Shelf Sweep is a timed merchandise-sorting game that features stock clerk and vendor career-simulation elements. The player attempts to quickly sort a mess of beverage and food products on shelves in different local shops before they run out of time. Their main goal is to clear all shelves of items by creating sets of three matching ones. They also attempt to earn as many gold stars as possible.
The three shops are a bakery, a produce market and a grocery store. The player starts on the bakery's screen. They can switch to one of the other two shops at any time. The products they need to sort match the shop's purpose. For example, they primarily sort cold beverages, baked goods and sweet treats in the bakery. In the market, they sort fruits and vegetables.
Shelf Sweep has four helpful boosters. The player can freeze the timer, remove a set of items automatically, shuffle items, and multiply their star winnings. They can also earn more stars by completing combo moves in which they select matching sets in a streak without any disruption.
The game supplies the player with extra ways to earn rewards as well. After the player wins a specific number of levels, they can open a chest. The main screen also offers access to a lucky spin wheel.