Checklist template

Signage and wayfinding standards for big box stores

A ready-to-use checklist with 106 items in 6 sections, covering Department signs, Aisle markers, Promotional signs, Price signs, Condition, Outdated signs. Use it as-is in Bindy, or adapt it to your own standards in minutes.

  • 6 Sections
  • 106 Items
  • 92 Yes / No checks
  • 6 Scored ratings
  • 122 Points

Use this template How audits work

1. Department signs 18 items

  1. Every department on the store map has an overhead or wall-mounted department sign Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Each department sign hangs over the department it names Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Department signs are the current company sign design Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Department signs hang at the height the sign standard sets Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Department signs are lit, where they are illuminated signs Yes / No 1 pt
  6. A department sign can be read from the main drive aisle at each department entry Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Department names on the signs match the names on the store directory Yes / No 1 pt
  8. The store directory at the entrance shows the current floor layout Yes / No 1 pt
  9. A "You are here" marker is present on each directory or store map Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Signs for the service desks (customer service, returns, pickup) can be seen from the entrance Yes / No 1 pt
  11. The order pickup counter or pickup lockers are signed from the entrance to the counter Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Restroom signs can be seen from the main aisle Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Signs for the garden center, auto center or pharmacy are visible from the main aisle, where the store has them Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Checkout, self-checkout and exit signs hang above the lanes they describe Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Fitting rooms are signed from the apparel aisle Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Departments that were moved in the last reset have had their signs moved with them Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Number of departments found with no department sign Number
  18. Ease of finding a department from the main aisle Rating
    • Every department signed and visible 5 pts
    • A few departments hard to find 3 pts
    • Many departments unsigned or wrongly signed 1 pt

2. Aisle markers 17 items

  1. Every aisle has an aisle marker at each end Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Aisle numbers run in sequence, with no number skipped or repeated Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Aisle markers are double-sided, so the number reads from either direction Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Each aisle marker lists the product categories found in that aisle Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Categories listed on 5 aisle markers checked match the product in the aisle Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Aisle markers were updated after the most recent planogram reset Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Aisle markers hang at one consistent height across the store Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Aisle markers hang square to the aisle, not twisted or tilted Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Aisle numbers in the store's app or product locator match the numbers on the markers, for 3 items checked Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Bay or section numbers are posted on the uprights, where the company uses them for pickup or locator systems Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Bay numbers on the uprights are legible, with no torn or painted-over labels Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Category markers inside long aisles (blade signs) are in place where the sign standard calls for them Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Outdoor or garden center aisles carry weatherproof aisle markers Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Aisles in the seasonal department are numbered or lettered like the rest of the store Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Employees asked can give the aisle number for 3 products named by the auditor Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Number of aisle markers found with categories that do not match the aisle Number
  17. Accuracy of aisle markers Rating
    • All markers present and accurate 5 pts
    • A few missing or out of date 3 pts
    • Many missing or out of date 1 pt

3. Promotional signs 17 items

  1. Promotional signs in use are the ones listed in the current sign kit or sign directive Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Each promotional sign is displayed in the fixture or holder type the directive names Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Ceiling banners for the current campaign hang in the positions shown in the directive Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Ceiling banners hang level, on both hooks Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Ceiling banners keep the clearance below sprinkler heads that company policy or local regulation requires Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Pallet and bulk-stack signs stand in a pallet sign holder above the product Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Floor-standing sign frames stand at the entry of the department they promote Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Floor-standing sign frames have a current insert on both sides Yes / No 1 pt
  9. The number of promotional signs per aisle is within the limit the sign standard sets Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Promotional signs do not cover department signs or aisle markers Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Signs for financing, credit card or loyalty offers show the current terms sheet Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Floor decals are limited to those approved by the company Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Floor decals lie flat, with no lifting edges Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Vendor-supplied signs on the floor are on the company's approved list Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Digital screens and video walls show the current promotional playlist Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Every digital screen on the sales floor is switched on, with no blank or error screens Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Promotional signs against the sign directive Rating
    • Complete and placed as directed 5 pts
    • Mostly placed, a few gaps 3 pts
    • Not placed or not as directed 1 pt

4. Price signs 18 items

  1. Bulk stacks and pallet displays each carry a large-format price sign Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Large-format price signs state the item description Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Large-format price signs state the pack size or unit of sale, such as each, per ft or per m, per lb or per kg Yes / No 1 pt
  4. The price on 5 large-format signs checked matches the price at the register Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Price signs are printed from the company's sign system on the current sign stock Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Price signs use the sign size the standard assigns to the fixture type Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Regular-price signs use the regular-price color Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Sale-price signs use the sale color Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Sale-price signs show the regular price beside the sale price Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Shelf-edge labels in the 3 aisles checked are in the label strip, one per item Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Items stocked on overhead racking carry a price sign at eye level below Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Display models such as appliances, grills or televisions each have a price card on or beside the model Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Price cards on display models show the model number Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Big-ticket items show any extra fees or delivery charges on the price card where company policy requires it Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Items sold by measure, such as lumber, flooring or fabric, show the price per unit of measure Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Electronic shelf labels checked display a price, with no blank or frozen labels Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Number of bulk stacks or display models found with no price sign Number
  18. Presence of price signs on the sales floor Rating
    • Every display and model priced 5 pts
    • A few price signs missing 3 pts
    • Many price signs missing 1 pt

5. Condition 17 items

  1. Overhead signs are free of dust and cobwebs Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Overhead signs hang from intact cables or chains, with none hanging by a single point Yes / No 1 pt
  3. No overhead sign is cracked, chipped or faded Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Lettering on department signs is complete, with no missing letters Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Illuminated signs have no burned-out sections Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Sign holders on fixtures are unbroken Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Plastic sign sleeves are clear, not yellowed or scratched Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Paper signs are flat in their holders, with no curling or water stains Yes / No 1 pt
  9. No sign is attached with tape, string or cable ties in place of its holder Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Signs mounted on racking do not stick out into the aisle at head height Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Hanging signs clear the path of lift equipment in aisles where it operates Yes / No 1 pt
  12. The pylon or road sign shows the store's current logo, with no missing or broken panels Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Parking lot directional signs and cart corral signs stand upright Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Spare sign holders and sign hardware are stored in one labeled place Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Damaged permanent signs have a repair or replacement request on file Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Date of the last request for replacement signs Date
  17. Physical condition of signs Rating
    • Clean, intact and straight 5 pts
    • Some worn, dusty or crooked 3 pts
    • Many damaged, faded or hanging loose 1 pt

6. Outdated signs 19 items

  1. No sign on the sales floor shows an offer date that has passed Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Signs from the previous promotional campaign have been removed from all fixtures Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Ceiling banners from the previous campaign have been taken down Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Seasonal signs from a past season are gone from the floor Yes / No 1 pt
  5. "New" or "Just arrived" signs older than the period the company allows have been removed Yes / No 1 pt
  6. "Coming soon" signs refer only to departments or services not yet open Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Signs naming discontinued brands or services have been removed Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Signs for a relocated department have been removed from the old location Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Temporary "Pardon our dust" or reset notices were removed after the work ended Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Old-logo or old-brand signs have been replaced where the company has issued new ones Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Window posters show only current offers Yes / No 1 pt
  12. The sign room or sign storage holds no kits from campaigns that ended more than one cycle ago Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Outdated signs are recycled or destroyed as the company directs Yes / No 1 pt
  14. A sign walk to remove expired signs is done on the day each campaign ends Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Date of the last sign walk Date
  16. Number of outdated signs found during this audit Number
  17. Control of outdated signs Rating
    • None found 5 pts
    • One to three found 3 pts
    • Four or more found 1 pt
  18. Name of the person who performed the audit Short text
  19. Comments and corrective actions Comments

About this template

This checklist is part of the Bindy template library. Yes / No checks score 1 point when met; ratings score the points shown for each option. The overall score is the percentage of points earned, with N/A answers excluded. In Bindy you can add photos, assign corrective actions, require sign-off and compare results across sites.

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