The internal retail studies had quantified the productivity benefit of
the introduction of plastic trays. These reduced the time needed to put
stock out on the shelves for consumers and eliminated the effort of
removing corrugated packaging from the store. Fresh produce had been
the first product group selected to go into plastic trays, as these could
be placed directly into the display stands for customers who wanted to
handle and select products individually. This was recognized by retail
management, who created a good selling environment for this to
happen. Such produce was placed close to the entrance of a food store
in open trays so that the customers could immediately start into the
shopping routine in a way that is personal, selective and tactile