Shelf Reset Checklist: What Retailers Should Confirm Before, During and After
A shelf reset sounds simple until something goes wrong — stock that does not fit the new bay, a planogram that does not match reality, or a compliance gap nobody notices until a head office audit. This checklist covers the three phases that matter.
Before the reset
- Confirm the planogram version being used is current, not a draft superseded by head office
- Check stock availability against the new layout — a reset with missing stock just creates gaps in a different shape
- Agree access, timing and who holds keys/alarm codes if work happens outside trading hours
- Confirm what "done" looks like — full compliance, or an agreed list of exceptions
During the reset
- Work section by section against the plan rather than free-styling from memory
- Flag anything that physically cannot match the planogram (wrong bay depth, missing fixtures) immediately, not at the end
- Keep discontinued stock separated and clearly labelled for return or disposal
- Take photos as sections are completed, not only at the very end
After the reset
- Full before/after photo set covering every bay affected
- A written note of any exceptions and why they occurred
- Confirmation that discontinued stock has been dealt with, not left in a stockroom corner
- A sign-off point so head office knows the job is genuinely complete, not just started
Why this matters for compliance
Most compliance disputes come down to missing evidence, not missing work. A reset that was done properly but not documented is indistinguishable, on paper, from one that was not done at all.
How EXCITY handles resets
Every reset we run follows this structure by default — planogram-accurate work, section-by-section photo evidence, and a written completion report within 24 hours, so you never have to take our word for it.