Empowering Walmart Store Associates through Effective Product Zoning

Introduction:

In the dynamic world of retail, optimizing product placement on store shelves is crucial, particularly for Walmart store associates. I am excited to present "Zone It," a mobile game I contributed to, designed to equip Walmart associates with the skills needed for effective product zoning. In this case study, I will provide insight into the game's concept, development, and its current status, along with my role in creating 3D models and textures for the game's assets.

Objective:

The primary objective of Zone It is to provide an engaging and educational tool tailored to Walmart store associates, helping them master product zoning and merchandising. The game replicates real-world Walmart scenarios to enhance associates' abilities to organize products, optimize shelf space, and create appealing displays.

Development

Concept and Design:

Zone It was conceived to address the specific training needs of Walmart store associates.

The game comprises three progressively challenging levels, each mirroring the complexities of Walmart's merchandising requirements.

Associates are tasked with arranging Walmart products on virtual shelves to meet the retailer's zoning guidelines.

The user interface (UI) mimics a Walmart shelf, facilitating product placement and manipulation.

Game Mechanics

Associates move and rotate products on a shelf.

I made early tests with cubes to test the mechanics.

Scoring is based on how closely associates adhere to Walmart's zoning and merchandising criteria.

In-game hints and tips assist associates in making optimal decisions.

A leaderboard allows associates to gauge their performance relative to their peers.

Graphics and Visuals

Zone It offers 3D graphics with representational products .

Product images and shelf layouts do not closely resemble Walmart's familiar retail settings, but future levels would feature private brands after initial concepts are mastered. .

Challenges and Bugs

During the early alpha stage, Zone It faced UI-related challenges as the feedback modals had not been developed yet.

While development on Zone It was temporarily halted in favor of other projects, it remains a valuable resource with potential for further refinement.

Conclusion

Zone It is a tailored solution for Walmart store associates, offering a unique approach to mastering product zoning and merchandising through a mobile game. My contributions in 3D modeling and texturing enhanced the game's realism and alignment with Walmart's brand. Although development was paused to prioritize other projects, Zone It holds promise as an invaluable resource for empowering Walmart associates with the skills required for effective product zoning. Future opportunities may arise to revisit and further develop this valuable training tool.