From mens' pants to muesli, we've featured dozens of companies that encourage shoppers to design or tweak before they buy. Helping consumers find their way through the customisation maze, Milk or Sugar has started aggregating what's on offer.

The site lists products in a wide variety of categories, outlining pricing, delivery area and payment types to give visitors an idea of the possibilities. Orders aren’t made through Milk or Sugar: if users like what they see, they click through and order directly from the retailer or manufacturer. Launched in August 2009 by Dutch design agency ILUMY, the site’s reviews are written by the Milk or Sugar team. Users’ suggestions are welcomed, and functionality will soon be added to let them rate sites on factors such as creativity and service, along with uploading pictures of the products they've had customised. Categories will also continue to expand—customised fire extinguisher, anyone?

Given the length of the internet's long tail, there are definitely opportunities for consolidating categories and offering an at-a-glance understanding of how they work. There are so many product and service niches crying out to be streamlined using a portal of this type—time to make overwhelmed web users forever indebted to you?

Website: www.milkorsugar.com
Contact: www.milkorsugar.com/have_a_cup_with_us

In a bid to coax consumers into spending more at the store this Christmas, retail giant Sears is encouraging them to save first, using their Christmas Club card. Instead of functioning like a credit card (as many store cards do) the Sears card allows users to add value beforehand—just like paying money into a bank account. Providing they do this before November 14, members of the scheme who join before October 31 will be entitled to a handsome reward of 3% extra to spend in Sears, Kmart and associated stores. Compare that with current interest rates on checking and savings accounts and the attraction is obvious.

The scheme—inspired by old-fashioned Christmas clubs at banks and credit unions—could provide an incentive to save (and shop) for now credit-shy Americans, as they begin to emerge from the worst of the financial crisis. For the retailer, the Christmas Club system will guarantee them a share of the Christmas market in advance. (Related: Layaway is back.)

Website: www.sears.com/shc/s/dap_10153_12605_DAP_Christmas+Club
Contact: www.sears.com/shc/s/nb_10153_12608_NB_CSeMail?adCell=IWF

Spotted by: Judy McRae

Mix-ins have been a staple in many ice cream shops for years already, allowing customers near infinite possibilities in designing their own creamy confection. Now bringing comparable potential to the world of cookies is Toronto's Sweet Flour Bake Shop, which lets patrons design their own baked treats and eat them fresh from the oven just two minutes later.

More than 15,000 possible combinations face Sweet Flour customers, who begin by choosing the cookie dough base they'd like: original, peanut butter or oatmeal. From there they can choose from among more than 20 mix-ins, including chocolate chunks, dried blueberries and toffee pieces. Little patience is required after that, for Sweet Flour's baking process requires only two minutes before the customised goodies are ready to devour. Cookies are CDN 2.50 each, or CDN 19 by the dozen. Also available at Sweet Flour are customised muffin tops, cookie sandwiches and a signature homemade granola with mix-ins and fresh fruit.

Is there any food consumers *don't* like to customise in some way? We tend to think not. Keep the design-your-own innovations coming! ;-)

Website: www.sweetflour.ca
Contact: www.sweetflour.ca/our-location

Despite covering plenty of design-it-online sartorial services for women, such as Studio 28’s dresses and Elemental Threads' handbags, there's been a comparative dearth of men's DIY design services. Aiming to remedy that, LA-based clothiers Franklin + Gower let style-savvy men customise their trousers with an eye-catching (or subtle) trim in a fabric of their choice.

Visitors to Franklin + Gower's website select a fabric base in relaxed or slim fit and then pick seams in designer fabrics, retro prints or a classic piping of their choice. Alternatively, a selection of tried and tested styles are also on offer. The pants are manufactured in Los Angeles and, regardless of pattern or fabric, cost USD 185. Bermuda shorts are available for USD 145. The business principally operates online (although appointments can be made at its LA location) and products are entirely made-to-order, which eliminates overstocking. While currently focused on men, the brand will soon reach out to women, too: Franklin + Gower have plans to expand their inventory to include bags, glasses and women's wear. (Related: ShirtsMyWay's custom dress shirts.)

Website: www.franklinandgower.com
Contact: service@franklinandgower.com

Where British Specialbike creates unique bicycles by refurbishing old ones with custom components and a colourful flair, Florida-based Republic Bike achieves a similar end with new bikes by allowing customers to design their own in a rainbow of hues. Now, through a partnership with Republic Bike, global retailer Urban Outfitters is bringing design-your-own capabilities to its customers as well at the online Urban Outfitters Bike Shop.

Working with the Aristotle v.1.5, a single-speed bike with a flip-flop hub, Republic Bike begins by asking users to select from among three frame sizes for the bike they'd like built for them. They are then asked to choose the colours they'd like for nine separate components on the bike: frame, saddle, grips, chain, crank, and front and rear tires and rims. Five popular styles are available for those having difficulty choosing among the 500 or so possible colour combinations, as is a random option for alternative ideas. Once the selections are made, Republic Bike builds the bike in its South Florida facility within days of receiving the order. It's then packed for shipment, arriving at the consumer's door 90 percent assembled.

Given the recent renaissance in pedal power, the arrival of personalization capabilities comes not a moment too soon. Republic Bike ships only within North America, however, while Urban Outfitters limits its orders to the continental US. One to bring to two-wheeled enthusiasts on the bike lanes near you...? It's not just the customized rides that interest us here, though—it's the partnership between a large retailer and a smaller firm that focuses on letting customers design the products they want. We've covered dozens of "design-your-own" ventures, so retailers: dig into the archives and find out who you can partner with to add tailor-made products to your virtual shelves. To get you started, customizable lingerie, handbags, socks, duvets, chocolate bars and fabric.

Website: bikes.urbanoutfitters.com
Contact: customerservice@republicbike.com

Spotted by: Miriam Brafman