10 Creative Customer Experience Ideas For Social Distancing

Can you still deliver a great customer experience from six feet away? That’s the challenge for companies in our global pandemic world.

Social distancing guidelines have changed how people interact with each other and with brands. As regulations loosen and cities and countries start to open, stores and restaurants are forced to find creative ways to serve their customers while maintaining a safe environment. Here are 10 creative customer experience ideas that still follow social distancing.

Restaurant Unveils Innertube-Inspired Tables

Ocean City, Maryland restaurant Fish Tales recently unveiled its social distancing tables, and they appear to have taken a page from bumper cars. The large circular tables look like innertubes with one diner standing inside the table. The tables move around on wheels so people can mingle while they eat and drink—all while keeping a safe six-foot distance from each other.

Luxury Restaurant Uses Performance Art Mannequins

In an attempt to make social distancing a little less awkward, Michelin star restaurant Inn at Little Washington in Washington, D.C. is using mannequins to fill empty tables. But these aren’t typical mannequins—each one is dressed in 1940s apparel and is carefully placed around the dining room to tell a story as they keep customers a safe distance away. The owners consider the mannequins a performance art piece that add a touch of whimsy during a difficult time.

Hong Kong Gyms Use Plastic Dividers

Gyms in Hong Kong are starting to re-open, and many are taking drastic measures to allow customers to exercise safely. Pure Fitness placed clear dividers between each of its treadmill and elliptical machines to protect customers when they’re exercising and can’t be six feet apart. The dividers resemble cubicles and give each gym guest a private place to work out.

New Zealand Coffee Shop Delivers Drinks Via Toy Train

A coffee shop in New Zealand isn’t letting social distancing rules stop it from delivering drinks to customers. Baristas at Cyclista Espresso Bar put drinks into a specially designed model train, which then travels across a long counter to waiting customers. The train keeps customers and employees apart and allows the coffee shop to stay open.  

Zoo Opens Drive-Thru Experience

Zoos around the U.S. have seen a major decline in revenue. And although most still aren’t ready to open to visitors on foot, the San Antonio Zoo opened a drive-thru experience where guests can slowly drive through the zoo to see and animals and keep their distance. The experience was so popular the zoo had to open more dates and added an audio tour for visitors to listen to on their drive.

Amsterdam Restaurant Builds Clear Greenhouses Around Tables

Here’s an approach that actually makes social distancing romantic: Mediamatic Eten in Amsterdam built clear greenhouses to put around each table, providing guests a private dining experience without impeding their view of the nearby waterfront. Each greenhouse features a small table to up to two guests, and servers wear face shields to avoid exposure.

Brooklyn Park Uses Social Distancing Circles

As the weather heats up and more people head outside, Domino Park in Brooklyn wants to make sure people still stay safe. The park painted eight-foot wide circles on the grass to encourage people to stay a safe distance from each other. Each circle can fit a small group and ensures that groups don’t inner-mingle while still enjoying the sunshine.

German Café Makes Customers Wear Pool Noodle Hats

In Germany, Café Rothe is making customers were hats with a propeller of pool noodles on top while they dine. The hats may look silly, but the restaurant says they’re effective at keeping people a safe distance from each other. Customers also appreciate the humor of the hats and that they can still move around while being safe.

Restaurant Uses Blow-Up Dolls At Empty Tables

Instead of blocking off tables with caution tape, the owners of Open Hearth restaurant in South Carolina are taking a different approach: blow-up dolls. The well-dressed dolls sit in booths and tables to keep human customers a safe distance from each other. The approach not only makes the restaurant look fuller, but it also adds a sense of levity and normalcy to a new situation that is anything like what people are used to.

Bakery Delivers Bread By Basket

A pop-up bakery in San Francisco is using a vintage pulley system to deliver its products to customers. The unique fulfillment method fits with the bakery’s rustic brand and allows for contactless transactions. Customers place orders online and push a doorbell when they arrive at the bakery. When their items are ready, they are placed in the basket and lowered.

Social distancing doesn’t mean the end of customer experience. These companies show that with creativity, stores and restaurants can still offer a great experience—even if it’s from six feet away.