaning of the word apple - an unassuming name for an everyday fruit. The notoriety of Apple is undeniable, and aspired brands are always eager to have a bite of that success. On the subject of store layouts, let’s see which one Apple prefers for its stores around the world.

A quick look at this video from Business Insider gives us a general idea of how Apple segments its store: 360° Genius Bar (Tech Support and Repairs), Family Zone (Training and Personal Setup), and Red Zone (Product Displays and Sales).

Although clearly divided, the pathways around these areas are not designed to guide visitors in a specific direction. The zones are simply put up to cater to different customer needs efficiently. Thus, it is safe to assume that Apple has adopted a free-flow store layout and customized it to achieve a distinctive feel as we know and love.

2. IKEA - Loop Layout

IKEA is a master in crafting a predictable store layout that encourages sales and enhances customer experience. Source: Shutterstock.

When an iconic store layout is mentioned, IKEA cannot be taken out of the equation. This Swedish-born furniture chain is famous for its unique store maps that have been carefully crafted to prevent customers from getting lost. Just from a look at the photo above, the loop layout is immediately identified.

With that being said, the people at a multinational company like IKEA had more in mind when designing their floor maps, apart from keeping people from wandering off track. This research suggests that the ‘Gruen Effect’ has been well-used by IKEA as the backbone of its store tour: to exhibit all the products in an attractive way through the pathway and make shoppers travel the longest route to arrive at the register. The result? Customers will end up buying way more stuff than they initially anticipated while being aware of this tactic the whole time. Case studies like this have accelerated the growth of the loop layout year after year.

3. Zara - Hybrid Layout

Zara puts a lot of effort into perfecting its store layout and maximizing revenue by intensive testing. Source: Shutterstock.

Zara is a prime example of a clothing brand with an ample product collection. Customers rarely come in for personal consultation or fitting, but lean more towards a quick shop-and-go spot. This makes it insufficient for it to adopt an intimate approach like the classic boutique store layout. Instead, the company has opted for the hybrid design concept: a mix of grid and loop layout.

The signs are apparent: linear, parallel aisles, a designated pathway, thematic sections, thorough customer flow, etc. Zara even took it a step further and built pilot stores to test the efficiency of their layouts before having an official launch. In comparison to fashion brands of the same caliber, the company has mastered its marketing strategy to the fullest.

How to plan your retail store layout: A step-by-step guide

Designing your store's physical layout can feel daunting, especially for small business owners juggling multiple roles. However, it can also be enjoyable, as most strategies allow you to iterate and test different merchandising approaches to find what yields the best results.

Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to plan your retail store layout:

1. Define Your Specific Goals

While "generating sales" is the obvious primary goal, you need to think deeper about the precise actions you want a customer to take when they enter your store—even if they don't buy anything immediately.

Specific goals might include:

• Encouraging the purchase of a high-margin item or a hero product you want to be known for.

• Collecting valuable customer data for use in future retargeting campaigns.

• Deterring theft and reducing inventory shrinkage.

Your final store layout must clearly reflect these priorities. For example, a skincare brand whose hero product is an acne-treating moisturizer should ensure that product is visible from the entrance and serves as the focal point of visual merchandising displays.

2. Analyze Your Space and Existing Infrastructure

Retail space is costly, with the average price per square foot continuing to rise (e.g., reaching $21.95 in Q1 2025). Instead of immediately considering costly options like opening a second location or physically expanding (both of which significantly increase operating costs), focus on optimizing your current space. If floor space is limited, look to build vertically using tall shelving units and wall displays.

You must also account for any fixed elements, such as light switches and electrical outlets. For instance, you should position your point-of-sale (POS) system and checkout desk near a reliable outlet to avoid having distracting and potentially hazardous extension cords running across the store floor.

3. Map the Customer Journey and Desired Flow

To successfully influence purchases, you need shoppers to see your most appealing and valuable merchandise the moment they step in. Therefore, understanding your customers' natural movement patterns is essential. Do they typically turn right or left? What displays do they notice first?

You can monitor customer flow through several methods:

• Analyzing purchase data and patterns.

• Observing the volume and trajectory of people who enter the store.

• Utilizing technology like thermal foot traffic counters (e.g., Dor).

• Reviewing time-lapse video footage if you have an in-store camera system.

This collected data should be used to identify common flow paths, pinpoint areas of the store that are frequently visited or commonly overlooked, track visitor volume, and understand overall customer behavior.

4. Choose the Right Layout Type for Your Business

No single layout is universally perfect. The best design for your store depends heavily on the products you sell, the specific experience you want to create, and the observed in-store behavior of your target customers.

• Grocery stores use vertical shelving in a grid format to stock large volumes by category.

• Luxury brands use negative space and plush fixtures to project exclusivity.

• Electronics retailers often group products by use case and include interactive demo areas.

If you are unsure where to start, conduct a field trip: visit local competitors and non-competitors and take detailed notes on their store designs. If several successful stores share similar qualities, there is usually a strategic reason for that design choice.

5. Select Fixtures and Merchandising Tools

Once you have a general layout concept, you must select the appropriate fixtures and fittings to make it a reality. The choice depends on your chosen design type:

• Grid layouts: Require consistent, linear tools like gondola shelving, vertical racks, and end caps to create clean, defined aisles.

• Free-flow layouts: Benefit from lower-profile, movable fixtures to maintain a flexible and visually open space.

• Loop layouts (Racetrack): Need curved or directional fixtures to guide movement in a specific path around the entire store.

6. Consider Accessibility and Legal Compliance

Many jurisdictions, including the US, have laws requiring retailers to make "reasonable adjustments" to ensure people with disabilities can access their stores. Noncompliance is costly, leading to regulatory fines and lost potential customers.

Before finalizing your layout, ensure full accessibility by including:

• Clear, high-contrast signage.

• Wider aisles and necessary ramps.

• Designated quiet zones or low-sensory areas.

• Adjustable checkout counters.

• Inclusive fittings, such as lower shelving heights and accessible mirrors.

Beyond these general principles, you must review and comply with specific federal, state, and local guidelines governing access requirements for your store’s exact location to avoid fines and costly redesigns later.

7. Set a Budget for Design and Implementation

Opening a new retail store requires a significant investment; studies estimate the startup cost is often just under $40,000. Most of the initial upfront costs are dedicated to the store's build-out—covering design fees, lighting systems, and furniture.

Before committing to any redesign, you must define a strict build-out budget. Without one, it is easy for "minor" costs—like an extra shelving unit or a fancy chair—to rapidly add up. A rough ballpark for basic retail build-out costs is around $155 per square foot.

Strategic retail store layout design tips for 2025

Once you’ve settled on the ideal foundational store layout, these tactical tips will help you maximize your design’s potential and boost conversions in 2025 and beyond.

Maximizing First Impressions and Flow

• Design Compelling Window Displays: Your window is often a potential customer's very first contact with your brand. A well-designed display should tell your brand's story and capture the attention of passersby, encouraging them to stop and enter. For example, a clear glass window, like the one used by Babylist, gives customers an immediate preview of the interior, creating an inviting and transparent atmosphere.

• Create "Speed Bumps" and Stopping Points: If your fixtures are uniform, shoppers may subconsciously speed past merchandise. Use visual "speed bumps" to slow foot traffic and prevent items from being overlooked. For instance, a shelf stopper—a sign that juts out from the shelf—draws the eye, prompts a pause, and increases the likelihood that shoppers will browse the entire selection.

• Balance Product Volume with Perceived Value: While displaying more product can increase sales, too much inventory can actually decrease the perceived value of your items, especially for high-end or boutique retailers. Determine the right amount of product based on your store size, brand image, and desired customer experience. A luxury boutique might display a limited, curated assortment (like KEEN footwear), while discount stores can deliberately pack the space to maximize selling area.

• Incorporate Cross-Merchandising: Use secondary product placement to display complementary products next to each other to increase the Average Order Value (AOV). For example, placing blouses next to a rack of jeans helps customers easily assemble a complete outfit, or keeping running shorts and socks near running shoes encourages add-on purchases.

Planning and Implementation Tools

• Use Planograms for Placement Accuracy: Rearranging a store physically is time-consuming and difficult. A planogram is a detailed diagram that digitally maps out the precise location of every product, both in the store and on each shelving unit. Tools like DotActiv, SmartDraw, and Shelf Logic can help you plan this digitally, or you can use low-tech options like sticky notes on a poster board.

  • Planogram Best Practices:

    • Place bestsellers at eye level.

    • Group related products together.

    • Use end caps for promotional items.

    • Stock low-cost impulse products near the checkout.

    • Position convenience products toward the back of the store to draw shoppers through the space.

• Change the Layout Regularly: Rotate your merchandise and displays frequently (perhaps weekly or biweekly) to keep the store feeling fresh and prevent loyal shoppers from becoming overly familiar with your offerings, which could discourage return visits. Immediately display any new shipment in a high-traffic area.

Checkout, Technology, and Compliance

• Strategically Place Your POS System: The ideal location for your Point-of-Sale (POS) system is typically on the left side of the store, as customers naturally complete their counterclockwise shopping path there. Positioning staff to clearly view the store while checking out customers also deters theft.

  • For larger stores or peak times, use multiple checkout points or mobile POS units to keep lines short. A feature like Tap to Pay on Shopify POS allows staff to use a smartphone as a credit card reader, freeing up floor space traditionally dedicated to a checkout desk.

• Leave Personal Space for Shoppers: Even in stores packed with merchandise, customers need room to maneuver. Ensure aisles are wide enough so shoppers don't have to squeeze past fixtures or brush against them.

• Integrate Digital Signage and Interactive Displays: Digital tools like touchscreens, video walls, or AR mirrors allow you to update content in seconds, offering more flexibility than static print displays. Place them strategically:

  • Use window-facing screens to promote seasonal items.

  • Play product-demo videos next to high-consideration items.

  • Provide directional assistance to key areas like fitting rooms.

• Incorporate Endless Aisle Capabilities: Don't let a small physical store limit your sales. Treat the space as a showroom where customers can view limited stock, then use digital screens or kiosks as "digital shelves." Shoppers can browse your full online catalog and order items that are out of stock in their size or color, or available only online, to be shipped directly to their home. Place these near related products or fitting rooms for maximum convenience.

• Consider Eco-Friendly Layouts: A growing customer trend toward sustainability (reported by Deloitte) means your design should reflect this value. You can do this by:

  • Using sustainable materials for displays.

  • Choosing energy-efficient lighting.

  • Incorporating plants and greenery.

  • Switching from print to digital signage to reduce paper waste.

  • Supporting recommerce by including repair stations or recycling points (like Offbeat Bikes' repair center).

Using Data for Continuous Optimization

• Use Analytics to Optimize Retail Space: Regularly analyze performance data to confirm whether your design is driving profit or causing lost sales. If you find "dead zones" with little foot traffic and low inventory movement, you must reevaluate and adjust that area's layout to improve flow.

• Gather Data from Multiple Sources:

  • Foot Traffic Counters: Identify how many people enter, exit, and visit specific zones. Use this to pinpoint "dead zones" and draw attention to them with new signage or displays.

  • POS Data: Track your bestsellers and underperformers. By comparing sales to placement, you can test moving a strong online seller (like sneakers) to a more visible in-store area and track the sales impact.

  • Customer Feedback Surveys: Use tools like Grapevine or LoudHippo to automatically survey customers after their in-store purchases, asking for feedback on their experience, ease of finding items, and areas for improvement.

Key Takeaways

A store layout goes beyond achieving just the visual appeal. Depending on your business, a design concept will speak to you more than the others. The examples from us are for your consideration only, as it is your duty to find the best match that will level up your store’s performance. It is important to carefully test different options before hard launching your final choice, and it is also not the end of the world if you have to re-design after trials and errors either. After all, this is what doing business is all about, and we at GemPages always aim to assist you with the different facets of this diverse profession.

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FAQ about Retail Store Layouts

What is a retail store layout?

A retail store layout is a space arrangement that includes shelves, fixtures, a shopping path, etc. This strategic design has a single goal in sight: to enhance customer experience and revenue of said store.

What are the best retail store layouts?

It largely depends on your business goal to be able to choose the best retail store layout that works for you. However, some examples are more popular than others, here is a full list of the most common retail store layouts for your consideration.

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