physical space in organization systems

Physical commercial space is organized for "seekers", people who come looking for a specific thing, not for "browsers". In reality, there are no pure seekers or browsers, people are almost always both.
How does this effect computer interfaces where physical space could arguably be even smaller than a store?
In prototyping the Staples office supply store, employees explore information placement based on human physical traits, and also the different entry points to a particular product.
In the case of printer ink, customers will have with them packaging, printer model, old cartridge, or nothing with them when they are looking for a specific ink. How can a store form wayfinding systems for all these entry points? This is similar to the structuring of relative search terms.
The staples testing center makes a point of saying: the things you don't need are not just htere, they are irrelevant and hide what you are looking for.