Re: Traffic Patterns.
In three of the four local grocery stores, the basic traffic patterns circles counterclockwise. Only at the local Safeway does the traffic pattern circle clockwise.
Safeway is the store that is having trouble attracting customers. Most people attribute this to how the store looks dark, and claustrophobic. I don't. I attribute it to how the anti-clockwise patterns confuses people. We're so used to looking at stores, turning our heads from left to right (following the pattern of how we read), that when faced with a store that demands we turn our heads from right to left is bothersome.
Making things worse is how, at the Safeway, the outside wall has absolutely nothing there for stretches of walking/circleing time. It's like staring at a blank page. Lots of possibilities, but that's not what I'm shopping for.
At all four stores, btw, the customer is invited to start their shopping in the produce section. Frankly, I don't shop in that pattern. I start with selecting my protein (meat), followed by the veg and starch. But that's just me.
