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Visual merchandising checklist and planogram audit
Audit each bay, end or area against the planogram version that should be on display. Eleven checks per area cover the planogram version, facings, gaps, wrong locations, shelf-edge labels, point-of-sale material, the promotional end, lighting, cleanliness, fixtures and fronting. Record each out-of-stock or gap line by scanning its shelf-edge label, with the gap width measured from a photo, and take before and after photos. The form works out compliance per area and overall, with a rating. The window, entrance and promotional ends have their own page. For a full store standards visit, use the store audit checklist.
For visual merchandisers, area managers, store managers and merchandising agencies who check stores against a planogram or campaign guide and report back with photos.
The checks work in any store. The notes on aisles, fire exits and shelf-edge labels refer to UK law; elsewhere, follow local rules.
- Each bay or area becomes a space, with its planogram reference and version and the bay width from a photo
- Eleven named checks per area, from facings and gaps to shelf-edge labels, POS and fixtures
- Gap lines as items: shelf-edge label scan, reason, facings missing and gap width measured from a photo
- Before and after photos, and whether the fix was done during the visit
- Compliance % per area and overall, areas below 90%, gap lines and a rating band, as live tiles
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What is a planogram audit?
A planogram audit is useful when each bay is tied to the planogram version it should match, the problems are specific (which shelf, which line, how many facings), and before and after photos show what was fixed during the visit.
Last updated . Facts checked by the SiteSurvey team on 28 October 2026 against Price Marking Order 2004 (revised text, including the changes in force from 6 April 2026), Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, regulation 12, condition of floors and traffic routes and Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, article 14, emergency routes and exits.
How to do a planogram audit
Have the current planogram for each bay, on paper or in your planogram app.
Set the scope
Record the planogram set or season in force and the campaign guide you are checking against.
Check the front of store
Look at the window, the entrance display and the promotional ends, and check aisles and fire exits are clear.
Audit each bay
Add a bay or area, enter its planogram reference, photograph it, and work through the eleven checks.
Record the gaps
Scan the shelf-edge label of each gap or out-of-stock line, give the reason and measure the gap from a photo.
Fix and report
Fix what you can during the visit and take after photos. List the rest as actions with an owner and date, and sign with the store manager.
What makes a planogram audit useful
Out-of-stock and gap lines
End 3B, shelf 3, facings 2 to 3: chamomile and lavender, 20 bags. Delisted, label left on. Gap 160 mm measured from a photo, 2 facings missing. Label removed, space to be filled with the lemon balm line when stock arrives.
Fictional example. Record the actual evidence and approved arrangements for your job.
A common recording mistake
Scoring a bay against last season's planogram, or writing 'gaps on shelf 3' with no product or reason.
What happens next
Reset the bays below 90% before the follow-up visit, and order any missing header cards or POS from the campaign team.
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Want to see one filled in? See a completed visual merchandising checklist report (PDF), made by SiteSurvey from a fictional site visit.
Every question in the visual merchandising checklist template
A visual merchandising and planogram audit per bay or area: the planogram reference and version, eleven checks from facings, gaps and wrong locations to shelf-edge labels, POS, lighting and cleanliness, out-of-stock lines scanned from the shelf-edge label with the gap width measured from a photo, before and after photos, a compliance % per area and overall with a rating band, plus the window, entrance and promotional ends. 5 sections and 95 questions. Follow-up questions and guidance appear only when an answer calls for them, so the person on site never sees the ones that do not apply.
Make it your own: every question is editable
This is a starting point, not a fixed form. Once it is in your SiteSurvey account you can reword any question, add or remove questions, sections and answer options, and add your own logo, so it fits the way your team works and the jobs you do.
Details you only enter once
Add this form to a project in SiteSurvey and it fills in what the project already knows, so nobody on site retypes it and every form on the job uses the same names. Anything filled in can still be changed.
- Project: the project name
- Store address: the site address, from the space or the project
- Retailer or brand: the project's customer
Store and planogram set
- ProjectShort answer
Filled in from the project in SiteSurvey.
Fills in from the project name - Store addressShort answerFills in from the site address, from the space or the project
- Retailer or brandShort answerFills in from the project's customer
- Location (GPS)Short answer
- Audit date*Date
- Auditor*Short answer
- Store name or number*Short answer
- Store manager or department leadShort answer
- Reason for the audit*Choose one
- Scheduled audit
- Planogram reset or launch check
- Campaign change
- Follow-up visit
- Area manager visit
- Planogram set or season in force*Short answer
For example Autumn 2026, version 3. Each area records its own planogram below.
- Campaign or promotion in storeShort answer
The VM guide or campaign pack you are auditing against.
- Campaign end dateDate
- GuidanceThe standard is the retailer's own planogram and visual merchandising guide. Audit each bay or area against the planogram version that should be on display, and photograph the bay before and after any fix.
Windows, entrance and promotional ends
- Walk Cam: store front and promotional endsWalk Cam video with voice-to-text
Optional. Film a guided walk-round on the SiteSurvey app.
- Window display matches the campaign guideChoose one
Props, mannequins, graphics and product as the guide shows, nothing from the last campaign.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Window glass, floor and props clean, window lights workingChoose one
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Entrance and front-of-store display set to the guideChoose one
The first table or plinth customers see.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Promotional ends match the campaign planChoose one
Each end in the right place, with the right product and header.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Promotional signage shows the right mechanic and datesChoose one
No expired offers left up.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Aisles clear of stock, cages and empty cartonsChoose one
Floors and routes kept free of obstructions and trip hazards (Workplace Regulations 1992, regulation 12(3)).
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Displays and stock not blocking fire exits or escape routesChoose one
Routes to exits and the exits kept clear (Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, article 14(1)).
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Photos of the window and entrancePhotos
- AcceptableWorked out by the form
- Needing actionWorked out by the form
- Not checkedWorked out by the form
Bays and areas
- GuidanceAdd one entry per bay, run or area. Each becomes a space in SiteSurvey with its photos and gap lines.
- Bays and areas auditedRepeat for each area. Each one asks:
- Bay or area*Short answer
For example aisle 4 bays 1 to 3, end 6A, wall bay W2.
- TypeChoose one
- Gondola run
- Promotional end
- Wall bay
- Table or plinth
- Window
- Checkout or queue line
- Chiller or freezer
- Other
- Planogram reference and version*Short answer
- Bay width (mm)Number
Measuring from a photo gives an estimate. Check critical sizes with a tape.
- Before photosPhotos
- Planogram version on display matches the one in forceChoose one
Compare the bay with the planogram printout or app.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Facings as the planogram showsChoose one
Number of facings per line, left to right.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- No gaps or out-of-stock spacesChoose one
Record each gap as an item below.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Every product in its planogram locationChoose one
No lines on the wrong shelf or in the wrong bay.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Shelf-edge labels present, correct and next to the productChoose one
Clearly legible and in proximity to the product (Price Marking Order 2004, article 7).
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Point-of-sale material current and in the right holdersChoose one
No out-of-date offers, torn or curled cards.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Promotional end or feature set as plannedChoose one
Mark not applicable on a plain bay.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Bay lighting workingChoose one
No failed or flickering lamps over the bay.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Bay, shelves and product clean and dust freeChoose one
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Fixtures, shelves and fittings undamagedChoose one
Shelves level, no broken risers, strips or hooks.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Product fronted and faced upChoose one
Pulled forward to the shelf edge, labels facing out.
- Acceptable
- Action needed
- Not checked
- Not applicable
- What needs doing, or why not checkedNotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Out-of-stock and gap linesRepeat for each line. Each one asks:
- Scan the shelf-edge label or barcodeScan a label: barcode, product description, price
Optional. Scan the data plate or label to capture the numbers.
- Product*Short answer
- Shelf and positionShort answer
For example shelf 3 from the top, facing 4.
- Reason for the gap*Choose one
- No stock in store
- Stock in the stockroom, not filled
- Delisted, label left on
- Wrong product in the space
- Not known
- Gap width (mm)Number
Measuring from a photo gives an estimate. Check critical sizes with a tape.
- Facings missingNumber
- Gap lines recordedWorked out by the form
- Checks acceptableWorked out by the form
- Checks needing actionWorked out by the form
- Not checkedWorked out by the form
- Area compliance (%)Worked out by the form
- Fixed during the visit?Choose one
- Yes, all fixed
- Partly
- No
Shown only when the answers above make it relevant - After photosPhotosShown only when the answers above make it relevant
Compliance result
- Areas auditedWorked out by the form
- Areas below 90%Worked out by the form
- Gap lines recordedWorked out by the form
- Checks acceptableWorked out by the form
- Checks needing actionWorked out by the form
- Not checkedWorked out by the form
- Overall compliance (%)Worked out by the form
- RatingWorked out by the form
- GuidanceCompliance is our own measure: checks marked acceptable as a share of checks marked acceptable or action needed, per area and overall. Rating bands: 90% and over Good, 75 to 89% Needs improvement, under 75% Poor. These are not an industry standard; use your own if the retailer sets them.
- CheckOverall compliance is under 75%. Agree a reset with the store manager and book a follow-up visit.Shown when “Rating” is “Poor”
Actions and sign-off
- Items needing actionWorked out by the form
- ResultWorked out by the form
- ActionsRepeat for each action. Each one asks:
- Action*Notes
- PriorityChoose one
- Before the store opens
- This week
- Next visit
- Who will do it*Short answer
- Due byDate
- Status*Choose one
- Open
- In progress
- Done, checked
- Photo when donePhotosShown when “Status” is “Done, checked”
- Actions still openWorked out by the form
- Decision*Choose one
- Compliant: no follow-up needed
- Fix the listed bays, check at the next visit
- Full reset needed: book a follow-up visit
- Follow-up visit dateDate
- Summary for the store managerNotes
- Auditor nameShort answer
- Auditor signature*Signature
- Store manager nameShort answer
- Store manager signatureSignature
See it filled in
A completed visual merchandising checklist report, made by SiteSurvey from a fictional site visit: every answer, the photos, the guidance that applied and the sign-off, ready to send as a PDF.
Visual merchandising checklist FAQs
How is planogram compliance calculated?
In this form, compliance is the number of checks marked acceptable as a share of the checks marked acceptable or action needed, per area and across the store. Checks marked not applicable or not checked are left out. The rating bands, 90% and over Good, 75 to 89% Needs improvement and under 75% Poor, are our own and not an industry standard. If your business sets its own measure or bands, use those.
How do I record out-of-stocks and gaps?
Add each gap as a line inside the bay. Scan the shelf-edge label or barcode to capture the product, give the shelf position, the reason (no stock in store, stock in the stockroom, delisted with the label left on, wrong product in the space) and the facings missing. The gap width can be measured from a photo, which gives an estimate; check critical sizes with a tape.
Do shelf-edge labels have to be next to the product?
Under article 7(1) of the Price Marking Order 2004, a price indication must be unambiguous, easily identifiable and clearly legible, given in proximity to the product, and available without the customer having to ask for help. From 6 April 2026 it must also use a clear font of reasonable size. The checklist has a shelf-edge label check in every bay for this reason.
Source: Price Marking Order 2004 (revised text, including the changes in force from 6 April 2026).
Can displays go in the aisles or near fire exits?
Take care. Regulation 12(3) of the Workplace Regulations 1992 requires floors and traffic routes to be kept free, so far as is reasonably practicable, of obstructions and anything that may cause someone to slip, trip or fall. Under article 14(1) of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, routes to emergency exits and the exits themselves are kept clear at all times. The front-of-store page checks both.
Sources: Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, regulation 12, condition of floors and traffic routes and Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, article 14, emergency routes and exits.
Is this the same as a store audit?
No. A store audit covers the whole operation: customer service, back of house, health and safety and people. This form is only about how the store is merchandised against its planogram and campaign guide. For a full store standards visit, use the store audit checklist.
What does the store get at the end?
A PDF report and a shareable link with each bay's photos, checks, gap lines and compliance %, the overall score and rating, and the actions with a priority, owner and due date, signed by the auditor and the store manager.
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