Discussion Topic 4: Many retailers believe that when they pile a lot of stuff around their store, this cluttered look encourages shoppers to hunt for items and eventually buy more. Dollar General recently raised the height of its shelves to more than six feet; J. C. Penney transformed empty walls into jewelry and accessory displays; Old Navy added lanes lined with items like water bottles, candy, and lunchboxes Walmart recently did an abrupt about-face: The Company only recently remodeled its stores by eliminating the pallets of items it used to stack in the centers of aisles, and it reduced overall inventory by about 9%. Customers loved the leaner, cleaner look. Only one problem: They bought less stuff. As a senior Walmart executive commented, "They loved the experience. They just bought less. And that generally is not a good long-term strategy." Now, Walmart is adding inventory back in and is once again piling stacks of merchandise in aisles. What is your take "big-box' stores in your area, such as Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. If possible, interview shoppers about their experiences. Do they have trouble navigating around the store? Do they enjoy the clutter? Does it feel like a "treasure hunt" when they have to pick their way around piles and pallets? If you were designing a store, how would you craft a stocking strategy that would make it easy to shop there? on these store-stocking strategies? Visit several Discussion Topic 3: Marketers use "tricks" to minimize psychological waiting time. These techniques range from altering customers' perceptions of a line's length to providing distractions that divert attention from waiting One hotel chain received excessive complaints about the wait for elevators, so it installed mirrors near the elevator banks. People's natural tendency to check their appearance though the actual waiting time was unchanged. Fast food restaurants are trying to put the fast the process. Airport complaints about luggage wait-times are increasing. Some restaurants and Airports have made changes. Research wait-times and improvements at three establishments. reduced complaints, even back into a. What businesses (3) and what changes improved wait-time and reduced complaints? b. What are your waiting line "pain points?" How can companies change their processes to make these situations easier or more enjoyable for you? Discussion Topic 4: Many retailers believe that when they pile a lot of stuff around their store, this cluttered look encourages shoppers to hunt for items and eventually buy more. Dollar General recently raised the height of its shelves to more than six feet; J. C. Penney transformed empty walls into jewelry and accessory displays; Old Navy added lanes lined with items like water bottles, candy, and lunchboxes Walmart recently did an abrupt about-face: The Company only recently remodeled its stores by eliminating the pallets of items it used to stack in the centers of aisles, and it reduced overall inventory by about 9%. Customers loved the leaner, cleaner look. Only one problem: They bought less stuff. As a senior Walmart executive commented, "They loved the experience. They just bought less. And that generally is not a good long-term strategy." Now, Walmart is adding inventory back in and is once again piling stacks of merchandise in aisles. What is your take "big-box' stores in your area, such as Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. If possible, interview shoppers about their experiences. Do they have trouble navigating around the store? Do they enjoy the clutter? Does it feel like a "treasure hunt" when they have to pick their way around piles and pallets? If you were designing a store, how would you craft a stocking strategy that would make it easy to shop there? on these store-stocking strategies? Visit several Discussion Topic 3: Marketers use "tricks" to minimize psychological waiting time. These techniques range from altering customers' perceptions of a line's length to providing distractions that divert attention from waiting One hotel chain received excessive complaints about the wait for elevators, so it installed mirrors near the elevator banks. People's natural tendency to check their appearance though the actual waiting time was unchanged. Fast food restaurants are trying to put the fast the process. Airport complaints about luggage wait-times are increasing. Some restaurants and Airports have made changes. Research wait-times and improvements at three establishments. reduced complaints, even back into a. What businesses (3) and what changes improved wait-time and reduced complaints? b. What are your waiting line "pain points?" How can companies change their processes to make these situations easier or more enjoyable for you