If you’ve shopped at enough Goodwill stores, you’ve probably noticed that many have a similar setup. Clothing racks usually take up the center of the store, while housewares, books, furniture, and other secondhand finds are arranged in separate sections.
That layout isn’t necessarily a coincidence. At least one regional Goodwill organization follows a specific formula for arranging its stores, and it has no plans to change what already works.
Goodwill has a formula for its store layouts
According to The U.S. Sun, Andy Mauer, vice president of marketing for Goodwill Industries of Northeast Iowa, recently explained the organization’s approach after opening a new store in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
“We follow a similar format for the stores in our 20-county area. We don’t want to mess with a successful formula,” Mauer said.
A major part of that formula involves placing clothing in the center of the store. As one of Goodwill’s most popular categories, clothing gets a prominent location where shoppers can easily find it and browse the racks.
The consistent arrangement also means customers visiting different Goodwill locations within the region can expect a familiar shopping experience.
What this means for Goodwill shoppers
For regular thrifters, the layout can make it easier to navigate the store. Shoppers looking for clothing know where to start, while those hunting for kitchenware, vintage decor, or furniture can head straight to the surrounding departments.
Of course, not every Goodwill store follows the same arrangement. Regional organizations operate locations, and layouts can vary depending on the building and available merchandise.
Still, it’s interesting to know that the familiar rows of clothing racks aren’t necessarily arranged by chance. A deliberate strategy guides where merchandise goes, even in a store where inventory changes almost every day.
