Abstract: A shopping environment design system comprises a computing environment; a virtual reality system operatively associated with the computing environment and configured to produce a virtual reality shopping environment according to at least one three-dimensional image of the virtual reality shopping environment, the three-dimensional image including design elements selected from one or more of store layout, aisle configuration, aisle appearance, shelf layout, product displays and product placement on shelves; a design element modifying tool configured to modify the design elements, whereby the virtual reality shopping environment is changed; and a consumer response measurement tool configured to measure responses of a user interacting with the virtual reality shopping environment. In some aspects, the shopping environment includes a theme area and an activity-based product grouping.

Abstract: A system determines an assortment of a plurality of related products for retail placement and includes an assortment selection tool for selecting one or more of the plurality of products as a function of product data in order to define a selected product assortment, a database of additional product data and an allocation tool for adjusting the selected product assortment as a function of the additional product data in the database to define an allocated product assortment for retail placement. A virtual environment interface permits marketers, retailers and/or consumers evaluate the product assortment in a virtual environment as a function of the additional product data in the database to define an allocated product assortment for retail placement. A business method determines an assortment of a plurality of related products for retail placement. Another business method evaluates the retail placement of related products.