1. Project overview and background
With the intensification of the aging society, the shopping needs of the elderly are becoming more and more concerned. However, there are some inconveniences in the use of the existing shopping cart, such as it is not easy to push, the storage of items is inconvenient, and the lack of design for the physical characteristics of the elderly. The aim of this project is to design a shopping cart that is convenient, comfortable, safe and suitable for the elderly to enhance their shopping experience.
2、target market
This program is mainly aimed at seniors over 60 years old, especially those who pay attention to the convenience of shopping, and may have a little physical mobility but still maintain some independent shopping ability. At the same time, the potential market demand of some middle-aged people who are physically weak or have special shopping needs is also taken into account.
3. target cost
Retail cost: Taking into account the consumption characteristics of the elderly and the product quality requirements, the retail price of the convenient shopping cart is controlled in the range of 100–300 yuan (14.0–42.2 US dollars) and does not exceed 400 yuan (56.3 US dollars)
4、timetable
1. Feedback: Communicate with potential users, relevant experts, etc., to gain an in-depth understanding of the problems and needs encountered by the elderly in the shopping process. (Deadline: October 27)
2. Concept generation and evaluation: Based on the information gathered, the team brainstorms the design concept internally, and conducts debriefing and further communication with stakeholders to evaluate the feasibility and practicability of the concept. (Deadline: November 3)
3. Product design: complete the overall design of the product, including appearance design, structural design, functional design, etc., and make a preliminary design model or drawing. (Deadline: November 20)
4. Feedback and optimization: Show the design results to some elderly people, collect their feedback, carry out targeted optimization and adjustment, and form the final design plan. (Deadline: December 1)
5. Input content from the client team.
The client team will be actively involved in all phases of the project, providing practical information and advice on the shopping habits, needs and preferences of the elderly. Give objective evaluation and feedback on the design plan, jointly promote the smooth progress of the project, and ensure that the final product can effectively meet the needs of the elderly.
6. Project design strategy
1. Humanized design: Fully consider the physical characteristics and usage habits of the elderly, such as vehicle height, handle design, etc., to ensure that the shopping cart is comfortable and convenient to use.
2. Quality Assurance: Choose high-quality materials to ensure that the shopping cart structure is stable and durable, and can carry a certain weight of items.
3. Ease of use design: The operation is simple and easy to understand, such as the braking device, cart mode and other designs should meet the operation ability of the elderly.
4. Safety design: In the design, the safety factors of the elderly are fully considered to avoid possible potential safety hazards, such as the stability of the wheels, the anti-skid treatment of the body, etc.
5. Functional diversity: In addition to the basic shopping carrying function, you can consider adding some practical functions, such as seat design to facilitate the elderly to rest, classified storage space, etc.
6. Cost-effective: On the premise of ensuring product quality and function, control costs by optimizing design and supply chain management to provide cost-effective products.
7. Sustainable development: Pay attention to the environmental protection of products, choose recyclable or environmentally friendly materials, and reduce the impact on the environment.
7. functional aspect
1. Easy to push and operate.：
The ergonomically designed handle is comfortable to hold and easy for the elderly to exert force.。
The flexible and stable wheels ensure that the shopping cart can be easily pushed in different ground conditions and turn flexibly.
Equipped with a braking device, it is convenient for the elderly to stop at any time when needed, such as when going up and down slopes or stopping to pick up goods, to ensure the stability of the shopping cart and prevent sliding.
2. Storage and sorting of goods:
Set up multiple storage spaces of different sizes to facilitate the elderly to store different types of items separately, such as food, daily necessities, etc., to avoid squeezing and messing up with each other.
Consider designing small storage compartments with lids or fixtures for items that are easy to roll off or brittle.
A large space can be designed at the bottom of the cart for larger or heavier items without compromising the overall stability of the cart.
3. Easy to find items:
Use bright and contrasting colors to partition the inside of the shopping cart or put clear markings on the storage compartments to help seniors find what they need quickly.
Consider designing a small storage box that can be folded or removable, so that the elderly can keep frequently used items or items that need to be purchased urgently, so that they can easily reach and view them at any time.
8. ease of use
1. Simple opening and folding design:
The opening and closing of the shopping cart should be simple and convenient, and the elderly can easily complete it. For example, it can be opened and closed with a one-button design, or with a simple mechanical mechanism for quick opening and closing.
The design of the foldable shopping cart is convenient for the elderly to store when not in use, saving space. The folding method should be easy to handle, preferably with one hand, and the folded size should be small for easy storage.
2. Clear Signs and Reminders:
In the key parts of the shopping cart, such as the brake device, folding buttons, etc., paste obvious signs and operating instructions, and use simple and easy-to-understand icons and text so that the elderly can quickly understand and operate.
Consider setting up a small display or indicator light on the handle of the shopping cart to indicate some status information about the shopping cart, such as battery level (if it is an electric shopping cart), whether the storage space is full, etc.
3. Easy to carry and store items:
Design some hooks or bags on the side or back of the shopping cart so that the elderly can hang their handbags, umbrellas and other items on it, freeing their hands.
The handle of the shopping cart can be designed in the form of adjustable height to adapt to the use of elderly people of different heights and improve the comfort of use.
9. Adapt to daily life.
1. Exercise-related considerations:
Considering that some elderly people like to do some light exercises, such as walking, visiting the park, etc., the shopping cart can be designed to be more light and flexible, which is convenient for use in these scenarios.
You can add some shock absorbers to the bottom of the shopping cart to reduce vibration when walking on uneven roads, improve comfort, and also protect the contents of the shopping cart.
2. Food & Beverage Shopping Needs:
For the need to buy food, the shopping cart can be designed with some specialized functions, such as heat preservation and freshness function. For example, set up an insulation layer in a certain part of the shopping cart for placing food items that need to be kept at a temperature, such as cooked food, frozen food, etc.
Considering that the elderly may buy some bulk food, the shopping cart can be equipped with some small containers or bags to facilitate them to store and carry the bulk food separately.
3. Social Interaction :
The shopping cart can be designed with some functions that facilitate communication, such as setting up a small speaker or microphone at the handle (if used in a supermarket and other environments, it can be connected to the supermarket’s public address system), which is convenient for the elderly to communicate with others or listen to supermarket promotions during the shopping process.
A holder can be set up on the shopping cart to place a water cup, which is convenient for the elderly to drink water at any time during the shopping process, especially when participating in shopping activities organized by some elderly centers, so that they can use it when communicating with other elderly people.
4. Hobby-related design:
If the elderly have a hobby of raising flowers and plants, the shopping cart can be designed with a dedicated area for placing flowers or small gardening tools, such as a detachable flower stand or tool bag on the side of the shopping cart.
For the elderly who like to read books and newspapers, a clip or bag can be designed on the handle of the shopping cart for holding newspapers, magazines, etc., so that they can read while waiting in line for checkout or resting.
10. Customer preferences and needs
1. Design:
The overall style tends to be simple and steady, avoiding overly fancy or complicated designs. You can choose some classic, easy-to-match colors, such as black, white, silver, etc., or you can add some bright but non-dazzling colors according to market research, such as light blue, light green, etc., to increase the attractiveness of the product.
The appearance of the shopping cart should be smooth, avoid sharp corners or protrusions, and prevent scratching the elderly or others.
2. Functional Requirements :
In addition to the basic functions mentioned above, some seniors may want the shopping cart to have some additional functions, such as lighting function (used in low-light environments), metering function (can simply measure the weight or volume of purchased items), etc., which can be selectively designed according to cost and actual needs.
For some older people who are physically weak or have limited mobility, it may be necessary for the shopping cart to have a power assist function, such as an electric power assist device, which can help them push the shopping cart more easily. However, it is necessary to pay attention to controlling the speed and strength of the power assist to ensure safety.
3. Quality & Durability :
The elderly pay more attention to the quality and durability of products, so they must be strict in the selection of materials and structural design. The frame can be made of high-strength aluminum alloy or high-quality plastic, ensuring sturdy durability and moderate weight.
The wheels should be made of wear-resistant, non-slip materials, and have good shock absorption performance. The parts of the shopping cart need to be strong and reliable and stable after many uses and folding.
4. Price Sensitivity:
Most of the elderly tend to buy products at low and mid-end prices, so cost control should be fully considered in the design process to provide a cost-effective shopping cart. But at the same time, it is also necessary to ensure that the quality and function of the product are not compromised, and the cost can be reduced by optimizing the production process and rationally selecting materials.
When it comes to product pricing, versions with different configurations and features can be offered to meet the needs and budgets of different seniors. For example, the basic version is less expensive and has basic shopping cart functionality; The premium version adds some additional features and is relatively expensive, allowing seniors to choose according to their actual situation.
11. Customer Preferences and Needs
My mother’s father. In my observation, my grandparents, when smartphones were not as advanced and they were not proficient in using them, liked to go out in pairs to purchase items for daily life and food. As my grandfather grew older, although his body was still healthy and he could even go out for a stroll, the shopping cart he was using was a simple and difficult-to-handle one. So when he went out to shop, my family and I still felt worried. Therefore, I hoped he could have a shopping cart that could hold a lot of things but was not too difficult to move. At least it wouldn’t be too tiring to carry it upstairs. Actually, this phenomenon of elderly people going out to buy food is quite common in China. They are not very proficient at using mobile shopping, and the early morning markets in China have the freshest and cheapest vegetables. We often see elderly people pulling their simple shopping carts, sitting on buses, and walking on the streets. Therefore, I hope there can be such a convenient product to help them ease their burden and pay attention to their health.
12. market research
1. Analysis by price
Mid-to-high-end products:
Shopping carts priced in the range of 200–300 yuan ($28.1–42.2) usually have better design and functionality. For example, the use of better quality materials to make the body and wheels, the appearance design is more fashionable and beautiful, and may have some intelligent functions, such as automatic following, intelligent weighing, etc.
This type of shopping cart has relatively high brand awareness, product quality and after-sales service are guaranteed, and it is suitable for the elderly who have high requirements for the quality of the shopping cart and have a relatively sufficient budget.
Low-end products:
Shopping carts priced at 100–200 yuan ($14.0–28.1) are the mainstream of the market. They usually have basic shopping cart functions such as storage, pushing, etc., but may be relatively simple in terms of materials and workmanship.
The exterior design may be more ordinary, but it will be available in a variety of colors and styles. This type of shopping cart is suitable for the consumption needs of most ordinary seniors, and the cost performance is relatively high.
Shopping carts with a price of less than 100 yuan (less than $14.0) are low-end products, with relatively simple functions and relatively rough materials and workmanship, and some problems may occur during use, such as inflexible wheels and easy damage to the body. But it can be an option for some seniors who are very price-sensitive and only use their shopping carts occasionally.
2. Analysis of shopping carts with special features
Sit-down shopping cart :
Problem solving: It mainly solves the problem that the elderly are easily fatigued during the shopping process, and provides a function that can sit down and rest at any time.
Functional structure: The shopping cart is designed with a foldable or retractable seat, which is made of comfortable material and has a certain load-bearing capacity. The position and angle of the seat should be reasonable to ensure that the elderly are comfortable and safe when they sit down, and do not interfere with the normal use of the shopping cart.
Solution effect: The elderly can sit down and rest at any time when they feel tired during the shopping process, reduce the burden on the body, and improve the comfort and durability of shopping.
Average price range: The price of a seatable shopping cart is relatively high, generally around 150–350 yuan (21.1–48.3 USD), depending on factors such as the design and material of the seat, the overall quality of the shopping cart, and so on.
Basket & Cart :
Problem solving: To meet the needs of the elderly in different shopping scenarios, it can not only push a large number of items like a traditional shopping cart, but also can be used as a shopping basket when buying a small number of items, which is more flexible and convenient.
Functional structure: The body design of the shopping cart can be deformed, and the shopping cart can be turned into a shopping basket through some simple folding or disassembly operations. The handle of the shopping basket should be designed to be comfortable and sturdy for the elderly to carry.
Solution effect: The elderly can directly use the shopping basket when buying a small number of items, avoiding the inconvenience of pushing a larger shopping cart; When you buy a large number of items, you can turn them back into a shopping cart, making shopping more efficient and convenient.
Average price range: The price of this dual-purpose shopping cart is generally between 120– 250 RMB (16.8–34.8 USD), and the price difference depends mainly on the quality of the product and the complexity of the deformation design.
Smart Shopping Cart :
Problem solving: Provide a more convenient shopping experience for the elderly, such as navigation function to help the elderly quickly find the goods they need in the supermarket, payment function to facilitate checkout, etc.
Functional structure: Equipped with a smart display and operating system, built-in supermarket map and commodity information database, connected to the supermarket’s system via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It can realize functions such as product search, navigation, price inquiry, etc., and may also have electronic payment functions to support a variety of payment methods.
Solution effect: The elderly can shop in the supermarket more easily, save time and energy, and improve the efficiency and accuracy of shopping. At the same time, the smart shopping cart can also provide some data support for supermarkets, such as customer shopping habit analysis.
Average price range: smart shopping cart due to its high technical content and cost, the price is relatively high, generally in 300–500 yuan (42.2–70.3 US dollars) or even higher, currently mainly used in some large supermarkets or high-end shopping places, the market popularity is relatively low, but with the development of science and technology and the reduction of costs, there may be a wider range of application prospects in the future.