Wegmans introduced smart shopping carts with touchscreens, scanners, and navigation to enhance the shopping experience, but they failed to meet user expectations due to poor usability and technical issues. For my redesign, I aim to reimagine the cart's interface and functionality to create a more intuitive, reliable, and user-friendly solution.
Challenge
The smart shopping carts by Shopic faced challenges due to a mismatch in user needs, functionality, and branding. Users found the interface unintuitive, with confusing navigation and technical glitches disrupting the shopping flow. Additionally, Shopic’s color palette and branding directly clashed with Wegmans’, creating a disjointed experience that failed to resonate with customers. My redesign will simplify the user flow, focusing on intuitive interactions and reliable functionality to ensure a seamless shopping journey. By aligning the design and branding with Wegmans’ core values, I’ll create a cohesive experience that integrates technology naturally into the store environment.
Results
The redesigned smart shopping carts deliver a significantly improved shopping experience by addressing previous shortcomings. I streamlined the user flow and introduced a new feature called "smart bagging," which optimizes item placement by factoring in bag weight, item order, and store layout. The interface is now more intuitive, making it easier for customers to navigate and use the carts without frustration. Additionally, the carts now allow users to check out directly, eliminating the need for traditional checkout lines. By aligning the design and branding with Wegmans’ identity, the carts feel like a natural extension of the store.
Process
Research & Analysis: To guide my redesign, I conducted extensive research and analysis, including in-store visits to test the smart shopping carts firsthand. By intentionally trying to break the system, I identified critical bugs, usability issues, and pain points that hindered the shopping experience. This hands-on approach provided valuable insights into areas needing improvement, shaping a more user-focused redesign.
Heuristic Evaluation: I performed a heuristic evaluation of the current carts to identify both successful elements, like the integration of real-time cost tracking, and unsuccessful ones, such as confusing navigation and inconsistent feedback. This analysis highlighted what to retain and what needed improvement to create a more cohesive and effective design.
Workflow Diagrams: I created new workflow diagrams to completely redesign the user flow, ensuring a smoother and more intuitive experience for users. These updates resolved most of the bugs in the current design, making interactions more seamless and efficient.
Wireframing: With the redesigned user flow as a foundation, I wireframed the entire smart cart experience to ensure clarity and usability. Each screen was carefully planned to align with the user’s journey, from scanning items to checking out directly from the cart. I prioritized intuitive layouts, simplified navigation, and visual consistency to make the interface approachable for all users. These wireframes served as a blueprint, translating the improved workflows into a cohesive and user-friendly design.
Visual Design: I completely overhauled the visual design to align with Wegmans' branding, moving away from Shopic's purple color scheme. I incorporated warmer, fall-inspired tones, like HEX #BF4931, to better match Wegmans' established aesthetic and create a more welcoming and cohesive atmosphere. This shift not only harmonized with the store’s identity but also made the cart experience feel more familiar and connected to Wegmans’ environment. The new colors, combined with a cleaner, more natural design, reflect the brand’s values and enhance the overall user experience.
Prototyping: I prototyped the entire redesign using Figma, incorporating the updated user flow, visual design, and functionality. The interactive prototypes allowed me to simulate the cart experience, integrating features like smart bagging and streamlined checkout.
Workflow Diagrams
Wireframes
Final Visual Design
Conclusion
The redesigned smart shopping carts now provide a seamless, user-friendly experience that aligns with Wegmans' branding and enhances the shopping journey. By focusing on intuitive user flow, resolving technical issues, and incorporating smart features like smart bagging and direct checkout, I’ve created a solution that not only addresses previous shortcomings but also improves overall efficiency. Through thorough research, heuristic evaluation, and prototyping in Figma, the redesign offers a more cohesive, reliable, and enjoyable shopping experience for Wegmans customers.
