4 BULLETIX 1044, U. S. DEPAETMEXT OF AGRICrLTrEE. 



if desired, but a specific charge is made, and usually the actual deliv- 

 ery is performed by an outside agency. 



ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SELF-SERVICE. 



The advantages and disadvantages of self-service are marked, so 

 much so, in fact, that it seems apparent that the principle of self- 

 service can not be applied in a haphazard way to any store at any 

 location or under anj- management and be entirely successful. But 

 under proper conditions, which will be explained later, it has proved 

 to be a factor in making possible a considerable reduction in the cost 

 of distributing merchandise to the consumer. In order that the ad- 

 vantages may be utilized to the fullest extent, a considerable amount 

 of study previous to installation is necessary, and in order that the 

 disadvantages do not offset the advantages an efficient management is 

 essential. 



Any store to be entirel}^ successful must necessarily have a good 

 location and an efficient management. But the self-service plan 

 involves new features and problems to which particular attention 

 must be paid. If operated along the lines of the ordinary- grocery 

 store without previous study of its special problems the chances for 

 its success are limited. These special prol^lems are not in themselves 

 difficult, but demand only full understanding before the principles 

 are put into operation. 



ADVANTAGES. 



LOW OPEKATIXG EXPENSE. 



Low operating expense is the greatest advantage and the feature 

 which gives self-service its claim to a prominent place in the system 

 of distribution. If it were not for this feature, self-service would be 

 unknown, since the fact that it involves a decrease in service on the 

 part of the distributor can hardly be considered an advantage in 

 itself. The eliminated service must necessarily be compensated for 

 by a reduced cost of merchandise to the consumer, all other things 

 being equal, in order that the consumer's trade may be obtained and 

 held. This is made possible by the reduced cost of doing business. 



There is a direct reduction in the wage expense because of the small 

 number of employees necessary to operate a self-service store. As 

 compared with the service store, whether " cash-and-carrj'^ " or " credit 

 and delivery." this expense usually is practically cut in half. In 

 stores having a very large volume of sales the saving, under efficient 

 management and arrangement, may be even more than this. In gen- 

 eral, the larger the volume the greater the economy that can be 

 effected. These economies do not result entirely through greater 

 efficiency (which may be applied to any business), but are partialh^ 

 inherent in the principle itself. 



