Launching a new product in a grocery store is a critical moment for any brand. You’ve invested time and resources into development, marketing, and logistics — now it’s time to win the shelf. But even the most innovative product can underperform if it's placed poorly. That’s where a smart planogram strategy makes all the difference.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to build an effective planogram for a new product launch — one that ensures visibility, drives trial, and generates strong sales momentum in the competitive grocery environment.

 

Why Planograms Matter for a Successful Product Launch

A planogram is a strategic visual merchandising tool. When launching new items in a grocery store, a planogram strategy helps:

  • Maximize visibility in high-traffic shelf zones.

  • Guide shopper attention and behavior.

  • Introduce new products without disrupting high-performing SKUs.

  • Support compliance, tracking, and post-launch performance analysis.

Whether you’re a CPG brand or a grocery retailer, mastering shelf placement for new items is essential for a successful launch.

 

Successful product launch

 

Step-by-Step Planogram Strategy for New Product Placement

1. Analyze Category and Market Data

Before creating your new product planogram, start with solid data:

  • Use POS and loyalty data to identify category gaps.

  • Look for declining SKUs that could be removed.

  • Understand buying patterns to find the best-fit shelf zones.

 

2. Define Clear Launch Goals

What is the purpose of your launch? Your planogram strategy should align with specific goals such as:

  • Driving trial and discovery.

  • Encouraging repeat purchases.

  • Strengthening brand perception.

These objectives guide decisions like shelf height, facings, and location on the planogram.

 

3. Choose the Right Shelf Placement

Effective planogramming for new products requires smart positioning:

  • Eye-level = Buy level: Prioritize high-margin or innovative SKUs.

  • Cross-merchandising: Place next to complementary products (e.g., a new granola near yogurt).

  • End caps or power aisles: Ideal for early visibility in a CPG merchandising new products strategy.

This is how you truly make your product launch in a grocery store stand out.

 

Planogram

 

4. Rebalance the Existing Shelf Layout

Avoid the common mistake of simply squeezing in new SKUs. Instead:

  • Use PlanoHero to simulate different shelf arrangements.
  • Consider reducing space for underperforming SKUs.
  • Maintain visual harmony in brand blocking and facings.
     

 

5. Align With In-Store Execution Teams

A plan is only as good as its execution.

  • Provide visual shelf diagrams and step-by-step setup guides.
  • Explain why the product is placed a certain way.
  • Use a centralized system like PlanoHero to distribute layouts to all stores in the chain.
     

 

6. Monitor Planogram Compliance

Ensure the launch strategy is actually implemented in stores:

  • Use photo verification tools.
  • Track execution status across locations.
  • Automate compliance with PlanoHero's mobile tools for merchandisers
     

 

7. Measure Sales Impact and Adjust

Post-launch, revisit your planogram:

  • Did the new placement drive sales?
  • Are customers engaging with the product?
  • Should the product be repositioned?
     

Use this data to iterate on the layout — and inform future launches.

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

 

Product failure

 

Even seasoned retail teams make these errors:

  • Placing new items in low-visibility zones.
  • Cannibalizing strong performers to make space.
  • Failing to update planograms chain-wide.
  • Not training store teams on the launch layout.
     

Avoiding these pitfalls protects your investment and maximizes launch ROI.

 

 

How PlanoHero Supports Planogram Creation for New Product Launches

When introducing a new product to the shelf, success hinges on how fast and effectively it’s integrated into your retail space. PlanoHero simplifies this entire process with intuitive, data-driven planogram creation tools tailored for launch execution.

 

Planogram software features

 

Here’s how it works:

1. Drag-and-Drop Planogram Builder

 With PlanoHero’s visual editor, you can create new product layouts quickly using drag-and-drop functionality. The interface allows you to: 

  • Add the new SKU visually to the existing planograms.
  • Adjust shelf height, facing quantity, and product orientation.
  • Align layout with real shelf dimensions and store formats.
     

This lets you test the impact of new placements in real time, without disrupting your live assortment.

 

2. AI-Generated Layout Rules

PlanoHero’s AI feature can automatically generate Layout rules and use them in any other planograms.

For new product launches, this feature helps determine and implement rules throughout the entire chain for:

  • Ideal positioning (e.g., eye-level or cross-merchandised areas).
  • How many facings to allocate?
  • How to minimize disruption to existing planograms.
     

 

4. Store-Specific Layouts and Clustering

Not all stores are the same — PlanoHero enables you to create personalized layouts by store type, size, or region.

This is perfect for:

  • Piloting a product launch in select stores.
  • Testing A/B versions of a new product layout.
  • Scaling layouts chain-wide only after success is validated.
     

 

5. Distribution and Real-Time Updates

Once a new product planogram is created, PlanoHero allows you to:

  • Instantly share planograms with store teams.
  • Generate PDFs with shelf views and product lists.
  • Track layout implementation progress across stores.
     

No more delays or inconsistencies — every store gets the right plan at the right time.

 

6. Execution & Compliance Tracking

Using PlanoHero's mobile tools, merchandisers can:

  • View planogram instructions in-store.
  • Take before-and-after photos.
  • Upload compliance evidence directly to the system.
     

PlanoHero’s dashboard shows real-time compliance rates, so you can see where your new product planogram has been successfully executed — and where follow-up is needed.

 

7. Analyze Launch Performance

Finally, PlanoHero links layout changes to performance metrics:

  • Which placement drove the most trials?
  • How did sales shift by location?
  • Should the product be repositioned or given more space?
     

This closed feedback loop helps continuously refine your new product strategy, from launch to optimization.

 

Layout analysis

 

Final Thoughts

A great product deserves a great launch, and that starts with how it appears in-store. Planograms ensure your new product gets the attention it needs without hurting your existing assortment. By combining strategy, tools like PlanoHero, and a little creativity, your next launch can truly stand out on the shelf.

 

Related Articles

  

Looking for a service to create planograms?

Try a free demo version of PlanoHero