Brands curate relaxing shopping experiences for people with varying needs
Trend - Brands are curating mindful shopping experiences for consumers--either for the entire shopping experience or during certain times of the day. These quiet retail environments are designed for neurodiverse people, and/or for people who generally prefer shopping in relaxed spaces.
Insight - As consumers become more vocal about their needs and preferences, brands are recognizing that one-size-fits-all approaches to retail, products, services and production are no longer relevant. Now, consumers with varying needs and preferences expect that brands cater to them in a way that's more adaptable and inclusive.
Insight - As consumers become more vocal about their needs and preferences, brands are recognizing that one-size-fits-all approaches to retail, products, services and production are no longer relevant. Now, consumers with varying needs and preferences expect that brands cater to them in a way that's more adaptable and inclusive.
Workshop Question - How is your brand authentically prioritizing inclusion?
Trend Themes
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Mindful Shopping Experiences — Brands providing mindful shopping experiences for neurodiverse people and people who prefer relaxed spaces represent opportunities for brands to customize their retail environments towards diverse customer needs.
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Inclusive Shopping Hours — Retailers allocating quiet hours for the neurodiverse population and other customers during the busy shopping season or week, points to an opportunity for retailers to build inclusivity and accessibility for a greater population of shoppers.
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Celebrating Diverse Communities — Pop-up events that celebrate and support diverse communities like that of 2SLGBTQIA+ signifies an opportunity for brands to support and connect with potential customers from targeted or underrepresented communities.
Industry Implications
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Retail — As retail is evolving and consumers are becoming more vocal about their needs, brands are recognizing that one-size-fits-all approaches to retail, products, and services are no longer relevant, and that diverse consumer needs require a more personalized approach.
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Hospitality — Offering customized customer experiences such as quiet shopping hours or zen-like shopping malls can inspire opportunities for hospitality and entertainment industries to adapt and broaden their offerings accordingly.
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Design — As demonstrated through the Hyundai Seoul department store, emphasizing the use of sculptural forms and white spaces in retail spaces, and using natural light can create a calming and immersive atmosphere that can inspire the design industries to create more retail spaces with an emphasis on minimalism, natural light, etc.
