What have we done to shopping? I remember when browsing through stores was a form of recreation — part fantasy, part necessity, but a form of social ritual nonetheless. We seem to have turned it into another job, a task to be tackled with clear objectives and maximum efficiency. One thing’s for sure — any store that wants my return business cannot waste my time. I don’t want complicated discounts or rebates (one more thing to do), I don’t want to wander endlessly in search of my purchase, and I don’t want to be “sold up.” What I do want is useful service and useful information, promptly available and provided with courtesy.
