[pgreenwood]

Yes, like the way modern shopping centres seem to be designed to disorient.

[nine_k]

Not to disorient, but to force you travel past most isles, increasing the chance of impulse buys.

[eurasiantiger]

No, they are literally designed so it is difficult to tell where you are and which ways lead to exits, because it increases the amount of impulsive purchases.

This mind trick is called the Gruen transfer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gruen_transfer

[visarga]

I thought they were just incompetent, but I think you're right.