In-Store In-Sights
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January 15, 2020
NRF: Purpose-driven shopping is the future of retail The National Retail Federation’s annual Big Show was this week, bringing 40,000 retail professionals to New York to discuss the latest in strategy, technology, and innovation in retail. One of the biggest talking points? A new study conducted by NRF in partnership with IBM which found that purpose-driven shopping will dominate consumer behavior in the coming decade. |
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December 18, 2019
Reflection and Excitement: A Letter from Our Founder & CEO, Chris Anderson I would like to take a moment to thank you for your loyalty and support over the past twelve months and beyond. I recognize we wouldn’t be where we are without you, and I am very appreciative of this… and I thank you. As the decade draws to a close, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the state of our company and the community that makes it great. 2019 has been a year of development and growth for us and was a very important year for retail.I am honored and grateful that our clients have chosen In-Store Experience to develop innovative solutions and help them navigate the ever-changing retail environment. |
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December 9, 2019
In-Store Experience joins the Digital Signage Federation As a reflection of our continued expansion into harnessing the power of retail technologies and displays, we are excited to announce we have recently joined the Digital Signage Federation (DSF), an independent not-for-profit trade organization serving the digital signage industry. |
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December 2, 2019
Garage Glow-Ups: Here’s how the auto parts industry is revolutionizing to attract customers We all know the vibe of the local car parts shop. Stark, practical fixtures, motor-head employees, and rows upon rows of tires and gadgets and metal parts. The old-school car shop has its charms, but it isn’t necessarily accessible--particularly to the casual car owner. That’s why auto parts retailers are reimagining their stores to draw in customers--and keep them coming back. Check out these two innovative auto parts shops, and their imaginative in-store experience. |
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November 25, 2019
How Experiential Retail is Helping Car Dealerships When we think home improvement retail, we usually imagine the well-thought-out, researched purchase. Maybe it’s something big, something we’ve saved up for--new ceiling tiles, a new toilet, patio furniture, a lawn mower--something we’d never buy on a whim. But it turns out that impulse buys--purchases made without planning--drive a hefty amount of sales for hardware giants. Home Depot, Lowe’s, and others rely on not only the big sellers but also the smaller, easy-to-grab products to move off the shelves. How do stores known for large-scale, expensive items leverage impulse buys to increase sales? |
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November 18, 2019
Digital Influence: What it is, and why it’s so important for the auto industry Technology has changed how we shop. Consumers are no longer content to trust advertisements and salespeople working on commission; now, they want to do their own research, understand their products, and get advice from unbiased sources to inform their purchasing decisions. Digital influence--online sources that influence purchasing decisions, like websites, online reviews, influencers, and social network connections--has created a whole new dimension in the retail experience. Consumers have more opportunity to be informed than ever before, and they’re taking full advantage, leading to an increase in consumers leveraging digital influence to inform their purchases. |
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November 11, 2019
What you need to know about impulse buys in home improvement retail When we think home improvement retail, we usually imagine the well-thought-out, researched purchase. Maybe it’s something big, something we’ve saved up for--new ceiling tiles, a new toilet, patio furniture, a lawn mower--something we’d never buy on a whim. But it turns out that impulse buys--purchases made without planning--drive a hefty amount of sales for hardware giants. Home Depot, Lowe’s, and others rely on not only the big sellers but also the smaller, easy-to-grab products to move off the shelves. How do stores known for large-scale, expensive items leverage impulse buys to increase sales? |
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November 4, 2019
The two types of customers that shape the in-store experience for home improvement retailers As retail for the home improvement sector enters the 21st century, bringing with it all the demands of the modern consumer, retailers need to think hard about building an in-store experience that excites shoppers. With the convenience of online retail, it takes a lot to get shoppers off the couch and into stores--and while home improvement retailers have their loyal customers, there are plenty of shoppers that need that extra “oomph” to choose your store over all the rest. Here are the two types of customers that home improvement retailers should target when building their in-store experience. |
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October 28, 2019
Beauty of the Future: How Beauty and Wellness Retailers are Leveraging Technology to Drive Sales Consumers’ attention spans are changing - and so are their expectations on retailers. More and more, todays consumer is looking for a quick, easy, and innovative shopping experience that challenges the traditional retail approach, brings some fun into the shopping experience and provides a compelling reason to visit a physical store. While some retailers are falling under the pressure, others are thriving and beauty and wellness retailers are one example of a sector that has embraced the use of technology in their retail strategy--with huge returns. Here, we take a look at how beauty retailers are using technology to improve the in-store experience and drive sales. |
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October 14, 2019
Why Experiential Retail? Here are the Numbers. Experiential retail is celebrated as the key to keeping brick-and-mortar relevant in a post-tech retail landscape. With the ultra-convenient mega-mall that is online shopping, physical retail has had to reinvent itself in order to remain competitive. But with all the talk of pop-up shops, virtual reality chambers, and store-wide renovation, you have to wonder if there will be returns on your investment. Well, recent studies show that a stellar brick-and-mortar retail experience is essential to a successful business strategy. And here are the numbers to prove it. |
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October 7, 2019
Learn how Kitchenware Retailers Leverage Experiential Retail to Draw in Customers and Move Products off the Shelf While experiential retail is a relatively new buzzword, with retailers trying to catch up to the demands of the modern consumer, the kitchenware industry has been incorporating the tenants of experiential retail into their stores for decades. The nature of food and cooking supplies is sensory as well as utilitarian, lending itself to a retail model oriented around shopper-product interaction. And as we look to incorporate more experience into our retail strategy, we can look to kitchenware suppliers as the original experiential retail masters. Take a look at some of the kitchenware companies running the game. |
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September 24, 2019
P.C. Richard & Son launches innovative retail experience for small appliance category in-store. P.C. Richard & Son recognized the need for an inviting, innovative in-store design to appeal to today’s consumer. In-Store Experience worked to build a welcoming and streamlined experience for the category that is coherent with the brand’s recent store redesign and new retail branding initiatives. |
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September 17 , 2019
8 Stores Experimenting with Retail Now In today’s retail environment, an innovative in-store experience is essential to drawing in customers. With hundreds, if not thousands, of stores just a car-ride away, and even more available at the click of a mouse, stores need to think outside the box to capture the attention, and wallets, of consumers. And if innovation is the key to success, then these stores are at the top of their class. Here’s a quick look at ten examples of brilliant experimental retailers today. |
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September 10 , 2019
Your Map to the Store Design that will Optimize Space and Facilitate Sales A stellar store design has never been more important--with new pressures to keep bringing customers off the couch and into stores, your built environment needs to offer something fresh, exciting, or generally pleasant. But when it comes to store design, it’s not just about flashy displays and elegant fixtures. The best-designed stores are arranged to not only draw customers in, but take them on a journey that encourages browsing and facilitates impulse buys. But how do you make sure your store is making the best use of its space? We’ve made a roadmap for you. |
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August 29, 2019
In-Store Experience ranks in the 2019 Inc. 5000 Annual List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies In-Store Experience, an award-winning retail design firm, has recently joined the most prestigious ranking of America’s fastest-growing private companies: The Inc.5000. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000. |
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August 22, 2019
From Dream to Reality: How the American Dream Mall is Reinventing Retail Following in the footsteps of Minnesota’s Mall of America, once the largest shopping center in the country featuring hundreds of shops as well as an indoor theme park, American Dream is fusing shopping with entertainment like never before. “Mall just feels of another era. When you have these types of amusements, these types of attractions, the over-the-top shopping opportunities, and dining that is unparalleled in this part of the world--the ‘M-word’ just doesn’t seem to work anymore.” |
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August 15, 2019
How to squeeze the most out of a limited, frozen or reduced in-store budget There’s a belief that building a stellar in-store experience means a big investment. Some might view this big investment a barrier to exploring initiatives to improve the in-store experience - and so it falls to the wayside. Indeed, in times of limited budgets, retailers often prioritize the necessities of operations rather than experiential retail initiatives that might improve the in-store experience. But a well-thought-out, compelling in-store experience doesn’t have to come with a big price tag. Here's how to make the most of a limited budget to build an outstanding in-store experience. |
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August 1, 2019
Here’s how to make your AR and VR integration seamless, effective, and relevant. Omnichannel retail, the fusion of virtual and physical retail, is lauded as the key to success in our tech-heavy economy. This strategic blend has met its ultimate form in AR and VR. AR, or Augmented Reality, and VR, or Virtual Reality, use tech to superimpose a virtual world onto the user’s surroundings. Retailers from IKEA to Macy’s are adopting AR and VR platforms to create an all-new shopping experience that fuses the virtual and the physical. Imagine a virtual department store, accessible from your living room, or a phone app that lets you see what that new couch you’re considering looks like in your own living room. The possibilities are endless and thrilling. |
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July 29, 2019
Lessons from managing the complex category of ‘Smart Home’ in-store. Today, technology isn’t limited to fun gadgets or specialized tools―it has become a part of our daily lives, used to control everything from our transportation to our cooking and in-home security systems. As tech expands, our homes are becoming smarter and more connected, enhanced by innovations that ease or improve domestic life. With the rise in smart home innovations has come an entirely new category of consumer electronics retailing: Smart and Connected Home devices and appliances. The US is leading the way when it comes to sales―with reports showing that the smart home market in the US bringing in close to $5 billion in 2018 alone―and has the potential to grow much further. |
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July 25, 2019
Getting started with experiential retailing Hailed as the key to surviving the retail apocalypse, the approach to deliver experiential retail is being adopted by an increasing number of stores that want to draw in customers and get an edge over online shopping. The idea is that physical retail should provide an experience―a destination―customers will come to a store because there’s something there worth coming to. And so we’ve seen a boom in in-store tech, Instagrammable store layouts, and special events or activities for shoppers in-stores across the world. But experiential retail isn’t as simple as throwing a hashtag on a wall and a VR headset on a counter. An effective experiential retail strategy considers the unique demands and desires of its target consumers. And since revamping stores doesn’t come cheap, the stakes are high in ensuring you’re moving in the right direction. Here’s what your experiential retail strategy needs in order to rise above the rest. |
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July 18, 2019
Pop-up shops and flash retailing: How to harness this newest trend. With all the conversation about experiential retail, it can be tempting to revamp your entire store to feature floor-to-ceiling screens and an in-store wine bar. Unfortunately, though, a radical multi-store renovation plan isn’t particularly cost or time-effective for most businesses. Enter flash retail―a model based on small-scale, temporary physical retail spaces like pop-up shops, trucks, or stalls. Flash retail has seen a boom in recent years, as businesses look for innovative ways to approach the retail experience. From installations in mall, to small storefronts in big cities, to stores-in-stores, flash retail can take many forms and allow for all kinds of diverse retail experiences. Here, we take a look at what you need to know in order to make your flash retail initiative work for you. |
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July 11, 2019
How to survive the radically different landscape for Food and Beverage retailers (hint: it’s all about the experience) Recent years have seen a boom in service-based technology. Apps and websites like Uber, Taskrabbit, and Grubhub have taken over the market as time- and effort -saving tools for the modern consumer. Naturally, the advent of service-based tech has brought new challenges for traditional retailers―--and food and beverage retailers have been hit particularly hard. A proliferation of delivery-based apps and online grocery services have meant a radical new retail landscape for restaurants and grocery stores alike. Consumer expectations for food and beverage retailers are shifting towards an increasingly powerful duality between uber-convenience on the one hand, and hyper-experiential on the other. Here, we take a look at some key areas that consumers expect when it comes to F&B retailing, and how retailers are meeting these demands. |
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July 3, 2019
Amazon just beat Best Buy for the top spot in Consumer Electronics Retail. What this means, and how retailers can adapt. Perhaps the longest hold-out of the move from in-store to online retail has been in the consumer electronics sector. For the last decade, Best Buy has held out as the top consumer electronics retailer, despite a concurrent push towards online retail in most other retail categories. Signs would indicate that when it comes to consumer electronics, consumers still prefer an opportunity to see, test, and learn about products in person rather than wholly relying on online guides and reviews. |
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June 27, 2019
40 store redesigns in 7 years - how STORY is Bringing Experiential Retail to Department Stores. STORY is ahead of the game when it comes to a unique and exciting retail experience. An immersive, Instagram-friendly department-style store that focused on bringing the fun back into department store shopping. The store operates on an editorial theme that changes every few months--one month was “Love STORY,” one month “Remember When,” each with unique products, events, store design, and interactive features. |
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June 20, 2019
B8ta:Fusing online and in-store retail, with an engaging, tech-heavy twist. We are always fascinated by digitally native brands who take the leap into experimenting with physical retail - and do it successfully. Leading the charge in the transition from online to physical retail is b8ta, a retail-as-a-service startup that brings small online-only brands to physical stores. Founded in 2015 by three tech entrepreneurs, b8ta bridges the gap between online and physical retail for nascent tech brands, bringing a wide variety of innovative, otherwise online-only products to their 79 locations across the country. |
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May 16, 2019
Hudson Yards and the Future of Experiential Retail Hudson Yards, the game-changing neighborhood development/mall/Instagrammable playground, has swiftly established itself as the new must-see space for New Yorkers and tourists alike. The 28-acre, $25 billion development has been home to concerts, art shows, galas, and recently, a Met Costume Gala after-party hosted by Ryan Murphey and Janet Mock. Not only is the space revolutionizing New York City culture--with a 7-storey mall, numerous office buildings, a public garden, art installations, residential buildings, and the first-ever Equinox hotel, Hudson Yards is changing the retail game by bringing entertainment, art, culture, and even home to a retail space. If the name of the game in contemporary brick-and-mortar retail is innovative experiences, then Hudson Yards is the ultimate poster-child. |
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May 9, 2019
Instore Deep Dive: Adidas’s Customer-Centric “Playground,” SpeedFactories and how they are Driving Sales in retail. With the recent rise in demand for athleisure wear, companies traditionally relegated to the sportswear arena are seeing a pulse in sales. The sneaker fad of the last few years has meant an increase in sales for a variety of athletic-focused brands, including Nike, Puma, and Adidas. Adidas had a particular surge as the trendy shoe brand of 2016/2017--their revenues increased by 18% in 2016, setting a record for the company. But as time wears on and trends shift, Adidas has had to work to make the most of their popularity and stay relevant. The company boasts innovative marketing tactics, a strong omnichannel strategy, and a stunning in-store experience that are keeping Adidas in fashion in 2019. |
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May 2, 2019
The Rebirth of Toys "R" Us, and What it Means for Kids' Retail Few places scream “childhood” like the once-ubiquitous, warehouse-meets-Santa’s Workshop toy emporium Toys “R” Us. Geoffrey the Giraffe, the brand’s mascot, is synonymous with “fun” for generations of kids. But as Amazon and other online retailers, as well as big-box stores like Walmart and Target, picked up toy retail, Toys “R” Us floundered until it famously shuttered its doors in 2018. The public mourned its downfall--its brand power is strong--and now the toy giant is being reborn as its parent company, Tru Kids Brands, reopens its doors. But in order to succeed, the company will have to make some changes. Here’s what the store will need to keep in mind to stay afloat in a changing kids’ retail market. |
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April 25, 2019
Some department stores are thriving in 2019. Here's why. You may have read that online retailers have usurped the throne of retail convenience, rendering department stores a relic of the pre-internet age. And with former retail giants like Sears declaring bankruptcy, you may think that the department store is a thing of the past. Here are a few department stores that are shaking up their operations, bringing in new tech and experience-based store design - keeping things fresh and relevant in today’s retail landscape. |
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April 18, 2019
How Retailers Are Revamping their Loyalty Programs in 2019 Driving loyalty has long been a challenge for retailers. And now that loyalty programs are becoming more ubiquitous, companies are once again innovating to stand out of the crowd. Here are some of the changes we’re seeing in customer loyalty programs in 2019. |
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April 11, 2019
Could Self-Service Retail Could Revolutionize the Brick-and-Mortar Experience? We talk a lot about how in-store technology can help keep the retail experience competitive in an increasingly virtualized economy. There are many examples of brands introducing leading technologies intro their retail experience. While these programs are exciting and innovative, not every brand needs to adopt cutting edge technologies to stay competitive. |
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April 4, 2019
The Challenges (and solutions) of Bringing Meal Kits into Physical Retail In a marketplace oriented towards time-saving solutions, one of the biggest innovations in food retail has been the meal kit. Meal kits, consisting of a recipe and all the ingredients for a two-serving meal, have taken the market by storm as an easy, efficient way to cook fresh and innovative meals. Subscription services such as Blue Apron, Hello Fresh, and Chef’d grew rapidly as meal kits entered the market. |
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March 27, 2019
These companies are defying the retail apocalypse. Here's how. Tales of doom and gloom in the retail arena are easy to find - rumors that Amazon and similar online marketplaces will bring on a revolution, that soon no one will go to physical stores to shop. These doomsayers are right that there’s a change happening in retail--but as we’ve written before--we do not believe that the retail apocalypse means the death of physical retail, just the death of boring retail. As some stores close, a number of retailers have expanded their brick-and-mortar operations by hundreds of stores. So what is it about these companies that keeps customers flowing? How are they surviving the so-called retail apocalypse? |
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March 13, 2019
Flash Retailing: What it is and Why You Should Care What retail trend is projected to turn $10 billion in 2019? The answer is temporary retail - also known as flash retailing, or “pop-up stores”. So what is flash retailing, and what’s driving its success? Here, we take a look at where this trend came from, and what you need to know about the rising trend of “Pop up” stores. |
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March 8, 2019
3 Essential Factors to Implement a Successful Omnichannel Strategy With growing options for shoppers to browse and transact, the ability to move smoothly between online and in-store retail becomes even more important in determining the success and longevity of a retailers business. Thinking across channels, rather than focusing on individual channels separately presents an opportunity to engage customers however they find you - and can make the entire brand experience more pleasant and engaging. |
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February 14, 2019
Do Shoppers Care about Retailers being Socially Responsible? Yes, and Here’s the Data In a market with an abundance of online retail and big chain stores, small and local businesses are finding new ways of standing out and retaining customers. While the ease of online shopping and big-box stores is appealing, there is more and more evidence that consumers care just as much about the social impact of their purchases when deciding how and where to shop. Adopting socially responsible business practices, is not only good for the community, but also good for the bottom line. Here’s why more and more businesses are promoting social responsibility in their operations. |
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January 24, 2019
The Adapt Or Die Mentality Has Never Been More True Than it is Today. Here's why. Michael Koch, Vice President of LOC Associates, and formerly of Samsung, Apple, Guess? Inc. shares his insights for retailers with George Martocchio, VP Retail Innovation at In-Store Experience. Michael has worked with Fortune 500 companies to create experiential flagships worldwide, delivered retail expansion programs and developed consumer strategy in physical and digital channels globally. |
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January 17, 2019
PC Richard & Son Launches Experiential Retail to Promote Smart Home and IoT Product Category. In-Store Experience was recently chosen by P.C. Richard & Son to design and manufacture their smart and connected product category in-store, with an immersive, interactive retail category solution that brings together 32 products across a number of brands. Recognizing the challenges of merchandising the complex category of Smart / IoT solutions, P.C. Richard & Son turned to In-Store Experience to rethink the shopping experience in-store. |
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December 12, 2018
The Future of Retail is Exciting: A Letter from our Founder & CEO As the end of the 2018 calendar year approaches, I’d like to take this opportunity to reflect on the ever-changing retail industry, and to share my appreciation for all of our clients who have trusted us to deliver innovative solutions for their programs. |
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November 16, 2018
Can In-Store Technology Help Physical Retail Complete with Online? We know retailers are always looking for ways to beat online competitors. We also can see that successful retailers are adapting a previously siloed strategy to now ensure that all their channels (physical, online, mobile) work together, delivering the shopper a blended experience, no matter where they decide to purchase. For physical retail in particular, there are some specific areas where technology and merchandising can play a key part in keeping the channel competitive and relevant. |
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November 9, 2018
A Look Inside Johnny Walker's Experiential Retail Initiative Hailed as the first of it's kind, Johnny Walker has launched an 'Experiential Whisky Retail Store' - A flagship experiential retail store in Madrid. It's an interesting take on almost creating a tourist trip to Scotland within the retail store in Madrid, and allowing visitors to explore the brand in a new, creative, and very memorable way. Here, we take a look at some of the experiences on offer by the Scotch Whiskey brand, and what other beverage retailers can learn from this initiative. |
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October 26, 2018
Team Spotlight: In-Store Welcomes Our New Director of Multimedia Design: Bill Masto We’re excited to welcome a new Creative Director to our team! Bill Masto joins us from the March of Dimes where he was the Director of Creative Services, working on the initiative to lead the fight for the health of all moms and babies. Bill is an accomplished creative director, well versed in strategic brand development and positioning, and we are looking forward to his joining our team. |
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October 19, 2018
An In-Store Experience Solution for New Balance As one of the world’s major sports footwear manufacturers, New Balance has expanded their product line over the years to include other sports related products, such as apparel. Bringing their footwear and apparel together into a visual merchandising solution was the task on the table for In-Store Experience team. New Balance needed to display 4-6 pairs of shoes, as well as a mannequin who would showcase related apparel. |
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October 12, 2018
An In-Store Experience Solution for Bridgestone As leading designer and manufacturer of a full range of golf equipment, Bridgestone golf was looking for an innovative way to merchandise their golf balls, clubs and accessories. The team at Bridgestone Golf challenged three display companies to meet this task. |
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October 5, 2018
The Role of Social Proof in Shopping Experiences Knowing that other people (like you) have made the same decision you’re about to make and have had a good outcome is very persuasive. It’s the concept of ‘social proof’ - coined in Cialdini’s book “Influence: The psychology of persuasion’. It’s something we often see online - but how does this manifest in in-store experiences? |
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September 27, 2019
Amazon Expands to Physical Retail and Shows Us What Multibrand Retail Could Look Like Amazon has opened a physical store in Soho, NY which is filled with products that are trusted -- they either are rated 4-stars and above, are top sellers, or are trending. The company claims to have created a space which is a direct reflection of their customers - specifically catering to what they're buying and what they're 'loving'. |
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September 11, 2018
Rethinking the Grocery Store Experience Rethinking the grocery store experience from being a transitory destination to becoming an exploratory destination full of discovery is proving to be a worthwhile approach for grocery retailers. Here are a few techniques stores are using to encourage shoppers to stay in store and elevate the in-store experience. |
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September 4, 2018
What L'Occitane's New Store Concept Means for Retail L’Occitane en Provence has opened up a new retail destination in New York in the form of an interactive boutique. Following the experiential retail trend, the new store is 1,870 square feet of sensory delight. Designed by international artistic director Daniel Contorni and Blackburn, it’s a step into the cobblestoned streets of Provence and all that this entails. So what does move towards experience this mean for retail? |
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August 28, 2018
Why POP Strategies drive the 'Impulse Purchase' An upsurge in impulse buying mean that the point of purchase (POP) is playing a more important role in consumers’ decision making than ever before. So why are consumers open to impulse purchases, despite their best intention to seek special deals or wait for sales? There are many reasons. Here, we cover just a few behind the continuing and increasing success of the POP strategy in driving the impulse purchase. |
