# Retail Symbiosis Retail spaces blur the line between production and consumption. By [Rebecca Byers](https://www.trendhunter.com/becbyers), Insights Research at Trend Hunter | Published Dec 14, 2016 | Category: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/business-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/retail-symbiosis ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.8/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Retail Symbiosis trend? **Retail Symbiosis:** Blurring the line between production and consumption, retail brands are emerging with forward-thinking retail concepts that provide shoppers with an opportunity to engage with interactive elements that hint at the research and development of new products. In addition to providing brands with an opportunity for real-time feedback, such concepts highlight the continued progression of the consumer-brand relationship into the realm of symbiosis. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Dec 7, 2015 to Jan 13, 2017 - Published: Dec 14, 2016 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Retail Symbiosis trend ### Interactive Retail Retail spaces that provide shoppers with an opportunity to engage with interactive elements or participate in workshops to gain real-time feedback, leading to a progression of the consumer-brand relationship into the realm of symbiosis. ### Community-Centric Retail Retail spaces evolving into a community hub where customers can shop while also connecting with like-minded individuals through art, fashion, music, and workshops. ### Rapid Prototyping The use of prototyping studios to create exclusive capsule collections and then using customer feedback to determine what works best before making any items available in a permanent collection. ## What the Retail Symbiosis trend means for industry ### For Art Supplies Retail Opportunity for art supplies retailers to enhance their customer experience by offering interactive workshops and classes with skilled artisans. ### For Speciality Coffee Shops Opportunity for coffee shops to differentiate themselves by focusing on quality beans, offering cold brew, and creating a welcoming atmosphere where customers can learn more about each roast. ### For Retail Design and Architecture Opportunity for retail designers and architects to promote an interactive shopping experience in an open-concept space that offers patrons a unique visual, encouraging interaction with brand representatives and powerful education courses. ## Workshop question How can your brand incorporate more real-time feedback to better understand the current market, as well as involve your consumers on a deeper level? ## Trend signals for Retail Symbiosis Trend score 5.8 out of 10, from popularity 83%, activity 82%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 83% - Activity: 82% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Retail Symbiosis trend 5 featured examples from Dec 7, 2015 to Jan 13, 2017. - [Open-Concept Coffee Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/capriole-caf): 'Capriole Café' Features Roastery Equipment Out in the Open (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Transform coffee shops by adopting open-concept designs, elevating the coffee production process, and offering educational experiences for custo… - [Activewear Prototyping Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lululemon-lab): The Lululemon Lab in NYC is an Experimental Retail Concept (Category: Business) Implication: The athletic apparel industry can capitalize on creating experimental retail spaces to gather valuable feedback and engage with customers on a more personal level. - [Art Supply Laboratories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/art-supplies-store): This New Art Supplies Store in Tokyo Seeks to Inspire Young Artists (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Creating disruptive innovation opportunities by offering expert-level advice, workshops, and classes on traditional methods of production. - [Quality-Forward Coffee Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lineage-roasting): Orlando's 'Lineage Roasting' is Bringing Quality Coffee to Florida (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The coffee industry has an opportunity to embrace quality-forward approaches and elevate the coffee experience. - [Communal Retail Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cornerstore): 'Cornerstore' Houses Its Retail and Textile Production in One Space (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Fashion retailers can take advantage of communal retail spaces to connect with local communities and foster brand loyalty through transparency and the incorporation of workshops. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Conversion](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ai-assisted-checkout) (Business) - [Occasion Commerce](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/occasion-commerce) (Business) - [Autonomous Merchandising](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autonomous-merchandising) (Business) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Business - [Performance-Based Creator Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creator-ad-platforms) - [MIami Pop-Culture Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-pop-culture-shirts) - [Natural Deodorant Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/target-beauty-studios) - [Mini Beauty Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-luxuries-store) All articles: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business)