Choosing the right supermarket shelving starts with five things: store type, load requirements, dimensions, back panel type and finish quality. This guide walks through those decisions step by step, then shows how to compare complete supplier quotes.
The sizes and RFQ figures below are planning examples, not GONDORACK product specifications or verified capacity ratings. Confirm the selected series, installation conditions and local requirements before ordering.
STEP 1 / STORE TYPE
Start with your store type
Shelving is not one size fits all. A mini-mart and a large supermarket need different configurations. Use your format to frame the layout, then adjust it to your actual merchandise and floor plan.
| Store type | Shelving focus to consider |
|---|---|
| Mini-mart / convenience store | Single-sided perimeter units, lower center islands and checkout displays |
| Neighborhood supermarket | Double-sided center runs and single-sided perimeter bays |
| Large supermarket | Category-specific load needs, longer runs and promotional end displays |
| Pharmacy / health store | Shallower shelves, dividers, hanging products and secure displays where needed |
| Wholesale / cash and carry | Bulk-pack loads and the suitability of the selected system for handling methods |
Before looking at a catalog: list your main product categories and packaging sizes. A store selling mostly rice bags and cooking oil needs different shelf support from one selling cosmetics.
STEP 2 / SELECTION FACTORS
Check the five key selection factors
1. Load capacity
Two figures matter: the permitted load for each shelf and the load for the bay or complete assembly. Ask what each rating applies to, including the shelf size, brackets, load distribution and installation conditions. “Heavy duty” alone is not a rating.
| Product category | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Snacks and confectionery | Package dimensions, shelf span and planned shelf count |
| Bottled and canned beverages | Total weight per level and concentrated loads during stocking |
| Rice, flour and cooking oil | Heavy packs, base-shelf rating and total bay load |
| Health and beauty | Small-pack display, dividers and hook compatibility |
Match the written rating to your heaviest planned category. A uniformly distributed load rating does not automatically cover a concentrated stack of packs. See ourshelf load capacity guide for the questions to ask about the actual assembly.
2. Dimensions and modularity
Catalogs may offer heights such as 1200, 1500, 1800 or 2100 mm; bay widths such as 600, 900, 1000 or 1200 mm; and shelf depths such as 300, 350, 400 or 450 mm. These are examples to compare, not a universal range or an available GONDORACK specification. Request the selected supplier's dimensions and confirm whether width and depth refer to the usable shelf or the overall assembled footprint.
Modular bays make future extensions possible within a compatible series. Check the upright, shelf, bracket and back-panel references before assuming parts interchange across a supplier's range or future orders.
3. Back panel type
The back panel affects both display options and appearance:
| Back panel | Display use | Check before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Pegboard / perforated | Small hanging packs and accessories | Hole pattern and matching rated hooks |
| Slotted panel | Mixed merchandise and adjustable fittings | Slot profile and compatible brackets |
| Wire grid | Open display appearance | Merchandise retention and hook fit |
| Solid / plain back | Continuous, clean backdrop | Construction and cleaning access |
You can mix panel types by category if the chosen series supports them. Ask for a sample or drawing of the actual hole or slot pattern; panel names alone do not prove accessory compatibility.
4. Adjustable shelves
Check the upright's shelf-adjustment pitch and bracket positions against your tallest packages. Some systems offer 25 mm increments, but the available pitch depends on the selected series. Allow for seasonal changes to the assortment.
5. Finish quality
Powder coating is common for steel retail shelving. Ask for the actual finish specification and inspect the sample at edges, welds and joints. Agree the color sample and acceptance criteria before production. For humid or coastal projects, discuss pretreatment and expected exposure with the supplier rather than relying on color alone.
STEP 3 / UNIT TYPES
Single-sided vs double-sided shelving
The right unit depends on where it goes:
- Single-sided units are commonly placed along the perimeter. Confirm their floor supports and any fixing requirements rather than assuming the wall carries the load.
- Double-sided gondolas form center runs that customers can shop from both sides. Compare their full footprint, including both bases.
- End displays fit the ends of compatible island runs and can support promotional assortments. Check the connection and component list.
A store may use all three. For example, a 300 sqm plan might combine perimeter bays, several center runs and end displays; the exact number must come from the floor plan, aisle clearances and selected bay width.
STEP 4 / HEIGHT AND DEPTH
Height and depth cheat sheet
The following heights are examples found in retail shelving catalogs. Use the table as a planning prompt, then check the actual product range, reach and sightlines.
| Example height | Planning consideration |
|---|---|
| 1200 mm | Lower sightlines around checkout or smaller stores |
| 1500 mm | Balance between display levels and visibility |
| 1800 mm | More vertical display space with higher reach needs |
| 2100 mm | High-level stocking and access requirements |
Shelf depths around 350–400 mm may suit some packaged groceries, while bulkier packs may need deeper shelves. Measure actual products, shelf overhang and the complete unit. Draw clear aisles between the outermost installed parts. Local accessibility, fire and egress rules, as well as carts and customer traffic, determine the final aisle width.
STEP 5 / ACCESSORIES
Don't forget the accessories
Count accessories as separate line items so the quoted system can display the planned merchandise:
- End displays for the ends of suitable center runs
- Single- or double-prong hooks matched to the actual panel pattern and rated use
- Wire and side baskets where the series supports them
- Shelf dividers and guards for small or unstable packs
- Price ticket strips sized to the shelves
- Sign holders for categories and promotions
- Kick plates or base plinths where specified
If you need spares, name the types and quantities in the first order. The right allowance depends on the store, replacement access and transport cost; it is not a fixed percentage.
STEP 6 / FINAL CHECK
The pitfall checklist
Before confirming an order, check that you have:
- Compared complete configurations, not just a headline price per bay or meter.
- Confirmed load ratings in writing for each shelf and the complete bay or assembly.
- Checked the knock-down packing list, packed dimensions, weight and volume.
- Specified any spare shelves, brackets and price strips you actually need.
- Approved a color and finish sample for the quoted series.
- Counted hooks, dividers, end displays and other accessories as line items.
- Confirmed a project-specific production and transport schedule against the opening date.
STEP 7 / RFQ TEMPLATE
How to brief your supplier
The quality of the quotes you receive depends on the quality of your inquiry. Send each supplier the same brief and ask them to identify exceptions, so the offers are comparable. The figures below illustrate the level of detail to supply; they are not a tested GONDORACK configuration or a quotation.
| Item | Example information to send |
|---|---|
| Store type and size | 300 sqm neighborhood supermarket, with dimensioned plan |
| Bay list | 40 double-sided bays and a 30 m perimeter run; supplier to confirm final module count |
| Back panels | Perforated wall panels and solid center-run panels, subject to compatibility |
| Shelves per bay | Five adjustable shelves plus base shelf per side; confirm how levels are counted |
| Load requirement | Provide merchandise weights and ask for matching written shelf and bay ratings |
| Color | Approved color sample and finish specification |
| Accessories | End displays, hooks, dividers and price strips counted separately |
| Packing | Knock-down packing list, packed dimensions and weights |
| Trade terms | Requested Incoterm and destination named in the quotation |
| Target delivery | Opening date and required on-site date; supplier to propose achievable schedule |
Ask two practical follow-up questions:
- “Can you send a packing list with dimensions, weight and volume for this configuration?”
- “Can you provide a layout or assembly drawing for review before production?”
BUYER FAQS
Frequently asked questions
How long does supermarket shelving last?
Service life depends on the selected system, loading, finish, environment and maintenance. Ask the supplier for the applicable warranty and care instructions rather than assuming a fixed number of years.
Can I mix single-sided and double-sided units?
Yes. Perimeter and center-run units can be combined when each suits its location and the selected components are compatible.
What is the shelf adjustment pitch?
It varies by series. Request the actual upright pitch and check it against your packaging heights.
How do I calculate how many bays I need?
Measure each wall or center run, divide by the proposed module width for an initial count, then verify starter and add-on bays, end conditions, full assembled length and clearances with a layout drawing.
Is it cheaper to buy locally or import from China?
Compare the same complete specification and delivered scope, including freight, duties, installation, support and spare parts. Project size and destination can change the answer; a universal savings percentage would be misleading.
Share your store size, product mix and target opening date through thestore layout brief orquotation request. The final configuration and commercial terms can then be confirmed for your project.