# Interactive Retail Stores focus on customer engagement as primary business strategy. By [Katherinev123](https://www.trendhunter.com/katherine), Contributing Editor | Published Aug 27, 2010, updated Aug 19, 2013 | Category: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/business-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/interactive-retail-stores-focus-on-customer-engagement-as-primary-business ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.3/10 - Evidence articles: 11 ## What is the Interactive Retail trend? **Interactive Retail:** When product differentiation is non-existent and advertising goes unnoticed, consumer engagement becomes key in business success. Many retailers are turning to interactive shopping experiences to solidify relationships. Since purchases are often the result of emotions, maximizing a customer's hands-on experience within a retail environment -- whether in a physical store or online -- may increase positive feelings and brand loyalty. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 11 featured examples - Articles from: May 29 to Jul 29, 2010 - Published: Aug 27, 2010 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/artificial-intelligence), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Interactive Retail trend ### Interactive Shopping Creating interactive shopping experiences enhances customer engagement and brand loyalty for companies ### Social Media Shopping Collaborating with social media sites like Facebook to provide customers with a seamless shopping experience could be a new industry trend ### Personalization Providing personalized experiences for customers like real-time shopping logs and interactive shopping bags can be a way to differentiate products and services ## What the Interactive Retail trend means for industry ### For Retail Industry The retail industry can benefit from creating interactive shopping experiences to increase customer engagement and brand loyalty ### For Hospitality Industry The hospitality industry can use ticket-based dining as a model to create new innovative ways of booking reservations and increasing customer engagement ### For Automotive Industry The automotive industry can use interactive showroom experiences and touchscreen technology like that of the Waters Mazda touchscreen computer to enhance the car buying experience thereby boosting sales ## Trend signals for Interactive Retail Trend score 5.3 out of 10, from popularity 83%, activity 68%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 83% - Activity: 68% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Interactive Retail trend 11 featured examples from May 29 to Jul 29, 2010. - [Interactive Shopping Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kokoa-hut-shopping-bag): The Kokoa Hut Bag Makes Shopping a Personalized Experience (Category: Marketing) Implication: The retail industry can utilize interactive packaging to create a more engaging shopping experience for their customers. - [Internet Martini Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miworld-in-south-africa): MiWorld in South Africa Offers Both Online and Offline Interaction (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The hospitality industry could benefit from implementing touchscreen technology to enhance the customer experience. - [Stress-Relief Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/women-only-venting-store): The Women Only Venting Store Lets Women Smash Stuff (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for wellness businesses to incorporate stress-relief therapy as a unique offering to help individuals manage and relieve stress. - [Interactive Merchandising](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luxottica-group): The Post-Recession Luxottica Group's Eye Hub Store (Category: Marketing) Implication: Integrating interactive elements into eyewear retail to revolutionize the way customers select and purchase glasses. - [Social Media Shopping](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/facebook-and-amazon): Facebook and Amazon Team Up for an Easy Shopping Experience (Category: Business) Implication: Online retailers can benefit from integrating with social media sites to make shopping more convenient for their customers. - [iPad Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/south-gate-restaurant): New York City's South Gate Restaurant Uses Tablets as Wine Lists (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Integrate technology in the hospitality industry to improve service quality, efficiency, and guest satisfaction. - [Dinosaur-Themed Malls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/galerie-harfa): Galerie Harfa in Czech Republic Brings the Mesozoic Era to the 21st Century (Category: World) Implication: Retailers can explore the potential of themed shopping experiences to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. - [Plug-In Auto Dealerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/level-2-electric-car-charging): LAcarGuy is the First Dealer to Have Level 2 Electric Car Charging (Category: Autos) Implication: The rise of electric cars and charging infrastructure presents a disruption for traditional automotive dealerships, creating space for new players to enter the market. - [Interactive Car Dealerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waters-mazda-touchscreen-computer): Waters Mazda Touchscreen Computer Sells Used Cars (Category: Autos) Implication: The use of technology to transform the car-buying experience and improve customer engagement. - [Real-Time Shopping Logs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swipely): Swipely is the Ultimate Capitalist Social Network (Category: Business) Implication: Real-time purchase updates can be used by retailers to create more interactive experience and personalized marketing strategies for customers. - [Ticket-Based Dining](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/next-restaurant): Next Restaurant Nixes Reservations for Online Ticketing (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The hospitality industry can adopt online ticketing systems to improve reservation management and enhance the dining experience. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Conversion](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ai-assisted-checkout) (Business) - [Sugar Moderation](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sugar-moderation) (Lifestyle) - [Luxury Electrification](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/luxury-electrification) (Autos) - [Effortless Rounds](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/golf-training-devices) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Business - [Lifestyle Subscription Advent Calendars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fab-fit-fun-advent-calendar) - [Performance-Based Creator Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creator-ad-platforms) - [Fashionable Frozen Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aritzias-aok-caf) - [MIami Pop-Culture Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-pop-culture-shirts) All articles: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business)