Visit to six stores in Los Gatos and San Jose to gain awareness and find hidden opportunities for improvement by being observant!

1. INSIGHTS AND HIDDEN
OPPORTUNITIES
My Los Gatos, California Journey
through 6 stores which were:
Benefit Cosmetics, Costco, Safeway,
Victoria Secret, TJ Max, and
Mainland Clothing
By Sharon Vaughan

2. The Stores were throughout Los Gatos
and San Jose, California
California Map
Downtown Los Gatos map

3. Benefits Cosmetics
Noticed all the store fronts had the same
awnings and doorways – must be strict town
code in our small suburb!

4. Benefits - Opportunity
Hidden value – they recently added an iPad
with games that kids can use while mom
gets her eyebrows waxed
In a cute pink case to match the pink motif

5. Costco – Almaden Road, San Jose
Costco is a warehouse store that has everything
from groceries to books and clothes in
discount prices or large volumes. They
charge a membership fee, the door was wide
open and it’s very chilly inside.
Never noticed before:
The signage is painted
on the cement over the
doorway – very cheap
but easy to read!

6. Safeway in Los Gatos, CA
Local grocery store that you buy your
Everyday products like milk, bottled
Water, fruit, toilet paper, and even
Handle your Wells Fargo Account
Check deposits!
Stage the bottled water in a fun
Display to improve sales! It’s just
Thrown to the side as you walk in

7. Victoria Secret – Oakridge Mall
A lingerie store for women that sells bras, undergarments, pajamas,
And perfumes among other feminine products
• The store’s entryway was huge and very well
lighted.

8. Victoria Secret
• Are there opportunities hidden in plain sight?
The pink and white
was super cute and
feminine
The display could have used
a little organization –
It seemed messy and
shifted off center. If the
back was painted the dark
pink behind the clothes
might make it “pop”.

9. Mainland Clothing
• This store is geared toward teens and young
adults with hip clothing. LRG is a big seller
here. They recently moved within the mall so
the store had limited signage and warmth.
No display signs – very plain!

10. TJ Max
• TJ Max is your discount store that carries
products that might be “seconds” or
overstocks. Great deals! Located in a strip
mall, signage was small and unwelcoming

11. Take
Take
Take Aways
• Being Observant is tough!
• It borders being critical
• There are things beneath your nose that you
sometimes don’t see
• Oportunites knock, when you open your eyes!
• Creativity is linked to being aware!