Japan Shopping

Wed 2007/11/07 17:42 JST
 52
 in Japan
1230 views

One thing that I never saw living in London or Seattle - electronic goods sprawled in front of a shop *without* any shop assistants in sight.

This type of product placement is done for a few reasons. One of them being that there isn't enough space in the shop. The other reason being to attract the passerby.

Not just electronic shops either. Walk down a typical shopping district and you will see stuff spilling out of the shop - without anybody watching over the goods. While theft obviously does happen, its extremely occasional. Just another reason why I like it over here.
Are goods displayed like this without shop owners watching over it in your region?

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  • jimmykitty
    jimmykitty in Oakland, Ca. (Registered on 2007/09/10)
    Comic Artist, writer
    http://jimmykitty.com

    I live in the rough part of town, and I've seen some grocery stores put a few things out... but store electronics? No. Not without security nearby.

    Wed 2007/11/07 18:36:41 JST (ID #62667)
    reply to jimmykitty's comment
  • Gorm
    Gorm in London (Registered on 2007/11/06)
    Student

    depends, i've seen stuff like this at seaside towns but it would usually be pretty cheap items

    Wed 2007/11/07 18:41:20 JST (ID #62671)
    reply to Gorm's comment
  • DJExSek
    DJExSek in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Registered on 2007/11/05)
    Network security professional

    nah i've never really seen anything like that in vancouver.

    Wed 2007/11/07 18:48:17 JST (ID #62673)
    reply to DJExSek's comment
  • Apple Otaku
    Apple Otaku in Los Angeles (Registered on 2007/10/20)
    TV Watcher
    http://appleotaku.com

    That's Japan for you. Back when I visited, their idea of a bike lock was a device that locked one of the wheels by sliding a small piece of metal between the bike's spokes.

    The thieves in Los Angeles would have a field day.

    Wed 2007/11/07 18:53:57 JST (ID #62674)
    reply to Apple Otaku's comment
  • XeroVlade
    XeroVlade in Philippines (Registered on 2007/10/12)
    Full-Time Developer
    http://xero-vlade.deviantart.com

    Stuff like that is quite common here.. though most security guards here have a license to Kill.. And most people regard them as heroes instead of murderers... Not that i have a problem with that..

    Anyway, atleast that gives you the ease to shop knowing what you want is already shown..

    Wed 2007/11/07 19:08:32 JST (ID #62679)
    reply to XeroVlade's comment
  • Demacrez
    Demacrez in Houston, Texas, US (Registered on 2006/12/25)
    Link Cosplayer, Video Gamer, Amatuer Programmer, and Artist
    http://demacrez.blogspot.com

    I wish it was like that here but no matter, it's still easy to take stuff from these stores it's almost laughable.

    Wed 2007/11/07 19:13:25 JST (ID #62681)
    reply to Demacrez's comment
  • DRAGUN
    DRAGUN in Arizona, USA (Registered on 2007/08/22)
    Design Consultant

    You can steal things from anywhere, its just pointless. It isnt yours, you didnt earn it, so dont touch it punk.

    Wed 2007/11/07 19:39:57 JST (ID #62689)
    reply to DRAGUN's comment
  • gusgus
    gusgus in cyberspace (Registered on 2007/09/10)
    web head

    I'm going to say there is, but I've only seen it with book stores.

    Wed 2007/11/07 19:40:31 JST (ID #62690)
    reply to gusgus's comment
  • squee
    squee in Singapore (Registered on 2007/09/26)
    Techie
    http://squeejunkyard.blogspot.com/

    I do see shops like those here in Singapore, but they usually place huge items like washing machines, refrigerators etc. that are more difficult to steal outside the store.

    Wed 2007/11/07 19:49:45 JST (ID #62694)
    reply to squee's comment
  • faiyaka
    faiyaka in California (Registered on 2007/10/11)
    Student

    Rarely and most of the time there are workers hovering and whatnot. The only ones i can think of without any workers are food shops. They leave the fruits and veggies outside. Dunno why...

    Wed 2007/11/07 19:59:34 JST (ID #62696)
    reply to faiyaka's comment
  • XSportSeeker
    XSportSeeker in Brazil (Registered on 2007/08/22)
    Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
    http://xspblog.com

    Lol... in Brazil, even if the shop was the size of a finger nail, the shopkeeper would make a way to keep the products within sight, or even enclosed in locked glass cases or something.

    In a local (but not too small) supermarket, they will seriously lock some more expensive products on a glass case.

    Imported beauty products and stuff like that.

    Keeping stuff out of the store is just inconceivable. Most stores here have double doors. Big stores all have security. And people will use whatever they can to protect merchandise... too many shoplifters and robbers.

    When I was a kid I remember my mother had a small store that sold clothing, toys and some other stuff, right in the main shopping avenue of my city...

    There was this cheap toys bin right in front of the store (but still inside the store) that would have things robbed almost every week.

    Wed 2007/11/07 20:13:38 JST (ID #62698)
    reply to XSportSeeker's comment
  • Evo_Spec
    Evo_Spec in Alberta, Canada (Registered on 2007/10/21)

    that is one thing i LOVED when in japan, was the trust they had in other people, i remember seeing foreigners trying to steal stuff, there happen to be a police officer passing by, and i told him. i don't know what happened to them, but i felt good about myself afterwards =P

    Wed 2007/11/07 20:39:08 JST (ID #62704)
    reply to Evo_Spec's comment
  • pitapowa
    pitapowa in France (Registered on 2007/11/05)
    figs seller , photographer
    http://exelica-meteor.com/

    impossible here in france , too much thieves everywhere :/

    Wed 2007/11/07 20:39:46 JST (ID #62705)
    reply to pitapowa's comment
  • syrix
    syrix in U.S. (Registered on 2007/03/21)
    student
    http://animesugoi.animeblogger.net/

    The stores that display items outside of the store are usually items on sale/items that didn't cost much to the store, especially in cheaper stores or Chinatown lol.

    Wed 2007/11/07 20:45:56 JST (ID #62706)
    reply to syrix's comment
  • Mr.Boy
    Mr.Boy in Graceland (Registered on 2006/12/31)
    Simulation
    http://www.animetreehouse.com

    The only thing outside on display in front of stores in the U.S. are police officers hoping to deter criminals!

    Wed 2007/11/07 20:53:02 JST (ID #62709)
    reply to Mr.Boy's comment
  • mad n1nja
    mad n1nja in Ohio; & Hong Kong (Registered on 2007/08/26)
    High School Student, College student, Part-time Ninja
    http://random-asian.blogspot.com/

    There are more of these type of displays in the East.

    There are almost no shop in the west, espically the US, that have these display.

    Wed 2007/11/07 21:34:17 JST (ID #62715)
    reply to mad n1nja's comment
  • Bulat
    Bulat in Canada (Registered on 2007/04/04)
    Student
    http://gooddayforlemontea.blogspot.com/

    Well, if I cant feed myself after moving there, i know where to go now ^^.

    Wed 2007/11/07 21:53:13 JST (ID #62717)
    reply to Bulat's comment
  • luzzio
    luzzio in Malaysia (Registered on 2007/09/30)
    Ninja lawyer
    http://luzzio.com

    nope, in my country they wouldn't trust you with anything.

    in fact, it annoys me whenever I'm doing some window shopping and MIGHT potentially be interested in buying something (if i can find what it want, get to touch it and stuff), some shop assistant would come along and say "May I help you?" i'd feel pressured to buy something and then walk away from the store.

    maybe it's just me, but attentive shop attendants are really irritating.

    Wed 2007/11/07 22:20:35 JST (ID #62718)
    reply to luzzio's comment
  • bolt
    bolt in Tampa Fl. (Registered on 2007/04/17)
    security/3d graphic artist
    http://www.kennethleishman.com/

    hmm.. depends where your at.. in the city.. more likey to see steel bars on the windows than the goods outside.. in the country.. yeah.. pretty good at that, wish city people were as honest..

    Wed 2007/11/07 22:36:47 JST (ID #62720)
    reply to bolt's comment
  • Henry
    Henry in /usr/bin/ (Registered on 2006/12/25)
    anime/cosplay events organizer
    http://www.cosplay.ph

    yep. there are some shops here that has their items outside the shop without anyone keeping an eye on them but only a few shops who does this ^^

    Wed 2007/11/07 23:27:17 JST (ID #62724)
    reply to Henry's comment
  • Matsuo Ryou
    Matsuo Ryou in Singapore (Registered on 2007/11/04)
    Singapore Polytechnic Student
    http://espada.uverworld.org

    Yes, it's rather common over here.

    Thu 2007/11/08 02:15:19 JST (ID #62735)
    reply to Matsuo Ryou's comment
  • gordon
    gordon in 新加坡 Singapore (Registered on 2007/06/11)
    銀河帝国五〇一軍团 TK/TD 8316 M.E.P.D. Police Sergeant
    http://gordonator.com/

    it's the same in singapore.

    but recently the government passed a new law in which shop owners are not allowed to place too many goods outside their shops to prevent fire hazard.

    the reason for this was because not long ago, 2 people was burned alive in a fire as they were escaping down the staircase but was blocked by goods left behind from the shop below.

    apparently the shop owner didn't pack his goods into the shop after knocking off.

    Thu 2007/11/08 06:43:46 JST (ID #62757)
    reply to gordon's comment
  • Joshua
    Joshua in singapore (Registered on 2007/08/26)
    student
    http://jk-pictureaweek.blogspot.com/

    Yea this is all over singapore. Singapore in is small :D

    Thu 2007/11/08 07:00:25 JST (ID #62761)
    reply to Joshua's comment
  • Marauder
    Marauder (Registered on 2007/01/10)
    大学生

    Depends on the kind of shop. The majority (99%) would definitely not, but I've seen some places with goods lying outside the shop.

    Thu 2007/11/08 07:08:11 JST (ID #62763)
    reply to Marauder's comment
  • Tempest
    Tempest in New Zealand (Registered on 2007/11/07)
    Exchange Student

    Some shops here display their stuff like this here but nothing that expensive. The 1€-shops often keep their things outside and since they basically sell a lot of crap, no one steals it. Other things you see in front of shops are books, second-hand clothes and food, so nothing that would really pay off to steal

    Thu 2007/11/08 07:12:06 JST (ID #62765)
    reply to Tempest's comment
  • Tempest
    Tempest in New Zealand (Registered on 2007/11/07)
    Exchange Student

    Nah... 1 "here" too much..

    Thu 2007/11/08 07:16:07 JST (ID #62766)
    reply to Tempest's comment
  • Exile
    Exile in USA (Registered on 2007/10/20)
    Designer/Student

    Not allot of that going on in the States. But Borders is the exception, all there old, cheap books are left on the outside.

    Thu 2007/11/08 08:29:27 JST (ID #62777)
    reply to Exile's comment
  • OMNI Strike
    OMNI Strike in Glasgow, UK (Registered on 2006/12/24)
    Aero-mechanical engineering student

    in glasgow the chavs would just end up stealing it all.

    Thu 2007/11/08 09:40:58 JST (ID #62791)
    reply to OMNI Strike's comment
  • D_Blade
    D_Blade in Montreal (Registered on 2006/12/31)
    Non-profit org. volunteering work addict

    Praise safety in Japan!

    The only missing thing is Mikuru in a bunny suit wearing a sign and/or some AK-47 and of course Yuki nearby. ;)
    And no cross-dressing allowed. Thank you not for the last post.

    Thu 2007/11/08 10:46:11 JST (ID #62796)
    reply to D_Blade's comment
  • COLORSUCKER
    COLORSUCKER in Interstella 5ecret 5tar 5y5tem (Registered on 2007/11/02)
    Electro/Dance Musician, DJ
    http://www.myspace.com/colorsucker

    I can't wait to go to JAPAN! I want to buy everything!!! And kareoke... BUT MOSTLY SHOPPING!

    Thu 2007/11/08 11:59:23 JST (ID #62798)
    reply to COLORSUCKER's comment
  • AndyH
    AndyH in Birmingham, UK (Registered on 2006/12/25)
    3D artist
    http://andyh.cgsociety.org

    Aw - thats what i love about Japan. People are trused to behave and not be criminal arseholes. Its nice being amongst a society that trusts individuals, and where you dont feel like youre constantly being eyed up as a shoplifter!

    As for goods being displayed like this in the UK? Hell, no!

    Thu 2007/11/08 12:51:18 JST (ID #62803)
    reply to AndyH's comment
  • thefrikking
    thefrikking in Spain (Registered on 2007/08/18)
    Ork Warlord

    Well, if any store show the stuff like this here, they can close very early, and forever!! The japanese people are incredible on this things, so confident and reliable, I must praise them.

    Thu 2007/11/08 14:35:38 JST (ID #62805)
    reply to thefrikking's comment
  • CyruzDraxs
    CyruzDraxs in Kelowna, BC, Canada (Registered on 2007/09/11)
    Web Design & Development
    http://www.nerdculture.org

    Around here there is security guards everywhere...probably 25% of the jobs people in my city work as security guards. Seriously, they are -everywhere-.

    Thu 2007/11/08 15:52:11 JST (ID #62810)
    reply to CyruzDraxs's comment
  • Edward
    Edward in SE Michigan/Osaka (Registered on 2006/12/24)
    Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
    http://funkyblueame.tumblr.com/

    I always enjoy seeing things like this in Japan. I very much look forward to living there soon.

    Well, I'm tired of being treated like I'm a criminal every time I walk in a shop here in the States...

    Thu 2007/11/08 15:54:36 JST (ID #62811)
    reply to Edward's comment
  • Benu
    Benu in California (Registered on 2007/09/10)
    Student, Podcaster, Graphic Designer, Photographer
    http://anime-gen.com

    Hey Danny I put your feed on my site. Can you activate my account for featured feeds program. Thanks.

    Thu 2007/11/08 16:03:43 JST (ID #62812)
    reply to Benu's comment
  • iRonMonkey
    iRonMonkey in The Netherlands, Holland, the Dutch (Registered on 2007/08/29)

    The big shops in the city centre all have reflective glass. Here there are strict laws about what you put outside and how far you place it, because you have to pay for it as a shop.

    Small immigrants supermarkets and night shops in other parts of town do place their goods on the street though. Lots of fresh fruit and veggies.

    And theft is also very likely here. Better buy an extra lock for your 500 euro bike!

    Thu 2007/11/08 16:07:16 JST (ID #62813)
    reply to iRonMonkey's comment
  • Fummofu
    Fummofu in Indonesia (Registered on 2007/09/18)

    it's nice to see japan shopping not like my country there is not secure to display item on the front without secure guard.

    Thu 2007/11/08 22:47:31 JST (ID #62855)
    reply to Fummofu's comment
  • BeLe
    BeLe in Davao, Philippines (Registered on 2007/01/03)
    .NET/Web Developer
    http://scrumptious.animeblogger.net

    We have a lot of shops that does that around here. Shoplifting isn't really a problem around these area. Good to see it's the same thing as well in Japan. ^^

    Fri 2007/11/09 13:36:33 JST (ID #62910)
    reply to BeLe's comment
  • mad79
    mad79 in Oldenburg, Germany (Registered on 2007/11/08)
    Software Engineer
    http://www.mad79.de

    In Germany we don't have that shortage of space like Tokyo or other big cities. So, in most cases the shops are big enough. But it's quite usual to place vegetables or "best price" and sale things in front of the shop. Of cause this depends on the weather.

    Fri 2007/11/09 14:16:48 JST (ID #62914)
    reply to mad79's comment
  • Calintz
    Calintz in Earth o_. (Registered on 2007/11/07)
    Bounty Hunter
    http://firetiger59.deviantart.com/

    Back in the day, in Miami, there were shops that displayed expensive items in the front of their store without supervision. Those shops no longer display their products in-front of their store without supervision, due to the increase in theft. They learned a lesson that needed to be taught.:D

    Naw, Miami has never done anything close to that.

    Fri 2007/11/09 15:14:34 JST (ID #62916)
    reply to Calintz's comment
  • kousaka
    kousaka in USA (Registered on 2007/09/01)
    student

    Ah, that's one thing i love about japan-that they trust their customers.

    That would be impossible over here as it would be like asking to have your merchandise stolen.

    Sun 2007/11/11 13:51:46 JST (ID #63161)
    reply to kousaka's comment
  • Orube_the_Sinner
    Orube_the_Sinner in Portugal (Registered on 2007/11/05)
    Student and hug & touch bitch

    I know for sure that in the end of the day there would be nothing else there... They steal in shops full of cameras and people watching over you, so in this case... God.

    When I told this to my parents they laugh and went away. So yeah, Portugal is a rather safe and burglar free zone.

    Sun 2007/11/11 14:30:57 JST (ID #63165)
    reply to Orube_the_Sinner's comment
  • Izam215
    Izam215 in Putrajaya, Malaysia (Registered on 2007/09/12)
    Govt. Officer

    there are a few shops that display their products exactly like in the picture...but mostly the cashier counter is near to it so there's no need for extra supervision...

    but i came across a few shops here that had no supervision at all...but the products displayed were just the empty boxes...

    Mon 2007/11/12 18:12:14 JST (ID #63300)
    reply to Izam215's comment
  • lin-da-kenobi
    lin-da-kenobi in Lima, Peru ^^ (Registered on 2007/08/15)
    medicine student & otaku

    here in the U.S. salespeople don't do that, but back in Peru where i used to live they do

    Mon 2007/11/12 23:07:44 JST (ID #63358)
    reply to lin-da-kenobi's comment
  • J-man
    J-man in Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Registered on 2007/01/13)
    IT consultant

    Besides from some small asian TOKO's there are no shops that displays the products like this in The Netherlands. But in Hong Kong where I was born it is pretty much the same thing as in Japan. There are plenty shops there that displays the product like your picture as well.

    Tue 2007/11/13 05:29:33 JST (ID #63395)
    reply to J-man's comment

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