Gondola Shelving Buying Guide

What Is Gondola Shelving?

Gondola shelving is the freestanding, double-sided (island) or single-sided (wall) shelving system used in most retail stores. Modern gondola shelving consists of a few key components:

• Uprights - Vertical steel posts that form the structural spine. Standard heights run from 36 in. to 96 in.
• Base Brackets - Floor-level brackets that anchor the uprights and set the shelf depth.
• Base Decks - The lowest shelf, sitting at floor level.
• Rails - Horizontal cross-members that tie uprights together and add rigidity.
• Shelves - TL (top lip) and DL (double lip) shelves that hook into uprights on adjustable clips.
• Back Extensions - Pegboard, Marteck, or slotwall panels for wall sections.
• End Caps - Display units that cap the ends of island runs.

Island vs Wall Sections

Island sections are freestanding double-sided runs visible from both directions. They are the backbone of grocery, drug store, and hardware aisles. Wall sections are single-sided units that mount against a wall, typically with a back panel.

Choosing a Brand

The three dominant commercial gondola brands are Lozier, Madix, and StorFlex. For a detailed comparison, see our Lozier vs Madix comparison.

Selecting Height

Selecting Deck Depth

• 13 in. - Candy, snacks, small packaged goods
• 18 in. - Standard grocery, HBC, general merchandise
• 22 in. - Beverages, large packaged goods, hardware
• 25 in. - Bulk items and appliances

Getting a Quote

The fastest way to get an accurate quote is to share your floor plan and aisle count. We generate a full BOM with uprights, bases, shelves, rails, back panels, and end units priced at commercial rates.