Retail space planning
CADS delivers accurate retail store design and space planning services to help manage and optimise layout and floor space across your retail stores.
Retail space planningMaximising high-impact retail space in UK stores
As UK retailers navigate 2026, the pressure to make every square metre of store space work harder has never been greater. Economic pressures, evolving shopper behaviour and rising operational costs require retailers to use macro space planning and retail store layout optimisation to unlock the commercial potential of every store.
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“Macro space planning is essential to transform key retail areas into revenue-generating zones.”
Aaron Wright, Managing Director at CADS.
Retail store planning and macro space optimisation
With decades of experience supporting retailers, CADS helps maximise retail estate profitability through retail store planning, macro space planning, and precise floor planning.
Our work ensures that retailers strategically deploy high‑impact areas such as end bays, gondola ends, feature zones, and secondary space to drive incremental sales and enhance the customer experience. We use CADS retail surveys to capture accurate on‑the‑ground data and inform every planning decision.
The strategic role of feature areas and shippers
Feature areas – including end bays, cross-aisle focal points, temporary and permanent shippers, and other secondary placements – represent some of the most commercially valuable space in any store. These locations naturally attract shopper attention, making them ideal for:
- Promotions and seasonal campaigns
- Launching new products
- Secondary placements, including temporary promotional shippers and permanent branded units, to reinforce brand visibility.
Using RSS Schemes to Optimise Store Layouts
Retailers are increasingly integrating RSS schemes (Retail Shelf Space schemes) into macro space planning. These schemes formalise how products, secondary space, and assets such as temporary and permanent shippers are positioned across estates. They ensure consistent high-impact placement for feature areas, end bays, and secondary locations.
By combining RSS schemes with data-led floor planning, retailers can maximise visibility, drive incremental sales, and strengthen supplier relationships. All whilst maintaining control over valuable non-core selling space.
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Optimise your retail store designs, layouts and floor plans with the help of CADS’ expert team and intuitive AutoCAD-based retail space planning software.
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Read moreWhy this matters in 2026
Retail real estate is evolving rapidly in 2026. With data-led layouts and experience-focused destinations becoming critical for store performance, as highlighted in recent Shoosmiths UK retail market insights
Maximising revenue from existing space
With footfall growth remaining flat and shopper behaviour becoming more mission-focused, retailers must extract more value from every square metre. Feature areas, end bays, secondary placements, and temporary and permanent shippers provide high-return opportunities without major capital investment.
The Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) research shows that in‑store product placement, e.g. relocating items and altering fixture positions, can influence shopper behaviour and purchasing patterns. The evidence demonstrates how thoughtful allocation of store space can support commercial objectives.
Managing cost pressures
Operating costs, including wages, energy, and supply chain challenges, limit the scope for large-scale store refits. Strategic use of prime and feature space – governed by RSS schemes and disciplined deployment of shippers – is a cost-effective way to increase sales and ROI.
Supporting supplier investment and brand partnerships
Brands increasingly seek premium in-store visibility for launches, promotions, and seasonal campaigns. End bays, shippers, and other high-impact spaces are commercial assets. Integrating these into RSS schemes ensures both consistency and monetisation across the estate.
Enhancing shopper experience and navigation
Time-poor, mission-driven shoppers benefit from strategically placed feature areas and shippers that capture attention, influence purchasing, and guide traffic flows. Retail store layout optimisation ensures these zones are positioned for maximum shopper impact without disrupting the core shopping journey
CADS approach to macro space planning and floor planning
CADS combine accurate retail surveys, expert retail store planning, and industry best practice to ensure estates are optimised at the macro level:
- Macro space planning: Establishes consistent layout standards and space allocation across the estate, ensuring high-impact areas, secondary space, and shipper locations are strategically deployed.
- Floor planning and store layout optimisation: Maps feature areas, secondary placements, and shipper positions for maximum sales and operational efficiency.
- RSS schemes integration: Guarantees consistency across stores. Retailers can use it to manage supplier agreements, promotional activity, and the deployment of temporary and permanent shippers effectively.
As retailers are increasingly challenged to maximise every square metre, effective macro space planning has become a vital commercial tool. By integrating detailed, on-the-ground insight with strategic planning, we help clients consistently turn key areas into revenue-generating zones across their portfolios.
Industry evidence: why secondary space execution matters
Industry insight underlines the value of getting secondary space right. NielsenIQ highlights internationally that poor in-store execution and merchandising non-compliance can lead to lost promotional sales. The data reinforces the need for accurate space planning and consistent delivery.
Supporting this, Wiser data shows that well-planned secondary placements — such as end bays and high-traffic displays can significantly increase sales. Such evidence highlights how disciplined space planning drives measurable commercial returns.
Turning Insight into Commercial Outcomes with StoreSpace®
The StoreSpace® platform, from sister company Storespce Insights consolidates estate-wide data, monitors compliance, and supports evidence-based decision-making. This ensures secondary placements, shippers, and RSS schemes deliver measurable commercial results.
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Through our sister company, Prosper, we seamlessly translate these insights into architectural retail design, store specification packs, and fit-out delivery. Such an approach enables optimised floor plans to be realised in-store, maximising sales, shopper engagement, and brand impact.
CADS provides the expertise, tools, and data to turn every square metre into a measurable commercial asset. Where verified site accuracy is required,clients can commission retail measured surveys from CADS Surveys to support confident, evidence-led planning decisions.
Get in touch
Take the next step in optimising your store estate. Contact CADS today to see how our retail store planning expertise, macro space planning insights, and RSS scheme strategies. Supported by Prosper’s architectural retail design delivery, these strategies ensure optimised plans are effectively realised in-store.
Get in touchHow can we help you?
Make the most of your retail space with our comprehensive range of services
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Retail design services
Our sister company, retail design agency Prosper, provides the inspiration to turn your space into an engaging place and your store into an immersive shopping experience that will delight your customers.
Retail design -
Store measured surveys
Our experienced surveyors work throughout the UK and Europe to tailor your retail survey contents to meet your project requirements and budget. CADS Surveys is well postioned to deliver rollout projects for our retail clients quickly, with minimal lead time.
Retail store surveys
