Tesco Store Locator: Excellent Usability
Most UK store locators are simply based on postcode. Waitrose is an example of that. This simple approach works most of the time.
But Tesco's locator also has an interactive map that shows the locations found. It allows you to zoom in and out and you can widen your search by clicking on the "More results" link. That makes looking for a store near a planned route much easier. With the advent of GPS navigation, finding shopping along a planned route is going to become more and more common.
Today for instance I'll be taking the M25 to Shenfield. It took me only a few minutes to find several stores near where I'm going. When I click on the store name in the results list, I get the information for the store, e.g. postcode, opening hours and facilities. So I was able to tell that the London Road Tesco Express shop (CM14 4QG) was much bigger than the Shenfield Brentwood Express shop (CM15 8JD).
The map uses Microsoft Visual Earth but it's obvious that Tesco have thought farther than slapping an expensive mapping solution onto the page. Very good!
But Tesco's locator also has an interactive map that shows the locations found. It allows you to zoom in and out and you can widen your search by clicking on the "More results" link. That makes looking for a store near a planned route much easier. With the advent of GPS navigation, finding shopping along a planned route is going to become more and more common.
Today for instance I'll be taking the M25 to Shenfield. It took me only a few minutes to find several stores near where I'm going. When I click on the store name in the results list, I get the information for the store, e.g. postcode, opening hours and facilities. So I was able to tell that the London Road Tesco Express shop (CM14 4QG) was much bigger than the Shenfield Brentwood Express shop (CM15 8JD).
The map uses Microsoft Visual Earth but it's obvious that Tesco have thought farther than slapping an expensive mapping solution onto the page. Very good!