Top Five of the World’s Most Interesting Queues Revealed
February 19, 2018
Queues don’t have to be boring. In fact, they can be quite pleasant when the right queue management software is involved. Here’s five unique examples of somewhat unconventional queues – not that we’d recommend them for all retailers!
The British have a certain reputation for queuing – we form queues even when there’s no need to, and we get snappy when someone pushes in front of us. But most of us aren’t fans of the experience, it’s simply something we are forced to endure.
Irrespective of our vast differences, it’s fair to say that long queues are the bane of many across the world. Whether it’s waiting for petrol or queuing for a Christmas turkey, no one likes to be kept waiting! That’s why so many retailers and organizations are opting to replace their queues with digital queues using queue management software.
However, the following queues, ranging from infuriating to downright inventive as in the case of Thailand, have nothing on what you might be used to
1) Japanese football fans use tap to mark places in queues
Sometimes long queues are inevitable, but what if you have other commitments? Japan has taken on a unique way to solve this age-old problem. This video of a British tourist in Japan shows how Japanese football fans have come up with an ingenious plan to be in two places at once! Fans queuing for football tickets have taken to keeping their place in the queue by sticking tape, marked with details including their name and number of tickets they’d like to purchase, on the ground sometimes a day in advance.
2) Customers queue with shoes in Thailand
Creativity will get you far in Thailand with people placing their shoes on the floor to mark their position in the queue. Save yourself the long wait on your feet by taking off what’s on your feet!
3) H&M diffusion line queues
With designer labels being out of reach for most people, the ensuing hype when the likes of Balmain or Alexander Wang announce a collaboration with fast fashion retailer H&M is understandable.
H&M’s most recent collaboration with Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing had people queuing long before shop doors opened, and even that wasn’t enough to prevent what the media described as a ‘frenzied riot’ of customers clamoring for the exclusive pieces.
4) The queue outside Ikea post Covid-19 lockdown
When Ikea opened 19 of its UK stores post Covid-19 lockdown, it was reported to have queues stretching 5 miles long, and while people might be standing 2m apart, that is still one long queue.
Some customers arrived as early as 5:40 in the morning, a full three hours ahead of the opening time at 9am. Others brought chairs along with them.
5) Wimbledon’s infamous annual queues
Source: CNN
A list of queues would not be complete without paying homage to the world-renowned queues that form outside Wimbledon every year.
The Champions tennis tournament allows fans to queue to buy tickets every year without booking ahead – the downside, it can take up to 19 hours. That’s why many make a day of it, bringing along their camping equipment.
Save your customers the hassle of resorting to tape and shoes by contacting Verint for more information on our virtual queuing software.