Gondella Machelen, Belgium Colos in Machelen: racks and end caps for a new DIY concept
On 16 July 2026, the new Belgian DIY chain Colos opened its first store at Woluwelaan 11 in Machelen, on the former Makro site near the Brussels ring road. The store and its drive-in cover 20,000 m² and carry around 50,000 products for home, garden and building projects. Colos sells to DIY customers as well as small contractors and semi-professionals.
Gondella supplied the shelving for the store: Racks, adapted to the Colos concept, with end caps that hang on the racks and shop sections built into the lower levels. Gondella Belgium worked with Colos from the first advice and 3D design through prototyping, production, pre-assembly and installation by its own teams. The checkout counters and self-checkouts came from FRS, part of the Gondella group.
Gondella A new DIY concept The first Colos store
Colos is a new DIY chain in Belgium that plans to open 10 to 15 stores, starting on former Makro sites. Machelen is the first. The store opened in the existing building on the site, with a separate drive-in where customers load heavy materials straight into their car or van.
Gondella The brief Shelving for a 20,000 m² store
Colos asked Gondella for the shelving of its new concept. According to Colos CEO Loïc Hardy, speaking to Gondola Magazine, a DIY store in Belgium usually covers 2,000 to 4,000 m². The Machelen store and drive-in are five times that size or more. Colos targets customers with a project who travel for stock and price, so the stock is kept on the sales floor. The store is laid out along one long central aisle, with a promotion on every end cap.
Gondella What Gondella supplied Racks with end caps and built-in shop sections
Gondella adapted its standard Racks to the Colos concept. The end caps hang on the racks, with perforated panels in Colos orange, shelves and bumpers at the base. At the lower levels, shop sections with perforated panels, shelves and baskets are built into the racks, with stock on wire decks above. Colos was the first project in which Gondella combined Racks with built-in shop sections. Gondella chose wire decks that leave room for the price strip on the beam. Gondella Belgium installed the racks with its own teams and provides after-sales support. At the front of the store, FRS supplied the checkout counters and self-checkouts, in the same Colos orange.
