5 ms·
Actually, scientifically, one queue for all registers is the superior solution. It reduces wait times for customers in general vs. one queue for each register (
by lnanek2 11y ago
Actually, scientifically, one queue for all registers is the superior solution. It reduces wait times for customers in general vs. one queue for each register (where one of the lines might get stuck for a long time). That's why you find banks and other places are all setup to have one queue used by all the clerks. The only real problem with H&M is that they haven't put stuff in the way of people forming multiple lines when keeping them in one line is the best practice.
- bewuethr 11y agoIt doesn't reduce average wait time, but the variance in wait times.
- ignoramous 11y agoWell, it might bring down the average, but not as much as the variance, because the work is now load-balanced across multiple counters, more or less, evenly; and so, the productivity might be a bit on the higher side?
- waybull 11y agoOne line typically reduces the average wait time as well. In the multi-queue scenario, it's common for a register to go unused while a queue remains at another register.
- marcoperaza 11y agoI presume that one of the problems with one queue for all registers is that people will perceive it as a longer line. A five person line at a particular register doesn't seem as bad as a fifty person line for all ten registers.
- seunosewa 11y agoPeople quickly learn that it's better.
- nostrademons 11y agoThat works only if all registers are being utilized to pull people off the front of the queue. The grandparent poster described a situation where everybody queues in front of one register while the other registers sit idle, which isn't optimal for anyone.
- zhte415 11y agoCould average wait time be increased, as the distance from the front of the queue and the checkout in a single queue solution is longer, between 2 and 5 meters for a 4 checkout setup. This distance and walking the 2-5 meters to the checkout increases time total checkout time.