Differentiate manufacturing layouts from retail store layouts.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Traditionally, manufacturing processes are laid out in one of two formats: production line layout and process layout displayed. In the production line layout, material flows in on one side of the operation and continues to the other end of the operation. Most assembly manufacturing is done this way, often with conveyors moving subassemblies from one station to another. Although a rather rigid flow, it works well for mass production and high-volume manufacturing. The second method, process layout, groups similar machines/or functions together, not unlike a typical machine shop. This format is much more appropriate for lower-volume, flexible manufacturing.
There are two traditional layouts for retail operations. The grid layout has aisles running from the front of the store to the back like the typical grocery, discount, or convenience store. It's a very efficient and organized layout although it lacks some visual impact. The free-form layout alleviates this problem. In this layout, the store is laid out in sections with aisles that angle or meander through the store. This is the layout more typically found in upscale department stores, clothing stores, and the like.