Shelf facings: how many does each item need?

How many facings does a best-selling soda need compared with a flavor that sells once a week? More than it probably has now. Shelf facings are the number of units of an item lined up side by side at the front of the shelf. The right number depends on how fast the item sells and how often you restock. Fast sellers need more facings so they don't run out between restocks. Slow sellers need fewer.

Here's the blunt part: most small stores give every item the same space, and that's why best sellers keep running out while slow items gather dust.

What is a facing?

A facing is one product showing at the front edge of a shelf, facing the customer. If three cans of the same soda sit side by side at the front, that item has three facings. Behind each facing, more units stand in a row.

Facings matter for two reasons. They decide how much of an item fits on the shelf before it needs restocking. And they decide how visible the item is. More facings make an item easier to spot.

A planogram is a diagram that shows where each item goes and how many facings it gets. Big chains use detailed planograms. A small store can use a simple sketch or just a clear rule of thumb.

How do you decide how many facings an item needs?

Start with sales and restocking.

Find out how many units of the item you sell between restocks. Your POS sales report gives you daily or weekly sales.

Find out how many units fit behind one facing, which depends on the shelf depth.

Then divide. If you sell 24 units between restocks and 8 fit behind one facing, you need at least 3 facings to avoid running out. Add one more if sales swing a lot.

Here's a hypothetical. A store restocks its cooler once a day. A popular energy drink sells 18 cans a day, and 6 fit behind each facing. That drink needs at least 3 facings. A slower flavor sells 3 cans a day and needs only one. If both currently have 2 facings, the popular one runs out every afternoon and the slow one sits.

How do you rebalance the shelf?

Once you know what each item needs, move things around.

Give best sellers more facings, especially at eye level.

Cut facings on slow sellers to one. If an item can't sell through one facing in a few weeks, consider dropping it.

Group related items together so customers can compare.

Keep prices on the shelf edge directly under each item. When facings change, move the tag with them.

Do it one section at a time. Rebalancing the whole store in one night is a lot of work and easy to get wrong. Start with the cooler or your top-selling aisle.

For shelf tags and price labels, browse the label guns category on NRS Marketplace. For shelf strips and store items, check the store supplies category.

Where do facings matter most?

Coolers. Drinks sell fast, and an empty facing in a cooler is very visible. Customers often grab a different brand or leave.

The front of the store. Items near the entrance and register get more attention.

Eye level. The shelf at eye level gets looked at first. Put best sellers there with enough facings.

Endcaps. A well-faced endcap with a fast seller can move a lot of product.

How do you keep facings right over time?

Face the shelves every shift. Facing means pulling products forward so each facing looks full, even if there's less behind it.

Review facings every month or two, and whenever sales change. Seasons shift what sells.

Watch for items that keep running out. They need more facings or more frequent restocking.

Watch for items that never need restocking. They may have too many facings.

Use your POS data. If you use NRS POS, item sales reports make this quick. You can learn more at NRS POS.