"Wow, there's more here than before!" That was a customer's first reaction after the refit. Wider aisles, lower shelving, and the store stayed open the whole time.
Refitting your store is a big step. Especially if you don't want to close: every day closed is a day without sales. At Supra Bazar in Tielt, we refitted the entire store while customers simply kept on shopping.
Together with Gondola Magazine , we made a feature about this project. Read on to see how we approached it and what the result was.
the challenge
Supra Bazar wanted a store where customers find their way more easily. That was needed: the customer routes could be improved, and some aisles were barely 90 cm wide. The goal was clear: "more experience and service for our customers, more space thanks to wider aisles, better lighting", says Kristin Kesteloot, site coordinator at Supra Bazar.
Supra Bazar had worked with EasyRack before and chose us again as its shop fitting partner. The project came with one firm condition: the store had to stay open during the works. Supra Bazar knowingly accepted that some departments would be harder to reach for a while. Closing "would have been more drastic".
"More experience and service for our customers, more space thanks to wider aisles, better lighting."
The approach
Because the store had to stay open, we couldn't renew everything at once. We had to work in phases, so customers could always reach their products during the works. Here's how:
- A buffer zone. At the end of 2025, part of the warehouse was converted into 1,600 m² of extra retail space. During the works, this zone served as a buffer.
- Working in zones. On 5 January 2026, work began in the store itself. We divided the store into zones and tackled them one by one.
- Close follow-up, every day. "We drew up a clear plan for our regular installation team, Micomag", says Samuel-Thomas Theys, project manager at EasyRack. Depending on the day, 2 to 6 installers were in the store.
- Moving fully stocked shelving. We have a system to move shelving without emptying the store. The result: "Not a single shelving unit is still in its original spot!"
"Not a single shelving unit is still in its original spot!"
the result
Walk into Supra Bazar today and you'll find a different store. A 3-metre-wide main aisle guides you through the store. The side aisles are roomier too: at least 1.35 m, where they were sometimes barely 90 cm before. You can now pass each other with a trolley or pushchair without any trouble.
The shelving in the store is lower, at 2.2 m high. Only along the outer walls does it go up to 2.4 m. So you can see at a glance where you need to go. Together with the better lighting, the store looks brighter and more spacious.
Worth noting: despite the wider aisles and lower shelving, customers feel there is more on offer. "Wow, there's more here than before!" was the first reaction.
In short
✔ A 3 m wide main aisle
✔ Aisles of at least 1.35 m (sometimes 90 cm before)
✔ Shelving 2.2 m high, 2.4 m along the outer walls
✔ Better lighting and a new car park
✔ Not a single day closed for the works
“A refit like this by EasyRack is spot on.”
Supra Bazar also expects an effect on sales. Kristin Kesteloot: "After works in other stores, we saw sales rise by 20%, and it will be no different now."
Read more?
Read the complete feature in Gondola Magazine: https://www.gondola.be/nl/news/efficiente-remodeling-maakt-supra-bazar-futureproof
Planning of considering your own store refit?
Renewing your store doesn't have to mean closing your doors. Tell us about your store and your plans, and we'll work out the approach together.
Ask yourself these questions in the meantime:
- Do you have room for a buffer zone? A warehouse, an empty corner or a temporary set-up makes working in phases much easier, but not required.
- Which departments can be less visible for a while? At Supra Bazar, some departments were temporarily harder to reach. Best to decide this upfront.
- Who follows up on the planning every day? A fixed point of contact and a regular installation team prevent surprises.