ABSTRACT

The study examined the influence of store layout on Consumer Buying Behaviour in Selected Supermarkets -within Uyo Metropolis. Specifically, the objectives were to examined the the socio-economic characteristics of supermarket shoppers in the Uyo metropolis, to determine the influence of store atmospherics of scent, music and store colour and store layout and design on consumer buying behaviour. A total oftwo hundred andforty-four (244) shoppers were sampled using multi-staged sampling technique from the selected supermarkets in Uyo metropolis. Three null hypotheses were tested. Data were collectedfor the study through the use ofstructured questionnaire and analyzed using different statisticalprocesses such as descriptive statistics, multiple regression and Pearson product moment correlation. At 5% level of significance, the resultrevealed that: in-store shopping environmentpositively influence consumer buying behaviour, the intangible atmospheric elements of scent, music and interior colour did not significantly influence buying behaviour. Furthermore, store layout has significant impact on customer behaviour. Its power of influence is significantly higher than other atmospheric factors like store temperature, lighting and behaviour ofservice personnel. Based on the findings, it was recommended that retailers should focus their resources on improving the particularly weak aspect oftheir layout and interior decor. Store atmospherics and layout design shouldfall in line with the store image. Service personnel should be trained to be helpful, persuasive and not overtly bearing.