As a retail store owner, making the most of your available floor and shelf space is critical to maximize sales. This is where planogram software comes in handy.
A planogram is a visual schematic that shows how products should be arranged on retail shelves and displays. Planogram software helps you create planograms to optimize space planning and visual merchandising in your brick-and-mortar or ecommerce store.
In this guide, we will explore the top 10 planogram software tools on the market based on features, pricing, and ease of use.
Benefits of Using Planogram Software
Here are some of the key reasons to use specialized planogram software:
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Optimize space utilization – Maximize the selling potential of every inch of your retail space based on product dimensions, sales data and floorspace.
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Boost sales – Drive impulse sales and cross-merchandising by strategic product placement based on consumer behavior.
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Enhance shelf visibility – Ensure high-demand and profitable products get maximum shelf visibility.
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Simplify store sets – Easily replicate planograms across multiple store locations.
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Efficient in-store execution – Share planograms digitally with floor staff for efficient shelf setting and maintenance.
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Better inventory control – Keep track of inventory levels according to planogram compliance.
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Enhanced category management – Analyze category and product performance to fine-tune retail store layouts.
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Improve shopper experience – Create engaging retail displays that make shopping easier for customers.
10 Best Planogram Software Solutions
Based on online reviews and ratings, here are the top 10 planogram tools:
1. DotActiv
DotActiv is a leading planogram software designed for SMBs and large retail chains alike. Key features include:
- Automated space planning based on product data
- Planogram compliance tracking
- Sales performance analytics
- Customizable dashboards and reports
- Drag-and-drop planogram design
- Image recognition for existing store layouts
- Integrates with POS and inventory systems
Pricing: Starts from $25/month per store
Pros
- Great for auto-generating planograms
- Good range of analytics
- Easy to create, share and update planograms
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Additional charges for more features
Best For: Large multi-store retailers
2. Creately
Creately positions itself as an easy planogram software that doesn‘t require any design experience. Key features:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Library of templates and shapes
- Ability to add images/colors to represent products
- Visual collaboration tools
- Export options to PDF, image files etc.
Pricing: Starts free for up to 5 diagrams. $5-$9/month per user.
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Good collaboration features
- Affordable pricing plans
Cons
- Limited reporting and analytics
- No inventory/sales data integration
Best For: Small stores and single-store retailers.
3. SmartDraw
SmartDraw is a versatile visual diagramming tool with advanced planogram capabilities. Notable features include:
- Pre-configured mall kiosk and convenience store templates
- Retail-focused shapes and visuals
- Automated visuals for lighting, racks, shelves etc
- Detailed product item descriptions
- Measurements on floorplans
- PDF, image and MS Office export options
Pricing: $9.95/month starter plan
Pros
- Very customizable store templates
- Comprehensive library of retail shapes and icons
- Reasonable pricing
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
Best For: Retailers looking for customizable floor planning.
4. Quant Retail
Quant Retail offers advanced features focused on space planning, assortment analysis and category management.
- Automated planogram creation
- Assortment optimization tools
- Built-in image editor
- Custom reporting with key retail KPIs
- APIs to integrate with other systems
Pricing: Custom quotes. Enterprise pricing starts $1500/month
Pros
- Powerful range of data analytics
- Comprehensive assortment planning capabilities
- Flexible integration options
Cons
- Very complex software, steep learning curve
- Expensive for small businesses
Best For: Large retailers and brands with complex requirements
5. Relex
Relex offers end-to-end retail planning software, including planogram capabilities. Key features:
- Automatic planogram optimization
- Space utilization metrics and analysis
- Task management for store planogram updates
- Mobile access to planograms for floor staff
- Integration with ordering and replenishment systems
Pricing: Custom quotes
Pros
- Automates many planning tasks
- Provides holistic supply chain analysis
- Advanced store task management features
Cons
- Very complex application for basic needs
- Opacity around pricing
Best For: Large multi-channel retailers
6. zVisuel
zVisuel is focused on 3D planogram modeling with some unique capabilities:
- Realistic 3D store/shelf modeling
- Animated walkthroughs and fly-overs
- Printed views from different angles
- Custom shapes and store elements
- Detailed product data like images, weight etc.
Pricing: Starts at $19/month with 20 product limit
Pros
- Excellent 3D modeling
- Easy integration with product data
- Affordable starter pricing
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Additional charges can pile up fast
Best For: Brands who want powerful 3D planogram visualization. Retailers open to new technology.
7. Opencatman
Opencatman offers an innovative cloud-based planogram collaboration platform. Noteworthy features:
- Centralized product library
- Automated optimized planogram creation
- Analytics on planogram ROI
- Customizable templates
- Vendor collaboration tools
Pricing: Free 30-day trial, paid plans not publicly listed
Pros
- Excellent for supplier-retailer coordination
- Optimization analytics helps improve planograms
Cons
- Very limited public information on features and pricing
Best For: Consumer brands/manufacturers and retailers collaborating on planograms and product assortments
8. Grapholite Diagrams
Grapholite offers a dedicated Planogram App with these features:
- Easy drag-and-drop planogram design
- Library of shelving shapes and retail objects
- Automated rules for shelf space allocation
- Floor map overlay to visualize space
- Image export options
Pricing: Free version with limited features and objects. Paid version $9.95/month billed annually.
Pros
- Very easy to get started
- Reasonably priced for the features
Cons
- Analytics and data integration capabilities currently limited
- Export only to image files
Best For: Small independent retailers looking for an intuitive planning tool.
9. Edraw
Edraw Store Layout Maker makes it easy for non-designers to create retail planograms. Key features:
- Predefined store templates
- Drag-and-drop symbols for retail elements
- Tools for custom measurements
- Graph paper background for precision planning
- PDF and image exports
Pricing: $99 for single personal license
Pros
- Very affordable one-time pricing
- Easy learning curve
Cons
- Fairly basic features and templates
- No integration with inventory data etc.
Best For: Very small retailers with simple planogram needs
10. Store Planner
Store Planner offers a convenient cloud-based planogram collaboration platform. Notable features include:
- Central product database
- Automated reporting with key retail KPIs
- Permission controls for internal teams/external partners
- Customizable templates
- Version control and change log
Pricing: $39/month base package. Custom quotes for enterprise.
Pros
- Easy collaboration features
- User-friendly interface
- Helpful support team
Cons
- Limited export file type options
- Steep pricing for smaller businesses
Best For: Mid-sized multi-outlet retailers.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Planogram Software
Here are some key aspects to evaluate when researching planogram solutions:
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Number of store locations – Some tools are better suited for single stores, while enterprise planogram platforms offer centralized management.
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Available budget – Prices can range from $10 – $1000s per month based on features.
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Ease of use – The learning curve can vary greatly across platforms.
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Technical expertise – Cloud systems are easier to deploy than on-premise servers.
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Inventory integration – Automated data flows reduce manual efforts in planning.
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Reporting needs – Built-in analytics range from basic to advanced.
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Implementation and support – Look for responsive customer support channels.
Tips for Successful Implementation
Follow these best practices when rolling out new planogram software:
- Start with a pilot store to test usability before larger deployment
- Analyze existing store layouts and sales data to establish a baseline
- Design a store taxonomy and template to apply across locations
- Assign roles and permissions to streamline collaboration
- Provide sufficient training for users across business functions
- Get staff feedback on planogram updates to foster buy-in
Proper change management will ensure high user adoption and maximize ROI.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The right planogram software will help you make the best use of every inch of available space in your retail store. Automated product placement based on sales data analytics allows you to optimize your layouts to lift profits.
DotActiv stands out as the best overall planogram software based on features, ease of use and flexibility. The automated optimization tools provide actionable insights to boost sales.
Creately is great for very small retailers thanks to the affordable pricing and intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
Large retailers with complex needs will benefit most from advanced platforms like Quant and Relex.
I hope this guide gives you clarity in choosing the ideal planogram software for your retail environment and merchandising objectives. Feel free to reach out with any questions!
