Shelf space: maximise the visibility of your products in stores

In a highly competitive commercial environment, maximising the visibility of products in stores is crucial for any brand. One of the key strategic indicators for optimising this visibility is shelf space. This article explains in detail what shelf space is, why it is essential and what strategies can be adopted to improve it.

What is shelf space?

Shelf space refers to the space occupied by a product or brand on a store shelf in relation to the entire category to which it belongs. For example, if your products occupy 1.5 metres of a total shelf space of 10 metres dedicated to your category, your shelf space is 15%.

Why is shelf space so important?

A significant share of shelf space offers several strategic advantages:

Better visibility: Did you know that 80% of impulse purchases are made from products placed at eye level? Optimise this location to boost your sales.
Increased sales: Extended and expanded exposure promotes conversion and customer loyalty.
Competitive advantage: A larger space allows you to visually dominate your direct competitors.
Brand image enhancement: Strategic shelf positioning strengthens the brand’s presence in consumers’ minds.

How can you negotiate a larger shelf space?

Distributors consider several factors when allocating shelf space:

1. Demonstrate the performance of your products

A product that sells well is a product that interests distributors. Present concrete figures to prove the profitability of your products, such as:

Sales volumes
The shelf turnover rate
The impact of promotions on sales

2. Offer attractive promotional offers

End-cap offers or volume discounts may convince distributors to give you better shelf positioning.

3. Negotiate temporary exclusivity

Offering a product in advance or exclusively to a distribution chain can help secure more shelf space.

4. Optimise packaging and merchandising

Attractive, well-designed packaging is more likely to catch customers’ attention and justify more shelf space.

Strategies for maximising shelf space

1. Optimise product layout

Positioning at eye level: products placed at eye level naturally attract more attention.
Grouping by category: ensure that your products are grouped together in a logical manner to maximise their visual impact.
Increase the number of facings: increasing the number of products visible from the front allows you to occupy more visual space.

2. Use point-of-sale advertising (POS)

Well-positioned posters, kakemonos and displays catch consumers’ attention and encourage them to buy.

3. Analyse and adjust performance

The use of sales tracking and analytics technologies can help adjust strategy based on in-store product performance.

4. Focus on cross-merchandising

Combining your products with complementary ones can help maximise the space allocated while increasing sales.

Gain visibility: how can you maximise your products' shelf space in stores?

EasyPicky is an innovative image recognition solution that is revolutionising in-store shelf management. With a simple activation of a smartphone or tablet camera, EasyPicky quickly scans shelves to collect accurate field data in real time. This information is immediately accessible via your CRM or any other internal tool, giving you instant visibility of your key performance indicators.
Much more than a video recognition tool, EasyPicky provides detailed analysis of essential KPIs such as digital distribution, shelf space, stock shortages and merchandising performance. When it comes to shelf space, this advanced technology accurately measures the space allocated to a brand or product within a shelf, facilitating strategic decision-making.
With EasyPicky, you get a detailed overview of your in-store presence in just a few seconds. This speed of execution allows you to react immediately to opportunities, adjust your negotiations with distributors and improve your visibility at the point of sale. By optimising your shelf management, you boost your sales and strengthen your position against the competition.

Optimising shelf space is a key lever for improving the visibility and performance of products in stores. By adopting a strategic approach based on negotiation, merchandising and data analysis, brands can strengthen their presence and increase sales. To succeed, it is crucial to stay tuned to market trends and continuously adapt to the expectations of consumers and retailers.