Often, despite the very best of intentions, things go awry. Here at HartmanSalt, we're committed to documenting the weird and wild world of food retail. We've accumulated quite the collection of curious epic retail fails over the years, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Straight from our camera phones to your hearts, join us as we share the props, displays and installations that we've had the pleasure of scratching our heads at.

Napkins. Nothing but Napkins.

What a way to make a nice first impression. An empty sign fixture, sealed boxes of crappy wine and a plastic bag dispenser tossed in for good measure.

Nothing goes better with Jack Daniel's Lynchburg Lemonade and Simply Wine than pink snowball cakes!

The marketer’s desire for so-called “innovation” at retail is relentless. Simply put, no one wants to watch TV while shopping. Period.

It’s not the best idea to signal the category’s worst attributes to the customer.

IMAGE: Flickr user mollystevens

Don't you hate when you expect whipped cream and are surprised with spareribs? What's for dinner, indeed.

Apparently this grocer planned to celebrate Easter by crowning a Spring Princess. This was her throne.

Nothing channels the holiday spirit like quick oats!

A display on sun safety. The intent was fine, but the execution looks like it was done for a school science fair.

Hey, I have an idea: Let’s get one of those cheap plastic fountains that gurgle and use it as background theatre for our private-label bottled water that nobody wants anymore!

At first glance, this looks like some kind of odd Mayan temple.

If we get separated while shopping, let's meet by the park bench.

Ping pong balls. Keg cups. Folding tables. An interesting take on cross merchandising. Also a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Hey look, Ma! They done got some brands!

Perhaps it was an inside joke. Either way…

Thirsty?

No food for you, jerky!

Nothing says quality like a mostly empty box of moldy melons.

Somewhere behind all the yellow tags there are some products. At least it looks that way.

Dessert for two and a little dental hygiene to boot. Don’t forget to brush after stuffing your cake hole!

IMAGE: Shareology

Mama mia, that's a spicy pizza!

There are very few occasions in American culture in which one expects to encounter an inflatable doll. Walking into a grocery store is surely not one of them.

When we took this picture, somebody came over and said, “Isn’t that neat? I know it's really cool, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to stop taking pictures, because we don’t allow photography in the store.” Seriously.

Traditionally, at the end of every Macy's Thanksgiving parade, Santa rides in on a gorgeous sleigh. Hopefully next year he'll be sporting this number and bring some snacks.

The new definition of Kid Size.

Looks like someone's having a fire sale!