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Aside from noticing whether or not your favorite cereal is within arm’s reach, you may not stop to think too much about retail architecture and design. But think about this: Despite most items being stocked on shelving that rarely exceeds 6 feet in height, many supermarkets and other retail locations have ceilings that shoot up for dozens of feet beyond that.
In a warehouse-type environment, like Sam’s Club or Costco, it makes sense: Inventory can be stocked to the rafters. But why do comparatively smaller footprints need so much open space above our heads?