50 Times Stores Implemented Smart Ideas That Should Be Universal (New Pics)

When you spot a genuinely gooddesignidea, it’s hard not to envision it being implemented everywhere. Life could be a lot better and more comfortable for everyone. Well, somecreativestore owners have taken this to heart, deciding to put their customers first.Our team atBored Pandahas 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 asconsumer psychologyandserendipity, 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.This post may includeaffiliate links.

Our team atBored Pandahas 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 asconsumer psychologyandserendipity, 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.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

This Pharmacy Has A Magnifying Glass So People Can Read Medicine Labels And Details More Easily

This Mall Food Court Has A Station To Wash Your Hands

UK Supermarket Has A Tag You Can Add For Carts With Wonky Wheels

Marketing psychology expertJohnsonexplained 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.

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.

This Super Market Had Tiny Paper Bags Instead Of Plastic Containers To Reduce Waste

This Water Fountain At My Local Mall Has Dog Treats, And Two Water Fountains For Dogs, In Addition To The Water Fountain For Humans

Refillable Detergent In Prague, Czech

Bored Panda askedJohnsonwhy 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.”

“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.”

Cardboard Rings For This 6-Pack Instead Of The Plastic Ones

Grocery Store Shows When Local Produce Is In Season

Local Shop Gives Old Vegetables For Pets For Free

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’sbrandingandhuman natureblogs. You might also be interested in watching his TEDx talk on YouTube, aboutserendipityin the age of advanced AI.

If you’re interested in learning more about marketing psychology, feel free to take a look through Johnson’sbrandingandhuman natureblogs. You might also be interested in watching his TEDx talk on YouTube, aboutserendipityin the age of advanced AI.

The Mall Of America Parking Ramps Have Parking Availability Lights To Let People Know If There’s A Spot Available

The Publix In My Hometown Gives Out Fruit To Kids For Free

This Grocery Store Has Carts In The Back In Case You Buy More Than You Were Expecting

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.

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.

Noticed Cardboard Hangers Instead Of Plastic Hangers While Working On My Shift

Recent Target Model With A Prosthetic Leg

They’re Growing Their Own Vegetables At My Local Supermarket

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.

If you enjoy eating avocados but keep picking under- and over-ripe ones, aripeness detectorat 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 implementpet-friendlysolutions.

My Local Supermarket Here In Germany Has Special Shopping Carts For People In Wheelchairs

This Grocery Store Prints The Label Directly Onto The Ginger With A Foodsafe Ink To Eliminate The Need For Packaging Or Labels

This Grocery Store Cart Has A Cup Holder, Slot For Your Phone, And An Aisle Guide For Popular Products

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.

You Can Take A Slide Instead Of The Escalators In This Mall In Prague

These Shopping Carts With A Compartment For Pets

Small Tents In A Store To See What They Would Look Like

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 willpoweris 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 cravingsomething 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.)

If you’ve been shopping for a while,your willpoweris 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 cravingsomething 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.)

This Supermarket In Italy Has Carts Made For Dogs

Shopping Cart Cleaning Machine In Germany

My Local Grocery Store Chain Started Selling Fruits And Vegetables That Are Misshapen, Blemished, Or Ugly For A Discounted Price

According to Tradis Design, in many parts of the world, customers oftenstart browsingon the right-hand side of the store, then head toward the back, and then return to the left-hand side.

Local Bookshop Sells Mystery Books. The Wrapping Describes The Themes Only

Avocado Ripeness Detector In Supermarket

The Lidl Grocery Store I Went To In Crete Has A Preserved Archeological Site In Their Parking Garage

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 trustworthyis the vendor and the platform? How quickly will your products arrive and is it marginally better than physically going to a store near you?

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 trustworthyis the vendor and the platform? How quickly will your products arrive and is it marginally better than physically going to a store near you?

Beer Made From Leftover Strawberries That The Supermarket Rejects

This Mall In Paris Has A Lock-Up For Your Motorcycle Helmets

The Dressing Room In This Store Has Multiple Settings To Change The Type Of Lighting

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?

This Supermarket Grows Its Own Mushrooms