It seems that the big box stores are becoming more aware of time management issues for their customers. Up till now, the goal seemed to be to create ever larger stores with more merchandise at lower costs. The problem that developed was that the stores have become so large that it takes longer to shop, even if you are still buying the same number of items. It boils down to personally assessing how much your time is worth. Is the dollar savings significant enough for you to invest in the longer search and the lengthier waits for check-out?Since finding what you need is more difficult, shoppers end up leaving the store without everything on their list. As an example, Wal-Mart shows that the average customer spends 21 minutes in the store and finds only 7 out of 10 items. To counter this, Wal-Mart recognizes that people are going to continue to spend only 21 minutes, but the store is trying to help them find the additional 3 items within that time frame. Other large chains such as Best Buy and Home Depot are also aiming to change this experience, using tools such as better signs, more staff for check-out, and, my favorite, personal assistants.

I think it is definitely the way to go. I stopped patronizing Wal-Mart for the usual household items when our local store converted to a superstore. The trek back and forth searching for something was frustrating, especially when I still did not find it after going from one side of the building to other and back again. Instead I converted to being a Walgreen’s customer for those basic household and personal items. Yes, it does cost more than Wal-Mart, but I can locate a store easily, park right at the building, find something quickly, and do not have the same check-out lines. I count that as a savings without the stress. For you to have a better big box shopping experience, what would you advise stores to do?