Comments on: Why is milk at the back of the store? http://www.returncustomer.com/2008/06/18/why-is-milk-at-the-back-of-the-store/ Learn beneficial marketing and business principles from everyday experiences Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:08:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Joe Rawlinson http://www.returncustomer.com/2008/06/18/why-is-milk-at-the-back-of-the-store/comment-page-1/#comment-61377 Joe Rawlinson Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:46:16 +0000 http://www.returncustomer.com/2008/06/18/why-is-milk-at-the-back-of-the-store/#comment-61377 Skip, Thanks for sharing that logistical insight into why milk goes where it does in the stores. I think with new buildings and construction, stores could put the milk where ever they wanted. Even on the side up front if so desired. It appears the combination of the logistical issues you mentioned plus the additional purchase lure that milk in the back brings, stores will continue to put milk at the back of the store. Skip,

Thanks for sharing that logistical insight into why milk goes where it does in the stores.

I think with new buildings and construction, stores could put the milk where ever they wanted. Even on the side up front if so desired.

It appears the combination of the logistical issues you mentioned plus the additional purchase lure that milk in the back brings, stores will continue to put milk at the back of the store.

]]> By: Skip http://www.returncustomer.com/2008/06/18/why-is-milk-at-the-back-of-the-store/comment-page-1/#comment-60982 Skip Thu, 11 Dec 2008 04:46:42 +0000 http://www.returncustomer.com/2008/06/18/why-is-milk-at-the-back-of-the-store/#comment-60982 Milk is placed in the back of the store for several reasons. Imagine a large fridge in the front of the store. It is surrounded by warm heat. Now imagine a large fridge in the back of the store that is surrounded by a cooler back room. Which is more energy efficient? Also milk is hauled on carts with wheel and some stores even uses these carts to display their milk. Since milk is cold and creates moisture, the carts are always wet. When these carts are moved, the wheels leave nasty marks from the dirt the wheels pick-up. Imagine rolling one of these carts to the front of the store. Store clerks would spend more time cleaning the floors instead of serving the customer. Also milk spoils quickly, so it is placed in the back so that it is the last thing bought and decreases the amount of time it is in the warm. Milk is placed in the back of the store for several reasons. Imagine a large fridge in the front of the store. It is surrounded by warm heat. Now imagine a large fridge in the back of the store that is surrounded by a cooler back room. Which is more energy efficient? Also milk is hauled on carts with wheel and some stores even uses these carts to display their milk. Since milk is cold and creates moisture, the carts are always wet. When these carts are moved, the wheels leave nasty marks from the dirt the wheels pick-up. Imagine rolling one of these carts to the front of the store. Store clerks would spend more time cleaning the floors instead of serving the customer. Also milk spoils quickly, so it is placed in the back so that it is the last thing bought and decreases the amount of time it is in the warm.

]]> By: Joe Rawlinson http://www.returncustomer.com/2008/06/18/why-is-milk-at-the-back-of-the-store/comment-page-1/#comment-22387 Joe Rawlinson Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:53:05 +0000 http://www.returncustomer.com/2008/06/18/why-is-milk-at-the-back-of-the-store/#comment-22387 Sure, as a business owner margins are very important. The higher the amount spent per customer, the happier a business will be. I think that retail stores in particular will have to walk a fine line between providing a great customer experience while still having persuasive product placements. In my Walgreens example, they seem to be finding that happy medium. I hope your milk run didn't cost you too much this week Glenn! Sure, as a business owner margins are very important. The higher the amount spent per customer, the happier a business will be. I think that retail stores in particular will have to walk a fine line between providing a great customer experience while still having persuasive product placements.

In my Walgreens example, they seem to be finding that happy medium.

I hope your milk run didn’t cost you too much this week Glenn!

]]> By: Glenn http://www.returncustomer.com/2008/06/18/why-is-milk-at-the-back-of-the-store/comment-page-1/#comment-21865 Glenn Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:40:29 +0000 http://www.returncustomer.com/2008/06/18/why-is-milk-at-the-back-of-the-store/#comment-21865 Joe, even though I write a blog on customer service as you do, I'm going to disagree with you here. Why? Customer service is only one component in a business. If I ran a business on a profit margin as razor thin as a grocery store, I'd put the milk in the back of the store with the intention of cross-selling to customers. And I could still focus on customers' needs. Yes, customer service is important, but so is marketing, inventory, and whatever the term is for where a product is placed in a store in order to utilize floor and wall space effectively. I say this even though every Wednesday, we run out of milk and I go to the store with the express purpose of buying only milk and then walk out with two sacks full of stuff. And yes, I whine about having to walk all the way to the back:-) But if I owned that store, I'd do it their way. Hmm. Today's Wednesday. Better go see if we need milk... Glenn Joe, even though I write a blog on customer service as you do, I’m going to disagree with you here. Why? Customer service is only one component in a business. If I ran a business on a profit margin as razor thin as a grocery store, I’d put the milk in the back of the store with the intention of cross-selling to customers. And I could still focus on customers’ needs.

Yes, customer service is important, but so is marketing, inventory, and whatever the term is for where a product is placed in a store in order to utilize floor and wall space effectively.

I say this even though every Wednesday, we run out of milk and I go to the store with the express purpose of buying only milk and then walk out with two sacks full of stuff. And yes, I whine about having to walk all the way to the back:-)

But if I owned that store, I’d do it their way.

Hmm. Today’s Wednesday. Better go see if we need milk…

Glenn

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