As 2017 comes to a close, industry insiders are hoping 2018 will offer just as memorable a year for retail designs – here’s some of what we can expect.
In addition to the below trends, Inside ID affirms that retail design will continue exploring minimalist designs, well into next year:
- One space, diverse services -> More brands will continue converging into one space. Various product categories from different vendors will co-exist (e.g. specialist fruit juices sold within a fitness clothing store).
- Vive Virtual Reality Cafes -> Alibaba has recently partnered with Macy’s to provide a VR shopping experience for customers. China is already significantly ahead in terms of VR integration to compliment the customer experience. In 2018, Vive’s VR cafes will take this experience further.
- Channel blurring will continue accelerating -> If a concept is successful in another channel, customers are willing to experience all store designs which allows them to easily shop, regardless of which channel something appeared in first.
- ‘Outside-in’ concepts -> The use of technology to integrate payment options and offer supplementary purchases whilst ‘outside’ a retail store (e.g. displayed on a screen whilst filling petrol).
- Increase in ‘stay and sit a while’ shopping format -> e.g. more comfortable furniture and decor to promote a relaxed shopping experience.
- Increasingly ‘transparent’ bricks and mortar physical stores, as research reveals the more glass/transparent a store is, the more likely consumers are to enter and shop.
