Heights and Instabilities Affecting Economics

Thoughts on how best to spur economic growth across the nation dominate current political discussions this holiday season.

Also, retailers spend much time and money crafting ways to convince shoppers to spend money.

They should really be asking expert shoppers -- like me. I have to believe my take hits as close to the mark as anyone's.

In my opinion, a key to sales is product proximity, and getting items into the hands of shoppers -- quite literally.

First, we have to be able to locate the goods we need within the store, and then we have to be able reach them

Some of us are only 5-feet tall, at best. Those of us who are vertically challenged can't reach that can of Chunky potato soup on the back of the top shelf without some assistance.

And that jar of pickles??? Well, that's glass, and we just don't want the mess of trying to bat that jar forward and down and having it splatter onto the floor.

Just today at the Walmart in St. Clairsville I had to ask a clerk for assistance in getting a two-liter bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper from their shelves. It's something that happens every week. The bottles don't slide forward in the racks on those shelves, and there have been times I've left without purchasing because I could more easily get them at the next store.

I have to say fellow customers by-and-large are very nice. Quite often one of them -- sometimes a handsome gentleman -- offers to get the two-liter bottle down for me. Thank you.

I wonder, though, is it a new policy encouraged by the Obama administration to only keep the items deemed most nutritious at hand's reach?

And stores also are intent on making certain we get exercise. Why do they constantly HAVE TO MOVE ITEMS (I'm shouting) to different parts of the store in an ongoing basis.

I have such fond memories of Hills from my childhood. To this day, I remember where everything in that store was located. From year to year, the dresses, the shampoo, the records (later compact discs) always could be found in the spot they were yesterday.

It's the 21st century. Shoppers shouldn't have to go on a hunt to kill expedition each time they need food or clothing.