Most large retail outlets will probably opt out of this initiative. A big part of their revenue model hinges on the "impulse buying" which occurs as you wander throughout the store looking for your items. There is a reason why no major department or grocery chain (that I am aware of) has a store directory at the front like most malls do.
However, if crowdsourcing is allowed this could become major. I and 20 other people could all map out the Walmart (for example), upload the data, and then whatever matches in 80% of the submissions would become part of the "map".
If enough people did that it would almost force the major chains to participate, if for no other reason than to maintain control of their maps.
This is probably only partially true. If the goal was really to confuse you, they would not put related products near each other (the cheese would be with the bananas, the milk would be with the dishwasher detergent, etc.) They would also rearrange the store every week, so that you wouldn't be able to learn where items are.
Honestly, I've never seen stores arranged for impulse buying except to have certain items promoted above others. Eye-level shelves, displays at the front of aisles, etc. Otherwise, the fruits and vegetables are together, the canned items are together, the milk and cheese are together, etc. Pretty much every grocery store I've ever been in has been laid out in approximately the same way.
So I'm worried that you may be propagating an urban legend.
Thanks for the interesting perspective. I've actually opened, run, and sold a retail store before (mobile phones and accessories) so, while the type of layout logic I referred to in my comment above did not apply to my store (because it wasn't large enough) I did read ALOT on the subject and was part of the local Chamber of Commerce so I can assure you that impulse buying considerations are a big part of why stores get laid out the way they do.
There are even consulting firms that make a tidy income by advising stores on product placements within the store for maximum sales.
Sure, but how does a map defeat the measures stores take to get you to buy impulse items. If you want to buy milk, there are two possibilities. The first is, you know exactly which brand of milk you want to buy, and you will seek it out explicitly. Or, you don't care, and will pick whatever's easiest. That's the area for optimization: pick the highest profit milk and make it the first one the doesn't-care-about-milk consumer sees. Put lots of impulse items on the way to the milk. And so on. A map on the phone does nothing to prevent impulse buys.
On the other hand, why even bother going to your store when groceries can be ordered online and delivered? Then you don't need a map at all.
However, if crowdsourcing is allowed this could become major. I and 20 other people could all map out the Walmart (for example), upload the data, and then whatever matches in 80% of the submissions would become part of the "map".
If enough people did that it would almost force the major chains to participate, if for no other reason than to maintain control of their maps.