On 9 Apr, 20:27, "John" wrote:
I was in a city centre chain store today and saw a display stand part way up
a staircase (at a turn). It looked wrong and I rather forcefully told a
member of staff that it was wrong and should be moved immediately! (pompous
git)

Was I right?

Yep, stairs shouldn't be obstructed.
Particularly bad if the stand was flammable at all as the stairway
acts as a chimney.