Though other, more professionally executed “Hands Off” signs lined the aisles of the bulk food department, this hand lettered note seemed a final, very human plea. “Bulk Foods are Not Free Samples.”  But in bulk foods I am torn. A taste or two promotes sales, and I ashamedly admit my wife and I “sample” the wares. But at what point does “sampling” become “gorging” at the buffet seemingly offered?

For another pointed warning to offenders SEE…
“No Grazing, You Big Heifer.”

For all retail regulation signing see…
“Return Policy Empowers Sales”
“You Bought It, You Own It!“
“Upscale Handle-With-Care Warning”
“Stupid Parking Prohibited“
“Parking Signs Employ Agency Creative“
“Not-So-Handicapped Parking“
“All Sales Very, Very Final”
“Smoke Ye Not in Uncial Majuscules”
“No Bike Riding in Store”
“No Soliciting Unless Thin Mints”
“Unattended Child Warning“
“Don’t Bag the Baby”
“Warning: Not A Baby Wipe”
“No Grazing … You Big Heifer”
“No Free Taste Tests“
“Retail Rules of Engagement”
“Get Off The Cell Phone, Bai-tch”
“Warning Door Eats Children“
“Mall Cops a Phone Call Away”
“Handicapped Store Front Decal“

For a visual Pinterest Board summary see…
Amenities: Regulating Retail with Signs

For an actual declaration of war on the unwanted SEE…
“Anti-Amenity: Don’t Sit Here.”

For other script-ish, chalk, and hand-lettered signs see…
“Pumpkin as Holiday Sign Substrate“
“Hand-Lettered Wood Shingle“
“Fresh Farm Produce Chalkboard”
“Retail Hours Subject to Change“
“Invisible Chalkboard Promotion”
“Whale-of-a-Sale in Chalk“
“Always Hire an Artsy for Retail“
“Ralph Lauren Hand-Chalked Signs”
“One Sold Every 5 Seconds“
“Unattended Child Warning“
“Skeleton Staff Greetings”
“Hand-lettered, Custom-Fitted Levis.“
“Totally Visible Total Girl”
“How to Handle Product Migration“
“All Sales Very, Very Final“
“You Bought It, You Own It!“
“Chalk Boards Across Retail”
“No Free Taste Tests“
“Breathalyzer Test By Parachute Jump“

For a visual Pinterest Board summary see…
“Chalk Boards and Hand-Lettering in Retail“

If retail staff needs a break TRY…
“Wolford Will Return“
“Retail Hours Subject to Change“
“Out To Lunch Retail“

For humorous retail signage SEE…
“Chinese Wieners on Sale“
“We’re Your Biggest Fans“
“Store Tag Not Meant for You“
“Bipolar Restroom Sign“
“Sign Says Cheeky“
“Rx for Couch Potat0 P•O•P”

For positive sign psychology posts SEE…
“Diamonds: Go Big or Go Home”
“Imaginative and Empowering Jewelry Signage”
“Subliminal or Supraliminal Retail Messaging”
“One Sold Every 5 Seconds“
“Merchandising Smoke and Mirrors”
“100% Satisfaction by 3:00 pm”
“Must-Have T-Shirt Designs”
“Live in The Moment Motto”
“Brand Celebrates Itself Literally.”
“Bulgari Priced in Gold”
“Entrance Portal Perspectives”
“Mirror‘s Vision of Christmas in Jewelry”
“Puzzle Piece Recycling Bin”
“This-Just-In Faceout Tag“
“Shopper Decision-making Aids“
“VIP Still Shopping Tag“
“Rx for Couch Potat0 P•O•P”

For discussions of a more academic nature SEE…
“Make Your Own Prices Seem Lower“
“Unconscious Buying Behavior”
“How Design Influences Shopper Behavior“

For retail typeface, type size and color references SEE…
“Best Typefaces for Retail and Point-of-Purchase”
“Type Size for Sign Readability”
“Type Size and Color for Readability”
“Sign as Communication Vehicle“