Which 19th century retail innovation first introduced the concept of 'customer experience' by allowing shoppers to browse freely without obligation to purchase?

Throughout history, retail customer experience has evolved dramatically with technological and social changes. From ancient marketplaces to modern digital shopping, the way merchants have engaged with customers tells us much about societies and economies. This trivia question explores a pivotal historical development that fundamentally transformed how retailers approached customer experience and engagement.

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The department store (like Le Bon Marché in Paris, 1852)
Mail-order catalogs (like Montgomery Ward's first catalog, 1872)
The chain grocery store (like The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, 1859)
The five-and-dime store (like Woolworth's, 1879)