When it comes to fitting out a shop, the choice of display furniture is strategic. Among the most commonly used solutions are the wall-mounted gondola and the central gondola. While both have the same objective – to display products effectively – their uses and advantages differ depending on the configuration of the sales outlet.
So what’s the difference between these two types of gondola? Here’s a simple comparison to help you make the right choice.
The wall-mounted gondola: making the most of shop walls
What is a wall-mounted gondola?
The wall-mounted gondola is installed along the walls of the shop. It has only one display side.
Advantages of the wall-mounted gondola
- Optimising wall surfaces
- Saving floor space
- Smoother traffic flow in the aisles
- Clear, structured product presentation
- Ideal for small and medium-sized shops
Common uses
- Local shops
- Pharmacies and drugstores
- Specialist shops
- Grocery shops
- Concept stores
The wall-mounted gondola is perfect for creating a continuous display and exploiting the height of the shop without taking up space.
The central gondola: structuring the sales space
What is a central gondola?
The central gondola is placed in the centre of the shop and has two display sides. Products can be displayed on either side.
Advantages of the central gondola
- Double exposure capacity
- Aisle structuring
- High product visibility
- Ideal for promotions or fast-moving products
- Optimising large surfaces
Common uses
- Supermarkets
- Specialist superstores
- DIY shops
- Discount shops
- Promotional areas
The central gondola is ideal for maximising the available shelf space and organising traffic flow efficiently.
Quick comparison
| Criteria | Wall gondola | Central gondola |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Against a wall | In the centre of the shop |
| Faces | 1 side | 2 sides |
| Space saving | Excellent | Very good |
| Exposure capacity | Medium to high | High |
| Traffic | Fluid | Structured |
| Ideal for | Small/medium spaces | Large surfaces |
Wall-mounted or central gondola: which should you choose?
👉 Choose a wall-mounted gondola if:
- your space is limited,
- you want to clear the aisles,
- you want to make the most of the existing walls.
👉 Choose a centre gondola if :
- you have a larger surface area,
- you want to maximise shelf space,
- you want to structure the customer journey.
👉 The best solution is often a combination of the two:
wall-mounted gondolas around the perimeter of the shop and central gondolas to organise the interior space.
Conclusion
The difference between a wall-mounted gondola and a central gondola lies mainly in their position, the number of sides they have and their role in the layout of the shop. Each meets specific needs and contributes to effective product presentation.
A good layout is based on a balance between visibility, circulation and optimisation of space – and the choice of gondolas plays a key role in this.