
Source: shutterstock
We’ve all had that experience of going into a store and have an over-friendly sales associate being overly friendly and helpful. They ask a million questions and do not take the hint that you want to shop independently. Some even go as far as following you throughout the store! These sales associates mean well and are only trying to do their job, but let’s face it: they can be overwhelming and ruin the entire shopping experience.
To combat this problem, a Sephora in Europe came up with a brilliant solution!
There is a fellow introvert on the Sephora customer experience team who deserves A RAISE RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/4Aan7lUyVD
— Cami Williams (@cwillycs) November 4, 2019
The store came up with this color-coded basket system. Customers can let the employees at Sephora know whether or not they would like help- and there is no talking involved! The red baskets indicate that the shopper would like to be assisted while the black ones indicate that the shopper is fine on their own.
After Cami Williams posted this tweet, it went viral. Many people were pleased with this new feature of the store and responded to Williams’ tweet:
I need this everywhere
— Jon Case (@HumanMalware) November 4, 2019
this is such a good idea and prevents SO MUCH awkwardness for everyone involved
— Matt Slotnick (@matt_slotnick) November 4, 2019
Some people even called out other stores like Lush and Best Buy in hopes of seeing this trend spread:
@lushcosmetics should really take note. Their whole sales model is to bombard their customers as much as possible.
— Benny Lava (@jtokidoke) November 5, 2019
They need this in Best Buy!
— John (@dorkistry) November 5, 2019
While this idea extremely brilliant and people everywhere are loving it, Sephora is not the first or only store to do this. Back in 2016, a Korean beauty store posted a tweet about their similar practice:
If your favorite phrase is "No thanks, I'm just looking," then these are the shopping baskets for you. Innisfree, a Korean beauty store,… pic.twitter.com/D2AJTigPBs
— a phenomenal tool to (@mytop10videos) December 10, 2016
Introverts and extroverts both love the idea of these baskets. It makes everyone’s shopping experience easier and even encourages customers to visit stores more frequently rather than being repelled by the sales associates. While these color-coded baskets are a new favorable idea, unfortunately, no Sephoras located in the United States are rocking these shopping baskets. Hopefully, these baskets will be seen more in stores soon!