FCS 3400
Shopping Assignment
You may complete this assignment in any town, at any type of store ... but all stores MUST
be in the same geographical locale and MUST be of the same type (all grocery stores, all
clothing stores, all discount stores, etc.). Please note, Wal-Mart
is a discount store, not a grocery, clothing, drug, etc. store. It
should only be compared to other discount stores. It may be included as a
fourth store if you would like that information for comparison.
- Select 20 items that YOU purchase. The assignment will be easier if
you select brand name items since they are available at more locations
than store brand items. (See number 3 below.)
- Visit a store and find each item on your list.
- Write down the EXACT brand name, size, and price of the item.
- Visit two other stores and fill in the price on the EXACT SAME item.
- Add the prices for each item from Store 1 and record the total on the "Store Total" line
at the bottom of the page.
- Repeat step 5 for Store 2 and Store 3. (You must visit 3 different stores.)
- Record the name of each store visited on the appropriate line at the top of the page.
- Write a paper (minimum 500 words) on the experience. What did you learn? Which store had the
best buys for you? Does this make it the "best" store for everyone? Why or why not? Was
one store the least expensive on EVERY item you priced? What does this tell you about pricing?
Will this experience make any difference in where and/or when you shop? Will
other things about the store (lighting, location, store policies, etc.) affect
your likelihood of shopping there in the future?
For a copy of the form for this assignment,
click here.
Check class syllabus for due date.