SELF-SERVIIsrG IN EETAILHSTG FOOD PRODUCTS. 



21 



and, therefore, no space used in aisles behind the counter for the 

 clerks. In fact, under the self -serve plan a much greater merchandise 

 display can be provided than in a service store with the same amount 

 of floor space. 



To a large extent, tables are used for the display of merchandise 

 that can not be placed on the shelves. In some cases double-faced 

 shelves are used lengthwise the store. One large concern controlling 

 the operation of nu- 

 merous self-serve 

 stores has patented 

 an arrangement of 

 shelves, as shown in 

 figure 8, whereby a 

 customer is forced to 

 pass before all the 

 merchandise on dis- 

 play, a sj^stem which 

 has its advantages 

 and d i s a d V a n tages. 

 After a careful in- 

 vestigation, it is be- 

 lieved that tables 

 used for the display 

 o f merchandise are 

 more satisfactory 

 than a series of tall 

 shelves placed out on 

 the floor. It would 

 appear that a better 

 plan than the use of 

 either tables or high 

 shelves is the use of 

 double-faced shelves 

 about 4 feet high in 

 units from 6 to 10 

 feet long, with dis- 

 play space on top. 

 Such an arrange- 

 ment preserves the advantages of both the high shelves and the tables, 

 while doing away with some of the disadvantages of both. There are 

 several advantages in the use of display fixtures of medium height in 

 separated units, whether they be tables or shelves. The use of such 

 fixtures affords a better view of the entire stock, is not so tiresome 

 to the eye, and gives a much more pleasing appearance. Also, it 

 allows less chance for thievery, as all customers are more easily seen by 



Fig. 8. — Showing arrangement of display slielves in a 

 certain type of store. Ttie circuitous passageway is 

 patented. Tlie cashier's bootli is not shown. 



