# Retail Escape Opportunities for creative presentation are abundant in virtual environments. By [Kalin Ned](https://www.trendhunter.com/knedelch), Research Writer | Published Jan 9, 2021 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/retail-escape ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.3/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Retail Escape trend? **Retail Escape:** The online environment breaks the boundaries of aesthetic imagination, enabling the existence of various compositions and ethereal landscapes that would otherwise be impossible. As retail brands are pivoting to an all-digital strategy due to COVID-19, many are embracing these advantages. ## The consumer insight behind the Retail Escape trend The desire for escapism is potent in contemporary consumers who live fast-paced, technologically enhanced lifestyles. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated travel restrictions, many don't have the opportunity or are finding it increasingly difficult to take a break and enjoy a change of scenery. Since many are conscious that non-essential traveling is strongly discouraged, consumers are looking for ways to escape with the help of their imagination. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Jul 22, 2019 to Feb 22, 2022 - Published: Jan 9, 2021 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Examples of the Retail Escape trend 5 featured examples from Jul 22, 2019 to Feb 22, 2022. - [Digital Interior Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-interior-designs): Reisinger Studio's Digital Interiors are Whimsical and Visually Alluring (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Interior designers can incorporate 3D design renderings into their work to offer immersive experiences to clients and stay competitive in a post-pandemic world. - [Gamified Metaverse Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/metaverse-store): United Colors of Benetton's Metaverse Store Lets Visitors Collect Codes (Category: Business) Implication: Retailers can leverage gamified metaverse stores and omnichannel strategies to enhance their customer engagement and drive sales. - [Dreamy Architectural Explorations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dreamy-architectural-explorations-peter-tarka-embraces-pastel-colors-geomet): Peter Tarka Embraces Pastel Colors, Geometry and Surrealism (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Architects and designers can take inspiration from Peter Tarka's architectural explorations to push the boundaries of traditional building styles and create visually stunning spac… - [Digital Fashion Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-fabricant): The Fabricant Explores the Intersection of Fashion & Technology (Category: Unique) Implication: Digital showrooms and virtual reality experiences can help increase fashion sales. - [Fashionable Virtual Islands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/island-on-animal-crossing): NET-A-PORTER Created Its Own Island on Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Category: Marketing) Implication: Luxury retailers can explore opportunities to collaborate with gaming platforms to create immersive virtual experiences, showcasing their brand offerings to a wider audience. **Workshop question:** How can your brand enhance its digital presence during COVID-19? ## Themes within the Retail Escape trend ### Virtual Escapism As consumers seek ways to escape their fast-paced, technologically enhanced lives, businesses are leveraging the online environment to offer visually alluring, whimsically dreamy, and surreal content. ### Digital Fashion As the pandemic pushes the fashion industry to rethink their design process as well as their supply chains, businesses are exploring the intersection of fashion and technology and opening up opportunities for digital fashion houses, gamified metaverse stores and other innovative digital experiences. ### Virtual Retail Experiences With more brands pivoting to an all-digital strategy, virtual retail experiences have become more important than ever to offer consumers a sense of normalcy. Businesses are exploring the potential of gamification, digital interior designs, and virtual showrooms to create unique customer experiences in cyberspace. ## What the Retail Escape trend means for industry ### For Fashion and Apparel Businesses in the fashion and apparel industry are leveraging technology, the online environment, and gamification to create new digital fashion experiences. ### For Retail and E-commerce Retailers are seeking innovative approaches to offer engaging online experiences to customers and are exploring the potential of gamification, digital interior designs, and virtual showrooms to create visually alluring and immersive customer experiences in cyberspace. ### For Interior Design and Architecture Interior design and architecture industries have immense potential to offer their customers immersive, digitally-rendered interior designs that transport them to dreamlike living spaces while also expanding business potential by offering creative presentation opportunities. ## Trend signals for Retail Escape Trend score 5.3 out of 10, from popularity 70%, activity 77%, freshness 11%. - Popularity: 70% - Activity: 77% - Freshness: 11% ## Recent trend clusters - [Deskside Sound](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/compact-soundbar-design) (Tech) - [Styled Fidelity](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/legacy-audio-upgrades) (Tech) - [Identity Hardware](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/fan-edition-headphones) (Tech) - [Accessory Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/integrated-cable-battery) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Modular CMF Bluetooth Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modular-cmf-bluetooth-speakers) - [Mixed-Reality Eyewear Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mixed-reality-eyewear-concepts) - [Nonverbal Companion Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nonverbal-companion-robots) - [Budget Tough-Screen Phones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/budget-tough-screen-phones) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)