1. What is the basic layout type used by this supermarket? The Delhaize Group operates many retail outlets in Belgium, including local Delhaize de Leeuw supermarkets. Delhaize supermarkets compete both by choice of location, being convenient for frequent shoppers and by the quality of the products and service. To remain profitable, every Delhaize manager must not only maximize the revenue and contribution per square metre but must also minimize the costs of operating the store, in terms of material handling and checkout productivity, for example.

The Ouderghem supermarket has a somewhat unusual layout, having two entry points and two exit points. In common with most supermarket designs, the checkouts are positioned near the outside wall, but during most of the day only a few are used. Newspapers are sold near the checkout queues so that customers can catch up with the news while waiting. Checkout operators face into the store, towards the queue, to emphasize the need to work quickly when there is a queue. The store has 10 checkouts – a very large number for a store of only 1500 square metres. This is because there is a high peak of sales in the early evening, and long queues at the checkout would be unacceptable.