From smart mirrors that help consumers shop, to conveyor belts that showcase different menu items, the July 2018 retail trends reveal how brands are making the in-store experience easier and more convenient than ever before -- especially in the age of e-commerce.
On the one hand, technology been instrumental in improving the in-store shopping experience. For instance, Perch Interactive uses technology to detect when consumers pick up or put down products, and then triggers "delightful and informative experiences at that critical moment when they consider purchase." Similarly, Mastercard and OAK are using digital smart mirrors paired with RFID technology to identify products as they are brought into the dressing room.
However, not all in-store changes are so futuristic. On the simpler side, Japan's Maison Able Cafe Ron Ron is shaking up the way consumers enjoy dessert, but bringing out different menu items via conveyor belt.
Top 35 Retail Ideas in July
From Smart Shopping Mirrors to Conveyor Belt Dessert Bars:
Katherine Pendrill — Jul 29, 2018 — Business
34
80s-Inspired Fashion Pop-Up Stores
STAYCOOLNYC Hosts Its First Pop-up Location in New York
33
Award-Winning Beauty Pop-Ups
This Experiential Vogue Pop-Up Showcases the Beauty Award Winners
32
Smart Store Concepts
Suning's Biu Smart Store Shows the Future of Retail Technology
31
Celebratory Store Openings
Yorkdale's Lacoste Concept Store is the First of its Kind in Canada
30
Minimalist Sustainable Fashion Businesses
Unrecorded Focuses on the Clean, Simple and Sustainable
29
Smart Shopping Mirrors
Mastercard and OAK Created a Mirror That Works with RFID Technology
28
Package-Free Cosmetic Shops
Lush Cosmetics Unveiled Its First "Naked Shop" in Milan, Italy
27
Mind-Bending Shoe Stores
The Vog Vault in Toronto's Fluevog Store is a Unique Optical Illusion
26
Artful In-Store Pop-Ups
Project Shop's ARTSPACE Shares Brand and Artist Collaborations
25
Spanish-Style Retail Spaces
Kettal Studio Opened a New and Modern Showroom in New York City
24
Essential eCommerce Fashion
Amazon's Private-Label 'Meraki' Offers Classic Styles & Quality Fabric
23
Fresh Protein Bar Shops
Macaw! Foods Sells Protein Bars Out of a Brick-and-Mortar Shop
22
Interactive Airport Robot Kiosks
The 'Robin' Robot Guide Offers Consumers Directions and More
21
Fast Casual Asian Restaurants
Social Monk Asian Kitchen is a New Concept by The Cheesecake Factory
20
Shifting Retail Shelving Solutions
The 'SHIFT' Shelving Unit Enables More or Less Storage
19
Fragrance Line Pop-Ups
A New Packaging-Themed Pop-Up Will Celebrate a New Fragrance Line
18
Conveyor Belt Dessert Bars
Maison Able Cafe Ron Ron is a Conveyor Belt Restaurant Serving Dessert
17
Curated Sneaker Marketplaces
eBay is Launching Its First-Ever Community Sneaker Drop
16
Indoor Garden Shop Displays
Ladies & Gentlemen Studio Create a Tranquil Ambiance for Muji
15
AR Product Discovery Apps
Lush's 'Lush Lens' is an Augmented Reality Product App
14
Glow-Boosting Cosmetic Bars
Becca Cosmetics Launched an In-Store 'Glow Bar' at John Lewis
13
Clothing Buy-Back Programs
John Lewis is Testing a Service to Reclaim Unwanted Clothing
12
Guilt-Free Luxury Retailers
The Cashmere Platform Helps Users Save for Fab Purchases
11
Stockless Cosmetic Shops
Ceramiracle's Clever Pop-Up Shares Cruelty-Free Products in China
10
Cooking Show Host Pizzerias
The Pioneer Woman is Set to Open a Pizza Shop Called P-Town Pizza
9
Hand-Crafted Fragrance Boutiques
Le Labo Sells Unique Unisex Scents That are Crafted in Canada
8
Referral-Earning eCommerce Solutions
'Wildlink' Rewards Those Who Share Links that Result in Sales
7
Crowdsourced Scholar Discount Sites
'Studddent' Helps Students Find the Best Discounts Online
6
Contemporary Bookstore Concepts
Athenaeum is a Millennial-Created Library-Themed Destination
5
Incentivised Local Shopping Discounts
eBay Offers Canadians 110% Discounts to Incentivise Shoppers
4
Universal E-Commerce Wishlists
ShopToList Saves Any Product and Sends Deal Notifications
3
3D Sensor Retail Displays
Perch Interactive's Smart Technology Merges Digital and Physical Worlds
2
Inclusive Wine Bars
Lady of the Grapes Boasts a Collection of Female-Produced Wines
1
Superstore Shopping Services
Walmart 'Jetblack' Offers an Effortless Way for Busy Moms to Shop
Related Ideas
Hands-Free Footwear Stores
Kizik Announced the Debut of a First-of-Its-Kind Store at CES 2023
Smart Fridge Vending Machines
Subway is Testing a Vending Machine Filled with Pre-Made Sandwiches
Multi-Sensory Streetwear Stores
Presented By Launches an Immersive Sneaker Store in Riyadh
AI-Powered Fresh Food Vending Machines
Daily Blends Debuts Smart Vending Machines
Pop-Up Reverse Supermarkets
The Give Back Express Invites Shoppers to Buy and Donate Goods
Interactive Arcade Storefronts
JD & Snap London Created an AR Storefront for Christmas
Bag-Modeling AR Mirrors
Coach's Digital Experience Lets Shoppers Digitally Try Its Tabby Bag
Unified Grocery Shopping Platforms
Instacart Debuts New All-in-One 'Connected Stores' Platform
Contemporary Engaging Stores
New Balance Opens Unique Retail Concept Store on in Boston
Virtual Beauty Storefronts
The Clinique Lab is a Next-Gen Digital Retail Concept
Walk-In Freezer Concept Stores
Sainsfreeze Shows Customers How to Freeze Foods & Reduce Waste
Shapeshifting Restaurant Robots
The Conceptual Rotating Table Service Robot is Efficient
Convenience Store Metaverses
7-Eleven is Unveiling an Immersive Virtual World at CES 2023
Engaging Shelf Displays
Netvisual is Elevating In-Store Advertising with its Shelf Edge Displays
Ultra-Accessible Kiosks
'The 46' Kiosk is the Most Accessible in the Micro Market Industry
Interactive VR Styling Apps
'J.Crew' Launched a Closet Management and Shopping App for Vision Pro
AI-Powered Shopping Apps
Shoptrue Curates Personalized Fashion Picks with Artificial Intelligence
In-Store Beauty Sampling Kiosks
Ulta Beauty and SOS are Partnering to Promote Product Discovery
AI-Powered Shopping Tools
Google AI Now Allows Shoppers to Browse AI Product Recommendations
Waste-Combatting Food Scanners
The OneThird Food Scanners Include Three Models
AI-Backed Pizza Campaigns
Pizza Hut's 'Your Mood, Your Pizza' Campaign Uses AI to Suggest Items
Online Merchandise Storefronts
The Panera Shop Gives Access to Bread-themed Apparel & Carb-Couture
Interactive In-Store Ads
Visibubble Brings Mobile Messaging Capabilities to Store Shelves
Multi-Brand Virtual Malls
Bloomingdale’s Virtual Experience Spotlights Beloved Brands
AI-Powered Virtual Closets
Stylitics' Products Support Next-Gen Personalized Shopping
GenAI Virtual Shoppers
Cindy by Imaginuity Boots Online and In-Store Foot Traffic
Ethical Neighborhood Convenience Stores
The Goods Mart is a Curated Better-for-You Store
Digital Celeb Shopping Experiences
This Walmart Digital Shopping Experience Has Customized Carts
Interactive Kiosk Content
Red Dot Digital Media Debuts Outdoor Kiosks to Enhance Guest Experience
Circular Shopping Experiences
The Stock Market by Selfridges is a Sustainable Shopping Experience
Shoe Retailer AI Apps
SuperStep Partnered with 'IMSHOP' to Create a Convenient Mobile App
AR Retailer Haircare Experiences
Walmart Beauty Virtual Try-On Now Includes Hair Color Products
AI-Augmented Retail Checkouts
This Checkout Solution Helps Prevent Theft and Scanning Errors
Text-to-Shop Retail Services
Walmart Text to Shop Makes it Easier Than Ever to Shop
AR-Based Store Replicas
Lowe's Will Create a 'Digital Twin Store' Using Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality Menu Items
Denny's New Mac N’ Brisket Sizzlin’ Skillet is Part of Its AR Menu
AR Shopping Malls
American Express' Door to Shop Small Highlights 10 Small Businesses
Magazine-Integrated QR Features
ARCADE Launches the ELLE x Clarks Shoe Visualiser and Experience
Computer-Vision Self-Service Kiosks
Toshiba's Vision Kiosk Identifies Items Without Barcodes
Luxury Department Store Takeovers
Burberry and Harrods Offer an Immersive Shopping Experience
AI-Powered Snack Shops
The Aramark Quick Eats Store Has a Checkout-Free Layout
Digital Grocery Screens
Kroger Launches the New Digital Smart Screens Across 500 Store Locations
Self-Service Commerce Kiosks
Cantaloupe Go Brings Buy-and-Go Expereinces to Customers
Historic Fashion Try-Ons
The Design Museum's London Fashion Exhibition Integrates AR Mirrors
AI-Enhanced Grocery Apps
Instacart Unveiled a Suite of AI Features Coming to its Mobile App
Smart Shopping Cart Ads
Instacart Unveiled Ads for Its AI-Powered Caper Carts
Future-Proof POS Systems
Metcalfe's Market is Expanding Toshiba Self Checkout System 7 Solutions
Tech-Centric Automotive Retailers
Mercedes-Benz Kelowna Unveils a Futuristic Showroom Concept
AI-Powered Retail Tools
Walmart is Introducing a New Series of AI Tools for Customer Experience
Virtual Chocolate Stores
Lindt & Sprüngli USA Created Its First-Ever 3D Virtual Online Store
Attention-Grabbing Retail Displays
Auo's Smart Shelf Displays Enhance the Customer Experience
Green Tea Retailer Desserts
The IKEA Japan Matcha Fair Menu Has Nine Items to Enjoy
Mixed-Reality Shopping Apps
StockX Launched an Immersive Way to Shop with the Apple Vision Pro
Automated Hot Food Kiosks
Sodexo and Automated Retail Technologies Teamed Up for New Kiosks
AI-Powered Marketing Tools
This E-Commerce Tool Uses Customer Data to Project Reward Impacts
Digitized Retail Shelf Labels
Lidl GB is Rolling Out Electronic Shelf Labels to All Its Stores
Tech-Driven In-Store Events
Dyson Launches an Interactive Event at Harrods Department Store
Automated Retail Stores
Muffato Launches Brazil’s First Automated Store Without Physical Checkouts
Retailer-Backed Beauty Categories
Moda Operandi Launches a Curated Beauty Category
Leisure Activity Grocery Stores
The FreshTake Concept Grocery Store Blends Experiences
AI Beauty Shopping Apps
Trendio's Video Shopping App Shares Personally Curated Content
Idol Singer Breakfast Promotions
Mos Burger Offers Dining Experience with Idols via AR
Virtual Try-On Mirrors
Hugo Boss Launches New VR Try-On Tool, the 'PictoFit Mirror'
Inventory-Scanning Retail Robots
Sam’s Club Confirms the Launch of Inventory-Scanning Robots
Artisan-Inspired Summertime Cafe Menus
This New Dunkin’ Menu Offers New Twists on Classics
Gen Alpha-Targeted Ice Cream Trucks
Unilever Taps Robomart to Launch 'The Ice Cream Shop'
AI-Driven Convenience Stores
GS25 Launched an Autonomous Convenience Store Powered by Fainders.AI
AI Beauty Installations
Sephora Illumination Shows Off the Retailer's Shade Matching AI Tech
Phygital Fashion Retail Experiences
Macy's mstylelab Digital Shopping Platform is Immersive
AI-Assisted Cooking Partnerships
Unilever and Be My Eyes Partnered to Support Shoppers
Hybrid Self-Checkout Systems
The Mini Bora Bora POS System Sits on a Swiveling Base
Live Commerce Holiday Windows
TalkShopLive's WindowShopping Merges Physical & Digital Experiences
Automated Ice Cream Restaurants
The ColdSnap Will Be Offered in Restaurants in the Near Future
Circular Concierge Kiosks
This Conceptual Screen Concierge by Ivan Zhurba Automates Check-ins
Record-Breaking AR Mirrors
Maybelline New York & FFFACE.ME Debuted a Large Interactive Experience
Elevated Private Food Ranges
Bettergoods is the First New Store Brand from Walmart in 20 Years
Product Exploration Retailer Tools
These New Instacart Discovery Tools Connect Brands to Retailers
Next-Gen Fitting Rooms
The Fit Xperience at Savage x Fenty Integrates Body Scanning Tech
2D-to-3D Jewelry Try-Ons
Perfect Corp.'s Newest Virtual Try-On Technology Empowers Jewelry Brands
Stretched Retail Shelf Displays
The P1.875 HD from MDS Rise Enables Real-Time Marketing In-Stores
Digitally Led Bakery-Cafes
Panera's Small-Format Store Has a Digitized Menu & Tracking Screens
Loneliness-Combatting Grocery Shopping Experiences
Oma's Soep Debuted a Shopping Basket Initiative
Value-Minded Convenience Store Promotions
The Lawson Morisugi Challenge Has Extra-Large Products
AI Clothing Try-Ons
Google's AI Shopping Feature Shows How Apparel Looks on Real Models
Streamlined Shoppable Video Ads
Instacart Launches New Shoppable Video Ads in 'Ads Manager'
Elderly Customer-Reserved Retail Zones
JD Announced Exclusive Service Zones for Elderly Customers
Omnichannel Grocery Technologies
Instacart Launches the New Omnichannel Solutions for Grocers
Digital Delivery Service Storefronts
Instacart Storefront Lets Retailers Customize the Interface
AI-Generated Shopping Campaigns
Sandton City's Latest Campaign Integrates Smart Technology
On-Demand Mobile Ice Cream Stores
Mars Teamed Up with Store-Hailing Service Conjure
Beauty-Focused Shopping Apps
The 'Trendio' Live Shopping App Offers Access to Beauty Content
Virtual Skincare Experiences
Skincare Brand Laniege Launches its First Virtual Store with Obsess
Smart Shopping Cart Initiatives
These Cust2Mate Smart Carts are Arriving at Morton Williams
Shoppable Luxury Fashion Films
Louis Vuitton Delivers Resort 2024 with an Interactive Experience
Low-Waste Shopping Solutions
ASDA, Avery Berkel & Hanshow are Enhancing Sustainability in the UK
AI-Powered Retail Try-Ons
Walmart is Adding an AI-Based Try-On Technology for Online Consumers
Automated Retail Receipt Checkers
Sam’s Club Receipt Verification Was Announced at CES 2024
Customized Convenience Retailer Apps
Family Express is Introducing a Personalized App Experience
In-Store Bra-Fitting Technologies
Macy’s Implements FIT:MATCH Bra Fitting Technology in its Stores
Checkout-Free Grocery Stores
ALDI Launches the Innovative 'ALDIgo' Checkout-Free Grocery Store
Virtual Beauty-Focused Stores
Laura Mercier Debuts the Virtual ‘World of Beauty’ Store
QSR Food-Inspired Door Designs
McDonald's France Launches a New Digital Campaign of Door Visuals
Innovative SCO Kiosks
Austrian Brand Shopreme Debuts a New Self-Checkout Kiosk for Retailers
AR Pizza Menus
Hungry Howie's Uses AR to Promote a Secret Pizza Menu
Retail Food Preparation Stations
Urban Eat Debuts a Smart Retail Solution for its Food-to-Go Range
AI-Powered Automation Tools
LightSpeed Debuts a New AI Platform for Businesses to Automate Tasks
Self-Guided Cannabis Retail Experiences
BLAZE ECOM Revolutionizes In-Store Cannabis Retail
Recipe-Recommending Smart Fridges
Samsung's Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator Offers "AI Vision"
Connected Vending Freezers
The Selfly Freezer Offers Access to a Variety of Frozen Fare
Loss Prevention AI Checkouts
Vynamic Smart Vision Shrink Reduction Addresses Self-Checkout Issues
Digital Retailer Strategy Updates
This Walmart eCommerce Update Refreshes the Website and App
Gridded Immersive Retail Experiences
Studio Lotus Designs the New Ekaya Banaras Retail
Text-Based Shopping Features
Walmart Unveils a New Shopping by Text Feature for Mobile Shoppers
Checkout-Free Campus Retail Experiences
Grubhub Will Use Amazon Just Walk Out Technology on Campus
Creator-Driven Grocery Shopping Platforms
Jupiter Helps Shoppers Discover Recipes From Creators
AI-Powered Inventory Tech
Google Cloud is Introducing AI-Powered Inventory Tracking Technology
Small-Format Retailers
Nordstrom’s Small-Format Strategy 'Closer to You' is Expanding Until 2025
Efficiency-Driven Digital Ad Solutions
ShopLiftr is Revolutionizing Digital Advertising
Personalized Grocery Billboard Campaigns
Tesco Ireland Gets a New Live-Prompt Campaign
Digitally Curated Styling Closets
LG's New LOOKandME Hanger Provides a Glance at an Outfit
Offline Shopping Campaigns
'Shop Offline' Helps People Rediscover the Joy of Real-World Shopping
Taiwan-Based AI Shopping Carts
Innolux Debuts a Smart Shopping Cart at FamiSuper Stores
AI-Powered Search Features
Shop Premium Outlets Enhances its Online Shopping with AI-Powered Tools
AR-Enabled Google Tools
Google Launches a Slew of New Features for Search, Shopping, and Maps
Video-Powered eCommerce Services
Apple Shop with a Specialist Over Video Supports At-Home Shopping
App-Powered Checkout Stores
MAPCO Opened its First Checkout-Free Convenience Store
Location-Based QSR Technology
Chipotle is Integrating Location-Based Technology Into its App
AR-Powered Shopping Apps
Walmart Releases a New Augmented Reality Feature for its iOS Application
Updated Fresh Food Lines
One Stop Refreshes its Product Range to Offer Healthier and Fresher Items
Furniture Retailer Matcha Menus
The 2024 IKEA Japan Matcha Fair Has Five Exclusive Sweets
Stylish QSR-Backed Apparel
Panera Bread Unveils its New Menu-Inspired Merchandise Collection
Halloween-Inspired Retail Capsules
Target Debuts a New Private-Label Halloween Capsule for October
Dating App-Themed Store Experiences
Tinder Opens Up a SwipeMart Store Location in Tokyo
Retailer-Backed Holiday Experiences
J. Crew Launches a New AI-Powered Holiday Experience
Minimally Designed Store Openings
London Opens its Door at the New Self-Portrait Store in Chelsea
Video Call Shopping Services
Apple's Specialist over Video Service Enhances Personalization
Summer-Ready Boutique Shops
Urban Outfitters Unveils a New Dress Boutique Pop Up Opening in April
Inclusive Try-On Programs
Perfect Corp. Connects Beauty Brands with Digital Beauty Innovation
Low-Cost Cosmetic Retailer Expansions
Dollar General is Rolling Out a New Beauty Layout
Retail-Ready Cookie Displays
Rich's Retail-Ready Merchandiser Can Go from Freezer to Counter