Want speedy shopping? Go with a goose

Geese. Just look at them with their elongated necks, majestic beaks, and coral pink webbed feet. And now they've got another feather in their water-repelling caps: They're super shoppers.

Well, okay, of course geese can't actually shop. But if they could they'd beat us hands down. New research into pedestrian shopping behavior has found that humans, when shopping together, typically adopt inefficient group formations. But if shoppers took some tips from migrating geese they'd actually get a lot more shopping done, and they'd get it done in a lot less time.

The study observed groups of French shoppers going about their business in busy high streets. The researchers found that when shopping in groups of 3 or 4 people tended to adopt an inverted V or U-shaped formation. This formation is, however, highly inefficient when it comes to maximizing group speed. It slows down progress because it reduces the amount of time available for maneuvering out of the way of approaching obstacles (i.e., other shoppers). A much better formation for both speed and maneuverability would be the complete opposite: A V-shaped formation with a leader at the front and the other group members fanning out behind - just like the formation adopted by migrating geese.

So why don't shoppers behave more like geese and maximize their shopping potential? Simple: While for geese it's all about the speed, for shoppers it's about the shared social experience. The V-shape is great for maintaining momentum, but it's patently anti-social. The inverted-V, on the other hand, makes it much easier for members to communicate with one another as they progress. Perfect for humans, pointless for geese.

So there you have it. Shopping: To snaffle all the best bargains, go with a goose. But if you want to have a good time, stick to humans.