Category
Business
Assisted Conversion
Trend cluster
Category
App-Powered
Store
Brands in China are partnering with WeChat for experiential in-store experiences.
6.1
Trend score
Trend
What is the App-Powered Store trend?
App-Powered Store: The use of WeChat to create in-store shopping experiences that feature digital experiences and enhancements is on the rise in China. These partnerships allow for more seamless interactions considering the prevalance of the WeChat app--allowing customers to engage in-store without having to download any additional apps.
Insight
The consumer insight behind the App-Powered Store trend
Experiential shopping is a growing focus for retailers as they enhance their understanding of how younger Millennials and Gen Z shop. These demographics are more likely to be drawn to brands that engage them using the same digital habits that they use on a regular basis.
Trend themes
Themes within the App-Powered Store trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
WeChat-Powered In-Store Experiences
The use of WeChat for creating in-store shopping experiences is on the rise, providing opportunities for brands to seamlessly engage with customers without the need for additional apps.
02
Omnichannel Retail
Retailers are focusing on creating omnichannel experiences that can seamlessly integrate both online and offline channels, providing a consistent shopping experience to consumers.
03
Phygital Shopping Malls
Shopping malls are increasingly becoming phygital, blending physical and digital elements together to create highly immersive and interactive shopping experiences for customers.
Industry implications
What the App-Powered Store trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Retail
Incorporating innovation and technology into traditional retail models is key to providing the experiential and personalized shopping experiences that modern consumers demand.
For
Beauty and Cosmetics
Beauty and cosmetics brands are leveraging augmented reality and mobile technology to enhance their in-store experience and provide virtual try-ons to increase sales and engagement.
For
E-commerce
Gen Z-oriented shopping apps that offer social and interactive features provide new ways to connect with younger, digital-savvy consumers and create personal experiences through fashion, style, and communications.
Workshop question
How is your brand catering to the digital habits of younger demographics?
Trend signals
Trend signals for App-Powered Store
Trend score 6.1 out of 10, from popularity 91%, activity 82%, freshness 11%.
Popularity91%
Activity82%
Freshness11%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X (not a primary audience)
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the App-Powered Store trend
8 featured examples from Jan 23, 2019 to Apr 6, 2022CategoryBusiness
Gen Z Cosmetic Shops
MAC Cosmetics' Experience Center Blurs Physical & Digital Realms
The MAC Cosmetics Experience Center showcases the potential for disruptive innovation within the cosmetics industry by combining technology and personalization to enhance the shop…
CategoryBusiness
Social Retail Stores
Burberry Announced It Will Create a Socially Integrated Retail Store in China
The fashion retail industry can embrace social media integration and interactive content to revolutionize the in-store shopping experience.
CategoryBusiness
Highly Immersive Phygital Malls
JD.com Has Launched a Massive Interactive Mall in China
There is an opportunity for retailers to create phygital environments that provide an immersive and seamless shopping experience for customers.
CategoryBusiness
Mixed-Reality Shopping Navigators
iGO Leverages Augmented Reality and 5G for Commercial Shopping
The retail industry can leverage mixed-reality shopping navigators like iGO to enhance the shopping experience and gain valuable insights on customer behavior.
CategoryBusiness
Gen-Z-Oriented Shopping Apps
Alibaba is Currently Testing a New E-Commerce App Called Taibang
Developing fashion and social shopping apps targeted towards China's increasingly important Gen-Z population represents a major disruptive innovation opportunity for the e-commerc…
CategoryFashion
Brow-Styling Virtual Try-Ons
Perfect Corp. & Benefit Cosmetics Created an AR Eyebrow Program
The beauty industry is leveraging AR and real-time scanning technologies to create digital experiences for their customers.
CategoryBusiness
Omnichannel Airport Retailers
Auckland Airport's The Mall Platform is Boosting Post-COVID Sales
Airport retailers could leverage omnichannel retail strategies and advanced digital platforms to reach travelers, even during challenging times.
CategoryAutos
Smart Celebratory Pop-Ups
WeChat and BHV Marais Teamed Up for a Smart Department Store Solution
The retail industry can benefit from integrating smart department store solutions that enhance convenience and cater to the needs of Chinese tourists.
