Commodity layout in supermarkets: using the integration of the comprehensive related value method and genetic algorithm

AbstractThe existing shelf layout methods do not explicitly consider the attention and relevancy of the commodity systematically and thus have failed to capture the invalid associations, resulting in poor sales impact and customer satisfaction. For such shortcomings, in this paper, we propose a mathematical programming approach for shelf layout problems based on comprehensive related value. First, we introduce the concepts of related value considering both attention and relevancy; second, we give the concept of adjacent utility value and the freedom of placement, and further analyze the impact of the same commodity on surrounding commodities due to different placement positions; third, we establish a new comprehensive related value-based commodity layout optimization model (CRV-CL) and provide the solution steps integrating with a genetic algorithm. Finally, we analyze the characteristics of CRV-CL through a specific case. The simulation results indicate the overall relevancy after applying the CRV-CL model.Keywords: Shelf layoutcomprehensive related valuefreedom of placementadjacent utility valuegenetic algorithm Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Ethical approvalThis article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant (72101082); the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province under Grant (F2021208011). The research of Sohail S. Chaudhry was partially supported through a research sabbatical leave from Villanova University.