Layout workbench and seasonal shelf optimization

Project overview

The retailer needed a stronger bridge between assortment thinking and physical shelf reality. Store types differ in size, traffic and display capacity, while seasonal ranges introduce additional volatility. SAP Retail�s layout workbench concepts offered a useful way to connect assortment strategy to shelf structure and to support more deliberate planning of how articles should be represented in stores.

Business challenges

• Assortment decisions and shelf realities were not always planned together.
• Seasonal changes created repeated rework because display logic was not standardized enough.
• Different store formats required different layout outcomes for comparable categories.
• Teams needed a more scalable way to manage layout-linked availability and planning.

SAP Retail solution design

• Used layout-related concepts to connect assortment design and physical display logic.
• Supported seasonal planning through layout module versions where relevant.
• Positioned layout workbench as an enabler for shelf optimization and better range execution by store type.
• Aligned assortment, layout and listing thinking so the physical store reflects the intended category strategy.

Expected business impact

• Improved consistency between commercial assortment plans and in-store presentation realities.
• Reduced manual rework in seasonal reset preparation.
• Supported better space-sensitive assortment choices by store format.
• Created a more scalable foundation for category planning and shelf execution.

Recommended next steps

Recommended next steps include integration with specialized shelf-optimization tools and field compliance monitoring.