ENHANCING PRODUCT FINDABILITY
Creating a user-centric product location system.
How I improved grocery shopping and stocking efficiency and scaled my system across the retail chain.
THE CHALLENGE
Customers and store employees at Hy-Vee faced a frustrating problem: inconsistent product naming and unclear location labels made it difficult to find items quickly. This inefficiency not only impacted customer satisfaction but also created challenges for staff stocking shelves and assisting shoppers.
MY ROLE
As a UX Researcher, I led a 10-week initiative to overhaul the product location system. My goal? To create a clear, user-centered solution that improved navigation for both customers and employees.
THE APPROACH
I began by diving deep into the problem space:
USER INTERVIEWS
I conducted interviews with store employees to understand their challenges and gather insights from those closest to the customer experience.
BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS
I analyzed patterns in how customers search for products, identifying common friction points and confusing labels.
COMPETITIVE RESEARCH
I studied industry best practices to benchmark and inspire effective solutions.
Through this research, I uncovered key opportunities to improve how product locations were named, categorized, and displayed.
THE SOLUTION
I developed a new, intuitive product naming convention designed to align with how customers naturally think and search. This system prioritized clarity and consistency, making it easier for shoppers to find what they need while streamlining workflows for staff.
KEY OUTCOMES
18% Reduction in Search Time: Customers found products faster, improving overall satisfaction and shopping efficiency.
25% Increase in Stocking Efficiency: Clearer naming conventions reduced errors and improved back-of-house operations.
Scalable Implementation: The system is now being rolled out across multiple stores, with future plans to integrate it into Hy-Vee’s mobile app for real-time product location assistance.
WHY IT MATTERS
This project highlights my ability to blend user-centered research with practical, scalable solutions. By combining qualitative insights with data-driven decision-making, I delivered a solution that meets both business objectives and user needs.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
If you want to enhance user experiences and drive tangible business outcomes, I'd love to help. Let’s discuss your next project.