Retail Analysis

1. I observed the store Meijer,which is a hypermarket chain in Grand Rapids that markets to the general public.

2. Before walking into Meijer, I noticed the unique design structure of the outside. On opposite ends of  the outside of the building, were grey concrete paneling on the building and between them were glass windows.Above the building was a large translucent wall that gave off natural light to the customers and cashiers at the register.After walking inside, I noticed it was so quiet that I could hear low to minimal noises like shopping carts rolling, scanning noises from the register and could even hear people conversing.The merchandise was displayed under the headings in which they fall.The floor was pattern with blue and light blue tiles, grey and white tiles, and brown and tan tiles. There was blue signs above each isle and blue or reds signs within each isle.The cashier are was very large. They had a self-checkout section and a regular checkout section.

3.Meijer tries to project a consumer centered enviornment through its simple structure.The signs in Meijer, for example, are placed pacifically to help the consumer find its way through the store.Each sign has a legible script and others have images that reflect the products being sold in that area.

4.Customers in Meijer interacted to the store's elements in different ways. Some customers that walked in with a shopping cart, strolled through each isle carefully looking at certain products. The customers that didn't have a shopping cart, came in and brought what they needed and left. Most of the consumers looked and touched the products they were buying and others did so because they were interested.

5.The interesting part about the design of Meijer was the subheadings in each isle. Where I am from, stores only have the big sign in the center of the isle to help guide the consumer and once you find the isle you have to scan the whole isle. In Meijer, I could look down each isle and see in words wher the flour, sugar ,or etc was located.