Store gondolas: dimensions, layout and prices
In short
A store gondola generally measures 1.20 to 1.80 m high in food retail and up to 2.40 m in DIY, with modules of 665, 1,000 or 1,330 mm long. Allow around €100 to €250 excl. VAT per linear metre single-sided and €150 to €350 excl. VAT double-sided, shelves included.
The standard dimensions of a gondola in 2026
The gondola is the basic sales unit of retail: a metal structure with racking columns that receives adjustable shelves, single-sided against a wall or double-sided in the centre of the store. The dimensions below are agreed upon by European manufacturers and serve as benchmarks for any layout plan.
| Characteristic | Common values | Usage benchmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 1.20 to 1.80 m (up to 2.40 m for wall units) | Low in the centre for visibility, high at the perimeter |
| Module length | 665, 1,000 or 1,330 mm | The 1,000 mm module is the most widespread |
| Shelf depth | 300 to 600 mm | Base at 400 – 600 mm, high shelves less deep |
| Load per shelf | 30 to 60 kg (100 kg and more reinforced) | DIY and liquids require the reinforced version |
| Adjustment step | 25 to 50 mm | Perforated racking columns, tool-free adjustment |
Single-sided, double-sided, gondola end: the role of each unit
The wall gondola, single-sided, makes use of the store perimeter and rises higher, up to 2.20 to 2.40 m in DIY, since it blocks no sightline. The central gondola, double-sided, structures the aisles and stays low (1.20 to 1.60 m) to let the eye carry across the whole sales floor.
The gondola end, placed at the end of an island facing the flow, is the most seen promotional spot in the store; the products there benefit from the ideal picking zone, between 0.80 and 1.60 m, the "eye and hand level".
How much does a store gondola cost in 2026?
On the French market in 2026, the prices observed for a new metal gondola, basic shelves and accessories included, are as follows, excluding transport and installation which generally add 10 to 20% depending on the site.
Related to the area, the standard equipment of a store in gondolas comes out at between €150 and €300 excl. VAT per m² of sales floor, consistent with the budgets detailed in the guide to store fit-out prices published on this blog. Height, depth, finish (colours, solid or perforated back) and permissible load make the price vary within the ranges.
| Type of gondola | Indicative price excl. VAT | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Single-sided wall unit | €100 – 250 | Per linear metre |
| Double-sided central unit | €150 – 350 | Per linear metre |
| Gondola end | €150 – 400 | Per unit, depending on width and accessories |
| Accessories (hooks, dividers, label holders) | €10 – 30 | Per linear metre, as a complement |
The layout rules that drive sales
- Main aisles of 1.80 m minimum for two trolleys to pass, 1.40 m for secondary aisles; the ERP accessibility rules require 1.40 m, with an occasional tolerance to 1.20 m.
- Direction of flow: the majority of customers turn to the right on entering and move through the store anticlockwise; the load-bearing shelf runs are placed on this natural path.
- Visual rhythm: a break (gondola end, island, signage) every 6 to 8 linear metres avoids the corridor effect and revives attention.
- Height limited in the centre of the store (1.40 to 1.60 m) to keep the overall view and make it easier to supervise the floor.
- Picking zone: place the high-margin SKUs between 0.80 and 1.60 m, the heavy volumes at the bottom, the refills at the top.
Food, DIY, pharmacy: the sector variants
- Food: tilting shelves with stops, solid end panels, washable finishes, integration of refrigeration and scales; contained heights (1.40 to 1.60 m) for visibility.
- DIY: reinforced structures (shelves of 100 kg and more), perforated backs for hooks, medium-duty racking accessible to the public with displayed loads.
- Pharmacy: low gondolas (1.20 to 1.40 m) for the sales space, drawer columns behind the counter, materials and lighting that showcase the ranges.
- All sectors: the NF EN 16121 standard sets the requirements for safety, strength and stability of storage furniture for non-domestic use; the tall elements are fixed or ballasted.
New or second-hand gondola?
Second-hand often divides the purchase price by two to three, but the manufacturers’ racking column systems are not compatible with one another: mixing brands prevents the reuse of shelves and accessories from one system to another. Check the state of the racking columns and the shelves (deflection, corrosion), the availability of parts and the documented permissible load.
For new, allow generally 4 to 10 weeks between the order and the installation depending on the manufacturers and the finishes, a lead time to build into the opening or remodelling schedule. New guarantees the permissible load, NF EN 16121 compliance and the future extension of the fleet within the same system.
Frequently asked questions
What are the standard heights of a store gondola?
The most common heights range from 1.20 to 1.80 m, with wall units up to 2.20 to 2.40 m in DIY. In the centre of the store, you stay between 1.20 and 1.60 m to preserve the overall view; at the perimeter, the height makes use of the wall.
Which module length should I choose?
The 1,000 mm module is the most widespread standard: it optimises the price per linear metre and the modularity of the shelves. The 665 mm modules serve corners and small areas; the 1,330 mm ones reduce the number of uprights on large shelf runs.
How much does a linear metre of gondola cost?
Around €100 to €250 excl. VAT per linear metre for a single-sided wall unit and €150 to €350 excl. VAT for a double-sided central unit, shelves included, excluding installation. A gondola end is costed per unit, between €150 and €400 excl. VAT depending on width and accessories.
What load can a gondola shelf support?
From 30 to 60 kg per shelf as standard, and 100 kg and more in the reinforced version for DIY, liquids or heavy food. The permissible load depends on the span of the module and appears in the manufacturer’s documentation, drawn up to the NF EN 16121 standard.
What space should be left between two gondolas?
1.80 m minimum for main aisles and 1.40 m for secondary aisles, to allow trolleys to pass. The ERP accessibility rules require 1.40 m on accessible circulation routes, with an occasional tolerance to 1.20 m.
Must gondolas comply with a standard?
Yes: NF EN 16121 (storage furniture for non-domestic use) sets the requirements for safety, strength, durability and stability. Added to these are the rules for the store as an ERP: stability and fixing of tall elements, circulation widths and displayed loads for medium-duty racking accessible to the public.
Sources & references
- NF EN 16121, storage furniture for non-domestic use: safety, strength and stability requirements (AFNOR)
- Order of 20 April 2017 and ERP accessibility regulations (circulation widths)
- INRS, prevention of risks in retail: handling and circulation
- Kollirama market observations: gondola and store fit-out quotes (2023–2026)
Related guides
How much does a store fit-out cost in 2026?
A complete store fit-out generally costs between €150 and €800 excl. VAT per m² in 2026, depending on the level of finish and the business sector.
Store fit-out: 10 mistakes to avoid
Aisles too narrow, cold zones ignored, furniture unsuited to the flow: 10 fit-out mistakes observed in the field, and how to avoid them.
How to choose your warehouse shelving: the complete 2026 guide
Pallet racking, cantilever, dynamic shelving: the right choice depends on the load, the turnover of SKUs and the available height.