Wal-Mart is the world’s largest retail store. Its stores are located in more than 15 countries. Wal-Mart sells various products with very fair prices, and that attracts customers. It also provides a simple and comfortable atmosphere for customers.

              For the exterior design of its stores, Wal-Mart puts its symbol outside the store as large as possible so that people cannot miss it when they are driving by it. Then, people will probably think, “We are out of milk. We should go to Wal-Mart to get some.” The parking lot is also considered as an element of atmospherics. If there are not enough parking spaces, consumers might go somewhere else. Wal-Mart uses blue to provide a comfortable and clean interior atmosphere for customers. Shopping carts are on the left side when you are walking in. Products are all divided into different categories in sections and each section is labeled by a sign above the shelves. This makes it easy to customers to locate what they are looking for. Wal-Mart always puts its discount products in middle of the aisles. It is easier to attract customers’ attention. Sometimes, the on-sale products are not exactly what customers want to buy, but they choose to purchase it because of the lower prices. Moreover, Wal-Mart is open 24 hours every day. Customers can come in whenever they want.

              Wal-Mart uses its unbeatable price and various products to attract customers. However, in my opinion, Wal-Mart should use more decoration in the store. Although products are all easy to find and well organized, the design of the store is not attractive. The blue color of the store feels cold. The interior lights are all fluorescent tubes which do not give off a warm light. I think they need to improve their customer service as well. I have asked employees where some product is located, and they have replied, “I don’t know. You should ask somebody else.” This does not leave a good impression with the customer, and I think customer service can also be considered as an important part of atmospherics.

               Although Wal-Mart is already having a good performance, it can still make improvements. It has good prices for all kind of products. And its products are also well organized. However, Wal-Mart can make its interior store design better. So does the customer service.