Dear Grocery Retailer,

I believe that retail environments are designed to send a message. From the overall look of the store to the lighting to the arrangement of products on the shelf, it all says something to the customers. Well, I’ve spent a lot of time in your stores and I think I have figured out the message you are trying to send to me. That message is, “We’re greedy.”

Everywhere I look you are shoving something in my face. I understand why there is a big display of products in the large open space at the front of the store. But why are there stacks of boxes in the aisles? You have shelves. It’s not a warehouse. And why are things hanging down on clips in front of other products? There are spatulas hanging in front of the cereal. I don’t cook my cereal. There are spices on a little shelf extension in front of the juices. I don’t put cayenne pepper in my grape juice. Do you ever get pop-up ads while using your computer? Do you hate those pop-up ads? Uh-huh, thought so.

And what’s with the private label products? I can only imagine the millions that big manufacturers must spend on their packaging. Their products are designed to have some coherent look when shelved together. But you think it’s a better idea to put your inconsistently packaged (and let’s be honest, sometimes ugly) store brand right in between them. I know you make a higher profit margin, but it really looks bad sometimes. You’ve got your own Raisin Bran box between Post’s 25oz and 20 oz boxes. Your box is a different shade of purple. Do you think that looks good? I am willing to bet that the consumer that wants to save money by buying the store brand will still find it if it is shelved a little to the side. But you seem to want to stick it in my face.

I’m in your store to buy the things I want to buy. You can make me a happy consumer by making that experience pleasant. And you can sell more to me by offering me something compelling. Help me to make a meal. Teach me something about types of food I have never tried. Make it easy for me to find things I want. But, please, stop shoving things you want me to impulsively buy in my face. Or I’ll find one of your competitors who’ll treat me better.