When you spot a genuinely good design idea, it’s hard not to envision it being implemented everywhere. Life could be a lot better and more comfortable for everyone. Well, some creative store owners have taken this to heart, deciding to put their customers first.
Our team at Bored Panda has collected photos from all over the internet, featuring some of the most genius ideas that shops have ever implemented. Avocado ripeness detectors and cozy spaces for owners to leave their pets in are just the tip of the iceberg. Scroll down to check them out!
We got in touch with Matt Johnson, PhD, a marketing psychology expert specializing in topics such as consumer psychology and serendipity, to learn about what customers value the most while shopping. Read on for Bored Panda's interview with Johnson, including his thoughts on why not every store is going to rush to embrace all of these smart designs.
#1 This Mall Food Court Has A Station To Wash Your Hands
Image credits: wasit-worthit
#2 This Pharmacy Has A Magnifying Glass So People Can Read Medicine Labels And Details More Easily
Image credits: dojowit
#3 This Super Market Had Tiny Paper Bags Instead Of Plastic Containers To Reduce Waste
Image credits: treanegno
Marketing psychology expert Johnson explained to Bored Panda that customers value convenience, personalization, and sensory experience the most in supermarkets. That first factor—convenience—is key. "Customers want to move efficiently through the store, find what they need, and check out quickly," he said.
However, personalization also plays a growing role here. Shoppers appreciate tailored experiences, from product recommendations to layout designs that reflect their preferences.
"The sensory environment also matters: things like clear signage, pleasant lighting, and even how produce feels and smells all contribute to making the experience enjoyable. Innovations like avocado ripeness detectors or refillable detergent stations appeal to customers because they enhance convenience and sustainability, both of which are becoming increasingly important. Ultimately, customers appreciate anything that makes their shopping trip faster, more engaging, and aligned with their values," Johnson explained.
#4 UK Supermarket Has A Tag You Can Add For Carts With Wonky Wheels
Image credits: qwerty11055
#5 This Water Fountain At My Local Mall Has Dog Treats, And Two Water Fountains For Dogs, In Addition To The Water Fountain For Humans
Image credits: verasgunn
#6 Refillable Detergent In Prague, Czech
Image credits: starlightexpress3005
Bored Panda asked Johnson why some stores don't implement the customer-friendly ideas that their competitors might have already embraced. He was kind enough to walk us through how businesses approach these sorts of changes. (Spoiler warning: profits are a huge aspect to consider when making any investments.)
"Smart, customer-friendly store ideas—like avocado ripeness detectors or refillable detergent stations—may seem like no-brainers, but their adoption is often slower due to a mix of inertia and cost. For one, change is expensive. Even if a new feature would delight customers, it requires upfront investments in infrastructure, training, and marketing, which can be risky for stores with thin profit margins," the expert told us.
"Additionally, many businesses prioritize short-term gains over long-term customer satisfaction. They may be wary of adopting innovations unless there’s a proven return on investment."
#7 Grocery Store Shows When Local Produce Is In Season
Image credits: nothingswritten
#8 Local Shop Gives Old Vegetables For Pets For Free
Image credits: nixass
#9 Noticed Cardboard Hangers Instead Of Plastic Hangers While Working On My Shift
Image credits: reddit.com
Meanwhile, Johnson noted that we also have to consider the psychology of habit. "Both shoppers and store owners often default to what’s familiar. Changing a system that 'works' can feel unnecessary, even if it’s not ideal. But as competition heats up, the stores that embrace these customer-first ideas will likely pull ahead—until, eventually, the rest will have to catch up or get left behind," he told Bored Panda.
If you're interested in learning more about marketing psychology, feel free to take a look through Johnson's branding and human nature blogs. You might also be interested in watching his TEDx talk on YouTube, about serendipity in the age of advanced AI.
#10 The Publix In My Hometown Gives Out Fruit To Kids For Free
Image credits: reddit.com
#11 This Supermarket In Italy Has Carts Made For Dogs
Image credits: Willhelm2202
#12 Cardboard Rings For This 6-Pack Instead Of The Plastic Ones
Image credits: thehow2dad
Shopping in person, rather than online, isn’t just about buying the things you plan on getting. It’s an experience. And that experience shapes how you feel about the store, the products it sells, and the brand in general.
To put it simply, a positive experience and a good atmosphere are going to make it more likely that you’ll be a loyal, returning customer. Why would you not return to a place where you feel comfortable, happy, and catered to?
A negative shopping experience, on the other hand, is likely to push you away. And, if you have easily accessible alternatives in your local area, you’ll probably consider shopping at a competitor’s store. At least to see what they offer and how it compares.
Consumers are (arguably, at least partly) rational, and they’ll generally opt for stores that are closer, cheaper, offer better quality products and more variety, and offer other considerations.
#13 These Shopping Carts With A Compartment For Pets
Image credits: letspetpuppies
#14 Small Tents In A Store To See What They Would Look Like
Image credits: FiremanMorales
#15 You Can Take A Slide Instead Of The Escalators In This Mall In Prague
Image credits: Nires
Thinking realistically, not every store will be able to cater to every customer’s whims. It would be too expensive, for one. And few companies boast (nearly) unlimited budgets. On top of that, if you try to appeal to everyone, you might end up creating a very chaotic and confusing interior in your store.
Furthermore, by catering to one group of customers, you might push others away because they dislike your creative ideas. You have to look at what will make the average local shopper happy (or, well, happier), and refine their experience based on that.
If you enjoy eating avocados but keep picking under- and over-ripe ones, a ripeness detector at your local supermarket can be invaluable.
Similarly, if you have a beloved dog you take everywhere, then you’d probably look favorably upon shop owners who implement pet-friendly solutions.
#16 They're Growing Their Own Vegetables At My Local Supermarket
Image credits: 25benja
#17 This Grocery Store Has Carts In The Back In Case You Buy More Than You Were Expecting
Image credits: RumCheddar
#18 This Grocery Store Prints The Label Directly Onto The Ginger With A Foodsafe Ink To Eliminate The Need For Packaging Or Labels
Image credits: Swee_et
On the flip side, even if you think that your local supermarket is awesome for growing herbs and veggies in the building, you might be weirded out by their little mushroom habitats. Or you might be confused by all the high-tech gadgets that many other shoppers are enjoying. (We’re still on the fence about how useful smart carts that scan everything you put in them really are.)
Consider other things that go into making a worthwhile shopping experience, too, like the lighting, music, signage, and color palette. One store might opt for unintrusive ambient music, while another might cater to pop music fans.
One shop might go for the most efficient LED lights possible to keep costs down and ensure maximum visibility, while another retailer might opt for warmer lighting to make their customers feel more cozy.
Some might choose to use fewer signs to make their customers lose their way so they buy more random things, while others want more, clearer signs so as to not waste anyone’s time.
#19 The Lidl Grocery Store I Went To In Crete Has A Preserved Archeological Site In Their Parking Garage
Image credits: stanxv
#20 My Local Grocery Store Has An Air-Conditioned "House" Outside For Dogs To Stay While People Shop
Image credits: TonsilStoneButter
#21 Shopping Cart Cleaning Machine In Germany
Image credits: pogogq
The layout of the store matters a lot, even if we’re not consciously aware of some of these design decisions. Placing candy bars and snacks near the (self) checkout is a ‘subtle’ way of getting customers to buy more of these products.
If you’ve been shopping for a while, your willpower is likely to be depleted a bit: you’ve been making a ton of decisions about what (not) to buy. So, your body and brain are craving something sweet. Hence the checkout snack counters.
(We’re not judging anyone, though. We’ve fallen prey to this tactic more than a few times. But that’s why we don’t go shopping on an empty stomach anymore.)
#22 Beer Made From Leftover Strawberries That The Supermarket Rejects
Image credits: NickDipples96
#23 This Grocery Store Cart Has A Cup Holder, Slot For Your Phone, And An Aisle Guide For Popular Products
Image credits: kevo0088
#24 The Mall Of America Parking Ramps Have Parking Availability Lights To Let People Know If There’s A Spot Available
Image credits: Meet_your_Maker_LL
According to Tradis Design, in many parts of the world, customers often start browsing on the right-hand side of the store, then head toward the back, and then return to the left-hand side.
However, Gadsby notes that, in the United Kingdom, customers generally look left and then right when they enter a store, so you might want to consider putting the freshest, brightest, and most vibrant produce on the left side of the entrance.
#25 Recent Target Model With A Prosthetic Leg
Image credits: jshaver41122
#26 Local Bookshop Sells Mystery Books. The Wrapping Describes The Themes Only
Image credits: aspz
#27 The Dressing Room In This Store Has Multiple Settings To Change The Type Of Lighting
Image credits: salamanca2792
When you’re shopping online, your priorities are going to revolve around similar things as in person, such as convenience, price, reliability, and speed, but in slightly different ways.
How easy is it to order and pay for the items you’re looking for? Is it a twenty-four-step process or something more convenient? How good are the deals compared to shopping in person? How trustworthy is the vendor and the platform? How quickly will your products arrive and is it marginally better than physically going to a store near you?
#28 This Paper Bag That Shows You How To Pack It
Image credits: Sugalips2000
#29 This Department Store In Germany Has A Surf Wave For Trying Out Products
Image credits: Ok_Ambassador8394
#30 My Local Supermarket Here In Germany Has Special Shopping Carts For People In Wheelchairs
Image credits: MrFlow
Which of these store ideas caught your attention the most, dear Pandas? Which ones do you personally consider to be the perfect blend of creativity and usefulness? Which ideas do you wish your local shops would implement?
On the other hand, what do your local shops do really well that you’d love to see elsewhere, too? Let us know what you think in the comments section!
#31 This Smart Rental Store In My Friend’s Building
Image credits: Bitten69
#32 My Local Department Store Colorizes Its Shopping Baskets Based On Whether You Need Assistance Or Not
Image credits: Chhathedral
#33 This Supermarket Grows Its Own Mushrooms
Image credits: drstrangelov3
#34 You Can Test Hiking Shoes On Different Terrains In This Sporting Goods Store
Image credits: _NeoSpace_
#35 My Local Foodland Has Bread Ties That Are Made Of Cardboard Instead Of Plastic
Image credits: Phyierpickle
#36 This UV Handrail Sterilizer On An Escalator In Hong Kong
Image credits: ceowin
#37 My Grocery Store Has A Cranberry Bog
Image credits: heyjustsoyouknowbro
#38 Avocado Ripeness Detector In Supermarket
Image credits: unhappylittletrees1
#39 This Mall Has A “Husband Depository” With Massage Chairs And Phone Chargers
Image credits: co1063
#40 Heated Dog Parking While Shopping
Image credits: pimzon
#41 This Store Allows You To Buy A Book, Read It, And Then Return It For A 50% Refund
Image credits: dudsa15
#42 My Local Giant Grocery Store Has A Robot Named “Marty” That Roams The Store Looking For Spills And Trash
Image credits: DemonstrablyFinagle
#43 Dollar General Has A Dedicated Squeezing Chicken To Summon A Cashier To The Register
Image credits: jnadols1
#44 My Local Grocery Store Chain Started Selling Fruits And Vegetables That Are Misshapen, Blemished, Or Ugly For A Discounted Price
Image credits: x1pitviper1x
#45 This Home Depot Has Little Mini Bathtubs For Display Purposes
Image credits: SchrodingersCatPics
#46 Australia Is Now Doing Missing Persons On Milk Bottles
Image credits: AutisticMarsupial
#47 7-Eleven In Japan Has Little Stools To Make It Easier For Little Kids To Grab Ice Cream
Image credits: KAMEKAZE_VIKINGS
#48 My Local Mall Has A Short Story Dispenser
Image credits: RaeADropOfGoldenSun
#49 This Mall In Paris Has A Lock-Up For Your Motorcycle Helmets
Image credits: reece1210
#50 This Sign At My Local Pharmacy Teaches How To Do A Basic Waltz
Image credits: BrGsaW
