IWhen we talk about innovation, it’s important to recognize that not everyone will interact with a product or experience in the same way. A great example: creating a consistent customer experience for introverts and extroverts is incredibly challenging.
Personally, I’m the type of person who likes to shop independently. I treat it like a little game—if I can’t find something, I’ll circle the entire store before ever asking for help. Unless I’m truly pressed for time, I prefer to figure it out myself. That’s just the competitive side of me.
That’s why I love the color-changing basket concept. It doesn’t just support customers, it supports employees as well. They can immediately tell who wants assistance and who prefers to browse alone, allowing them to prioritize their time without interrupting anyone. It saves everyone time and creates a more comfortable experience for both personality types.
So where does effective innovation really begin? With observation. Noticing a small friction point. Asking, “Is there a simpler way to solve this?” And then testing it.
On the scale of simplicity and impact, I’d give this innovation an A+.