10 Best Visual Merchandising Softwares in 2025

What Is Visual Merchandising Software? 

Visual merchandising software is a digital platform that helps retail brands design, execute, and monitor how products, displays, and planograms appear inside physical stores. It enables retail teams to ensure that shelf displays, signages, fixtures, brand promotions, and planogram layouts are implemented correctly across all store locations.

Who Benefits From Visual Merchandising Software?

Visual merchandising software is used by multiple stakeholders across the retail ecosystem, including:

• Visual Merchandising (VM) Managers
  To ensure displays, signages, and planograms are implemented exactly as designed.
  
• Retail Operations Teams
  To oversee store readiness, execution, and compliance workflows.
  
• Zone Managers & Regional Managers
  To track store-level performance, escalate non-compliance, and validate display execution.
  
• Brand Promoters & Field Staff
  To capture photos, submit reports, and execute VM checklists from mobile devices.
  
• Merchandising Teams
  To plan product placements, monitor stock visibility, and optimize category displays.
  
• Franchise Owners & Store Managers
  To maintain brand consistency and reduce losses due to poor execution.
  

Key Factors for Choosing Visual Merchandising Software

1. Planogram Automation

• Ability to upload, distribute, and track planograms across store networks.
• Automatic version control and store-specific variations.
• AI-led planogram compliance checks (if available).

2. Photo-Led Store Audits

• Capture image proof via mobile.
• Tag photos by location, shelf, category, or fixture.
• Automated scoring, annotations, and side-by-side comparisons.

3. Store Communication

• Centralized communication between HQ and store teams.
• Real-time notifications for campaigns, display changes, or new VM guidelines.
• Ability to attach reference images, tasks, and SOPs.

4. Analytics & Dashboards

• Store-wise, zone-wise, display-wise compliance reports.
• Heatmaps, trend charts, and category performance data.
• Insights that link VM execution with sales, availability, and customer behavior.

5. AI-Powered Shelf Compliance

• Automatic detection of missing SKUs, misplaced displays, clutter, or shelf gaps.
• Scoring of display accuracy against guidelines.
• Faster audit cycles for large store networks.

6. Retail Execution Workflows

• Checklists for store readiness, VM tasks, and campaign deployment.
• SLA-based escalation for unresolved issues.
• End-to-end visibility for every campaign and display rollout.

7. Pricing & Scalability

• Ability to support 10 stores or 10,000 stores.
• Transparent tiered pricing.
• Enterprise-level security and integrations (POS, ERP, DAM, CRM).

8. Mobile-First Capabilities

• Offline mode
• Fast photo capture
• Multilingual support
• Simple interface for field teams
• Works on both Android and iOS

Selection Criteria Used for Curating the List of Best Visual Merchandising Softwares

To shortlist the top visual merchandising software platforms for 2025, we evaluated each tool based on:

1. Planogram Automation & Distribution
2. Photo-Led Store Audit Quality
3. AI Shelf Compliance & Computer Vision Accuracy
4. Retail Execution Features (tasks, checklists, SOPs)
5. Store Communication & Collaboration Tools
6. Omnichannel Consistency Capabilities
7. Mobile App Quality (speed, UX, offline mode)
8. Reporting, Dashboards & Insight Depth
9. Ease of Implementation & Scalability
10. Pricing Transparency & Value for Money
11. Integration Ecosystem (POS, ERP, DAM, SSO)
12. Customer Support + Success Framework

1. Pazo — Best for Retail Shelf Execution & Visual Merchandising Compliance

Pazo is a retail execution and visual merchandising software designed to help multi-store retail chains ensure display compliance, brand consistency, and perfect store execution. It brings together planogram distribution, photo-led store audits, AI shelf compliance, daily checklists, and campaign tracking into one unified platform.

Retail operations, VM managers, and regional teams use Pazo to ensure that every store follows brand guidelines exactly as planned—without manual follow-ups, WhatsApp chaos, or spreadsheet-based audits.

Key Features

1. AI-Powered Shelf Compliance

• Automatically detects missing SKUs, misplaced items, and shelf gaps.
• Compares store photos against planogram guidelines.
• Generates instant VM compliance scores.

2. Photo-Led Store Audits

• Capture and upload in-store display photos with timestamps and GPS.
• Tag photos by category, aisle, fixture, or campaign.
• Side-by-side comparison with reference images for faster approvals.

3. Planogram Distribution & Tracking

• Upload and distribute planograms based on store cluster, region, or format.
• Version control ensures only updated layouts reach store teams.
• Track acknowledgement and execution status in real time.

4. Retail Execution Workflows

• Custom checklists for VM tasks, daily store readiness, and campaign rollouts.
• SLA-based escalations for non-compliance.
• Campaign-wise progress dashboards.

5. Store Communication Hub

• Centralized communication between HQ and store teams.
• Push display guidelines, SOPs, and promotional assets instantly.
• Avoids fragmentation across WhatsApp, PDFs, and emails.

6. Analytics & Dashboards

• Store-wise and region-wise VM compliance reports.
• Display execution heatmaps.
• Automated insights for faster decision-making.

7. Mobile-First App for On-Ground Teams

• Offline audit capability.
• Superfast photo capture.
• Simple UI for promoters and store staff.

Best For

• Fashion & apparel brands
• Supermarkets & hypermarkets
• Consumer electronics
• QSR & convenience stores
• Beauty & cosmetics
• Pharmacy chains
• Footwear & lifestyle brands
• Franchise-model retail networks

Pros

• Strong execution workflows for multi-store operations
• Simple mobile experience for field teams
• Excellent campaign tracking & VM compliance scoring
• AI-led shelf analysis improves audit speed

Cons

• Deep analytics modules may require enterprise plans
• Custom workflows need initial configuration

Pricing

Pazo offers flexible pricing based on store count, modules, and enterprise needs.
Pricing is available on request.

Why Pazo Stands Out

Pazo excels because it combines visual merchandising, store audits, AI shelf compliance, and retail execution workflows in one platform. It is built specifically for multi-location retail brands looking to scale store consistency, speed up execution, and improve sales through better in-store visibility.

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2. IWD Platform (iwd.io)

IWD Platform is a visual-merchandising and planogram solution for creating 2D/3D layouts, deploying store guidelines, and analysing store performance.

Key Features

• Create 2D and 3D planograms & store layouts.
• Centralised asset repository + brand-guideline deployment. 
• Analytics tied to store execution & visual compliance. 

Pricing

Not publicly listed (vendor quote required).

Pros:

• Offers advanced 3D/2D layout tools which help accelerate VM rollout and reduce manual planogram time.
• Strong for brand consistency across formats and store networks (large brands cited).
• Good drag & drop UI + asset centralisation. 

Cons:

• Likely higher cost given advanced features (pricing not transparent) → may not suit smaller retail chains.
• Learning curve: 3D-planogram tools demand some training and change management.
• Requires strong internal planning/asset governance to fully leverage features (brand assets, 3D models, etc).
  
  

3. MockShop by LookDepot

MockShop is a visual merchandising software for creating virtual store mock-ups in 3D, designing product ranges and planograms.

Key Features

• Build realistic 3D store mock-ups via drag & drop.
• Import product imagery, link to backend systems and test layouts before physical setup. 

Pricing

One-time payment: approximately €9,800 flat rate.

Pros:

• Very strong in visualisation: helps brands test layouts and planograms virtually, saving time & physical effort.
• Good for display planning & range optimisation before going live.
• Flat-rate approach simplifies budgeting (for the one-time licence).
  
  

Cons:

• One-time payment may lack ongoing updates/support – may be less flexible for ongoing large chains.
• Focused heavily on layout/visualisation; may lack broader execution workflows (audits, mobile capture, etc) compared to full enterprise VM-software.
• Might require internal resource & time to maintain virtual 3D model library and digital assets.
  
  

4. LEAFIO AI Retail Platform

LEAFIO AI Platform is a retail-automation solution that covers merchandising, shelf-space optimisation, planogram automation and analytics — with an AI backbone. 

Key Features

• AI-driven planogram generation, inventory & category optimisation.
• Visual analytics & dashboards for SKU performance, display efficiency.

Pricing

Starts around US$1,000 (company-wide) per vendor source; actual quote varies. 

Pros:

• Strong analytics & AI support: visual reports help merchandisers identify issues quickly.
• Suitable for brands seeking automation and smarter decision-making rather than purely visual layout.
• Scalable cloud infrastructure for larger operations.

Cons:

• Some users report slower loading or less efficient workflows when dealing with very large datasets.
• May require higher technical maturity / IT support to implement AI modules fully.
• Pricing and modules may be complex (i.e., not just a simple plug-and-play VM tool).
  
  

5. PlanoHero

PlanoHero is a SaaS planogram & store layout tool offering planogram creation, analytics, mobile access, and planogram execution. 

Key Features

• Automated planogram generation, 3D visual tools, product-database integration.
• Send planograms to stores, track execution via mobile/photo reports, analytics.
  

Pricing

• Starter: US$149/month (up to 5 stores & basic features) 
• Pro: US$299/month 
• Enterprise: Custom pricing.

Pros:

• Good value for mid-sized chains: affordable entry level to planogram software.
• User-friendly; fast planogram execution & control. 
• Scalable and suited for chains starting their VM journey.
  

Cons:

• Feature-rich but may lack enterprise-grade depth compared to high-end VM/retail-execution platforms.
• Smaller entry tiers may not include all automation or large-store network features.
• Some advanced modules may require upgrade or additional cost.
  
  

6. BeatRoute

BeatRoute is a sales & field-execution platform that supports GT/MT field teams, route optimisation, planogram/share-of-shelf compliance, and retail execution workflows. 

Key Features

• Field sales automation, route planning, beat planning, distributor/retailer network management.
• Offers planogram & share-of-shelf compliance workflows in modern trade retail.

Pricing

Various user-based pricing; e.g., some reports: ~ ₹399/user/month (≈ US$5–6) in India for basic pack. BeatRoute+1

Pros:

• Strong for brands needing field-execution + merchandising compliance across distributor/retail networks.
• Mobile & route planning support; scalable for indirect channels.
• Flexible for GT/MT networks rather than just in-store VM.

Cons:

• Some users report extended support/service issues or UI reliability concerns.
• Not purely a VM-tool — if your focus is solely visual merchandising, you may need add-ons.
• May need configuration/customisation to suit specific merchandising workflows.
  
  

7. Cegid Retail Store Excellence

Cegid Retail Store Excellence (formerly StorIQ) is a retail operations & visual-merchandising task/compliance app that streamlines store communications, task management and brand-compliance across store networks.

Key Features

• Task management & store communications: assign tasks, checklists, audit workflows.
• Brand/visual-merchandising compliance modules: distribute VM guidelines and monitor execution. 

Pricing

Pricing available upon request.

Pros:

• Strong ease of use and user adoption; many retailers report faster rollout & store uptake.
• Very good for aligning store operations + visual compliance across large networks. 
• Good support and mobile-friendly.

Cons:

• Some users report app glitches, limitations in formatting/imaging. 
• Focus is broader retail operations rather than deep speciality VM analytics/3D layout — may require integration if you need planogram automation.
• Implementation still needs change management; some features may require custom configuration.
  
  

8. Impact Analytics

Impact Analytics is an AI-powered retail operations and merchandising analytics platform that covers pricing, promotions, space planning and merchandising insights (less specialised purely visual-merchandising software but relevant when merchandising + analytics converge). 

Key Features

• AI-modules for pricing, promotion effectiveness, category/store analytics.
• Space & merchandising-optimisation insights tied to visual merchandising outcomes.

Pricing

Not publicly listed. Quote required.

Pros:

• Strong analytics and optimisation engine — good if you want merchandising plus data science.
• Suitable for large retail chains looking at merchandising + performance, not just layout.

Cons:

• Less focused purely on visual merchandising/layout execution; may require more investments and integrations.
• The complexity may be overkill for smaller chains solely looking for VM/display compliance.
• Pricing and modules may be less transparent or require custom build.
  
  

FAQS

1. What is the difference between planogram software and visual merchandising software?

• Planogram software focuses primarily on creating planograms and shelf layouts.
• Visual merchandising software includes planograms but also adds execution workflows, audits, communication, AI compliance, and reporting. In short: planogram tools help design displays; VM software ensures they are executed in the real world.
  

2. Which is the best visual merchandising software for large retail chains?

For large multi-location retail chains, platforms like Pazo, IWD Platform, Cegid Retail Store Excellence, and LEAFIO work best because they offer advanced execution workflows, AI compliance, and multi-store scalability.

3. Which visual merchandising software is best for small & mid-sized retailers?

Smaller retail brands or those just starting with planograms can consider tools like PlanoHero due to its affordable pricing and straightforward planogram features.

4. Do visual merchandising tools help increase store sales?

Yes. Consistent visual merchandising improves product visibility, reduces out-of-stock situations, enhances customer experience, and ensures campaigns are deployed on time — all contributing to higher sales and better margin performance.

5. Can AI improve visual merchandising execution?

Absolutely. Modern VM platforms use AI for:

• Shelf-gap detection
• Missing SKU alerts
• Planogram compliance scoring
• Automated photo verification
• Faster audit cycles

This drastically reduces manual effort and improves accuracy across store networks.