Supermarket Observation - PowerPoint Presentation Example

Supermarket Observation A visit to the Brown and Cole supermarket reveals the play of psychology in the placement and arrangement of products in an aisle. An observation of the soft drinks aisle is analyzed in the following sections of the paper. Product PlacementThe soft drinks in the supermarket are arranged by type or category and then by brand. As one moves from the tills toward the furthest end of the supermarket, one meets a variety of energy drinks. The drinks are arranged on different shelves; individual pieces are placed at eye level and below eye level.

Those that are packed in boxes are arranged above eye level. This trend follows for the various product brands. After the energy drinks come the juices. First one meets brands that boast of being organic and natural and those that are synthetic come after. Sizes and QuantitiesThe products are arranged such that single pieces of the product appear at or around the eye level. The pieces are arranged very close to one another and in fact touch against each other. The bigger containers of soft drinks are placed closer to the ground while those that are packed in many units are placed on higher shelves.

Price per Unit/ounceAs one traverses the aisle, the product prices keep changing depending on product, brand and size. The aisle starts with expensive products gradually introducing cheaper products and then ending in more expensive products. Yet again, the medium sized products which are moderately priced by brand are placed on the middle shelves. ShelvingGiven that many people tend to be attracted to goods placed at the middle shelves or at eye level, many product brands tend to be featured therein.

Products that are middle sized or that are grouped in small units are positioned in the middle shelves. Smaller units and extremely large units of products are placed on upper and lower shelves. Middle sized products are thus more easily accessible to the potential buyer. End CapsThe end caps contain goods that have closer expiry dates. The products featured therein are not quite much of a bargain. Most of the products featured in the end caps were full priced and could have been placed there to highlight their presence in the supermarket.

Promotions/Coupons and Special OffersAt the aisle, products under promotion or those with coupons are placed toward the end of the aisle. Similarly, those with gifts attached to them are placed almost at the furthest end of the aisle. ConclusionConsidering the arrangement of products as observed in the supermarket, it is beyond doubt that the aisle is arranged to offer the potential buyer utmost convenience as noted by Consumer Reports Magazine (par 1). Yet again, the aisle is arranged so as to lure the potential buyer into spending more than they had actually budgeted for as they have to walk longer distances to access the products that they would otherwise wish to access first.

This is most evident in the manner products with gifts or special offers are treated. They are placed furthest from the till. Works CitedConsumer Reports Magazine. 13 ways to save. 2009. Web. 25 June, 2012 http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/may-2009/food/supermarkets/13-ways-to-save/supermarkets-13-ways-to-save.htm