Store Mapping

Map Your Store lets you create a detailed map of any grocery store so you can plan the fastest route through the aisles. Whether you are mapping your local supermarket from scratch or fine-tuning a layout someone else started, the interactive map editor gives you everything you need to build an accurate floor plan.

How It Works

The store map is built on top of a real-world satellite view. You draw the store boundary first, then add aisles, entrances, and checkout lanes inside it. Every aisle gets a name and a category (produce, dairy, frozen, etc.) so Map Your Store knows where each item on your shopping list belongs. Once the map is complete, the route optimizer uses it to guide you through the store in the most efficient order.

Creating a Store Map

1. Draw the store boundary -- Use the drawing tool to trace the outer walls of the store on the map. This tells Map Your Store where the store begins and ends.
2. Add aisles -- Switch to aisle-drawing mode and trace each aisle. You can draw freeform shapes or pick from 10 built-in aisle templates that cover standard shelving rows as well as special areas like deli counters, bakery sections, and produce islands.
3. Name and categorize -- Give each aisle a descriptive name (e.g., "Aisle 3 - Cereal & Snacks") and assign a category so items can be matched to the right location.
4. Mark entrances and checkouts -- Place entrance and checkout markers so the route optimizer knows where you walk in and where you finish.
5. Save -- Your store map is saved automatically and available on all your devices.

Advanced Mapping Tools

• Multi-floor support -- If the store has more than one level, you can map each floor separately and add floor transitions (elevators, escalators, or stairs) so routes work across levels.
• CAD import -- Have a professional floor plan file? Import it directly and Map Your Store will use it as the base for your map.
• Image overlay -- Upload a photo or screenshot of a store layout and use it as a tracing guide. Position and scale the image on the map, then draw aisles right on top of it.
• Grid overlay -- Turn on a grid to help you align aisles evenly and keep your map tidy.
• Undo and redo -- Made a mistake? Step backward and forward through your drawing history at any time.

Community Contributions

You do not have to map every store yourself. Any Map Your Store user can submit a proposed change to a store they do not own. The store creator reviews the proposal, can leave comments, and then approves or rejects it. This means store maps get better over time as the community pitches in.

Tips

• Start with the store boundary before adding any aisles. The boundary helps you stay oriented and keeps aisles snapped inside the store.
• Use aisle templates for common layouts -- they are faster than drawing from scratch and produce cleaner shapes.
• If you have a store flyer or website with a map image, use the image overlay feature to trace it. This is the quickest way to get an accurate layout.
• Check the community marketplace to see if someone has already mapped your store before starting from scratch.
• Add a descriptive category to every aisle. The route optimizer relies on categories to match your shopping list items to the correct aisle.