Personally, I'd prefer to see empty places where a product is sold out, than have to spend extra time coming to that conclusion by examining everything else nearby.
Yes! Especially in a place like Whole Foods, where I'm looking for particular products, and I'm not going to return if it's not apparent that WF stocks what I want.
That's exactly the reason for this policy. One of many reasons, actually.
But it actually is meant for things on regular shelves, it doesn't apply to the produce department, which is what all the pictures in this terrible article show. It also doesn't apply if the product is going to be out-of-stock for a known period of time. It's meant for situations where the buyer didn't order enough and it will only be out for a day or two.
I'd prefer they just put up a sign saying "sorry, we're out of bananas" and putting something else there in the interim. The employees are right: empty shelves look sloppy. Too many and the place even looks like it's going out of business.
I have never seen an empty shelf in any major brand store. The idea is insane. Especially for a store targeting an upmarket clientele with high prices.
It gives the store a scruffy, downmarket image. Also, it removes convenience. If I cannot get all the items on my list at a single store, then I will immediately stop going to that store...likely to never return.
Companies have been trying to reinvent the grocery store for decades now. What can be done has already been done, and now they are trying to alter the way their customers shop. Guess what! That doesn't work.
" If I cannot get all the items on my list at a single store, then I will immediately stop going to that store."
You've got it completely backwards - this new policy is designed for you - the goal is to ensure they always keep product in stock, and the "holes" are a forcing function. Previously WF would just put something else in place, thereby reducing the pressure to restock. Now, the goal is to quickly as possible, ensure they have everything available.
No, it's completely not designed for me. My local supermarket has kept the same items in the same places for 5+ years. They keep things in stock by going to the store room and filling shelves up when they get low. Just In Time Delivery works when you are building cars, but it falls flat on its face in a grocery store. If I see an empty shelf, I assume the business isn't being run properly. If I can't get all my shopping done in one place, I go to a store that gives me that option.
Trying to get consumers to change their grocery shopping habits never works.
> the goal is to ensure they always keep product in stock, and the "holes" are a forcing function
This empty shelves thing is enough of a thing that it seems like it's not really working.
And empty shelves sends such a terrible message to everybody who encounters them that I question the wisdom of who picked that as a "forcing function." Whenever I see that in a store, it just reeks of failure and decay.
Whether they "re-face" a shelf with another item or leave it empty, you're not going to get the item on your list. This policy is a wash in that regard.
Alternatively, if staff can glance at a shelf and know what to reorder more easily and customers know exactly where to find something every time, that seems like a win for you and them.
