Process

We conducted an interview with the manager from a local grocery store and did field observations in both local grocery stores and a chain supermarket. We found out that local products are available in chain supermarket as well, but it’s hard to notice the existence of such products if customers are not intentionally looking for them.

A contextual inquiry with a shopper and feedback we got from informal interviews show that convenience and price are two very important issues people consider when they plan grocery shopping, even if they are local or organic product lovers. Most people go to a chain supermarket for grocery shopping because of these two reasons. Therefore, we decided to focus on improving the purchase of local products in chain super market.

Design Introduction

The device we designed will be attached to a shopping cart so that it accompanies the customer everywhere in the store. When customers walk near the area where local products are available, the shopping device will play a sound and show that there are local products for purchase. By using both sound and on-screen information we want to make sure that customers can notice the availability of local products nearby. After the signal, customers can check for more information about the local products such as where do they come from, the nutrition facts, etc. This information is intended to introduce customers to the value of local products and connect customers with local producers, thus encouraging customers to purchase local products. More so, the device will show promotional ads and discounts for all kinds of local products to help people realize that local products don’t necessarily mean expensive products.

In order to persuade chain super markets to purchase these devices, we designed some more features for this device to enhance customers’ overall shopping experience. For example, the “Store Map” shows a bird’s-eye view of the store, and points out where is the item customers are searching for; also, we used different signs to distinguish local items and non-local items. “Order From the Device” allows customers to send orders to areas like the deli or the meat department from the device. When they finish shopping for other stuff, they can go to the department and get what they ordered: no need to wait or do extra walking. Also, we added a “Daily Special” advertisement session to help the store promote more than just local products. “Online coupons” let customers quickly get coupons for the store through the device, corresponds to the items they bought, then the coupons will be applied automatically when they check out.

My Role

• Co-conducted interview, field observation, and contextual inquiry for guiding the design direction and getting design insights.
• Co-prototyped an interactive prototype using Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Conducted a usability testing with the prototype.
• Co-created a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation for the design and presented it.