Thursday, May 8, 2008

COLES (Australia) - The problem with supermarkets


Why is it when one walks into a supermarket and it seems like an eternity to find what you're looking for? For example, I walked into a Coles supermarket in Sydney and the signs blended into the aisles and it just took too long to navigate throughout the store. I hope Coles cut that interior designer(s) contract short....I doubt it.

As a shopper, when I walk inside a supermarket, I want to have clear visibility of signage to show me where things are, I want to have less clutter in the aisles so that I'm not bumping things over, I want clean shelves, great lighting, dusted products, clean floors, clean shopping carts, working shopping carts with functioning wheels, fresh produce, clean mirrors, fully stacked shelves, friendly service, helpful service, knowledgeable service, smiling staff, I want complimentary products sitting together if possible. For example, if I'm going to make a pasta, is it possible to have the sauces nearby? Is it possible to have recipes next to the items that I'm purchasing? I hope this isn't too much to ask for.

Some of the best supermarket experiences I've ever had has to be Big Fresh (Auckland, NZ), Wholefoods (USA), Woolworths (NZ) and Foodtown (NZ), and Sainsburys (UK).

Poor Coles, not only do they have a interior design problem in their stores, now they are under scrutiny for allegedly ripping people off at the pump. I really do hope Coles gets their act together because competition is great in this market space of food and gas.




7 comments:

Stag said...

I agree. Sainsburys is one mofo clean and ordered store...

Might wanna check out Waitrose in UK!

The Ideas Guy said...

Waitrose isn't too bad either.

Have you been to Costco in the USA? You need a golfcart to do your shopping in there.

Stag said...

No, sounds like a large warehouse.

Robin Easton said...

I used to live in Oz and had forgot about COLES -- I think they have them there too. You are great at this. Very clear on what you need and what works in a store. You should be a consultant. Maybe you already are!!! :) :)

Robin Easton said...

Oh yes, I just saw the title again "COLES (Australia)......" I got so into the article I didn't see that. I was very impressed with your list of what you look for when you go into a store. I agree! Good list! :)

The Ideas Guy said...

Thanks for your feedback Robin ;-)

I was thinking that supermarkets should have anti-bacterial soap at their entranceways like Wholefoods (USA). This is a great idea because imagine how many people touch their shopping carts, products in the store, etc etc.

I would take it a step further and charge a premium to the anti-bacterial soap manufacturer/distributor to have their product at the point of sale entranceway with a large bottle for people to use with smaller bottles below it for people to buy. These companies could generate some serious sales here.

Thoughts anyone?

The Ideas Guy said...

COMMENT BY WHITEPLIMSHOLE

I think thats a grand idea, but logistically would be a problem unless using wipes or something similar. Yea wipes would work...

Thinking, in UK every supermarket (apart from the real skanky ones - Lidl, Aldi, Nettos), they always blow fresh smell of bread and cakes, which is alway locate furthest area of the store. Think they should just blow the darn stuff all over the store and brew me a cup of coffee...

Btw, if u think the trolley handles are grim, try touching the london underground train handles, then your know about slime ;)