"Some stores and brands are embracing the change." (Image by Thomas Edwards,)

I’m not a materialistic person, but I would rather go to a good store than a good museum. Both are commenting on the world right now–even an exhibition of antiquities is interesting to us at this moment for some reason–but I think retail outlets with well-designed products are more stimulating, communicating more directly to us about who we are, for better or worse. 

Question: Are there shops that have an app that allow you to use your smartphone to scan any item’s tag and get info and videos about products on your phone? I haven’t seen it yet, but my guess is “yes” or they will soon exist. From Stephanie Clifford’s recent New York Times article about modern shopping:

“For a generation of shoppers raised on Google and e-commerce, the answer to ‘Can I help you?’ is increasingly a firm ‘no,’ even at retailers like Nordstrom that have built their reputations around customer service.

But instead of getting defensive, some stores and brands are embracing the change by creating new personal touches that feature gadgets rather than a doting sales staff. Bobbi Brown has touch-screen televisions to demonstrate the perfect smoky eye, something that was once the exclusive domain of makeup artists. The basketball star LeBron James’s shoe store in Miami has 50 iPads to describe its merchandise. Macy’s is testing cosmetics stations where tablets offer reviews and tips. And at C. Wonder, shoppers use a touchpad to personalize the lighting and music in dressing rooms (there is also a button in case, olden-days style, they need to call for help).

The self-service theme, which started years ago with checkout at groceries, has progressed to the point where shoppers can navigate entire stores without once having to say, ‘Just looking, thanks.'”