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Shopping for everyday items after a long day at work is that mundane task some of us truly dread. There's just something so annoying about an overly helpful shop assistant when you just want to shop in peace. And some supermarkets are so big that you can spend 20 minutes just looking for the cheese section.
However, some stores have found ways not to only solve most of the problems, but to make shopping more fun. These genius ideas collected by Bored Panda, are found in various superkarkets and stores all over the world. Which ideas would you like to implement in your local supermarkets? Tell us in the comments below!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
My Local Supermarket Has Pre Made Kits For People To Buy And Give To The Homeless Or Food Shelters
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#2
This Book Store Has A "Blind Date With A Book" Section
#3
At This Airport, They Have A Machine That Will Print Off Free Short Stories For You To Read While You Wait!
#4
Shopping Carts In This Store Have Calculators
#5
This Store Lets Customers Choose Whether They Want To Be Bothered By The Staff
Nora 8 years ago
This is so genius. Sometimes I enter a store, especially perfume or makeup, and the assistant follows me like a shadow of mine. What I do is just leave, even if I really wanted to buy an item. Shops should realize that this hurts their profits rather than increasing their sales.
Ildiko S. 8 years ago
But then, when I'd need some help... they sure disappear...
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Ivana 8 years ago
Ohhhhhhh my god, this should be in Sephora. They have about 20 people working there at any given time and all of them ask you every two seconds if you need help. I only order online for almost everything now and I miss browsing but hate the sells people. Sorry sells people, I know it is not your fault.
.gas. 8 years ago
This is cool, but what if you need help halfway through? Do you get the other basket and throw all your stuff in there? Also, are employees not allowed to interact with customers?
Nora 8 years ago
you carry two baskets, one inside the other, and show the one you need lol
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Susan Platt-Mueller 8 years ago
If I need assistance, I will ask for it! I don't like an employee chasing after me. In several cases, they're hoping for a commission, but in my opinion, that's not the way to earn it!!
Stefanie Patterson 8 years ago
In most make-up stores (like innis-free) the employees don't commissions at all, just hourly wages. They are still encouraged to "help" customers. It is the worst in make up stores in Seoul. Leave me alone, I can pick out a lipstick shade myself, thankyouverymuch.
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Stefanie Patterson 8 years ago
I haven't seen these in Korea yet. I would love to since I won't go into some stores unless there are already a couple of people in there so I don't get shadowed and offered unwanted "help" the entire time.
Dorothy Cloud 8 years ago
That's nice. When I shop if I need help you have to run someone to ground. They aren't too handy.
Marcio Junior 8 years ago
Would be REALLY useful here in Brazil, which every shop you enter, there is a bunch of sellers running back to you.
Molly Block 8 years ago
Hmmmm....equal number of baskets on the left as on the right. Interesting. And what is that xmas three thing in the back?'
Desiré Yen 8 years ago
What happens if u take a black one, do most of yr shopping, then realize u need help? Must u then go back and get an orange basket? 🤔
Ingrid Tsai 8 years ago
Yeah, it is kind of awkward when someone stares at you or continuously talks to you while you are trying to shop
Charlotte Ayers 8 years ago
What if I change my mind in the middle of shopping and decide I need help? Do I have unload and re-load everything into the other basket before the assistants will talk to me? That issue would cause me to stand helplessly in the middle of the store. ;-)
S Missions 8 years ago
I suppose the basket means they won't talk to you, not that you can't talk to them :)
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Lynne Darroch 8 years ago
How do you know you need help when you walk in the door and pick up a basket?
#6
Local Mattress Store Gives You A Mini Mattress For Your Doggie When Buying A Regular One
#7
My Local Grocery Store Is Selling Unattractive Produce At Reduced Prices That Would Normally Be Tossed Out!
ugaas wiilhoog 8 years ago
I always thought this was one of the dumbest thing ever, especially since they all more or else taste the same.
#8
This Store Sorts It's Bananas By How Ripe They Are
#9
My Walmart Shopping Cart Has A Store Gps Attached To It
#10
This Store Uses Both Sides Of The Receipt Paper
#11
My Local Supermarket Has Tags That You Can Put On Broken Trolleys
troufaki13 8 years ago
My local super market definetly needs something like that! Most of the carts drive themselves to whatever direction they choose. And then throw tantrums if you steer them to the opposite direction :/
#12
You Can Pick Your Own Mushrooms At This Grocery Store
#13
My Local Grocery Store Has A Bee Hive In The Store
#14
This Dressing Room Has Their Clothing Hooks Labeled
#15
This Toilet At A Dutch Supermarket Lets You Test The Brands Of Toilet Paper They Sell
#16
These Shopping Carts Have A Magnifying Glass For The Elderly
#17
This Supermarket Has A Place To Put Stuff If You Change Your Mind
Emma Gascoyne 8 years ago
I think my parents wish this was an option at the hospital when I was born
#18
This Store Has A Winter Simulator For Testing Out Winter Clothing
#19
Italian Grocery Store Gets Dog-Friendly Carts So You Can Shop With Your Dog
Vlad Horobet 8 years ago
I my country they put big signs that read" access with animals - forbidden "
#20
Pick 'N' Mix Frozen Veg In A Spanish Supermarket
Cat on a bike 8 years ago
awesome, I would eat way more vegetables this way, otherwise I'm just lazy to buy and wash ans chop etc.
#21
My Grocery Store Grows Vegetables On The Roof And Streams It In The Store
#22
I Wish All Supermarkets Did This
#23
Ikea Prices Its Umbrellas Depending On If It Is Raining Or Not
Vlad Horobet 8 years ago
In my country they sell umbrellas at street kiosks, and when it rains it's double the price of a sunny day...
#24
Local Farmer Has A Vending Machine In Our Mall
#25
This Grocery Store Has A Bar For All The People Who Got Dragged Along
#26
Sign At A Gun Store
#27
This Supermarket Has Confectionary Free Checkouts For Parents Unwilling To Have Children Demanding That They Buy Some
Vlad Horobet 8 years ago
At one of my local supermarkets, they replaced the sweets with fruits at some checkouts, so the kids get something healthy.
#28
My Favourite Shop Has Light Settings So You Can See How Good/bad Your Outfit Will Look At Different Times Of Day
#29
This Door Has A Shelf To Set Your Coffee On While You Open It
#30
Avocados In Supermarket Have A Color Chart On The Sticker, So You Know When It's Ripe.
#31
This Store Has A "Test Ramp" So You Can Try Out Your Safety Boots On Different Surfaces
just a thought ! 8 years ago
Oh ! I tried these ramps ... And almost tripped and fell because I'm too clumsy for life😂😂😂
#32
The Candy Shop Near My House Has A Mini Theater Area Where They Play Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory On Repeat
#33
My Local Grocery Store Teaches You The Waltz While You're Waiting For Your Prescription
Vlad Horobet 8 years ago
I suck so much at dancing i don't understand the sign...maybe i''m just dumb...
#34
The Grocery Store I Went To Earlier Had A Special Escalator For Your Shopping Cart.
#35
My Local Beer Store Sell Advent Calendar Full Of Beers
#36
Store Has 3d Printed Accessories So You Can Test How They Fit In Their Handbags And Backpacks
#37
My Grocery Store Bags Items In Blue Bags If They're Cold So You Can Put Them Away First
Mixedupste 8 years ago
They do that at all major supermarkets when you have your order delivered
#38
This Liquor Store Sells Cleverly Named, Pre-Made Cocktail Kits In Ziploc Baggies
#39
A Sweetness Scale For Different Kinds Of Apples At The Grocery Store
#40
This Grocery Store Lets You Make Your Own Peanut Butter
#41
The Cart At My Local Store Has A Place To Charge Your Phone
#42
My Local Supermarket Offers Free Fruit To Children
#43
This Sex Shop Changes Its Name To A Book Store For Credit Card Statement
Karynne Williams 8 years ago
I would like to see Barnes and Noble do this in reverse, let the games begin.
#44
My Local Grocery Store Has Smart Carts That When You Search For An Item Tell You The Exact Isle And Shelf The Item Is On
Anna Thouvenin 8 years ago
They should make an app instead. That would cost less and remove the hassle to repair this if it breaks.
#45
The Supermarket At My University Allows You To Up/downvote New Products And At 50 Likes It Is Adapted Into The Shop
#46
This Store In Canada Had Store Wide Discounts That Changed Based On The Temperature Outside That Day
#47
Local Grocery Store Has Color Changing Check-out Lights Dependant On Number Of Waiting Customers In Line.
#48
My Local Second Hand Store Made A Reading Corner Out Of Books
Monika Przymuszala 8 years ago
Looks cool but I don't know- looks like you might end up buried under those books ;)
#49
My Local Local Grocery Store Has A 'Free Chilling Service' For Wines And Champagne
#50
This Chicago Jewelry Store Has Deceptive Gift Bags
#51
A Supermarket I Visited In Germany Has A Bread Dispenser
#52
My Supermarket Trollies Have Maps On Them
#53
The Sticker On This Mango Shows You What Colour The Fruit Should Be When It Will Taste The Best
#54
My Supermarket Lets You Eat Produce While You Shop For A 25 Cents
#55
New Grocery Store Opened Where I Live, And They Sell Craft Beer By The Pint And Give You A Cup Holder For Your Cart
#56
Came Across This Brilliant Idea At The Grocery Store
#57
My Local Supermarket Now Has A Store Directory On The Shopping Trolly
lasagna's underrated 8 years ago
My Whole Goods has that the too. It makes things a lot easier!
#58
My Local Butcher Shop Has A Meat Vending Machine
#59
My Local Booze Vendor Helping Out Shoppers Who Can't Make Up Their Mind
#60
One Of My Local Supermarkets Has Electronic Price Tags
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What do you think ?
Ed Mo 8 years ago
So many great ideas that i really like but on the down side I also see how a lot of these add to cost or leave a store vulnerable to costly litigation. It comes down to how much extra people are willing to pay for an enhanced shopping experience.
Flinkie 8 years ago
Some if these are sooooo smart and usefull!! They should put them in all stores!
I Like Dogs 8 years ago
How can you be only 12 years old Flinkie!? You seem so smart!
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Heather Hudson 8 years ago
I've seen the "free fruit" basket at my grocery store the last few months. It's usually empty, so I guess the staff doesn't refill it in the afternoons. Anyway, last time I was there, a father told his kid not to touch anything in the basket because "everyone else has touched that food." I'm all for being careful with your kids, but does this guy think that nobody touches his food when he is in the produce section picking out fresh vegetables or fruit?
Zori the degu 8 years ago
Great ideas but many of them already appeared on Bored Panda and it wasn't only once or twice. I liked to see the new ones though.
Ed Mo 8 years ago
So many great ideas that i really like but on the down side I also see how a lot of these add to cost or leave a store vulnerable to costly litigation. It comes down to how much extra people are willing to pay for an enhanced shopping experience.
Flinkie 8 years ago
Some if these are sooooo smart and usefull!! They should put them in all stores!
I Like Dogs 8 years ago
How can you be only 12 years old Flinkie!? You seem so smart!
Load More Replies... Heather Hudson 8 years ago
I've seen the "free fruit" basket at my grocery store the last few months. It's usually empty, so I guess the staff doesn't refill it in the afternoons. Anyway, last time I was there, a father told his kid not to touch anything in the basket because "everyone else has touched that food." I'm all for being careful with your kids, but does this guy think that nobody touches his food when he is in the produce section picking out fresh vegetables or fruit?
Zori the degu 8 years ago
Great ideas but many of them already appeared on Bored Panda and it wasn't only once or twice. I liked to see the new ones though.
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