The Nike Store has recently redesigned its Seattle location, promising a more personalized Nike experience for shoppers. Having been tried at various stores throughout the United States, running assessment technology has increasingly been used and is planned to be a staple at Nike stores of the future.
The concept is rather simple and allows shoppers to step on a treadmill and do a short run while being monitored by a Nike staffer who then assess one's stride. An expert then recommends a specific shoe based on the results from the running test.
It seems the purpose of the run assessment is for shoppers to pick out the shoe that best fits someone's particular stride or running stride. This free service alone has brought in many runners looking for feedback and advice for their best-fitting shoe.
Futuristic Athletic Retailers
The Personalized Nike Experience at its New Stores Redefines Retail
Trend Themes
1. Personalized Retail Experience - Nike's use of running assessment technology to recommend specific shoes based on individual running strides presents opportunities for retailers to offer personalized experiences.
2. Running Assessment Technology - The increasing use of running assessment technology in Nike stores indicates potential for technological advancements in the athletic retail industry.
3. Expert Recommendations for Footwear - The demand for expert recommendations based on running test results highlights the opportunity for retailers to provide specialized guidance in the footwear industry.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - The personalized Nike experience showcases how retailers can revolutionize the customer journey.
2. Sports Apparel - The implementation of running assessment technology in Nike stores suggests potential for disruption in the sports apparel industry.
3. Fitness Equipment - The use of running assessment technology opens up opportunities for innovation in the fitness equipment industry to enhance user experience.