It should be noted that creating a proper retail environment on a company website can be a challenging task. Raley’s is an outstanding example of such a website, where it utilizes cleverly constructed techniques to enhance the online shopping experience with the use of context arrangement, graphics, colors, and displays. The general website structure and organization are oriented with the purpose of bettering customer experience, which is why the categories and options are intuitive and easy to navigate.
The shop’s main page uses bright red colors to display its slogan. It is stated that the use of contrasting colors, such as red, yellow, and blue, can trigger visual senses in order to improve valence among consumers in the food market (Bercík et al., 2016). Therefore, the colorful red section at the center not only adheres to the company’s brand image but also has a consumer behavior-altering purpose. The most appealing aspect of the main shopping page is the arrangement of content on the basis of consumer preferences. These include sections such as non-GMO, minimally processed, gluten-free, nutrient-dense, organic, and others. It should be noted that such a technique of assortment makes it highly convenient for users to be directed to the food preferences they want instead of conducting their own meticulous search. The overall theme of online shopping is similar to the in-store experience due to convenient sections as well as displays of products.
The website also offers traditional categorization of products at the top of the page. It uses a dark black line at the top of the red slogan, which creates contrasting graphics. The featured merchandise is demonstrated below the slogan section, which includes products on sale and ready-to-go meals. The site is highly navigable, which becomes evident when the search for a product begins. At the top right corner, there is a search bar, which provides search assistance if the food name is entered. For example, if one types the word “cereal,” it automatically displays word combinations, such as breakfast cereal, organic cereal, granola cereal, rice, cereal, or gluten-free rice cereal. The products are shown with properly assigned categories, brand name, quantity or size, and price, as well as information on non-GMO, gluten-free, and minimally processed. By filtering the options on the basis of the latter elements, one can find the product best suitable for his or her needs.
The majority of the help is due to filtering options, which are not usually available in regular shops. A standard filtering system usually involves price, size, and brands, but the company offers non-GMO, gluten-free, Kosher, and minimally processed choices as well. All of these categories enable a more precise selection and search for a food product. These features might seem minor, but they are critical to ensure that needs of every consumer are accommodated and met. There is no particular aspect that hinders a shopper, which is why the website is an outstanding example of a properly designed website.
In conclusion, Raley’s online shop environment is well-developed due to the inclusion of unique merchandising techniques, which are aimed to improve and enhance customer experience. The graphics, colors, display, and arrangement fit together and promote more engagement from buyers. The filtering and assortment options deviate from standard categorization methods offered by other competitors. Therefore, the shop only helps its shoppers in order to assist them with finding the right choice for each individual need.
Reference
Bercík, J., Horska, E., Wang, R. W. Y., & Chen, Y. C. (2016). The impact of parameters of store illumination on food shopper response.Appetite, 106, 101–109. Web.