Information Ecology of a Grocery Store

The server room for the store. Contains the computer server that runs the store’s internal network accessed through SSH on terminals throughout the store.

Inter-Departmental Mail folder, placed in mailbags that are picked up and delivered through back-door receiving. Serves as a way for retail locations, corporate offices, and financial services centers to communicate internally.

Box of squash sold by the wholesaler as one bushel. Formerly a unit of volume, the bushel, now a nominal mass defined in relation to individual commodities, has been deprecated in the U.S. since 1975 (48 CFR § 611.002-70). However, imported agricultural products like these squash may still be measured in bushels.

Table situated in the middle of an open area on the upper level of the back room. Store manager, department heads, and members of the corporate staff hold larger meetings at the table to convey information and receive feedback.

Intercom system speaker. Dozens are installed on ceilings throughout the entire store to create a cohesive audio environment throughout the entire facility. Speakers play an InStore Audio Network (ISAN) broadcast, with both sponsored ads for products and services and store ads for promotions. Broadcast may be interrupted for an in-store intercom message from any phone on the facility’s Cisco network.

Palletizing pattern chart on a corrugated box. Information targeted to warehousing staff. By the time the case of product reaches the retail facility on a mixed freight pallet from the distribution center, the information is vestigial.

Store archive (AML, out of date personnel files, and invoices) prior to re-organization by creator of this blog. Banana boxes and totes used to store sensitive records.

Advisory labels on an imported corrugated box containing instant noodles. From left to right: “Handle with care”, “Protect from weather”, “No chemicals”, and “Do not cut box”, indicated by a crossed out sickle.

Barren newsstand located in front of the customer service desk. Customer seeking to purchase a newspaper must approach the desk and stand in front of a security camera.

E-commerce department Omni 5 Star Metrics poster. Business intelligence deployed to drive hourly employee engagement and improve performance.

Legal infographic titled “Illinois & Federal Labor Law”.

Sheet containing a number of common GS1-issued PLUs and UPC-A codes/barcodes for use when produce lacks a stacked omnidirectional GS1 Databar. Created to circumvent GS1 scan compliance that helps track perishable product movement and inventory.

Braille text located on a Coinstar coin exchange machine. Latin script transliteration located above.