Best Space Planning Software for Retail Chains: Optimize Store Layouts and Planograms

Effective space planning is crucial for retail success. Whether you're a retail store manager optimizing product placement or a chain business owner standardizing layouts across multiple locations, the right space planning software can improve efficiency, enhance the shopping experience, and boost sales.

In this guide, we'll explore the best space planning software tailored for retail professionals, covering key features, benefits, and how to choose the right tool for your business.

What Is Space Planning Software?

Space planning software helps retail managers and business owners design and optimize store layouts. It allows users to:

• Maximize sales per square foot by strategically placing high-demand products.
• Improve customer flow with intuitive layouts that enhance the shopping experience.
• Standardize store layouts across multiple locations for a consistent brand experience.
• Visualize shelving and product placement with 2D and 3D modeling.
• Analyze performance metrics to optimize space usage over time.

Key Features to Look for in Space Planning Software

When selecting space planning software for your retail business, look for advanced features that streamline merchandising, enhance collaboration, and optimize product placement. Here are essential capabilities to consider:

Store Equipment & Floor Plan Design

• Create and configure store fixtures and shelving from scratch or use pre-built templates.

• Design store layouts with drag-and-drop tools or import AutoCAD plans.

• Identify hot and cold zones to optimize traffic flow and product visibility.

Planogram Сreation

• Create detailed planograms to visualize product placement.

• Drag-and-drop tools for planogram creation.

• Easily create planograms, placing products strategically based on sales, supplier agreements, and merchandising principles.

AI-Powered Planogram Automation

• Automate product placement using customizable layout rules.

• Apply layout rules across multiple stores to maintain consistency in product displays.

• Generate AI-driven layout to enhance shelf efficiency and customer engagement.

Seamless Planogram Execution & Compliance

• Send planograms directly to store teams with structured execution instructions.

• Provide real-time guidance via a mobile app for accurate product placement.

• Track execution progress and verify compliance through photo reports.

Data-Driven Assortment & Performance Analysis

• Monitor planogram effectiveness by analyzing sales impact and shelf compliance.

• Identify out-of-stock risks and optimize inventory management.

• Use automated reports to track merchandising success and make informed decisions.

Cloud-Based Collaboration & Accessibility

• Work in a cloud environment to access store layouts, planograms, and reports from any device.

• Grant access to unlimited users, ensuring seamless teamwork across locations.

• Easily import, export, and share layouts, planograms, and analytics for enhanced decision-making.

By choosing a feature-rich space planning solution, retail businesses can automate merchandising processes, optimize store layouts, and drive higher sales efficiency while ensuring seamless execution across all locations.

Top Space Planning Software for Retail Businesses

Here are some of the best space planning software solutions designed specifically for retail store managers and business owners:

1. PlanoHero: Simplify and Automate Your Retail Space Planning

Best for: Retailers looking for a cloud-based, user-friendly planogramming solution

From store plan creation to planogram execution and analytics, PlanoHero helps retailers design efficient, shopper-friendly spaces while maintaining full control over merchandising operations.

PlanoHero Key Benefits for Retailers

• Store Layout & Equipment Management – Design custom store layouts, map sales zones, and configure equipment to match your merchandising needs. Upload existing store plans, fixtures and layouts for quick adjustments.
• Planogram Automation – Easily create, edit, and distribute planograms with AI-driven layout rules that ensure optimal product placement.
• Cloud-based access for multi-store collaboration. Share planograms instantly across multiple locations and track execution in real-time.
• AI-Powered Optimization –Use AI-powered layout rules to automate shelf organization and adapt planograms based on sales data, promotions, and supplier agreements. Apply custom layout rules across multiple stores to maintain consistency in product displays
• Seamless Execution & Compliance – Distribute planograms directly to in-store teams with clear execution guidelines and monitor compliance through real-time photo reports.
• Built-in retail analytics– Monitor and analyze sales and planogram effectiveness, track compliance, and make data-driven merchandising decisions.
• Affordable pricing with the choice of three subscription plans: Starter, Pro and Enterprise

With drag-and-drop simplicity, mobile accessibility, and augmented reality previews, PlanoHero makes merchandising effortless, helping retailers maximize sales and create a consistent shopping experience across all stores.

Why It’s Great:

PlanoHero is an excellent choice for small to mid-sized retailers who need a flexible, web-based tool that allows multiple team members to collaborate on store layouts. Its automation features help streamline planogramming, reducing time spent on manual adjustments.

By leveraging intelligent space planning solutions, retailers can eliminate guesswork, reduce manual effort, and enhance their merchandising strategy for higher sales and better customer experiences.

2. Blue Yonder (JDA) Planogram Software

Best for: Large retail chains needing AI-driven space planning

Key Features:

• AI-powered space optimization.

• Real-time planogram updates.
• Integration with sales and inventory data.
• Multi-location store management.

Why It’s Great:

Blue Yonder helps chain businesses manage layouts across multiple locations with AI-driven insights that improve merchandising strategies.

3. SmartDraw

Best for: Small retailers needing easy-to-use layout tools.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-drop floor planning.
• Pre-built retail templates.
• Integration with CAD and Visio.
• Affordable pricing for small businesses.

Why It’s Great:

SmartDraw simplifies store layout planning, making it accessible for businesses without technical expertise.

4. DotActiv

Best for: Retailers looking for a complete merchandising solution.

Key Features:

• Advanced planogramming tools.
• AI-driven product placement recommendations.
• Store layout compliance tracking.

Why It’s Great:

DotActiv goes beyond space planning, offering data-driven insights to help businesses maximize shelf space efficiency.

5. Relex Solutions

Best for: Enterprise retailers focused on AI-powered retail optimization.

Key Features:

• AI-driven space planning and forecasting.
• Omni-channel retail integration.
• Automated stock replenishment recommendations.
• Large-scale retail analytics.

Why It’s Great:

Relex Solutions is ideal for large retail chains looking for a fully integrated space and inventory planning solution.

How to Choose the Right Space Planning Approach

Selecting the right space planning strategy depends on the size and needs of your retail business. Here are key considerations:

• For Single-Store Retail Managers: Focus on manual planogramming techniques or basic layout design tools to optimize shelf space efficiently.
• For Chain Business Owners: Establish standardized layout guidelines to ensure consistency across multiple locations and streamline merchandising efforts.
• For Data-Driven Merchandising: Leverage sales and inventory data analysis to make informed space planning decisions and improve product placement.

By implementing effective space planning principles, retailers can create visually appealing, customer-friendly layouts that drive sales and enhance the shopping experience.