Retail Space Planning Community
Space Planning Training Courses
A major gap in the space management industry is the lack of common language and standardized vocabulary across retailers, manufacturers, brokers, and solution providers. While some shared best practices exist, this is often a result of system implementations forcing organizations to adopt similar tools, with little objective information about industry-specific technologies and tools.
The Space Planning Community has built a suite of virtual learning courses available to members on demand through a user-friendly online portal. These courses help fill the knowledge gap and establish common language and best practices for space planning professionals across all function levels and retail organizations. Looking to upskill? New to space planning and need the basics? Hoping to supplement your company-specific training for your team? Review this list of available coursework and check back as the curriculum roadmap continues to evolve.
Join today, start learning, and help us pave the way!
Part 1: Key Elements of Space Planning – People, Places, Parts
Space planning is not just about planograms, there’s so much to learn on this topic. This is the first introductory course to the key elements of space planning and explores the first three P’s of Space Planning; People, Places and Parts. There’s a second part of Space Planning that covers the final 3 Ps of Space Planning: Product flow, Process and Profits. The combination of these two courses offers early-career space planner and planogrammers a comprehensive framework on Space Planning.
- Identify Space Planning stakeholders and collaborators
- Understand each party’s inputs and needs to maximize those relationships
- Recognize the characteristics of retail environments and how they shape strategies
- Define fixture types and identify when to use each for a range of retail needs
Part 2: Key Elements of Space Planning – Product Flow, Process and Profits
This introductory course is part 2 of the key elements of space planning. This course covers the remaining 3 Ps of Space Planning: Product Flow, Process, and Profits. In Part 1 of Key Elements of Space Planning, participants reviewed the first 3 Ps of space planning: People, Places, and Parts.
- Define category management and assortment planning
- Demonstrate how each informs merchandising development and assortment plans
- Identify the key steps required to execute a space plan and the impact to store operations
- Recognize the influence of Space Planning strategies on retail productivity and profits
- Understand the common metrics stores use to track success
Merchandising Fundamentals Part 1
Visual merchandising is the process of planning, designing, and displaying products to highlight their features and benefits. Part 1 of Merchandising Fundamentals explains how the shopper influences merchandising tactics and introduces some common ways to organize products. The combination of these courses offers early-career space planners and planogrammers a firm understanding of visual merchandising.
- Define visual merchandising and the importance of the shopper
- Identify how visual merchandising efforts impact sales and shopper experiences
- Demonstrate an understanding of different product organization methods in physical retail stores
Merchandising Fundamentals Part 2
This introductory course is part 2 of Merchandising Fundamentals. This course covers aesthetic store layouts, and other store elements, such as signage and safety measures, that impact the shopping experience.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of balancing merchandising and available stock
- Identify different aesthetic layouts in physical retail stores
- Recognize store elements, such as signage and safety measures, that are required in product presentations
Intro to Micro Space
Micro space planning is about placing the right mix of products on shelves and fixtures in the right way, to drive profits for a specific category or group of products. The most important component of micro space planning is the ‘planogram’ or visual representation of a shelf or set. In this introductory course, participants will see how micro space fits with the other elements of space planning and learn best practices and strategies to create optimal planograms for shoppers and stores.
- Articulate how micro space differs from macro, and the business intelligence associated with micro space planning
- Incorporate shopper research and best practices into the creation of planograms
- Identify space management strategies that align with retailer objectives
- Analyze basic space management metrics and drivers to assess planogram performance and profitability
Ready to start your training path?
Whether you are interested in individual or corporate membership, we are happy to carry you through the various options that fit your needs and budget. Submit an inquiry to start the process.
We invite you to join and encourage your participation — it’s your Space Planning Community.