Progressive Grocer Helps Launch First-of-its-Kind Front End Study
NEW YORK -- Progressive Grocer and Wilton, Conn.-based Meridian Consulting yesterday began the first phase of an extensive study to determine the front end's contribution to a consumer's overall shopping experience, a study that will include the physical layout of the checkout and how it is managed, and will culminate in the design of a new prototype front end concept.
The study, called "Lasting Impressions," will analyze shopper behavior at the checkout as it relates to movement within the front end's physical space, selection of products merchandised at the front end, interaction with the checkout associate, and the transaction itself. It will focus on both manned checkouts as well as self-checkouts, and will incorporate information from transaction data and customer intercepts.
"The entire supermarket design has changed drastically over the past few decades, but the front end - with the exception of self-checkout units - has basically remained the same," said Michael Shinall, c.e.o. of Meridian. "There have been several studies of merchandising at the front end, but none that have focused on the checkout as a whole. We are looking to see how every aspect of the front end can be reinvented to enhance the shopping experience and leave the customer with a 'lasting impression' of the store."
Data collected will be incorporated into the new prototype front end, to be designed by Charlotte, N.C.-based Shook Kelley.
Progressive Grocer invites its readers to participate in the initial online survey. All responses are confidential and no individual responses will be shared with any group or organization. Compiled responses will be analyzed and published in a future issue of Progressive Grocer.
Click here to take the survey
The study, called "Lasting Impressions," will analyze shopper behavior at the checkout as it relates to movement within the front end's physical space, selection of products merchandised at the front end, interaction with the checkout associate, and the transaction itself. It will focus on both manned checkouts as well as self-checkouts, and will incorporate information from transaction data and customer intercepts.
"The entire supermarket design has changed drastically over the past few decades, but the front end - with the exception of self-checkout units - has basically remained the same," said Michael Shinall, c.e.o. of Meridian. "There have been several studies of merchandising at the front end, but none that have focused on the checkout as a whole. We are looking to see how every aspect of the front end can be reinvented to enhance the shopping experience and leave the customer with a 'lasting impression' of the store."
Data collected will be incorporated into the new prototype front end, to be designed by Charlotte, N.C.-based Shook Kelley.
Progressive Grocer invites its readers to participate in the initial online survey. All responses are confidential and no individual responses will be shared with any group or organization. Compiled responses will be analyzed and published in a future issue of Progressive Grocer.
Click here to take the survey