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5 Unique Retail Stores Built for the Future Consumer

As the retailers we all grew up with fall into administration, those remaining in the physical retail space, and new upstarts entering the market, are recognising that they need to innovate to survive. The good news is that research shows Gen Z are more interested in visiting shopping malls than their older Millennial siblings, which means these savvy young consumers are an important target market for brands who want to thrive on the high street.

Looking for some inspiration on how to impress the next generation of shoppers? Here are five exciting new stores that are built for the future, not just for today.

Canada Goose’s The Journey

Outdoor clothing brand Canada Goose has opened an impressive new concept store (pictured above) in Toronto, named The Journey. The most surprising fact is that the shop has no inventory, taking the experiential retail trend to an extreme. Instead, it’s described as a “multi-sensory experience” that aims to help consumers understand the high price point of their popular winter coats. As with Ikea, customers can order in-store for next-day delivery.

Ikea’s car-free store

Ikea have upended their usual strategy with a new city centre store in Vienna, Austria. Known for their giant warehouse-style stores best accessed by car, the Swedish retailer is experimenting with a new location on top of the city’s Westbahnhof train station, without even a single car parking space. It’s designed for urban Millennials who use public transport and prefer the convenience of next-day delivery to a self-service store.

Sainsbury’s On the Go

This week Sainsbury’s opened the first of their highly-anticipated, experimental concept stores. The new On the Go store in Mansion House, London, is designed to suit busy young professionals who just want to grab a quick lunch or snack. The focus on fresh produce and sustainable interiors also appeals to the Millennial consumer. Another interesting innovation is the use of Nectar card data to target stock to local shopping trends.

Harrods’ H Beauty

Even the most respected retailers need to distance themselves from their brand sometimes. Harrods recently opened their first store outside of London, a beauty store with an experiential twist at Lakeside shopping centre, Essex. H Beauty retains the luxury quality and price point of Harrods, but positions itself for a younger demographic, with a range of services and refreshments alongside the products on sale, tapping into current retail trends.

ThirdLove arrives in NYC

When D2C lingerie brand ThirdLove made its first move into physical retail last year, they put customers at the heart of their strategy. They used their New York concept store to support their mission to improve the fit of their lingerie and cater for women of all shapes and sizes, by expanding their famous online Fit Finder quiz to offline. The store offers free sizings and style consultations, as well as a huge range of designs and sizes.

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