I think Lechmere (regional electronics and homewares store in New England) was similar, at least for some products. You could play with a display model, but to

I think Lechmere (regional electronics and homewares store in New England) was similar, at least for some products. You could play with a display model, but to buy one you'd take a ticket to the counter and pay, then go to a pickup counter to get the actual item. It left the store shelves looking a lot less cluttered than they would have otherwise been, and I suspect also protected against shoplifting. Always liked that store, actually. They sold all sorts of stuff.