India, July 10 -- There are stores that serve a purpose. You enter, browse, buy and leave. And then there are stores that stop you in your tracks. You look around. You take photos. You feel something. These are the spaces that blur the lines between shopping and storytelling.

From minimalist temples to full-blown maximalist fantasies, today's most thoughtfully designed stores are no longer just about what's on the shelf. They are moodboards in real life, curated with intention, imagination and layers of detail. Whether it's a quiet colour palette or a riot of texture, each one on this list invites you to pause and take it in. Here are five outlets that stand out from different parts of the world.

This store in South Mumbai looks and fee...