Many retail spaces look the same. I don't know about you, but personally, oftentimes when I walk around the mall, I can't tell which store I'm in unless there's a sign to inform me.
Luckily, this isn't always the case. Some businesses don't think it's enough to just have clientele and invest their resources into making our shopping experience as pleasurable as possible.
Whether they put up balloons to designate produce and help us navigate the aisles or set up A/C-controlled dog houses to provide our pets with a comfortable stay while we go about our business, turns out, there's still creativity in the retail sector.
So we at Bored Panda put together a list of pictures showcasing some of the best solutions to remind you to stay mindful about where you spend your money. If we give it to these folks, maybe their competitors will try to catch up and these practices will become the norm!
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Free Vegetable Leaves For Pets In My Local Supermarket
My guinea pigs would eat like kings! They already eat like lords, but this would be fantastic!
My guinea pig was such a brat at times. He broke a tooth and so had to get medication while it grew back. He loved orange slices as well, and was a pain to give meds to, and he'd never sit still for my partner at the time. To make it easier for my partner, I tried injecting the meds into some orange slices, and he threw those to the opposite side of his cage, away from his food, then proceeded to eat the ones without meds in them. Also, if we gave him slices of carrots, but buried it under some food to make him have to eat other stuff to get to it, he'd just pick out the pieces of food on top, throw them around, then get the carrots. XD
Load More Replies...Most stores give you leftover leaves and veggies for your pets. It’s always worth to ask! They usually mark it off, if it’s veggies they can’t sell anymore. Outer cabbage and salad leaves are free and very rarely did I have to pay a tiny little prize. Definitely worth asking!
Great use of leftovers. Worked in retail. You'd be surprised how much gets thrown away.
Obviously not the US. People would ruin it by being entitled a$$holes and choosing beggars about it. "Are these organic? My pet prefers strawberries, can I have those instead? What do you mean I can't take it all? It says 'free'!"
That's in Germany there are some Supermarkets who do this. I think its great I leave the Leaves on the Produce I'm buying in the Basket.
Load More Replies...I weep for the USA that my first thought was, "Well yeah that's a sensible thing to do but while it would work in Europe or Japan, here in the US some nutter would sue because it wasn't good enough or something". But I know from working with a food charity that a LOT of trimmings and whole veggies / fruits get tossed trying to keep things looking nice for the consumer.
Here in Australia, in an initiative to reduce waste, we have something called ‘the odd bunch’ which sells oddly shaped and marked fruit and vegetables, the stuff that normally gets thrown out, for a discount.
Load More Replies...Crayola Started A "Choose Your Own Crayon Box" Station In This Office Supply Store
I would buy 3 boxes, so I don't have to choice and would make my wife's day.
came here to say exactly this! my absolute all time favorite color - and that was 50 years ago
Load More Replies...As Bob Phibbs, also known as The Retail Doctor, points out, retailers should seek new local store marketing ideas because direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands are targeting their formerly loyal customers through social channels.
Price and promotion strategies that were once used to attract shoppers have lost their effectiveness, according to Phibbs, because many consumers realize that "once-in-a-lifetime," "Super Saturday," or friend and family sales are like buses - it's only a matter of time before another one comes along.
This Irish Supermarket Has Quiet Evenings For Sensitive People
I'm not autistic but this sounds really nice. Wish it was everywhere!
I am autistic, and lots of the shops around here have sensory hours. To be honest, for me, there's not that much of a difference, but I appreciate the thought, and I'm sure it helps other people with sensory issues.
Load More Replies...Australia - my local supermarkets have a quiet hour every day for people with sensitivity issues, though it's in the morning!
I've been in the local Tesco during its quiet hour. No music and half the lights were switched off. It should be like that all the time IMO. The reduced lighting was just bliss.
I've always found Tesco to have lower lighting levels than other supermarkets already as well - especially compared to the very brightly lit Sainsburys! Fortunately none of my local supermarkets play music.
Load More Replies...i have aspergers and i would love to go there it would be VERY helpful and comforting :)
Not to be picky, rude or whatever but I thought that aspergers was removed as a term and is now just part of the autism spectrum
Load More Replies...My supermarket does this one afternoon a week but it's during the time Mums shop with their toddlers before picking the kids up from school so it's loud and horrible.
Yeah, it sounds like they might want to bump the schedule, it is not as helpful if you need to deal with noise and sensory invasion from other sources instead. Otherwise, credit to them for the effort!
Load More Replies...I don't have autism but I have hypersensitivity disorder so this is just so nice of them to be aware of
We have this in some supermarkets in NZ too. I love that they think about making these customers more comfortable in their shop.
The Tesco around the corner from me used to have a "quiet morning", basically it was for people who are elderly or disabled to be able to do their shopping because they need a bit of extra time to get around the shop etc.
Our Local Supermarket Makes Juice Out Of Unsold Fruits. Literally Zero Waste
There is a schnapps-producer in Bavaria who makes liquor out of donated, leftover, unsold fruit. It’s clear and really tasty…but very strong.
Sometimes there is a good reason certain pieces of fruit don't get bought, and I wouldn't want to drink their juice.
A Grocery Cart That Attaches To A Wheelchair To Provide Greater Independence While Shopping
That's great! I have never seen anything like it in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy or anywhere else.
Load More Replies...My boyfriend's mom would love this! She is disabled but always insists on helping with grocery shopping. Inclusivity, we live for it!
Don't understand UK people saying that they have not seen them, lots of place's have them.
These have been around in the UK for decades! Like my mum used one with me when I was 4-5 and I'm 35 today!
It's Cole from Roll with Cole and Charisma, awesome interabled couple on YouTube
I immediately came to the comments to see if anyone else had commented on who he is. I love their channel!!
Load More Replies...The USA is soooooo far behind. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that so many people still think the USA is superior. We aren't. I live here. I know. It's just my opinion, so please don't come for me.
This picture is from the U.S. and it’s mainly MAGAts that think we’re superior at everything. Most of us are well aware of the reality.
Load More Replies...it is not everywhere? in my country they have those in allmost every bigger store
Northern New York state, US here, I've never seen them.
Load More Replies...I know Sainsbury's (UK supermarket) has wheelchairs you can use they even have an electric scooter. The other supermarkets probably do but I've not seen them.
Yes, UK supermarket Tesco have electric scooters with large wire shopping basket fixed to front, so purchases can easily be made and paid for. I use them all the time - great help.
Load More Replies...When curbside pickup, driven by the pandemic and fear of going into the store, disappeared for many retailers, and the need to find creative ways to bring shoppers back increased, Phibbs asked his followers to share some of their favorite methods to attract customers.
One of the first suggestions was to create your own YouTube channel. Eli J. Gurock created one that educates people about his company, Magic Beans, and its products and business. It generates a tremendous amount of goodwill, and viewers reciprocate by shopping.
A recent customer comment on one of the posts reads, "Baby is due in June - I'll be buying the Nuna Pipa RX from your store because you deserve the business for this awesome video! It's been a huge help with my first-time dad-to-be jitters."
This Baby Store Has Different Surfaces To "Road Test" The Strollers
a similar thing exists in the a local "adventure store" chain, to test different kinds of walking shoes on different surfaces, some on an incline.
Load More Replies...And the vacuum department of a Dutch electronics store
Load More Replies...They have something like this (with ramps going up and down and cones to go round too) at Naidex every year, which is a disability roadshow. Where you can test drive new wheelchairs. It's such a handy thing!
I'd love this for my wheelchairs! (to test which tires, frames etc are best for the terrains near me)
Need that in mobilty stores too! It's a fabulous idea, can road test a wheelchair, walking frame or walking stick. Never seen this before but never been in a baby store either 🤦🏻♀️😂
My Grocery Store Started Selling Overripe Bananas For Cheap With A Recipe For Banana Bread On The Bag
It looks like it has lots of recipes! That is awesome, way better than throwing it all away!
Overripe bananas are the sweetest so it's best to use for making Banana breads.
Load More Replies...Those bananas are just how I like to eat them. I hate it when I go to buy some and they're all green - or black and hard, usually from being kept in a fridge. I like them as soggy as they can be. lol
My grandma used to say the same. Now that I have IBS myself, so can't eat bananas, I wonder if this contributed to her stomach issues.
Load More Replies...This Store In Poland Allows You To Buy Frozen Dumplings And Veggies In Bulk And Weight Them Instead Of Prepackaged Boxes
Not a chance, these sorts of outfits are waaaaay more expensive
Load More Replies...It's great if you trust the general population not to be a******s and do weird s**t with the unprotected food.
No one does "weird s**t" to this. But well, we are not america.
Load More Replies...I would NOT trust this in America. Once at a grocery store, I saw someone work up a big ball of phlegm and spit it into a freezer case that contained frozen pizzas.
I have severe trust issues when it comes to food (thanks to an ex) I open lids and check if seals are in place before buying, squeeze packages of frozen veggies to make sure the packages are airtight, make sure the safety rings around bottle necks are still attached to the lids etc.
Load More Replies...Great idea but again I don't trust the public. When I lived in the Netherlands we used to buy our frozen vegetables and cardboard boxes which is so much better than all the plastic used in food in the UK
I love this - we do this with seafood stuff in Japan - but i don't trust that happening in some places in America - i can already see gross people doing d**k things and ruining it
In Poland, the hardware stores still let you buy screws and nails by weight instead of in the stupid pre-packaged quantities we have in the UK. Need 4 screws to do a job, have a pack of 100 and be stuck with 95 screws you'll never use - I knocked off one for that one that wouldn't go in and you chewed up the head on.
B&Q have a pick and mix section, but it's a set size of bags, kind of like the Morrisons salad bar. Fill a bag with whatever you want from the section, and it often works out cheaper than the packs of 10 they have. I picked up a whole pile of spare screws last time I needed a few nuts. Just a shame they didn't have the bolts I needed too.
Load More Replies...My Shopping Bag Has A Printed Holiday Pattern, So It Can Be Reused As A Wrapping Paper
Whilst these Primark bags are amazing in concept, the bags always rip before you get to the car so they're useless!
In Germany almost everybody brings their reusable fabric bags to the shops. I have some that I used for years and from time to time I wash them in the washing machine - literally zero waste!
We have probably a bit more than half of Aussies using reusable bags. A big help was laws stopping use of plastic bags of certain grades of plastic and shops charging for the ones they are allowed to use.
Load More Replies...Man, I still remember my Mum cutting up the old plain paper bags from the groceries to wrap schoolbooks for my Sister and I in primary school.
Me too. I think my generation may have been the last one to do this. My niece and nephews have never done it.
Load More Replies...In my country you don't get ANY bag at all anymore, by law (except for delivery) You need to bring your own bags to the store. It was uncomfortable ar first, now everybody carries their own bags for shopping
I'm in America, EVERY grocery store gives you bags. I bring my own reusable bags that I've used for years. I find them more convenient then plastic bags. They should ditch the bags here too.
Load More Replies...I've been doing this since I was a kid with all sorts of paper bags because I wanted to save money on packaging so I could spend more on the gifts. I also use French and Italian newspapers.
Why use paper (even if you're going to giftwrap with it) when you could use reusable many many more times....
I agree, but there are still times I forget or go shopping spur of the moment so don't have bags on me.
Load More Replies...Another tip was to hold a live shopping event. "Heidi West of Lifestyles of Saratoga noted that they started with Facebook and Instagram videos, but when they did a live shopping event where customers could click and buy products they were discussing right on their screen it really took off!" Phibbs says.
They Have Pet Carts In Grocery Stores In Italy
In Italy it really depends on the city's regulations. For example Rome allows pets in so many places and stores, while there are places where you can't even take your dog to a cafe unless it's a service dog
Load More Replies...Now that’s interesting. From my experience dogs are often not welcome in restaurants in Italy, unless you sit outside. I’m Germany it’s the opposite: you can bring your dog inside any restaurant, but only service dogs are allowed in supermarkets. Obviously the laws from the health department differ a lot…
Dear Steph, in Italy the law authorizes access to dogs in restaurant, public transport and every kind of shop, but the owner of the business has the final word.
Load More Replies..."I promise I won't lick it...well...not MUCH, anyway!"
Load More Replies...Ick, no, i don't like the idea of a dog or other pet being in the market
I don't like the idea of certain people in the market. Some people are far dirtier than urban dogs, and far more disgusting. The key here is, obviously, hygiene and good behaviour. But we should demand the same from people.
Load More Replies...From now on, that store just earned my business when I visit Italy
Our Local Shop Grows Its Own Salads And Herbs On Site
Been there. I think they grow more than the demand for the store but still a great idea
Thats impressive. I also wonder how many times they've been, or nearly been raided by the cops? lol
that's a nice idea where they can do it. I don't know of any grocery stores in my area that would have the square footage to do that. One of the selling points of hydroponics is they can create a 'farm' in an inexpensive warehouse / unused building in the area so it is a short haul to market. But space in the actual shopping centers usually costs a lot more. It's still pretty cool though. I love seeing more stuff like this being tried.
It would be nice if places like this were given discounts on their rent/taxes, because it would be a huge draw for me, who can't seem to keep things alive and unmolested by greenfly. But in a capitalist world, I can't see that happening.
Load More Replies...The things they grow are generally very fast growing, things like pea shoots, lamb's lettuce, herbs, bean shoots etc. They turn over in just a few days.
Load More Replies...All Supermarkets Should Do This
They do at my market (old-fashion Spanish market), but never saw something that level at a supermarket.
Load More Replies...NZ too, at Countdown (which is reverting to Woolworths soon - again!!)
Load More Replies...In the US in some stores kids get free cookies. I know how surprised everyone will be to learn this information
Lol. Kroger (giant US grocery chain, for those unfamiliar) does the free fruit for kids thing. Big surprise, right? :|
Load More Replies...as a kid all i had to survive on was free chips and humus samples lol
and had to walk 2 miles uphill to the grocery store
Load More Replies...I only worry about the cleanliness of things like apples or other fruits where you may eat the skins, just because you never know who's touched them after wiping their nose or picking their butts.
Yes but it varies round NZ, some do apples and bananas only, some add other seasonal fruit as well.
the old supermarket we used to go to in hamilton gave kids bread buns
Load More Replies...My local supermarket used to do this, but after Covid struck, they were told to stop 😢
These Shopping Carts In German Store Have A Built-In Magnifying Glass
i would need this. i do have great vision, it’s just that tiny print is harder with dyslexia. so the larger the better for me!
And for us oldsters, too many different fonts and images on package labels make it confusing to read as it take a few seconds for our eyes to even focus, and our brains are slower to translate all the image information.
Load More Replies...How many melted plastic handles from the carts being left out in the sun?
Another option is to create a sense of scarcity. Sharing her neighborhood marketing success with The Retail Doctor, Jennifer Backus of Jenn's Java said that, "during the initial lockdown, we posted 'Dessert Drops' with pictures of desserts as we were cutting them in the store. People would message us to reserve items and then come grab their assortment at the end of the day. Thankfully we've been able to stay open for at least pick up through the entire experience. It was wildly successful."
The Body Shop In Stockholm Has This Now. Refillable Shampoos And Other Products
This is a great idea that should be more widespread and would work for many products.
Can you imagine? Cola used to be sold as a syrup concentrate and you would add your own soda water at home. Now they ship 30 billion gallons of the stuff around the planet every year and it's mostly water.
Load More Replies...This should be mandatory. How many millions (billions) of bottles, labels, caps would this save.
I used to be able to get bottles refilled at The Body Shop back in the 1990s in Canada and they stopped doing it. Staff did the refilling behind the counter so there was no concern about contamination.
or how a company passes a huge packaging economy for a green gesture ;) since the product often remains as expensive. "together, we could save... our profits"
Big Corp passes the responsibility of recycling to consumers. But, hey, I'll willingly participate in refills, knowing it's a little cheaper by the ounce _for_me_ even though it boosts profits by removing packaging and shipping costs from the manufacturer.
Load More Replies...Why is half of the text in English and half in Swedish? Are Swedes just very fluent in English?
Yes, we are, except the really old ones. English is often used when you want something to feel cool and international.
Load More Replies...In This Grocery Store, Cashiers Hangs Up Flags At Their Registers To Indicate The Languages They Speak
Luxembourg actually. It’s the Auchan Kirchberg.
Load More Replies...I remember as a teenager seeing jobs in luxembourg advertised as ‘cashier wanted, trilingual preferred’, it’s a different kind of place.
I'll admit, as an American, I am humble by this picture. People in other countries take the time and effort to learn different languages to provide service and a comfort for others. Yet many Americans fight tooth and nail to keep foreign language out of our schools. By withholding this opportunity from our children, they are being taught to be less accepting of others.
I’m sorry, but could you tell me where people are fighting to keep foreign languages from being taught in schools? I’ve never heard anything about that. Every school I know of has some foreign language classes. My kid goes to a public school in Memphis and she’s taken Spanish, Mandarin, and Japanese. I took four years of Spanish (not that I’m very good at it). I went to college in another red state and even the kids from the small towns had taken a foreign language at some point. Also, we aren’t pushed to speak other languages fluently because we already speak the most commonly spoken second language in the world. Statistically, we are less likely to need to know another language. You’ll find that fluency in a second language isn’t that high in the UK, Australia, or New Zealand, either. Canada’s rate is higher due to it’s large French speaking population.
Load More Replies...Good point! You are providing a service your coworkers are unable to provide, do you have a particular skill set, that is valuable to the company.
Load More Replies...Ooh! I know a lot of people who would get in the line with a Klingon speaker!
Load More Replies...Luxembourgish one upside down. It’s the same flag as the dutch on but with a lighter blue.
Load More Replies...International market in Atlanta Georgia USA, the clerks have their languages on their name tags. They roam the store.
I would be curious to see how many would hang up either a British, Irish, Australian, or American flag to indicate they speak English.
The Vegetable Shops Here Shows A Picture Of The Farmer
We love you Japan, but you don’t need to shrink wrap everything in plastic
hmm not accurate - grocery stores usually have their regular shipment of veggies and then a small section for locally grown or organic grown by farmers of that area. these veggies are cared for longer and usually over priced.
Ty! It's like that in my grocery store in the United States too. We don't show pictures of our farmers, though.
Load More Replies...Do they also tell you how much they PAID the farmer? Here at least, the big chain stores often pay the farmer less than the cost of production, but they still advertise how they work closely with farmers to get the best produce... blah blah blah, profit profit profit, exploit exploit exploit.
Chairs In A Mall Food Court Are Notched To Hold Shopping Bags
In hindsight, you are correct. But I give credit for brilliance to anyone whose new idea is later regarded as logical common sense too.
Load More Replies...might be the big city girl in me but not hanging a bag behind me out of sight!
All of the bars near me have hooks installed underneath the bartop for folks to hang their purses, messenger bags, etc. This is how things should work.
Not such a great idea if you have a heavy bag, forget it's there and stand up.
Finding novelty with mass appeal can help retailers too. A good example comes from Alberta, Canada, where Debbie Sue brought in locally grown heart-shaped cucumbers. “I special ordered them as a novelty item for Valentine's week at our garden center," she told Phibbs. "Posts, videos, sharing customers stories on Instagram. Value added. Literally no other retailer has these."
Supermarket Trolleys In Sweden Have A Map Of The Supermarket
Need one for IKEA. Especially one that shows the shortcuts between entrance and exit.
wait... there are shortcuts? i thought they were deliberately designed as a maze to trap you inside for days :)
Load More Replies...For IKEA baskets should be equipped with an SOS flare for when you've just had enough and need to be rescued out of there .
bruh. with that many smoky flares, you're gonna need to have a foghorn.
Load More Replies...Now, I only need to understand Sweden. Oh, I just saw Café and my needs are covered.
The Harris Teeter I used to shop at changed the layout every couple of months. It was infuriating.
These Two Different Sets Of Shopping Baskets At A Department Store In Bangkok. For Those That Need Help And Those That Want To Be Left Alone
There's far too many pink ones. Bet they never get down to the bottom of the pile.
You would suffer a lot at my old-fashion hardware store. I used to suffer, too, but now I'm reaching the basic level.
Load More Replies...Hm. I'd probably take two baskets because I am not entirely sure if I need help. Or I start out on my own and then change my mind. Or I have been helped and continue on my own. I'd need a colour changing basket! (Oh and also one for around valentines day that say: "I'm single!")
Red would be better, as many associate the colour pink for women (due to manufacturers constantly pushing gender packaging) and blue/a darker colour for men.
Red would be good also because it's sometimes a "distress". I'm glad I'm not the only who observed this.
Load More Replies...bad choice of colours, due to cultural influences, it will deter men from asking for help,
So those men will suffer, is what I’m hearing? Edit: Also it’s not a cultural difference, it’s toxic masculinity.
Load More Replies...I think there should be a badge you could wear that tells shop assistants to stop pouncing on you to sell you something and that if you want any assistance you'll ask for it.
Oh I always just bring my own bottle of perfume and it they get too close I ask them if they want a sample. Sends them in the opposite direction/s
Load More Replies...There should also be the Karen pile...I demand your help but I will complain that you are helping me incorrectly the entire time.
Surely most people walk in thinking they won't need help, but occasionally, they can't find what they are looking for and track down a worker?
Maybe... but how many people walk in thinking they'd just like to have a bit of a browse during their lunch break, while listening to a favourite podcast and get chased out by between 2 and 5 different shop assistants who are determined to assist, whether you need it or not!!
Load More Replies...This Store Sorts Avocados By Ripeness
That looks like H.E.B.: they have sushi made instore with the brand name Sushiya, and I recognize their coupons. For those not in Texas, they're based in San Antonio and started out local but are spreading throughout the state and in Mexico. They're a pretty good store, as far as grocery stores go.
Cool but if you eat avocados you know which one to pick I guess it might help people who want to try but I can tell if it's ready to eat now. If you can't get a already ripe one put it in paper bag in the dark. Ripens quickly.
This Board In An Italian Supermarket Shows You What Fruit Is Available At Different Times Of The Year. This Would Be Useful In All Supermarkets
I love this idea! I'll admit I can never remember when something is in season. I ended up asking my Dad when things we in season and he decided to make a little spreadsheet for me, print it out on cardstock and laminate it. I keep it in my purse. It's about the size of an index card.
We are spoiled in the US. I can get all of that year round except the watermelon because food is shipped in from mexico and also california green houses and such so it is always 'in season' somewhere. And some crops like apples are stored in climate controlled ware houses and brought out throughout the year. This is not a flex BTW. I'm just thinking out loud that Americans often don't know how spoiled they are in certain areas.
Early spring has never been a time for fruits in season. We are so out of touch with the cycle of life nowadays.
Load More Replies...If the fruit is in season where you live, it’s more likely to be local. It is not a guarantee, though. Otherwise, the fruit will be imported from a far away place where it is in season.
Load More Replies..."Attracting customers takes great visual merchandising, creative use of social media, and innovative use of how customers interact with you on the web, via email, and text," Bob Phibbs, the author of The Retail Doctor's Guide to Growing Your Business says.
According to him, building word-of-mouth buzz around your brand requires training your crew to open their hearts to a stranger, actively listening to what they are saying, and finding ways for them to buy what you have to sell.
"Miss that, and you’ll be stuck as a transactional retailer 'selling stuff.'"
This Shopping Cart Has A Spot For Kids To Stand On While Their Parents Pushes
Here in Sweden, some stores have a small car attached to the stroller that two kids can sit in. A bit bulky to push around but my kids loved it.
My local grocery has the tiny carts for kids with a six foot flag pole attached so you don't lose the little goofballs.
Load More Replies...I love the bunnings for this, they have mini trolleys for kids with little flags to see the kid just in case you can see them
I'm glad you put the sarcasm part because I was about to be really annoyed lol
Load More Replies...They should make every shopping cart like this since kids stand there already; may as well put the safer platform
Keep them from standing in the food part of the cart or putting their butts in the baskets. Eewww!
At. The hannafords near me they have shopping carts with two seats in the back for small kids with steering wheels and flaming racing stripes so that the kids can pretend there driving while parents shop. I used to beg my mom to get a “race car cart” every time we went
This would've been great when I was a kid and held onto the opposite side which resulted in the whole cart falling on me...
This Sporting Goods Shop Has A Pool To Test Aquatic Equipment
I'd "test" the wetsuits way too often. That water looks really nice and I LOVE swimming
yall know i would just test out every bathing suit so i could swim. i have no shame
Go for it! You‘ll be in the local news without getting arrested! I promise and dare you! 😉👍🏻
Load More Replies...We got a big Bass Pro nearby with a trout run to test lures. You can cast with different ones and see which they like better. It's like an interactive aquarium. (No hooks, just spinners and the like.)
You could never do this in the US. Parents would drop off their kids to swim while they were shopping and then yell at the cashiers and managers because there were no life guards.
Good idea, but I wonder how many people just come to use the equipment for free and don't actually buy anything?
This Checkout Has No Candy For Parents With Kids
It's illegal to have 'child centred' products at the checkout in the UK - has been for years....
I don’t get the convenience in not having candy?? Is it just so there are no crying kids at the register? That sound more like a parenting issue.
Many NZ check outs have things like gum, breath mints, antacids, bandaids, electrolyte sachets, and small bags of nuts, seeds or jerky instead of candy bars.
This is why I try to turn child interaction, (and distraction), into an art form.
Most British supermarkets stopped selling sweets at the checkouts several years ago. Some still sell snacks, but only things like trail mix, dried fruit, or sugar free gum, which are healthier, and which kids are less likely to be interested in.
"Blind Dates With A Book" Prevent You From Judging A Book By Its Cover
The library that is used to go to has this,(used to because the library flooded)
Load More Replies...My local library did this one valentines day. It was good. Don't know why they haven't again.
Yeah, I did this once, and it was a book that I absolutely did NOT want to read due to the subject/content. Got home and unwrapped it only to find this out. Returned it, and the librarian, who also had checked me out, asked me how I like it. I felt sad to tell her my truth. She admitted that she knew which book I had gotten, had liked it herself and was so excited for me. :(
Um, cute but no thanks. I like to know what I am buying and also whether I have already read it. I do try to avoid just the cover take though. What I tend to do is flip the book open to a random page once or twice and read a couple of paragraphs. Does the writing style draw me in? Am I temped to read past those paragraphs? Then okay - I will probably like the book.
Pretty common thing, but I don't get how this is significantly different than just browsing at a bookstore. Unless it's a hugely popular book/author, or you're actively googling everything that catches your eye, this gives approximately the same information that the title and cover blurb would.
My middle school did this. Ended up reading an incredible book although the cover was horrible
The Bra Store I Went To Has Instructions For A Self Breast Exam In The Changing Room
_Just_ had breast cancer/malignant duct removed! Found during mammogram. Keep up w testicle and breast screenings!!!
This and how to check for testicular cancer should be in every changing room
I was in the middle of my thirties before I found a doctor who gave me some model of a cancerous breast where I could finally _feel_ what cancer would feel like. Before that I had no freaking clue what I was even looking for when self-examining.
Load More Replies...Morrisons supermarket here has just started adding NHS cancer recognition info on the labels of their own brand underwear
As well as men’s room as breast cancer also kills men. There should never be shame in exams. Best to be wrong than right. Any day.
Men's Restroom In A Grocery Store Had A Selection Of Free Diapers
I clean a lot of bathrooms.... I can say that many men are not. 🤪
Load More Replies...I'd rather that men's bathrooms have changing tables. As a father who often took his infant many places, it was extremely irritating, inconvenient, and frankly, discriminatory.
All bathrooms should have changing tables for children, and even some for special needs adults too.
Load More Replies...This seems like another wonderful idea that’ll be ruined by greedy 🫏🕳️s who come to the store to load up on free diapers. 😰
I find it weird that putting baby changing stations and diapers in the men's restroom isn't already normal
I remember in the 70's men literally asking strangers (women) to change their kid in public.
Yay for dads! But for a minute i thought these were adult diapers. That would be a fantastic idea for restrooms trafficked by a largely elderly population.
My Local Grocery Store Prints Their Receipt Paper Double-Sided
From one store here, I get it completely digital except the passing code for the "gate". Or another store,where I scan with phone, everything is in the phone. 👍
Load More Replies...CVS needs to do this, then the receipt will only be 2 feet long...
My local supermarket gives you the option of having a receipt emailed to you to reduce paper.
Walmart does this too. I appreciate that Walmart seems to have done a lot to reduce wasted receipt paper through tighter formatting and not printing stuff that doesn't need to be printed.
Load More Replies...I wish there were more places where 'do you want a receipt?' actually meant they didn't print it, rather than just them throwing it out, just as I would.
Sainsbury's did do this for a bit, but they seem to have reverted to single-sided now. Too many paper jams perhaps.
I think the problem they were finding is that it's actually very difficult to do this. Receipts aren't printed in ink - it's that the paper itself is heat sensitive and changes colour. That's why they fade so badly over time. Imagine how difficult it is to not only produce the rolls that can be heated on both sides, but the machinery that can 'print' on both sides, without discolouring the other side. And do it simultaneously, which is what the Sainsburys ones did. I reckon it cost them less to fit the old printers and receipt rolls back in than it did to maintain the two-sided system. Even if they had to re-buy the single-sided printers.
Load More Replies...Where I shop for groceries they have advertismenst or coupons on the back of the receipts.
Another vote for the self checkout. In the UK they ask if you want your receipt printed.... I'm usually like nope, it's a drinks nd a sandwhich for my lunch, don't need a receipt. In another shop I went to for the first time in ages, you had to scan your receipt to get out of the self checkout area! Like wtf! Won't be going back there (Sainsbury's, who also churn out a ton of vouchers everytime you checkout, despite my using their app, so it's all meant to be digital now
These Mini Display Tents
God yes, I want this for my cat more than an actual human tent 🤣
Load More Replies...These have been a thing for literally decades. I often wondered what they do with them when the model is superseded and they get a new one.
I loved looking at these at Sears & Roebucks back in the 1970s
Load More Replies...I've seen these in the US for years. And yes, you always wonder if when they are done with a model if an employee snags it for their pet. When salesmen traveled they used to take miniatures. In the early 80s on a trip to Montana my then wife and I got a deal on some miniature furniture a furniture company's salesman used to take around in a truck. The shrunk down size was just right for our then small daughters. Got a cute tiny dresser and a little desk their size and something else. They felt all special having their own furniture.
The Grocery Store I Shop At Repacks The Unbroken Eggs And Sells Them At A Reduced Price
It kinda reminds me of a grade school dance with the girls in one group and the boys in another. It's okay kiddos, mix it up a little, go ask someone to dance!
glad they don't do that in my school or else I would've had a tough time at those middle school dances i was forced to attend-
Load More Replies...I think what they're trying to say is that instead of discarding a whole box, just because there's a single broken egg in it, they re-box the unbroken ones. That's why there are two different kinds of egg in this box. It took me a while to figure that out, but it's the only way it makes any sense.
Load More Replies...Tip for you. When buying eggs, besides opening the carton and checking the top of the eggs, close the lid again and check the bottom of the box for signs of leakage from eggs that are cracked on the bottom.
And/or lift each egg out to check it. I always check the entire egg. And managed to break one on the way home, last time. I think I need to make a little, padded egg bag so I can't crack them when I'm transferring them to the boot. You'd think it should be fairly simple from a wheelchair trolley, but not having that extra height to lift actually makes it a lot harder. I think I must have caught the box on the side of the trolley.
Load More Replies...Eggs probably get broken in shipment sometimes no matter how well packed and careful people are. The picture shows Eggland eggs and random other brand eggs together showing they just crate together any eggs to sell, probably at a discount.
Load More Replies...This Grocery Store Has A Bigfoot Statue That They "Hide" Around The Store So Children Can Find It And Report It's Location To An Employee
And scary! If I saw that, I would go to the shelf with "Where You Are In Sickness Cycle" and pick up everything from the "I think I'm getting sick" shelf. Lol
Load More Replies...my trader joe’s used to do this but with a Yeti plush. they’d hid it everyday and have the kids find them, report to an employee, and get a lollipop! it always gave me something fun to look forward to when shopping
Our Trader Joe's has Whaledo. A little whale with a red and white striped shirt. Kids get a free snack when you check out if they can tell the cashier where he is. They move him every day.
Trader Joe's does that with two stuffed animals. If you tell them where you see them they give you a lollypop.
At our Trader Joe's, the kids who found the Sasquatch got to rehide it, so yes... Sort of?
Load More Replies...What a cute idea. But I'd worry about kids getting lost from the parent
Imagine it being your first job as a teenager and your first duty every shift is to "hide the (heavy, difficult to move) monkey"
This Store Allows You To Build Your Own Pens
SAME also there's a shop where i live that does this i actually think it's pretty common
Load More Replies...It's an interesting idea. I wonder what the reasoning behind it is. Whether it's because customers have repeatedly complained that they want a specific design. Or whether they realised they can save 5c per pen by letting customers make it themselves?
It reminds me of the build your own lightsaber thing, at a popular theme park...
Somehow I added an 'i' into pens. I imagine some adult oriented shops could do this too.
But why would anyone be shopping at an adult store for pens? ;)
Load More Replies...My Local Supermarket Has These Yellow Sockets So The Shopping Cart Doesn't Roll Away When Stowing Your Shopping Into Your Car
So many nearby supermarkets have sloping car parks. This would be a huge help if they do it right.
But there must be a little slope for rain water to drain. You don't notice it by mere walking, but you do while pushing loaded shoping carts. I try to tell myself that this is good core muscle excersise😅
Load More Replies...I've never had a shopping cart that obeyed any of the laws of motion.
The solution is to own a 21 year old Toyota Camry you don't mind getting banged up.
same with a 2007 Citroen C3 living in the Paris suburbs. X(
Load More Replies...It's been a LONG time since I saw a brake on a trolley (late 90s?). And even then, it wouldn't lock on. They were pretty pointless, tbh
Load More Replies...I want to know why they don’t make shopping trolleys like airport trollers with the bar you just push down when you want to move it, then release to activate the break?
Oh, don't go bringing common-sense into the equation! The world might explode! 😆
Load More Replies...This seems excessive? I always just turn the wheels to a position that prevents the cart from rolling off. It's a habit, I don't even think about it.
I need this in Australia, especially after the trolly decided it wanted to run backwards when I was going forward, lost my big toe nail.
I Was Handed This At A Furniture Store. You Can Plant This Paper Embedded With Seeds, And It Will Grow Into Flowers
Yeah... the issue with these has always been that you have no idea what you're actually planting, and something in there could be native to one area but invasive in another.
Do you really think the genius people that thought this up didn't take that into consideration?
Load More Replies...My brother's wedding invitation was plantable. I never did it because I don't have a garden, but it's a good idea.
In the US, every state has Extension Offices, usually one per county, which are supported by the state's university. They are an EXCELLENT resource for questions about native and invasive wildlife and plants, what to do with unwanted wildlife in your yard, etc. I start there before I select something to plant.
Great idea, if done well and thought through. Not so great if it isn't. I started planting things in pots, to keep on my apartment balcony, but just in case of potential seed dispersal, I tried to focus on things that can be found in the area already, or stuff extremely close in genus and species, which also have the same niche, survival methods/protections, and so forth to try and avoid being someone who generates invasive species occurrences. Yes, I am aware that plants of the same species and even genus may vary GREATLY between sub-genus, which is why I check into niche, as well as the individual survival strategies of the plants to make sure that if it isn't the exact same plant, it is close enough in various aspects that it should not be capable of becoming an invasive species. I also try to make sure they encourage various species of bees.
During Independence Day they were distributing flags which if we buried in the soil could grow into tomato plants
The Wellington City Council used to send these out! They were salad mixes ;)
This Dutch Grocery Store Offers Samples Of All Their Toilet Paper In Their Restrooms
I'm guessing this didn't start until WELL AFTER the great toilet paper crisis of 2020... otherwise they'd have been replacing it every 5 seconds...
I wonder how often someone swaps them all around.
Load More Replies...I have so many questions but I KNOW that I don't want the answers
Load More Replies...It would ensure a thorough clean, plus you'd figure out what feels nicest on your butt. :D
Load More Replies...When I was a child in The Netherlands many moons ago (1970s), the most common type of toiletpaper was a pale grey, crepe-like paper... Probably made from recycled newspaper.
This Shopping Cart Has A Calculator Attached
Not compatible with toddlers, that loaf of bread and a tin of cat food now costs £4445*%,^5¥
Should have a scanner that runs a 'total if I check out now' number.
Scan as you go in the UK does that, pay at the end without needing to check it all out again.
Load More Replies...Despite what my teachers said when I was in school...don't we all carry calculators in our pockets? (I'm referring to phones)
I have a list on my phone... it would be handy to then have the calculator on the trolly so I don't have to swap constantly between the two. That said, I do the smart shop option when I do my 'big shop', so I can then self checkout with all bags packed as I shop.
Load More Replies...This would be a great idea, just get the kid's butt out of the cart.
In a world where supermarkets have scanners for autopay attached to your cart this doesn't feel like a great idea. More like an idea from 2 decades ago.
This should be a scanner that you can barcode everything you put in and see it calculate.
If you type in your budget going into the supermarket and then lets you know you've gone over then that would be handy
Canidae Kibble Refill Station. First Time I've Seen Zero Waste Pet Food Refills
Great idea... until there is a dog food safety recall and nobody knows their lot number...
My hometown pet supply store has something similar - you can buy a bucket (which is marked as yours for the next time) and the kibble is stored in closed crates, where you take a scoop and fill the bucket with everything you want. Then you go to the weighing station and the price is determined by how much the filled bucket weighs. The station then prints a sticker for the cashier to scan. There is also food for birds, guineapigs and bunnies available :) The station is supervised constantly (if anyone is concerned) as it's right next to the registers. Also, this is a pretty small town :)
This has been removed from my local Petcos. Reasons I've heard from staff range from too much theft to inconsistent supply to machine malfunctions. Too bad. We liked them.
pet food should be stored in certain conditions and apropriate packaging. this seems to contradict it.
Except dry food isn't particularly good for pets. Wet food is much better.
Pet stores used to have low tech versions of this when I was younger. But the food was always stale or moist or infiltrated by insects.
This Grocery Store Has An Aisle Specifically For Reuniting With Lost Spouses
As it is also the cookie aisle I would have looked there first anyway
My parents were shopping before I born at a sears or something and had to go to different areas. My dad said where do you want to meet me by? By the pic nic table s. By the pic nic table? Yes. By the pic nic table. When my mom got there, my dad had bought the pic nic table. We had a pic nic table as our kitchen table for years. It actually worked pretty well.
This is Festival Foods. In another isle there's one that says "Million Dollars". 😄
Oooohhhhhhhh...who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Lost! Spouse! Rice! Cakes!
That's great! Yesterday I was at Marc's and one of the employees announced over the speaker "Bill, your wife is looking for you. She's done shopping and is in checkout #4." There was an elderly lady in checkout #4 who laughed and looked a bit embarrassed. Made everyone there smile.
Yea, I have adhd and when I go shopping with my wife I always wander off. This would b...oh look! A squirrel!
Knee-Activated Water Taps At A Supermarket In Italy
Yeah... "knee" activated.. 😏 Unfortionatly, we all know there will be at least one guy...
Super great for people using wheelchairs or other assistive devices. 🙄 If you must use something other than large lever or blade style handles, just go for sensors, please. I’d totally lose my balance and fall over, trying to turn water on/off with these.
You just lean into it. Adaptive plumbing uses a similar technique as this. Sensor sinks are the devil's joke, meant to torment those w muscle control or reflex issues, very short folk or those in wheelchairs, and those whose skin tone doesn't activate the sensor.
Load More Replies...Hopefully, they have a different arrangement for wheelchair users. This one doesn't work for us
That sink wouldn't work either, though. It's way too high and set too far back. But at least nudging a button at seat height would be easier than using the pedal bins that some able-bodied idiot thought would be a good idea in there.
Load More Replies...A Non-Muslim Section At A Grocery Store In Dubai
YES! I think this could easily be reveresed, so that Muslims can get Halal meat and other Halal products when shopping.
Load More Replies...Maybe, but I like to see tolerance in it, because the alternative is intolerance. I don't recall seeing these in Saudi supermarkets (though I am open to being updated as my knowledge is not current)
Load More Replies...This is what i understood Islam to be. Its followers believe that theirs is the true faith, but are happy to let others live as they choose, co-existing with them in the hope that they'll realise that Islam is what they need. Not the aggressive and militant face that some Muslim groups seem to want to present.
Uugh the less pork sold the better. I hate how factory farms treat pigs, it’s barbaric.
so... in Muslim countries this is rare? i know of our old Turkish and Moroccan neighbourhood supermarkets that did sell pork because they had a very mixed clientele.
In those areas not everyone is muslim. In Dubai and Saudi, most people are. As a Muslim, I am glad they are progressing to be more inclusive.
Load More Replies...Pls don’t downvote. I’m trying to understand. Is this a thoughtful gesture toward non-Muslims or a segregated space for non-Muslims? In the US we have an ugly time in our history where blacks and whites had their own spaces and it wasn’t meant as a kindness… or is this an area where there are products Muslims wld find to be inappropriate based on their faith? I just want a TIL
Fair Exposition Of Yoga Pants At Local Nike Store
Generally speaking, so is my wife, so this makes me happy too. She likes to look nice, just like everyone else, and be comfy lounging around the house. A lot of fashion options seem to punish her for not fitting their 'ideal' size range.
Load More Replies...But is there any for yoga pants that have never actually been used for exercise And really just used for lounging...
I love when stores and websites do this! As a fat person clothes look very different on me than they do on the average sized model. :) Displays like this save me from buying things I'll end up hating.
Great to see a size choice at last. Most model displays look don't have a feminine shape and are not a representation of the average woman.
This Store Labels Where You Are In Sickness Cycle
No. No no no. I thought only the top shelf would be full of useless junk, but closer inspection reveals not a single real medication on the whole display.
I respectfully disagree. We use echinacea and elderberry in our house and it works wonder on small sickness like a cold. Not everything there seems very effective, but some are actually useful and efficient.
Load More Replies...This is reminding me of how one supermarket stocked its wines - split by red, white, and rose, then "under £5", "£5-10", etc. Brilliant in a university town!
It’s wherever people live. Fools and their money and so on. There’re always people willing to part them from their money. 😕
Load More Replies...I see "Lily of the Desert" aloe juice. That stuff was a lifesaver when I was dealing with diverticulitis.
"Real medicines", containing potentially harmful ingredients if misused, should be and usually are only sold in pharmacies.
Well, I do take vitamins and supplements and know they work. I'm not getting colds and the flu nor taking antibiotics like most people. So.....all to their own. I'm almost 50 and haven't had a flu since I was 10. In over 20 years I've had a cold 2 or 3 times. I grew up taking supplements and have studied on my own as well.
A Shirt Store In Manchester Has A "Yes, No, Maybe" Pegs In The Fitting Room
the Ross at my area took hooks away because people kept trying to hang themselves on it. it’s really sad, i hope they get better
Oh no! That’s so sad :( hope they’re getting better
Load More Replies...I feel like logically, the positions of No and Maybe should be swapped.
I've seen this in stores here though for the life of me I can't remember which. Very helpful as I do this anyway if there are enough pegs but no labelling.
My Supermarket Dedicated A Checkout To Old People Talking To Cashiers To Avoid Annoying Other Customers
Never thought of this to be only meant for old people... Much more like "yes it is OK to have an interaction with a human no matter your age" or else I'm an old person too! 😁
I'm not going to lie little old japanese ladies love to yippity yap all day long and i get so annoyed if waiting in a line. just thinking about it is annoying me lol
Have you ever considered that these yippity old ladies may just be extremely lonely? Is there no compassion in the world today? 🤯
Load More Replies...My dad would appreciate this. He’s in his early 90’s and loves to chat with people. He breaks the supermarket shopping into 2 or 3 visits a week just so he can go chat to his ‘girlfriends’ as he calls them. 🙂
Aww. My grandma used to do the same. Going every other day and pick just a couple of things to feel active.
Load More Replies...No it is not just old people. I use self check out bc I hâte talking to people I dont know
This Shoe Shop Has An Area To Test Your New Shoes. It Also Has LEGO For Testing
I like this one more than the other shoe tester. At least this one has loose gravel and bark. That's a little more realistic than "stones firmly attached to a wooden surface". edit: OMG I can't spell these days.
Wow. They're willing to risk Lego damage on unsold shoes? Brave people.
Just a comment - so each person tries, say, 3 pairs - you are going to end up with quite a few scratched and dirty pairs with gravel in the treads.....
The one that I have near me is way more complex 😆 (edit: I can't spell)
I wish I could up-vote this a lot more. Just for the Lego test. Brilliant.
This Store In Japan Automatically Calculates Your Total When You Place Your Basket In The Area Using RFID Tags On The Products
Decathlon in Europe has it as well. But for cashiers only.
Load More Replies...THANK YOU! They are not. They are an eco disaster. I'm an engineer, I hate them.
Load More Replies...We have this at the library. Put your pile of books on the check out machine and you instantly get an email with all the books you have on loan and their due date. For returning you have to put them one by one in a slot (accessible also from the outside 24/7). But then you can watch them traveling trough the conveyor belt system
Now that is clever. I'd assume it's quicker and has other benefits like zero contact and less accidental double scans.
I prefer scanning my own shopping with my phone as I walk round the store. Started doing it during Covid to avoid touching stuff repeatedly and having to interact with staff (I am in an at-risk group). Now prefer it to having to unload all my shopping to have it scanned. Also get special offers only available at the self-checkouts. The only thing I miss is actually talking to the cashier.
Always assuming the codes are correct. Not trying to be smart a*s but the business I work in uses these QR codes and I know it can be a challenge to get them right. Hopefully there's an opportunity to get a receipt and call for help if something is wrong. As this is Japan, they're probably correct.
My Local Grocery Store Has Free Fruits To Snack On While You Shop
I nearly always go shopping in a rush and hungry and i buy so much c**p that i dont need
Am I the only one who finds the act of eating while walking deeply weird? Like I don't care if other people do it, I just can't see it being a comfortable experience in any way.
YES! I always see everyone walking around eating sandwiches, bags of chips or with big cups of coffee, and I just can't do it? I either can't concentrate on where I'm going, or I can't taste/enjoy/properly chew my food. How do people do this?
Load More Replies...much better than opening that box of crackers that hasn't been paid for and hoping your card won't decline after you've already eaten half the box?
This is wonderful! One of the stores in my old neighborhood had this but for anyone. Saved me more than once with a low blood glucose reading and empty glucose bottle. My own fault but I love the idea of having something like this available.
Before covid hit or local store did this and I'm disappointed it hasn't come back. My kids loved it!
and not even for the kids! I always feel shamed when I take one of the free pieces of fruit cos our one labels them "for kids", lol. Im a kid too, I want a banana
This Luggage Store Has An Airplane Set Up For Customers To Test Their Carry-Ons And Underseater Bags
I'd have thought the bins overhead were a standard size.
Load More Replies...I always like to learn so it doesn't bother me if I'm corrected, so I really am not trying to be disrespectful or snarky at all when letting you know its spelled *stewardess*. Hope you have a wonderful day :)
Load More Replies...Why doesn't the shop just advertise which are the cabin size luggage's like every luggage ship in Europe?
This Sports Store Has A Mini Obstacle Course So You Can Test Your Hiking Shoes
I had to check knowing someone had to have mentioned REI. 😋
Load More Replies...That looks like a liability lawsuit waiting to happen! (Yes, it’s a terrific idea, but I can hear the Karens moaning in pain already.)
Like the stroller test surfaces this doesn't really seem big enough to be a meaningful test. Cute idea though.
They're actually pretty good for determining if your boots support your ankles properly, or if there's a spot that, actually, rubs your foot horribly when you twist at an angle. Much better than just taking a few steps up and down the aisle to test.
Load More Replies...Maybe it's just the nurse in me... but the very first thought that came to mind when I saw this was "falls" ... shortly thereafter it became "drunk people and falls"... followed inevitably by the thought "I sure hope there aren’t bikes and skateboards in the immediate proximity"... 🤣
Oh, there are. 😁 not many drunk people though.
Load More Replies...A Locking, A/C-Controlled Dog House In The Middle Of A Shopping Center Available For Use While You Eat And Shop
I would never be worried about forgetting my dog... but I WOULD be worried about the fleas / worms / viruses the last dog left behind... and the potential - however unlikely - that someone could break in and steal him. My dog is like my kid; I would take on the world for that dog!
I hope no one uses this. Imagine how scared the dog would be with every group of kids coming up and banging on the glass.
Some maybe. Some dogs love everyone and everything ant would stay next to the glass for the kids.
Load More Replies...I'd be afraid that the AC suddenly stops working and I come back to a grilled dog...
I don't have dog, so excuse my ignorance, but I don't understand why you would take a dog with you if they can't stay with you the whole time.
Dressing Room Mirror Allows You To Adjust The Lighting, Type And Brightness
i get severe migraines and the fluorescent lights make them worse. this would be great for me and my mama!
OMG, me too. I am always wearing sunglasses indoors.
Load More Replies...Yes bc my clothes look good on me at the store but then i get home and the look bad
Recently, My Local Supermarket Added This "Bag Wall" Near The Main Entrance. This Is For People Who Forgot Their Shopping Bag
ages ago, our local Organic shop had a big bin with bags. I see it more and more in other shops too.
This Store Turns Their Old Gift Cards Into Free Guitar Picks For Customers
This Grocery Store Prints These Guides On Their Product Bags
Limes, lemons, apples, pears... I never ever kept them in the fridge and so far, they never went bad before I got to eat them
This General Store Sign Showing That There Is Actually A Difference Between Jelly And Jam
In my neck of the woods, the difference between a 'jam' and a 'preserve' is not whether the fruit is whole or mashed, but the sugar content. Jam traditionally has a one to one fruit to sugar ratio, with preserves being 2:1. This means preserves do not last as long as jams.
And, marmalade is only made with oranges. There's no orange jam or cherry marmalade
This Mall Has A Room Specifically For Breastfeeding
Or, ya know, people should be able to breastfeed wherever they want.
Its for those women who wont or cant. Its good to cater to all types when all types have the same needs but different wants 💓
Load More Replies...For those of us with more than one child, these were a godsend. Many of the shopping centres we went to even had a fenced play area, sometimes with interactive computer games or a tv to occupy the bigger kids while I tended to the babies. Oh my goodness - I felt SO LUCKY to be existing in that time and space! It was like a perfect little break for all of us in the middle of a busy shopping trip (actually, when I only had the one baby with me, and he had fallen asleep feeding, sometimes I could even sneak in a quick nap for myself). The person that invented these to draw more families to their shopping centers was a marketing genius.
The New Supermarket Near Me Has Frozen Prepared Foods In Bulk
There are some places in the UK that do this too, I love it, it means you don't buy too much and waste anything
I mean, you could buy to much here to? It's just that you don't have to buy a whole bag a once.
Load More Replies...I'd be worried about Karen's kids scooping them around with mucky hands....or Karen herself picking out the 'good' bits by hand.
Several of the stores around here do this too. It is great when you are cooking for yourself and only want 4 dumplings.
Petco Cat Litter Refill
We switched to using Petco litter last year after we saw this refill station in our local Petco. Our litter costs have cut in half, we are able to reuse the containers so much less waste and struggle to fit the containers in the recycling, and the litter is one of the best one the market. 10/10 would recommend.
I did this before Covid hit but ever since then I’ve just been ordering it online and having it delivered
San Bruno CA store stopped this. They want you to buy their one-time use 40 lb container :(
San Bruno CA store stopped this. Now they want you to buy their 40 lb one-tiime use containers. :(
Milkshake Shop Sells Lactaid For Those Lactose Intolerant
Agree! I just hope you can give the plastic pod back for them to use again.
Load More Replies...Why not just offer dairy-free alternatives, lactaid doesn't work for everyone (myself included).
Our Local Grocery Store Has Phone Holders On Their New Shopping Carts
In my case this would inevitably result in a walk or drive back to the supermarket to retrieve my phone from the trolley, depending on when i realise i forgot to take it back :)
In Norway, The Packed Meat Has A "Thermometer" That Tells You How Many Days Are Left, Until It's No Longer Safe To Eat It
This doesn’t always work. More than one time I bought meat and it said 3 days left but it didn’t smell good.chicken most. Edit typo
This one is very good. I had bought chicken once and I felt safe to eat it even almost a week after date, because of this thing. Its not about bying less food all the times. Sometimes its about mental health and the inability to what should be or needs to be done
Shopping Cart Sanitizing Machine At A Local Grocery Store
Though UV produces ozone. Don't know if in unhealthy doses, maby not for a separate customer at least? But you have to place it there yourself? In other words,touch it before it's clean? 😄
A Slide In A Clothes Store
That wall looks very close to the end. Hope they have a selection of crutches at the bottom...
It looks fun, but here in the USA the lawyers and insurance companies would never let this happen.
Garden In A Grocery Store Where You Can Clip What You Need
Also need a good memory when finally in the fridge! 😅
Load More Replies...This Stall For Your Dog Outside A Supermarket In Copenhagen
Our old dog Ernie, (RIP) would have just taken a revenge poop and rolled in it and howled till he was let out
Same with our first dog The World Famous Scrotty Dog. Except he would have widdled
Load More Replies...In Japan, There's A Used Clothing Store With No Attendant
The sign says: "1. Choose used clothes. 2. Check out with a machine. 3. OK to go! Thanks!"
Somebody Deserves A Medal For The Design Of This Grocery Basket
Are they special? That's the only ones we have here, no matter what store.
i hate those, i always take the old fashioned smaller ones. These are way too big.
Soap Is Sold In Bulk And Not Pre-Cut, You Decide The Size You Want And Cut It Yourself
Have seen this at Lush in maby countries, and (stone)ages ago at the Body Shop
Load More Replies...Ok, that seems to be getting a little too niche for me. I like the idea of getting just how much you need when it comes to perishables, but I'd much rather just buy half a dozen standard sized bars of soap in a box.
Reminds me of the fact my classmate's mom is an artist and makes soap sometimes
A Machine At The Mall That Teaches CPR
I had similar in my hotel in the UK last weekend but it was a video in the tv and using the pillow on the bed, which was a neat idea. I already am trained but watched the video as I was bored and it was very well done.
It means it dosent teach respiratory cpr. A wild gues would be it show you where to put the hand and how fast and hard you need to pump. Which surprises alot of people.
Load More Replies...This Store Has A Dog Parking Spot
In America, lawsuits would happen. All it would take is one person who’s dog gets sick, stolen, bitten by another dog, etc.
My dog would be the one biting everything and everyone. 😣
Load More Replies...I would never ever leave my dog unattended in public. She is a friendly soul and would go away with anyone or eat poisened treats when a human give it to her... to many sick minded people out there!
This Grocery Store Displays Nuts And Other Snacks Upside Down So You Can See The Contents More Clearly
This Store Has A Magnifier To Read The Fine Print On Medications
You Can Print Out A Short Story At My Local Coffee Shop. Read While You Wait
I feel like a better option in this day and age would be to airdrop (or similar) a PDF to your phone instead. No paper waste.
i would keep the story. i know if it’s good i’ll read it till i memorize it!
Load More Replies...This is smart but i do agree with @Ken Beattie maybe a pdf or the coffee place have a wattpadd or something online, but this idea is smart bc coffee lines take a while
And how long is their wait at this coffee shop? Sheesh.
Load More Replies...My Local Supermarket Now Has A Googly-Eyed Robot Whose Sole Purpose Is To Patrol The Aisles Looking For Spills. Its Name Is Marty
I get scared of cleaner robots and stuff but once at the bowling alley at my little cousin's birthday i saw this really cute cat robot whose soul purpose was to deliver pizzas around the building, it still kinda scared me tho (the reason why is im afraid I'll get run over by one)
Marty is ALWAYS in my way! He's so slow yet I run into him throughout the store when I shop!
....I've also learned what to do when he sees something on the floor. I pick up whatever he's losing his s**t over and then press the reset button......lol! No...I don't work at Stop & Shop but I'm there a lot.
Load More Replies...Those things are always in the way. I feel like they follow me around the store just to irritate me...haha
My Local Department Store Has An Escalator Just For Carts
Here in the UK, we have replaced the escalator steps with escalator slopes and have slotted wheels on the trolleys, so they can go on them without rolling back down
When i used to watch Jojo Siwa i would see her go down these in every target video, i wish to go to a target like this it seems so cool
Quite a few UK stores have a sloped escalator that the wheels on the cart attach to.
The HEB on town Lake in Austin, Texas has this: Neat. Parking is under the store, so vehicle doesn't heat up as much.
I Saw This Cooling Station At A Liquor Store
Some Grocery Carts In Japan Are Designed To Stack Vertically To Cut Down On Aisle Congestion
supermarket in Aachen had something like this, but for one basket. Perfect if your back is bothering you.
This Store Doesn't Have Products In Any Packaging. You Bring Your Own And Weight The Item
hmmm how many containers would ia hev to bring though? I feel like it would be so heavy without a car or something
Well you'd have to get your groceries home anyway. So it's lighter bringing the empty container to the store in the first place.
Load More Replies...some philistines downvoted you, fellow grammar guardian. here's an upvote from me :)
Load More Replies...This Store In Germany Posts The Date (DD/MM/YY) Of The Last Price Increase For Every Product
In Poland there is a requirement to put a lowest price from last 30 days on the tag next to a current price. This is to protect people from "Black Friday" type scams when shops wind up prices 3 days prior, just to make it lower (but still higher than regular) on black friday.
It's the DM drogerie markt and they do this everywhere, no matter the country ^^ One of my favourite stores
i'm shocked that whatever ebelin bimsstein is, the price hasn't changed since 2009 :)
Trust System At The Baker's
You guys are all so cynical. If there's a line or the worker is out, you can grab a loaf and leave money. The sign is just a cheeky way of saying that it's a very casual honor system.
this reminds me of the time i accidentally paid less for a ticket on the Muni bus in San Francisco. I was embarrased and wanted to dig up my purse but the driver said "no problem, pay more next time" For me it was just bad planning, but i love the idea that he lets people in that cant afford.
I'm confused that this is labelled a trust system at a BAKER's, but you use it when the BUTCHER is busy by putting money in a piggy bank with names of pork cuts on it, sitting next to some bread. The sign doesn't really help either :)
Don't overthink. It is a supermarket. Bakery is located next to the pre-packed meat area. Person had a oiggy bank at hand, placed piggy bank. Product to be paid for is ...... not in the next aisle, but immediately next to piggy bank. Yay.
Load More Replies...I don't get it... oh or maybe you put the money in the part you want the butcher to cut and go back to shopping and pick it later . AHHH yes i really think that's what it is ;) and if you put too much - they save it for you so you don't have to pay much next time
Spicy Guide To Mexican Chiles I Saw At My Local Grocery Store
Wait a minute--is this a before-and-after chart for roasted peppers? Brilliant!
But it doesn't say how hot they are, or are you supposed to already know?
Our Grocery Store Has A DIY Breakfast Bundle
wouldn't all of those things be in the same section of the store anyway? i find it hard to justify all the additional packaging used for the negligible convenience. just my opinion though
My Local Supermarket Has A Vending Machine Which Sells Glass Milk Bottles You Can Fill Up With Fresh Milk
Again, in America, I would not trust this. Just last week, hundreds of people got sick because a soft serve ice cream machine was not properly cleaned and sanitized.
This is a different type of machine. Milk taps usually have a closed, cooled compartment with a self closing door, the nozzle cannot be touched and no air is pumped into the milk. The nozzles of soft ice cream are not cooled, the nozzle can be touched and surrounding air is pumped in the ice cream to make it soft
Load More Replies...But the milk is no fresher than getting it off the shelf. Unless there is a live cow in the back of that
In this case the point is the amount of milk and reducing waste. Many people do not need 1l or 1/2. The dairy farmers hete (NL coast) have taps (and honesty shops for eggs, vegs and fruit of the season). The raw milk there is the freshest one can get, but it has to be cooked/processed by the customer. Less convenient, better for the farmer's and customer's purse, less waste (reuse of bottles) and open 24h.
Load More Replies...My Grocery Store Has A Process Where Items Requiring Refrigeration Or Freezing Are Put In The Blue Bags And Everything Else In The White Bags
I live here too! I thought it was a good idea at first, but the cashiers always just grab a bag and throw stuff in. They never accurately separate the cold foods into the blue bags.
As for the plastic waste, I reuse the bags in my bathroom trash cans. If I didn’t get grocery store bags, I would have to buy trash bags. (I personally think that unlined trash cans in the bathroom are unsanitary.)
Load More Replies...We have gotten used to carrying our own grocery bags in the car. We have one freezer bag, one hot food bag, and a gazillion regular cloth/reinforced plastic reusables. We take what we think we will need when we go into the store and pack our own groceries in our reusables.
And in countries where you pack it yourself and bring your own bags, YOU get to make this same choice.
Why? Just put the frozen/to be cooled products in a reusable padded insulation bag or crate and everything else in reusable other bags and crates. Yes, it is "inconvenient" to plan your shopping trip - but everything you are willing and capable of to drag back home, you can take with you TO the supermarket.
Coming from a country where we put our own food in the bag ourselves, I always do this. Prevents food spoiling, and you know which bag to put away first if you're like me and buy in bulk.
Food Lion, a Belgian company. Here in their shops no plastic bags anymore.
AholdDelhaize owns it, but its still considered American.
Load More Replies...This Canadian Tire Store Has Parking Spots For Horses And Buggies
Several stores around us have these. We have a large Amish community in our area.
I'll give you a hint, someone with a small wage packet.
Load More Replies...Shopping Carts In Germany Have A Special Beer Crate Holder In The Back
Wow I was just in Ireland and I'm surprised I didn't see these..
Could do with this in UK for trays of soft drinks, beer, cider or even loo roll
Several Safety Nets In A Tall Department Store In Berlin
I wonder if this is just because of legislation or whether they're had problems with people throwing stuff off (or jumping). I remember when the Myer Centre in Brisbane opened and it had a large open atrium that spanned 5 floors and at the top was a small indoor roller coaster and entertainment stuff. I saw more than one milk shake thrown from the top floor by a*****e teenagers.
The Myer centre in Adelaide had netting put up due to suicide and accidents.
Load More Replies...My Grocery Store Uses Balloons To Designate Products
Actually not single use, mylar ballons can be refilled over and over and over again!!!
Load More Replies...Cute idea, but I feel like it is a waste of plastic as well as helium.
Shopping Cart At The Grocery Store Has Aisle Directory On It
This Lock Your Phone Away To Charge While You Shop
Unfortunately, I make my grocery list ON my phone, so I have to carry it around with me.
This Shopping Cart Has A Distance Meter
This Trekking Shoe Store Has A Test Area
Right?! I wonder if their insurance company knows they have this.
Load More Replies...There Are Parking Spots For Dogs Outside Of A Supermarket In Finland
I wouldn't trust tying my dogs up outside a supermarket. I'd be too worried I'd come out and someone had stolen them.
In Finland its common to see buggies with kids inside left outside shops.
Load More Replies...normal in Belgium and Netherlands. Never considered this to be uncommon.
A friend of mine, when she was about 15 yo, left her dog outside an ice cream shop, tied to a pole. Went back home a few hours later and her mom asked where the dog was... they raced to the shop and poor dog was still there waiting... 40 years ago and she still feels terribly guilty
What idiot would do this? And what idiot thought it was a good idea to provide this?
And other than people with service dogs, why are people taking their pets to grocery stores?
Leaving a dog unattended in a public space is actually illegal in Norway. Not that people don't still do it...
This Store Lets You Test Out A Keurig And Make Your Own Coffee To See If You Want To Buy It
I have a keurig and I absolutely love it! I've learned how to make so many different drinks that taste better then what you could buy at a coffee shop. It also saves me so much money and waste because I can use several different sized coffee mugs instead of single use cups.
Load More Replies...What they really should do is have a see-through bin with all the used Keurig K-cups to show how incredibly wasteful and non-ecological these are. I often try to dissuade people from buying Keurig machines.
I Spotted This Cool Cheese/Wine Guide At The Local Grocery Store
Grocery Outlet Reminding You To Bring Your Bags, In The Parking Lot
Always leave your bags in the car. That way you don't have to lift full heavy bags in and out of the trolley two times.
A Convenience Store In Sydney With A Full Flight Simulator Inside
This Convenience Store Sells Beer By The Gallon
The Coffee Shop I Went To Had A Mouthwash In The Bathroom
I'm not sure I want to put in my mouth anything I've found in a public bathroom.
An Asparagus Peeling Machine For White Asparagus In A Supermarket In Germany
TIL that there is a variety of asparagus that needs to be peeled. Am intrigued!
ok i wish they had that here - i can't peel asparagus to save my life
This Grocery Store's Carts Have A List Of Common Items And The Aisle They Are Found In
All these maps and guides are awesome, best I have is the Walmart app on my phone. As easy as this seems the stores here in the states don't do it because so much is geared towards impulse buying. That's why they have so many small items, magazines and candy and drinks crammed in to every side of the check out aisles.
I actually moved a display yesterday after watching an elderly person almost crash into it bc it was in the middle of a corner, in the open area. This cramming the aisles with BS has started making me angry in my old age. So I moved that s**t to the side
Load More Replies...Wouldn't always work in the UK - they seem to change things around every few months.
This Grocery Store Has A Machine To Make Your Cold Drink Colder Or A Room Temperature Drink Cold
This Supermarket I Went To Has A Plastic Box Around The Scale At The Self Checkout So Your Shopping Doesn't Fall Off It
This Store's Fruit And Vegetable Section Shows Their Country Of Origin
My locally owned stores here in Oklahoma have small stickers on different fruits and vegetables telling their location. It helps so much with different areas post recalls, so if you are hesitant about buying different things from that region. It leaves it up to the consumer and not the companies.
A Parking Lot For Shopping Carts In Germany
All of the commissaries on US bases (even overseas) has this in the meat/deli section to cut down on cart congestion. It works beautifully.
My Local Walmart Now Has A Robot That Travels The Store, Taking Inventory
And again, Decathlon has this. It drives around at night.
Load More Replies...Local Shopping Centre Has A Work Pod Where You Lock Yourself Inside And Work At A Desk
Why - either you are 'at work' or shopping. Would hate to try to do both at the same time?
This Little Plastic Basket/Holder Inside The Far Corner Of A Trolley. The Rivets Suggests It's For Small Objects Like Pens
The little corner created would be a great place to put cut flowers. It would save them being bashed by other groceries.
Some in the UK have a circulat holder on the side for flowers.
Load More Replies...Shopping Carts With Anti-Theft Measures At A National Grocery Chain
I think it would be better if the handle start to dispence super-glue if you take it beyond the parking log. "So you don't wanna leave the cart? Ok, now you are stuck with it."
Those have been standard in the states for decades, those carts are like a thousand bucks each.
Load More Replies...Yeah doesn't work so well. After locking up, if you forcefully push it then it eventually unlocks. I am not a thief but extremely huge parking lot forced this discovery
My Local Grocery Store Was Giving Out Bacon Samples
The candy dish at the cash registers at restaurants is the single most bacterial infected place if a restaurant. I would never touch loose food in any public place.
My Local Target Is Completing A Total Remodel, And They Now Have USB Ports And Outlets Built Into The Table In The Waiting Area Of The Fitting Room
The British Section Of My Publix Grocery Store In The Suburbs Of Atlanta
I spy Mrs Balls Chutney on the far right, second bottom shelf. That's exported from South Africa.
New York supermarkets have this too and I giggle every time I see the can of spotted dīck (I will never mature 🤪)
We love the International aisle of Publix. Fun way for us in the Deep South to try new things, show the kids different selections than our " usual" products.
Fun fact: Violet Crumble bars (the purple bars on the 5th shelf) are not only Australian, they’re the very first homegrown Australian chocolate bar. Named after the favourite colour and flower of its inventor’s wife. Another Aus delicacy - the Bertie Beetle - only exist because the original makers needed to do something with leftover Violet Crumbles during manufacture. #themoreyouknow
I've never heard of Violet crumble don't think they sell them in the UK
Load More Replies...Taste of Britain in Norcross Georgia has the entire store stocked for this customer base.
almost all big supermarkets in Belgium have this, with many countries. Ages ago one had a small Dutch section that only had Peanut butter, Hagelslag and Cassis 😂
This Mall's Washing Basin Has Sunglasses Holder
So is there some local law that says you must take off your sunglasses whilst washing your hands?
Unfortunately you won't be able to find it if you're wearing your sunglasses indoors.
My Local Whole Foods Allows Payment Via Scanning Your Hand
I like thr amount of conspiracy theorists and crazy religious people in this comment section worries me
This made no sense but im on the app. The conspiracy theorists and crazy religious people here is worrying.
Load More Replies...Only works for those who have had the chip installed under their skin?
NO! I will not have anything implanted in me so I can pay for groceries, and I will not provide enough information about me to make my palm a payment device. Didn't the Bible say something about this a couple thousand years ago?
Japanese Grocery Store Sells Pre-Poured Wine Glasses
I'm less worried about plastic garbage and wondering why you'd want a single glass of merlot. Side note: It's pretty cheap. $3.70 Australian for a glass of merlot is ok, unless it's a crappy one. And you'd want to drink it quick. Can't imagine it'd keep for long like that.
for Picnics? M & S sell them in the UK in summer (both days lol)
Load More Replies...If I were desperate for whine, I'd rather drink from a bottle than from a cr*ppy plastic glass.
Supermarkets in Belgium and Netherlands sell tiny bottles of wine too.
The Signage At The Grocery Store For Samples
The problem with this is that the majority of people are like my grandmother. Just ignore the signs and sample at will. I used to get embarrassed going shopping with her because she would munch on grapes, bananas, and/or apples WHILE she was gathering her groceries. Cashiers do not have the ability to guess how much of the fruit (or veg) she had eaten when presented with an empty peel or denuded bunch of grapes. I was still a child at the time. When I became an adult and was working in grocery stores, I would just about lose my mind.
Embarrassed by my very adult SIL while buying candies. She put a bunch in the bag for the cashier to weigh but kept eating them while in line. She just hadn't realized, when I told her she snapped that she was going to pay... not dishonest, she really is stupid
Load More Replies...What about single or asexual people? Are we supposed to grab a stranger to pose as our partners to meet the criteria?
So many of these remind me that we in the USA miss out on a lot of cool stuff and innovation because our litigious society, mistrustful nature, selfishness, and willingness to take advantage of others' kindness. Some of those that offered free samples would be gone in a matter of minutes because someone decided that since it's free, they'll take it all. Honor system? That's just free stuff. A slide next to the stairs? Cut your own soap? Those are just personal injury lawsuits waiting to happen.
Had a clerk put a basket of pens out for the customers to fill out foorms, & this guy runs up and proceeds to grab them all. Stopped him before he got them out. Knew he was going to sell them on the street. Half these wonderful iseas wouldn't work in the U.S.
Load More Replies...Same - didn't know what you were talking about but clicked her profile and there were dozens of comments, very few positive except always a but....
Load More Replies...Yup, and if someone likes or responds to a comment you post in a post that doesn't make the break (and before the article is cut) you get a notification but you can't access it. Very amateur.
Load More Replies...General question, have BP started delete the bottom of the post? Before there where a button that said,click here to view all posts. Now thatseams to be gone,and the post is shortened to 50?
Load More Replies...Willing to bet that 98% of these are NOT in the USA. Sad because we could use a lot of these ideas.
I'd bet money these are all in progressive thinking countries not regressive ones like in north america, especially the ones where you would get sued for any little thing
I really don't like living in America for this reason (and many others). I would move but my family lives here and it's hard to immigrate.
Load More Replies...So many of the shopping carts here are made of steel wire. They're heavy, clumsy, and a total pain. My supermarket has shopping carts of recycled plastic. They're stronger, have a third of the weight, always drive straight and are a joy to use. They should be everywhere.
So many of these remind me that we in the USA miss out on a lot of cool stuff and innovation because our litigious society, mistrustful nature, selfishness, and willingness to take advantage of others' kindness. Some of those that offered free samples would be gone in a matter of minutes because someone decided that since it's free, they'll take it all. Honor system? That's just free stuff. A slide next to the stairs? Cut your own soap? Those are just personal injury lawsuits waiting to happen.
Had a clerk put a basket of pens out for the customers to fill out foorms, & this guy runs up and proceeds to grab them all. Stopped him before he got them out. Knew he was going to sell them on the street. Half these wonderful iseas wouldn't work in the U.S.
Load More Replies...Same - didn't know what you were talking about but clicked her profile and there were dozens of comments, very few positive except always a but....
Load More Replies...Yup, and if someone likes or responds to a comment you post in a post that doesn't make the break (and before the article is cut) you get a notification but you can't access it. Very amateur.
Load More Replies...General question, have BP started delete the bottom of the post? Before there where a button that said,click here to view all posts. Now thatseams to be gone,and the post is shortened to 50?
Load More Replies...Willing to bet that 98% of these are NOT in the USA. Sad because we could use a lot of these ideas.
I'd bet money these are all in progressive thinking countries not regressive ones like in north america, especially the ones where you would get sued for any little thing
I really don't like living in America for this reason (and many others). I would move but my family lives here and it's hard to immigrate.
Load More Replies...So many of the shopping carts here are made of steel wire. They're heavy, clumsy, and a total pain. My supermarket has shopping carts of recycled plastic. They're stronger, have a third of the weight, always drive straight and are a joy to use. They should be everywhere.
