Through careful design, I developed Wegmans' alphabetical search
feature to transform product discovery.
This isn’t just a visual update;
it’s an accessible, forward-thinking solution that simplifies and
streamlines the shopping experience
"Feels great to visit three different aisles for one product. Don’t get me started about baking products and spices."
"Knowing where everything was stocked was a big selling point for me.
Now I like Aldi for most things because it’s 1/3 the price."
"I swear every time I go to shop now it takes me 30 minutes longer to find the same things in the store."
"I find Wegmans a miserable shopping experience and this is one of the reasons. I go there as little as I can now."
"I have given up on Wegman's. It is just too much to deal with anymore.
I don't want to have to pack a snack and consult a map just to spend too many hours getting groceries".
Search and Build Your Cart, reflects the app's core functionality
—allowing users to search for items and build their cart beforehand
This later then helps you with an optimized route
By the end of my endeavor, my Professor and I were able to pinpoint
the title like how I had envisioned it.
The redesigned app isn’t just a facelift;
but an accessibly futuristic solution."
UX Design, UI Design, UX Research
Lead Product Designer, UX Research
May 2024 - Aug 2024
Skills
My Role
Duration
REDESIGNING WEGMANS FOR ACCESSIBILITY: IMPROVING NAVIGATION FOR ALL 📍
Problem
Navigating Wegmans presented some challenges due to unclear way-finding and an unfamiliar store layout.
Navigating Wegmans proved to be a frustrating experience due to poor wayfinding and inefficient store layout. Aisle placards were difficult to read as they were positioned at the far end of aisles, making it challenging to locate products at a glance. For individuals with mobility limitations, walking to find specific items added unnecessary strain. The lack of an easily accessible store map led to repeated reliance on store associates, disrupting both the shopping experience and workflow of employees
Solution
To improve the shopping experience, I designed an indoor map navigation feature within the Wegmans app, allowing users to locate products effortlessly and efficiently.
The interactive map provides aisle-by-aisle navigation, guiding shoppers to their desired items with minimal effort. By integrating a QR code both outside and inside the store, users can easily add items to their "cart" and avail an optimized route before stepping inside the shop.
Ever since they changed everything around, I noticed myself getting overwhelmed and anxious in there. Where aisles are located now doesn't make sense and it's easy to get turned around. It feels chaotic and not in the usual store-just-moved-this-item way. Something about the way items are shelved feels overwhelming too. The haphazard reorganization not only disrupts familiar navigation but also ignores accessibility needs,
About the Problem
How Might We...
Create a seamless in-store navigation system that helps shoppers locate products efficiently, reducing unnecessary walking and enhancing the overall shopping experience?
USER RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
To understand the challenges customers face while navigating Wegmans, I conducted a survey.
The findings highlight key areas for improvement:
Key Challenges in Navigation
Unclear signage is the most common issue, making it difficult for
shoppers to locate itemsCrowded aisles further contribute to inefficiency, especially
during peak hoursStore layout confusion impacts navigation, causing frustration
among customers.Inability to finalize the cart adds to the difficulty, forcing
shoppers to frequently backtrack.
How Often Do You Visit Wegmans?
A large portion of customers visit frequently,
suggesting reliance on Wegmans for regular shopping.Some shoppers visit less often, meaning an intuitive
layout is crucial for first-time users.Navigation improvements should cater to both repeat
customers and occasional visitors.A better-organized store could enhance overall
shopping efficiency for all customers.
Time Spent Searching for Items
Many customers spend more than 5 minutes looking for
items, signaling inefficiencies.Longer search times suggest issues with signage,
product organization, and way-finding.A streamlined navigation system could reduce
frustration and save time.Implementing better category labeling and an
in-app store map could enhance efficiency.
prajyot
PERSONAS
See Final Design
Persona: The Student
Age : 21
Occupation : College Student
Challenges
Finds it hard to quickly locate items, especially in a large and crowded store
Mobile navigation apps aren’t optimized for in-store use, making it difficult to plan efficient shopping routes
Background : a tech-savvy student who frequently visits Wegmans for groceries but has limited time due to a busy schedule.
Solution Needs
A digital way-finding system that provides real-time in-store navigation
Ability to create and optimize shopping lists—and if they align with the store layout, that’s a cherry on top!
Quotes:
"I need a fast way to find what I need so I can get in and out quickly."
Persona: The Elder Individual
Age : 68
Occupation : Retired
Challenges
Difficulty reading small print on aisle signs and product labels.
Fatigue from walking long distances in a large store
Background : A senior citizen who enjoys grocery shopping but struggles with mobility and vision impairments.
Solution Needs
Assistance features like cart-mounted scanners or personal shopper services
A voice-guided, easy-to-read navigation system with larger text and contrast.
Quotes:
"I love shopping here, but sometimes it’s hard to find things or read labels without straining."
Persona: The Individual with an Intellectual Disability
Age : 30
Occupation : Part-time worker
Challenges
Difficulty remembering item locations or understanding signage
Needs a predictable, step-by-step way to navigate the store.
Background : an individual with cognitive impairment who prefers structured and simple shopping experiences.
Solution Needs
A simplified shopping mode with a visual step-by-step guide
Landmarks-based navigation (e.g., "Turn left at the library" instead of "Walk 200 feet")
Quotes:
"I feel lost when the store is too big or things aren’t where I expect them to be."
final design & INSIGHTS
design, prototype and INSIGHTS
Splash Screen
Easy Navigation at Wegmans
Whether approaching or already within the store, initiate shopping by scanning the QR code ahead for optimal route
which will help you to NOT burn yourselves out and walk wisely around Wegmans
The picture above is a navigation solution before you Hop, Skip & Shop which can lead to burning yourself out and helps
you move seamlessly through the store without backtracking.
The reason navigation provided might seem like a wonky navigation is because it optimizes the route for items in your
shopping cart and other benefits:
• Guidance Over Guesswork - Even if imperfect, having a navigation system is better than wandering aimlessly.
• Item Location Awareness - Shoppers can quickly locate items instead of searching aisle by aisle.
• Route Suggestions - The system provides a structured path, reducing decision fatigue.
• Convenience Factor - Helps new or infrequent shoppers get familiar with store layout.
• Digital Integration - If tied to an app, it allows for real-time updates and personalization
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
Alphabetical Index Search
REFLECTION
Search & Build Your Cart
What can we help you find?
A
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
x
Y
z
Find the location of the item you're searching for in the store.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
x
Y
z
Find the location of whatever you’re searching for in the store
What can we help you find?
Aluminium Foil
Aspirin
Applesauce
Antacids
A
22A
3A
23A
3A
23A
ir Freshener
3A
7B
3A
23A
My Projects
Welcome to your Wegmans shopping journey!
You scanned the QR code, and now you're ready to navigate
the store with ease.
This is your starting point—search for products, build your cart,
and let the app guide you through the most efficient route.
No more wandering aisles—just a seamless, stress-free
shopping experience designed to save you time and enhance your visit.
Let’s get started!
QR Code Outside Store
Marketplace Store Directory
Now that you're in, it's time to find what you need with ease!
Simply tap a letter to browse items alphabetically or start searching
for a specific product.
This interactive guide helps you locate products in-store, so you can shop
efficiently without the hassle of wandering aisles.
Let’s get you to what you need—faster and smarter!
After selecting "A," you’ll see results like Air Freshener and Antacids,
each displayed with their aisle location in the store.
Tap on an item to view details, add it to your cart,
or get step-by-step directions to its exact location.
Whether you're freshening up your space or grabbing a quick remedy,
this app ensures you get what you need effortlessly.
Happy shopping!
Starting at the entrance, the path guides you systematically through key aisles, minimizing unnecessary backtracking.
The route strategically turns at specific points, leading you through produce, dairy, health & wellness, and home
essentials before reaching the final destination.
With this guided navigation, you can collect all your selected items efficiently, saving both time and effort.
Simply follow the mapped path, and enjoy a smooth, hassle-free shopping trip!
This study aims to improve the in-store shopping experience by optimizing navigation and minimizing inefficiencies.
Through careful observation, I identified common pain points, such as unnecessary backtracking, difficulty locating items, and time-consuming aisle navigation. By integrating a guided shopping route, I addressed these challenges, providing users with a seamless and efficient path to collect their items.
My observations highlighted that shoppers often struggle with store layouts, especially when searching for specific products in unfamiliar sections. The introduction of an optimized route not only reduced shopping time but also improved user confidence in finding their items effortlessly. Additionally, the ability to visualize the journey before starting enhanced decision-making, leading to a more structured and stress-free experience.
The conclusion drawn from this study is that digital navigation assistance can significantly enhance in-store efficiency. By leveraging technology to guide customers, I can streamline the shopping process, making it more intuitive and enjoyable.
Moving forward, refining this feature with real-time updates and personalized recommendations could further enhance its impact, ultimately transforming the way people navigate retail spaces.
Shopping Cart
Antacids
$9.69
$23.48
Bath tissues
$13.79
NAVIGATE
Now that your cart is ready, it’s time to navigate efficiently!
This screen shows your selected items, total cost, and an optimized
navigation option to help you pick up everything in the most efficient
order.
No more backtracking—simply tap "Navigate" to get the best route
through the store, saving time and effort