menu search
About     search
Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 462,195 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,242 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,990 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,242 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,990 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,213 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
All
AI
Tech
Life
Culture
Design
Ads
Business
Eco
Good
Luxury
Fashion
Bizarre
Keynotes
Search our database of 462,195 cutting edge ideas.
DASHBOARD RESEARCH KEYNOTES EVENTS
FuturistU > Retail > How to be Retail Resilient > Module 1 / 4

Intro to How to be Retail Resilient

Instructor: Ady Floyd
In this module, Trend Hunter's VP of Client Success, Ady Floyd, explores the fast-paced world of retail shifts and how so many retailers remained resilient against the abrupt changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Retail as an industry has the power to change, grow and adapt, and it will never die - retail is necessary. What kinds of disruptions took place both online and offline, in the world of retail and what do you need to know to stay ahead?
Get Trend Hunter Dashboard

Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Small-Format Retail
More retailers are rolling out small-format stores with curated offerings
Trend - Retail is entering a "less-is-more" era, driven by consumer desire for curated shopping experiences that simplify decision-making. Consumers, overwhelmed by past excess, now value well-edited selections that simplify decision-making. This trend prioritizes quality and guidance over sheer quantity.
Workshop Question - How can your brand refocus its approach to retail by becoming a trusted curator of products, simplifying decision-making for consumers?
7.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Small-Format Electronic Stores
Small-Format Electronic Stores
Best Buy Canada to Operate 165 Small-Format Bell Canada Stores
Best Buy Canada has announced a strategic partnership with Bell Canada to take over operations of 165 stores previously under The Source brand, which will be rebranded as Best Buy Express. This... MORE
Small-Format Department Stores
Small-Format Department Stores
Macy’s Unveils Plan to Open Up to 30 Small-format Stores
Macy’s, Inc. is charting a bold expansion of its retail strategy with plans to open up to 30 new small-format stores by fall 2025. This move, which builds on the nearly 15 existing locations of... MORE
Small-Format Grocery Stores
Small-Format Grocery Stores
Amazon’s Whole Foods to Open New Small-Format Stores in Cities
Amazon-owned Whole Foods is strategically downsizing with the launch of the Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, a small-format store designed specifically for urban shoppers seeking convenience. These... MORE
IKEA Downtown Store Openings
IKEA Downtown Store Openings
IKEA Canada Opens New Downtown Toronto Store on May 25th
IKEA Canada recently announced the IKEA Toronto Downtown - Aura store will open its doors on May 25th, 2022. The brand will commence celebrations at 9:20 am and start serving customers at 10:00 am.... MORE
Small-Format Retailers
Small-Format Retailers
Nordstrom’s Small-Format Strategy 'Closer to You' is Expanding Until 2025
Nordstrom is aggressively expanding its Closer to You’ strategy with the introduction of 23 new Nordstrom Rack locations across suburban U.S. markets from fall 2023 through spring 2025. This... MORE
Mobile AI
Retailers are using AI to add unique features to their mobile retail apps
Trend - Retailers are launching mobile apps with AI-powered features designed to replace their existing apps. These apps offer recommendations, conversational support, image search, and features unique to certain retailers. These brands aim to improve customer retention while reducing ordering friction.
Workshop Question - How could your brand improve its customer satisfaction rates through AI features?
8.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Shoe Retailer AI Apps
Shoe Retailer AI Apps
SuperStep Partnered with 'IMSHOP' to Create a Convenient Mobile App
The SuperStep mobile app is a revolutionary product that combines the convenience of online shopping with the personalization of in-store experience. The app, created in partnership between SuperStep,... MORE
AI-Powered Shopping Tools
AI-Powered Shopping Tools
Klarna's AI Image Search Helps Shoppers Find the Best Deals
Klarna is devoted to offering super-smooth shopping experiences and its new AI image search tool lets shoppers find deals with just a photo. With this AI tool, shoppers can take pictures of items... MORE
AI-Enhanced Grocery Apps
AI-Enhanced Grocery Apps
Instacart Unveiled a Suite of AI Features Coming to its Mobile App
Instacart, the leading online grocery delivery platform in North America, has recently launched several new features to improve the shopping experience for its customers and shoppers. These features... MORE
Advanced Adaptive Retail Experiences
Advanced Adaptive Retail Experiences
Walmart Unveiled New Retail Technologies at CES 2024
Walmart unveiled a variety of retail technologies at CES 2024 to provide consumers and competitors alike with a glimpse into how the shopping experience is slated to evolve in the near-future. The... MORE
AI-Powered Shopping Bots
AI-Powered Shopping Bots
Amazon's Rufus Chatbot Uses Conversational AI to Answer Customer Queries
Amazon unveils its groundbreaking AI-powered shopping assistant, Rufus, which aims to enhance the mobile shopping experience by providing conversational search capabilities. Notably, Rufus leverages... MORE
Retail Ad
Smart retail shelves are being used to provide customizable in-store marketing
Trend - Brick-and-mortar retailers are implementing smart retail shelf displays to market to consumers at the point of sale. These displays are eye-catching and provide helpful information or video advertisements–enhancing in-store immersion for nearby consumers.
Workshop Question - How might your brand benefit from offering immersive experiences or events to attract new and existing customers to return?
7.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Engaging Shelf Displays
Engaging Shelf Displays
Netvisual is Elevating In-Store Advertising with its Shelf Edge Displays
Netvisual introduces its innovative shelf edge displays, transforming ordinary retail shelves into vibrant communication platforms. This cutting-edge technology opens up unique opportunities for... MORE
Interactive In-Store Ads
Interactive In-Store Ads
Visibubble Brings Mobile Messaging Capabilities to Store Shelves
Visibubble is a cost-effective point-of-sale marketing solution and the interactive in-store ads are changing the way people interact with their favorite products and brands. This in-store... MORE
Attention-Grabbing Retail Displays
Attention-Grabbing Retail Displays
Auo's Smart Shelf Displays Enhance the Customer Experience
Auo has unveiled its latest innovation - the smart shelf display. Recently, smart shelf displays have emerged as a game-changer, seamlessly integrating into retail gondolas and fixtures to provide a... MORE
Stretched Retail Shelf Displays
Stretched Retail Shelf Displays
The P1.875 HD from MDS Rise Enables Real-Time Marketing In-Stores
‘MDS Rise,’ a Shenzhen-based electronics manufacturer focusing on retail and enterprise solutions, released the ‘P1.875 HD’ smart display for retail shelves. This display is... MORE
Avatar Worker
Retailers are hiring remote workers with realistic in-store avatars for service
Trend - Retail stores and restaurants are addressing employee droughts by partnering with metaverse and AI companies to deploy on-site realistic avatars controlled by remote workers. This drastically expands the eligibility pool for employees while ensuring customer service remains a priority.
Workshop Question - Could metaverse avatars and remote employees benefit your industry?
5.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Remote Work Cashiers
Remote Work Cashiers
Freshii is Testing a Virtual Cashier System that Connects to Call Centers
‘Freshii,’ the Ontario-based restaurant famous for its real, fresh foods, has begun testing a virtual cashier system by the name of Percy. Percy can be encountered on a video calling... MORE
AI-Powered Retail Kiosks
AI-Powered Retail Kiosks
Deepbrain AI Unveils Its Latest Futuristic Product, the 'AI Human' Kiosk
DeepBrain AI, a startup specializing in artificial intelligence solutions, has announced the launch of its ‘AI Kiosk,’ a retail-oriented multimedia screen that utilizes the brand’s... MORE
Avatar-Staffed Convenience Stores
Avatar-Staffed Convenience Stores
Animated Staff Controlled by Humans Run the Green Lawson Store
Merging anime and manga with real life, the Green Lawson store is staffed by animated employees that are controlled by humans. This opens up opportunities including staffing disabled people as it is... MORE
Virtual Avatar Workers
Virtual Avatar Workers
The Bite Ninja Platform Allows Retailers to Outsource Cashier Work Online
Bite Ninja is a technology company that is revolutionizing the fast-food industry by providing remote cashiers to partner restaurants. This innovative solution aims to help restaurants solve the... MORE
Accessible E-Commerce
Brands make online shopping easier for elderly demographics
Trend - For senior demographics, modern technology can be more challenging to navigate. To change this, some online retailers are prioritizing senior demographics--both in the products they offer and in how their platforms are designed.
Workshop Question - How could your brand prioritize accessibility in its product design?
5.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Fashionable Boomer Marketplaces
Fashionable Boomer Marketplaces
VNV Brings the Joy of Getting Dressed to Mature Women
There are many online fashion marketplaces that target Gen Z shoppers but VNV stands out by specifically speaking to women over 40. Founded by a Millennial and a Baby Boomer, VBV was conceptualized... MORE
Senior-Friendly E-Commerce Modes
Senior-Friendly E-Commerce Modes
Taobao's 'Elderly Mode' Helps Seniors Navigate Online Shopping
E-commerce site Taobao has announced that it will launch an updated version of its senior citizen shopping feature ahead of ‘Tmall Double 11,’ an annual online shopping festival that the... MORE
Boomer-Focused Grocery Services
Boomer-Focused Grocery Services
Baby Boomers Continue to Dominate in Online Shopping Post-COVID
Post-COVID, consumers are beginning to return to their old ways of consumption as in-person shopping is reintroduced. The coronavirus pandemic had and continues to have an impact on the way baby... MORE
play_circle_filled Boomer-Specific E-Commerce Platforms
Boomer-Specific E-Commerce Platforms
Starts at 60 Launches an Online Marketplace For Older Aussies
Australian media company Starts at 60 has launched an e-commerce platform dedicated to tech-savvy Baby Boomers. From clothing and footwear to health supplements and kitchen appliances, this online... MORE
App-Based Retail
Retailers create apps to accompany customers' in-store experiences
Trend - Retailers are increasingly merging the convenience of online shopping with the engagement of in-person retail--now with accompanied in-store apps. These apps help enhance customer experiences with everything from product information to shopping assistance.
Workshop Question - How could your brand merge digital and in-person shopping experiences?
5.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
In-Store Shopping Apps
In-Store Shopping Apps
Chico's Launched a New Dedicated Mobile App with Poq Commerce
Chico’s teamed up with Poq Commerce to launch a new dedicated Chico’s app. This application goes beyond traditional retail store applications by not only allowing customers to navigate... MORE
Retail Navigation Tools
Retail Navigation Tools
The Simon Search App Lets Customers Find Exactly What They Need
‘Simon Search’ is a new application created by the Simon Property Group. The app is a dedicated search platform accessible through a mobile device, a retail location’s website, or... MORE
Streamlined Return Processes
Streamlined Return Processes
PayPal and Ulta Beauty are Testing Happy Returns at 1,300 Locations
Ulta Beauty announced a new Ulta Beauty x Paypal partnership where the company will be testing Paypal’s ‘Happy Returns’ service across 1,300 of its physical retail locations. The... MORE
play_circle_filled AI eCommerce Assistants
AI eCommerce Assistants
Haptik's Artificial Intelligence Assistant Works Like an In-Store Agent
Buzzo is the name of Haptik’s artificial intelligence assistant and it was created to enhance digital shopping experiences. The AI-powered voice assistant is said to bring “the... MORE
Text Message Shopping Services
Text Message Shopping Services
Textual is a Conversational Commerce Platform for SMS
‘Textual’ is a self-defined “conversational commerce” platform that aims to provide maximum ROI for brands by integrating e-commerce directly into text messages. Textual is a... MORE
Upcycled Retailer
Retail stores feature upcycled construction or decor pieces
Trend - As sustainability becomes increasingly important to consumers and businesses alike, retailers are using various upcycled materials in either the construction or interior designs of their stores.
Workshop Question - How could your brand better ensure it's prioritizing sustainability?
8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Sustainable Designer Stores
Sustainable Designer Stores
Atelier100 Opens in London with the Help of H&M and Ingka Group
H&M and Ingka Group have opened the Atelier100 space in West London. The space will include designers and creatives who live within 100 kilometers of the city. Atelier100’s newest mission is... MORE
Sustainability-Focused Retail Centers
Sustainability-Focused Retail Centers
This New Walmart Canada Supercenter is Arriving in 2023
This new Walmart Canada Supercenter is being launched by the brand as part of a $20-million investment into sustainable retail that will hone in on a new strategy as part of new developments. The... MORE
Sustainably Made Fashion Stores
Sustainably Made Fashion Stores
Ganni's Flagship Store Helps Nurture More Conscious Consumption
Ganni, the Danish fashion label, recently launched its sustainably made flagship store in the UK. Various items, including boots, handbags, and clothing, sit atop podiums created from recycled... MORE
Sustainable Canadian Retail Expansions
Sustainable Canadian Retail Expansions
The Toronto Allbirds Brick-and-Mortar Store is Eco-Friendly
Sustainable lifestyle brand Allbirds is opening its first ever Toronto store, and second location in Canada on August 10th. Located in the heart of Yorkdale Shopping Centre retail complex, the store... MORE
Upcycled Beauty Retail Interiors
Upcycled Beauty Retail Interiors
Nina+Co Uses Salvaged Materials and Biotextiles for This Project
This beauty retail interior in Hackney, London boasts a laid-back luxurious aesthetic and a slew of sustainable materials. Designed by studio Nina+Co, the space is created to mirror the brand ethos... MORE
Local Retail
Large retailers incorporate elements of local products or materials into their stores
Trend - In order to help support local economies, some multinational companies are selling locally sourced products, or building their stores with locally sourced materials. This shift comes as small businesses and economies struggle to catch up in a post-pandemic world.
Workshop Question - How could your brand help support its local economy?
6.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Sustainable Designer Stores
Sustainable Designer Stores
Atelier100 Opens in London with the Help of H&M and Ingka Group
H&M and Ingka Group have opened the Atelier100 space in West London. The space will include designers and creatives who live within 100 kilometers of the city. Atelier100’s newest mission is... MORE
Educational Denim Displays
Educational Denim Displays
IsInstore and Lee's Retail Display Educates About Sustainability
UK-based design and branding agency IsInstore and Lee teamed up on an educational retail display for the denim label. Launched at Selfridges, Oxford Street, the retail display aimed to “... MORE
Suburban Checkout-Free Retailers
Suburban Checkout-Free Retailers
This New Amazon Go Store is Arriving for Suburban Shoppers
This new Amazon Go store has been announced by the eCommerce brand for the Mill Creek, Washington suburbs as part of its expansion into more rural locations outside of city centers. The store... MORE
Locally Sourced Cruise Retail Concepts
Locally Sourced Cruise Retail Concepts
Azamara Launches a Destination-Tailored Shopping Program
Boutique cruise line Azamara has announced the launch of a new curated retail concept that will showcase local products and artisans from each cruise ship’s specific destinations. According to... MORE
Text-Based Shopping Features
Text-Based Shopping Features
Walmart Unveils a New Shopping by Text Feature for Mobile Shoppers
Walmart’s brand new technology-focused innovation is a new feature that allows consumers to tackle their grocery shopping through a text message. The ‘Text to Shop’ platform, which was created... MORE
Autonomous Hub
Unstaffed retailers are popping up in densely populated areas
Trend - Retail hubs like hotels, offices and malls are increasingly featuring unstaffed stores in order to speed up consumers' shopping times. These stores allow for smart detection and automatic charges for products that consumers purchase.
Workshop Question - How could your brand better prioritize convenience within its purchase journey?
7.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Unstaffed Convenience Stores
Unstaffed Convenience Stores
Wundermart is an Autonomous Retail Solution for Hotels and Offices
Wundermart is a startup that develops and installs unstaffed retail stores in offices, hotels, and hospitals. The company’s innovative solution combines a physical retail space with... MORE
Surprise Collectible Vending Machines
Surprise Collectible Vending Machines
MINISO's Contactless Blind Box Vending Machine Targets Gen Z
Branded variety retailer MINISO launched its unstaffed self-service blind box vending machine in Singapore’s Suntec City Mall, a location that was specifically chosen to capture the interests... MORE
Hybrid Autonomous Grocery Stores
Hybrid Autonomous Grocery Stores
Nourish + Bloom Market is a Frictionless Store in Georgia
The 1,500 square foot Nourish + Bloom Market in Fayetteville, Georgia recently opened its doors as the first African American-owned autonomous grocery store in the world, complete with powerful... MORE
Autonomous Stadium Shops
Autonomous Stadium Shops
The WooSox Market Introduces an Autonomous Retail Experience
The Worcester Red Sox and Standard AI are treating fans to baseball’s first autonomous retail experience with WooSox Market and the inaugural WooSox Winter Wonderland. The WooSox Market at... MORE
AI-Based Convenience Stores
AI-Based Convenience Stores
Auchan Opened the Doors to an Autonomous Convenience Store in France
French multinational retailer Auchan worked with AI-based smart store solutions provider Cloudpick and recently opened the doors to its first autonomous convenience store in Lille, France. The first... MORE
Autonomous Grocery
Unstaffed grocery stores become more common as tech in this space advances
Trend - Unstaffed grocery stores and markets are becoming popular as businesses collaborate with tech companies--installing smart systems that allow for seamless in-store transactions where consumers can simply walk out with their items and be charged automatically.
Workshop Question - How could your brand elevate its purchase journey for customers?
6.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Rural Unstaffed Supermarkets
Rural Unstaffed Supermarkets
Lifvs Brings Automated Supermarkets Where They're Needed Most
Fully autonomous stores are beginning to appear in some of the world’s busiest cities and Swedish retail start-up Lifvs is now bringing automated, unmanned grocery stores to rural parts of... MORE
Unstaffed Convenience Stores
Unstaffed Convenience Stores
Wundermart is an Autonomous Retail Solution for Hotels and Offices
Wundermart is a startup that develops and installs unstaffed retail stores in offices, hotels, and hospitals. The company’s innovative solution combines a physical retail space with... MORE
Hybrid Autonomous Grocery Stores
Hybrid Autonomous Grocery Stores
Nourish + Bloom Market is a Frictionless Store in Georgia
The 1,500 square foot Nourish + Bloom Market in Fayetteville, Georgia recently opened its doors as the first African American-owned autonomous grocery store in the world, complete with powerful... MORE
Autonomous Community Markets
Autonomous Community Markets
Valet Market is a Modern Amenity for Apartment Buildings
Accel Robotics’ Valet Market is an autonomous community market that lets building residents shop for necessities at all hours via an app. This experience connects dwellers to everything from... MORE
Unstaffed Smart Supermarket Pilots
Unstaffed Smart Supermarket Pilots
5 Seoul-Based Stores Will Be Tested for This Pilot Project
Autonomous grocery stores aren’t necessarily a new concept, but a concept that lends itself well to consumer needs during the COVID-19 pandemic—as a result, Seoul announced that five... MORE