First things first, this is a hypothetical question. And I'm not talking about a "real" grocery store, but a virtual facsimile that allows customers to scan items with their phones for delivery later in the day. Still, it sounds like an intriguing idea. And given that the TTC has approved an advertising contract that may see the naming rights to some of its stations sold off, perhaps this willingness to embrace new commercial opportunities might be taken in less predictable directions.

Opened by Tesco, a European grocery chain, the store depicted above is located in a subway station in South Korea and "built" out of photos of actual product shelves. While waiting for the train, commuters can browse as they would at a "real" store before scanning QR codes to add items to a virtual shopping cart.

Widespread implementation of a concept like this one is obviously a ways off (if it happens at all), particularly given that a transit system would require cellular signals for this to work and that there could be problems with overcrowded platforms, but it does hint at the degree to which virtual applications might transform areas like subway platforms into retail zones.

Today it's St. Clair West Station, brought to you by Loblaws...tomorrow you're buying cottage cheese while waiting for the next train. It's not that much of a stretch, is it?

Via Designboom