Research Paper on:
Retail and the Significance of Managing Space

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
to sell as much of a variety in the smallest amount of space. Space costs money to buy or lease, and product is what will yield profits. Thus, it is  prudent to lease the smallest space possible, but pack it with as much product as reasonable. Of course, overstocking stores to a point where they look overstocked is not aesthetically  pleasing. Part of the management paradigm must include a way to make effective use of space, while offering the customer a large assortment of products, but in such a way  as it is pleasing to the eye and not overly difficult to maneuver. Shelves stocked to the ceiling for example is practical for extra stock, but not practical to sell  items. In examining this topic, several companies can provide a semblance of what making efficient use of space is like, while others may serve as examples of what should not  be done. Some examples include department stores like Sears, J.C. Penney and Kohls. These stores offer textiles, but feature other products as well. Sears is well known for its appliances  and splits its space between large appliances, clothing, furniture and home improvement items. While Sears stores are often arranged in such a way as to appear almost odd, or too  eclectic, the stores do make efficient use of space. They manage to get a wide variety of product into a small space, and while a customer will see, for example,  refrigerators not far from the childrens clothing department, they can manage to buy various things in one simple trip. Sears stores are also conveniently located in malls, and some are  located in suburban neighborhoods as stand alone stores. The companys web site links all stores, enabling customers to order products and pick them up at a convenient location. To help