Developing a conceptual model of a web assistant for shopping in hypermarkets

Abstract

The article is devoted to the topical problem of improving the convenience and efficiency of shopping in hypermarkets. Currently, there are very few solutions that can help with traditional shopping. Difficulties in finding products, the hugeness of stores and the incomprehensible location of departments create discomfort for customers, which can reduce the level of their satisfaction and negatively affect sales. In this work, the authors propose the creation of a web application that will help to solve these problems by automating the search for products and increasing the convenience of navigation in large shopping areas. The authors have also conducted a survey of hypermarket buyers to present statistics on this problem. As part of the study, an analysis of the subject area and a comparative analysis of existing solutions and methods have been conducted, and the main stakeholders have been identified to determine the key tasks of the application. The BM25 probabilistic model, which provides effective information search, has been selected to solve the problem. The prospects for improving the application’s functionality by implementing a recommendation system that will allow customers to offer products that match their preferences have been identified. A conceptual model of the subject area has been developed, and a functional decomposition of the problem has been performed. A business model of processes has been formed as an eEPC diagram to display and analyze processes as they are without a web assistant for shopping. Also, a description of functional and non-functional requirements for the future application, which should be taken into account during implementation, was made, and their priorities were determined. The proposed solution is aimed at enhancing the level of customer comfort, increasing their loyalty and sales growth in hypermarkets. Using the developed web application will optimize the processes of searching for products in large stores.