Why do some supermarkets with multiple stores have different aisles? Why can’t they all have the same aisles with the same products?
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Multiple reasons – but as a general rule, you can boil it down comes down to local preference. Shoppers in California do not necessarily have the same taste as shoppers in Ontario Canada. There is an abundance of work and data-crunching on customer habits that goes into the layouts of these stores.
Not all stores are same size/dimensions. One store might be 20k sq ft and another 30k. One might be shallow and wide and another narrow but deep. If aisles have to be 20 feet shorter, that obviously impacts what goes on each aisle. There may also be inventory variations based on demographics they serve… even in same city, maybe one serves a larger Latino, African-America, Jewish/Kosher, etc., socio-economic groups and such that determine product mix carried.
The supermarket chain I frequent in Florida does have essentially the same floorplan (physical space permitting, of course). That way, no matter what city I’m in, when I go into the store I can be reasonably assured I will be able to find what I’m looking for without too much trouble.
Preference of the franchise owner .
Some franchisees require the same setup – eg Subway usually require the same layout of food toppings. Some don’t so it’s up to thr store owner
Available square footage is a big one. As chains grow, they may buy other chains with traditionally different store footprints, or buy a location to tear down the existing store, but are limited by the size and configuration of the land.
Newer stores, built in growing suburbs tend to be “superstores,” selling general merchandise, clothing, furniture, as well as groceries, because (1) the land is cheaper and they can build a larger store, and (2) non-grocery items tend to have a higher profit margin.
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