Rating: 
Summary: Helpfull...
Review: Great if your anywhere in retail sales. Just what the cover says. Easy read. Won't be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: My Only Complaint . . .
Review: My only complaint is that this book could have used a better editor. The same examples are rehashed throughout the book, so much so that you'd think the author assumed that readers would skip around the book and only read certain chapters (i.e. ones geared toward them). A good example of this is in one of the later chapters the author is explaining adjacencies in bookstores. He then goes on to explain that books should be grouped according to how they might appeal to certain categories of shoppers (men and women in this case). He says books on computers, sports, and business should be grouped together as should books on nutrition, self-help, etc. The author then teases us to guess which groupings are targeted at which gender. The glaring problem here is that the author used this exact same example earlier in the book, and at that point he explicitly told us which was which. I felt like shouting, "Hey, you already told us that."
Another shortcoming is the chapter on internet retailing. The book having been written in 1999, this chapter is really dated. It talks as though one can't e-shop without having an power outlet and a phone jack (as one of internet shopping's shortcomings, he states that you can't surf the web on a commuter train - so much for that point).
All in all, however, this is a fun and informative book that will cause you to view your shopping experiences of the future in a different light.
Rating: 
Summary: Sometimes the obvious isn't so apparent
Review: I finally picked this one up after about a year of "meaning to buy it." I'm glad I did. It's a lighthearted and fun book that will make you analyze every store you set foot into and make you want to avoid many others. There are no earth-shattering ideas in here, but it does point out many of the obvious things you'd probably miss, ie: product placement, who the decision-makers are and traffic flow of the stores. It's written clear and concise, but recycles many of the examples. I read it over the course of 2 planetrips (with layovers) and will probably pass it along to a store-owner I know - meaning I won't be referencing it for the rest of my life, but I'll probably keep an eye to see what stores have read it and who should
Rating:
Summary: The Lady Doth Protest Too Much
Review: There are very few books that I read over and over, but 'Why We Buy' has earned a spot in my top ten all time favorites. Through this book, the author takes us on an informative and entertaining journey into the world of retail marketing. However, the beauty of the book lies is that while it is a must-read for any retailer, it will appeal and intrigue the average consumer.When you shop, you aren't just shopping -- you are performing a science. From the way you move your eyes, to what path you take through the store, even items you touch on the shelves, is all part of how each individual consumer makes a purchasing choice. Through this book, you learn how retailers have studied shoppers -- like yourself -- and why certain items are on the top shelfs, why two items are never on sale at the same time, and a wealth of other retail secrets. Have you ever stopped to think about what happens the moment you walk into the store? Probably not, but you'll learn about what happens from the parking lot to the checkout stand in this book. You'll find out, for example, why shopping carts are usually always on the righthand side, and why the days of plastering windows with advertisements are all but over for many stores. Overall, this book is just fascinating in the depth of knowledge it presents, and in such a manner to make it entertaining and informative. Even the most casual reader can find something of interest. One thing is for sure, once you read this book, you'll never view a grocery store or mall the same way again.
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