In many retail environments, space is becoming an increasingly valuable resource.
Increasing product availability without compromising merchandising quality is a challenge faced by numerous sectors, from DIY stores and Garden Centres to discount food retailers.
To explore this topic in greater depth, we sat down with Stefano Onesti, Sales Manager at CAEM.
Drawing on years of experience in the retail shelving industry, Stefano explained how the R25 concept was born and which market needs drove the development of this integrated rack system.
What is R25?
R25 is a system we developed by combining a medium-duty rack structure with our M25 shelving platform.
The objective was to create a solution capable of increasing in-store storage capacity without sacrificing the characteristics that make retail shelving effective: product visibility, accessibility, modularity and merchandising quality.
When people first see R25, they often assume it is simply a stronger shelving system.
In reality, the concept goes much further.
We designed a structure that allows retailers to use the lower levels for product display and sales while utilizing the upper levels as an integrated stock reserve positioned directly above the aisle.
As a result, the shelving no longer serves only a merchandising function. It also becomes an operational tool that supports the daily management of the store.
Today, many retailers are required to do more with less space. Every square metre must generate value, and the available ceiling height often remains an underutilized resource.
R25 was developed specifically to transform this vertical space into a tangible competitive advantage.
| Function | Traditional Shelving | R25 |
|---|---|---|
| Product Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Stock | ✗ | ✓ |
| Vertical Space Utilization | Limited | Optimized |
| Replenishment Support | Limited | High |
| Load Capacity | Standard | Higher |
Why did you decide to develop R25?
Over the last few years, we have seen a growing demand from the market.
Many stores need to keep a significant quantity of products available directly on the sales floor but do not have enough backroom space to manage all the required inventory.
At the same time, larger assortments and faster product turnover have made immediate stock availability increasingly important.
This is why we developed R25.
The concept was straightforward: use the lower section of the structure for selling products and use the upper section to maintain an operational inventory reserve.
This allows staff to replenish shelves more quickly while enabling retailers to increase product availability without necessarily expanding their warehouse facilities.
More than a solution for a specific category, R25 is a response to an increasingly common organizational challenge in modern retail.
Which problems does R25 solve inside a store?
The first challenge is space availability.
Many stores simply do not have warehouses large enough to support the inventory volumes required for daily operations.
In these situations, employees are forced to make continuous trips between the sales floor and the stockroom in order to keep shelves filled.
This generates operational costs that are often underestimated.
Every minute spent retrieving products from the backroom is time that cannot be spent assisting customers, improving merchandising or performing other value-added activities.
With R25, part of the inventory is stored directly above the aisle.
This allows retailers to reduce replenishment times, improve product availability and minimize out-of-stock situations.
Customers also benefit indirectly from this solution.
Well-stocked shelves improve the shopping experience and reduce the risk of losing sales due to unavailable products.
Is R25 a pallet rack?
This is one of the questions we are asked most frequently.
It is important to clarify this point immediately.
R25 is not a traditional pallet rack.
We have adopted some engineering principles commonly used in medium-duty rack structures, but the system was specifically developed for retail environments.
An industrial pallet rack is designed for warehouses served by forklifts and dedicated material-handling equipment.
Its primary objective is maximizing storage capacity.
R25 follows a completely different philosophy.
The priority remains product presentation and sales.
The upper storage area is designed as an operational reserve intended to support shelf replenishment.
| Feature | Industrial Pallet Rack | R25 |
| Environment | Warehouse | Retail Store |
| Stock Access | Forklifts | Ladders and Light Equipment |
| Primary Objective | Storage | Merchandising + Stock |
| Merchandising | Not a Priority | Essential |
| Customer Experience | Not Relevant | Central |
This distinction is fundamental to understanding the nature of the project.
How is stock managed on the upper levels?
The upper storage levels are typically accessed using ladders or standard equipment commonly used by store personnel.
This is not a structure designed for continuous forklift operation.
The objective is to maintain enough reserve inventory to support daily replenishment activities.
This approach makes R25 particularly suitable for retail aisles where products need to remain easily accessible while preserving a safe, organized and customer-friendly environment.
How is the system technically constructed?
We developed R25 in both Wall Unit and Double-Sided Gondola configurations.
The upper structure consists of side frames and beams that form the load-bearing framework of the system.
Storage levels are installed between the beams.
The lower section is built using the M25 shelving platform, which is integrated into the upper structure through dedicated fixing systems.
This allows the entire installation to operate as a single unified structure.
From an engineering perspective, one of the most interesting aspects of the project is precisely this integration between a medium-duty rack system and an established retail platform such as M25.
Which materials can be used on the upper levels?
The upper storage levels can be configured using different materials depending on project requirements.
We can provide:
The selection depends on the type of merchandise, load requirements and desired aesthetics.
| Material | Main Benefits |
| Wire Mesh | Improved visibility and lighter appearance |
| Metal | Strength and versatility |
| Wood | Premium aesthetics and category enhancement |
This flexibility allows the system to be adapted to very different retail markets and store formats.
What is the difference between the Wall Unit and Gondola versions?
The Wall Unit version is installed along the perimeter walls of the store.
It is particularly suitable for departments that require both high display capacity and substantial stock storage.
The Gondola version is a double-sided solution designed for central aisles.
In this configuration, products can be displayed on both sides while inventory is stored above.
Both configurations follow the same design philosophy: product display below and stock storage above.
How does R25 integrate with M25 shelving?
The integration with M25 is one of the project's strongest advantages.
The lower shelving section is connected to the upper rack structure through dedicated fixing systems.
This guarantees stability and structural continuity.
The benefit is not only technical.
By utilizing the M25 platform, retailers maintain access to the full modularity of the CAEM system, including accessories, merchandising solutions and configurations already established throughout their stores.
How are load capacities determined?
Load capacities cannot be defined through a single standard value.
Each configuration must be evaluated according to several parameters.
These include:
For this reason, load capacities are always determined through dedicated engineering calculations and project-specific verification tables.
This approach ensures maximum safety while adapting the structure to the actual requirements of each project.
Which configurations are available?
R25 follows the same modular philosophy as the M25 shelving system.
The structure can be configured using different bay widths.
The most common configurations include:
For certain international markets, particularly Latin America, 48-inch configurations are also available.
This flexibility allows the system to adapt to different layouts and merchandising requirements.
Which retail sectors benefit most from R25?
R25 was not developed for a single retail segment.
Its application depends primarily on how the store operates.
The sectors that most frequently benefit from this solution include:
| Sector | Main Benefit |
| DIY | Stock close to the display area |
| Hardware Stores | High product availability |
| Garden Centres | Management of bulky products |
| Office Supply Stores | Faster replenishment |
| Professional Stationery | Space optimization |
| Discount Food Retail | Reduced out-of-stock situations |
All of these sectors share one common requirement: combining merchandising performance with immediate product availability.
Why are DIY stores and Garden Centres ideal applications?
DIY stores and Garden Centres often handle bulky, heavy or fast-moving products.
Examples include:
In these environments, maintaining reserve inventory directly within the department becomes extremely important.
R25 allows retailers to combine display and stock within the same footprint, reducing staff movement and improving operational efficiency.
It is precisely in these environments that the integrated rack concept delivers its greatest value.
FAQ
Is R25 a shelving system or a pallet rack?
R25 is an integrated rack system developed specifically for retail environments. It uses some engineering principles from medium-duty storage structures but is not an industrial pallet rack.
What are the main advantages of R25?
R25 combines merchandising and stock storage within the same structure, increasing storage capacity and improving replenishment efficiency.
Can R25 be installed as a central gondola?
Yes. The system is available both as a Wall Unit and as a double-sided Gondola configuration.
Which materials can be used for the upper storage levels?
Metal, wire mesh and wood can all be used depending on the project's requirements.
Which sectors benefit most from R25?
DIY stores, hardware retailers, Garden Centres, office supply stores, professional stationery retailers and many food and discount retail formats benefit significantly from the system.
How are load capacities calculated?
Load capacities are determined according to the specific configuration, taking into account height, width, depth and the overall geometry of the structure.