Top 100 Retail Trends in 2021

From Low-Impact Fashion Stores to Self-Navigating Shopping Carts

— December 31, 2021 — Business
Contactless product testers, virtual stores and fully automated formats are just a few of the top 2021 retail trends and they reflect changes in consumer shopping behaviors that will impact the immediate future and years beyond. While many brands have begun expanding or exploring more online systems to bolster their businesses, consumers are making the most og high-quality, convenient experiences that can be had safely from the comfort of home.

Offline shopping experiences are increasingly drawing from the advantages of online shopping systems, and immersive new offerings are being created in store. Standout examples include phygital locations like the Nike Rise Seoul concept store and entirely virtual flagships from luxury fashion houses.

Find more retail innovations in the Trend Hunter 2022 Trend Report.
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Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
95
Electronics-Focused Black Friday Sales
Electronics-Focused Black Friday Sales
The 2021 Best Buy Black Friday Sales Have Already Begun
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94
Contactless Shopping Experiences
Contactless Shopping Experiences
Hudson Will Use Amazon's Just Walk Out Technology at Its Stores
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93
Designer Rainwear Collections
Designer Rainwear Collections
Canada Goose Partnered with Y/Project on a Unisex Rainwear Capsule
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92
Till-Free Grocery Stores
Till-Free Grocery Stores
The UK's First Amazon Fresh Store Features "Just Walk Out" Technology
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91
Small-Batch Makeup Boutiques
Small-Batch Makeup Boutiques
Chromavis' Atelier Creates Products in Just Days and Weeks
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90
Innovative Digital Factories
Innovative Digital Factories
Alibaba Group Debuted Its Xunxi Digital Factory in September, 2020
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89
Robotic Eyewear Labs
Robotic Eyewear Labs
Hip Optical's Robotic Lens Lab Fulfills Orders Within One Business Day
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88
Luxury E-Commerce Partnerships
Luxury E-Commerce Partnerships
A New Gucci Tmall Store Alongside Alibaba Targets Chinese Consumers
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87
Contactless Self-Checkouts
Contactless Self-Checkouts
X5's Self-Checkouts Lets Customers Pay with Face Recognition
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86
Week-Long Holiday Promotions
Week-Long Holiday Promotions
The Meijer Black Friday Week Holiday Promo Promises Deep Discounts
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85
Real-Time Online Shopping Services
Real-Time Online Shopping Services
'Korkuma' Converts Websites for a Live Shopping Experience
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84
Meat-Free Butcher Counters
Meat-Free Butcher Counters
The Asda 'Veelicious' Vegan Butcher Counter Addresses Consumer Demand
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83
Wizard-Themed Retail Experiences
Wizard-Themed Retail Experiences
The Harry Potter New York Store Offers Exclusive VR Adventures
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82
Gen Z Fashion Hubs
Gen Z Fashion Hubs
Yoox Created a Dedicated Section for Young Consumers Called Hi_GuyZ!
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81
Canadian-Owned Online Baby Stores
Canadian-Owned Online Baby Stores
Fox + Cove is an Elevated Online Baby Apparel Store
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80
Virtual Shopping Districts
Virtual Shopping Districts
This Virtual Shopping Center Helps to Support Small Businesses
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79
Convenience Store Pizza Concepts
Convenience Store Pizza Concepts
The Flatstone Pizza Co. Concept Includes All Required Product
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78
Digital Furniture Musems
Digital Furniture Musems
The IKEA Museum Digital Archives Iconic Catalogs & Designs
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77
Celeb-Backed Pre-Roll Packs
Celeb-Backed Pre-Roll Packs
Justin Bieber Partners with Palms to Launch 'Peachy' Joints
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76
Sustainable Personalized Polo Services
Sustainable Personalized Polo Services
Ralph Lauren's Made-to-Order Polo Program Reduces Waste
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75
Pop-Up Running Labs
Pop-Up Running Labs
On's Performance Running Lab Helps Runners Harness Their True Potential
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74
Compact Footprint Food Stores
Compact Footprint Food Stores
The ALDI Corner Store Offers a Convenient Way to Access Products
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73
Nature-Mirroring Home Additions
Nature-Mirroring Home Additions
F2A Architecture Completes an Extension to a Private Home in BC
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72
Swiping Try-on Apps
Swiping Try-on Apps
Zyler Offers a Simple and Realistic Clothing Try-on Experience
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71
Uplifting Lifestyle Pop-Ups
Uplifting Lifestyle Pop-Ups
Christopher Kane's More Joy Pop-Up Inspires Daily Positivity
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70
Healthy Plant-Based Snacks
Healthy Plant-Based Snacks
The BitesWeLove Crunchy Peas Healthily Satisfy Snack Cravings
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69
Sustainable Styling Pop-Ups
Sustainable Styling Pop-Ups
Rotaro is Sharing Eco-Friendly Fashion Experiences on Airbnb
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68
Greenery-Accented Retail Spaces
Greenery-Accented Retail Spaces
IKEA Copenhagen Employs Dorte Mandrup for a Green Rooftop Park
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67
Custom Chocolate Bar Studios
Custom Chocolate Bar Studios
The KITKAT MADE 4 U Creator Studio Helps People Personalize Treats
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66
Luxury Tequila Packaging
Luxury Tequila Packaging
Cincoro Tequila Recently Updated Its Packaging to be More Refined
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65
Outdoor Digital Signage Technologies
Outdoor Digital Signage Technologies
Samsung and Tim Hortons Elevate Digital Drive-Thru Displays
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64
Consumer-Run Supermarkets
Consumer-Run Supermarkets
The Hyperburgers Inconvenience Store Directly Serves Communities
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63
Disinfecting Retail Robots
Disinfecting Retail Robots
The Badger UV Disinfect Robot Boosts Store Cleanliness
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62
IoT-Based Retail Solutions
IoT-Based Retail Solutions
Sensormatic Solutions Has Launched a Smart Ecosystem Tool for Retailers
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61
Snowstorm Simulation Shops
Snowstorm Simulation Shops
Canada Goose's Snow Room Brings the Cold to California
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60
Multi-Sensory Wellness Labs
Multi-Sensory Wellness Labs
Comvita Uses All the Senses to Shape Visitors' Experience of Honey
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59
Roving Industrial Retail Kiosks
Roving Industrial Retail Kiosks
The Conceptual XiaoChi Mobile Kiosk by Ky Luca is Accessible
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58
Self-Checkout Shopping Carts
Self-Checkout Shopping Carts
Kroger's KroGo Smart Shopping Cart Provides a Seamless Experience
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57
Small Business Shop Windows
Small Business Shop Windows
Westfield's Side Hustle Heroes Initiative Spotlights New Businesses
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56
On-Demand Modular Marketplaces
On-Demand Modular Marketplaces
The Locket is Stocked with a Mix of Snacks, Meals and Brand Goods
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55
Space-Saving Retail Coffee Makers
Space-Saving Retail Coffee Makers
The G4 GemX Narrow IntelliFresh Coffee Brewing System is Compact
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54
Smart Retail Fridges
Smart Retail Fridges
Micron Smart Vending's Machines Let Users Access Scan Codes to Access Items
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53
Contactless Product Testers
Contactless Product Testers
GK Concept's Dropper Provides Touch-Free Testing Experiences In-Store
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52
Convenience Store Accommodations
Convenience Store Accommodations
7-Eleven and Airbnb are Opening a New Luxury Store to the Public
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51
Candy-Sharing Retail Robots
Candy-Sharing Retail Robots
Smiley the Robot Brings Customers Candy as They Shop
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50
Sustainable Delivery Service Solutions
Sustainable Delivery Service Solutions
BrightDrop's Neighborhood Delivery Hub is Eco-Friendly
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49
Micro-Batching Coffee Concepts
Micro-Batching Coffee Concepts
The Fresh Market is Debuting a New In-Store Coffee Concept
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48
Playground-Inspired Tech Retail Experiences
Playground-Inspired Tech Retail Experiences
Samsung Unveils "Tech Playground" at Selfridges London
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47
High-Tech Cannabis Dispensers
High-Tech Cannabis Dispensers
The Wellness Pantry Uses Blockchain Tech for Age Verification
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46
Body Care Refill Stations
Body Care Refill Stations
The Body Shop's Store Refill Scheme Supports a Circular Economy
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45
Immersive AR Try-Ons
Immersive AR Try-Ons
Snapchat is Introducing Try-On Experiences with Fashion Partners
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44
Vibrant Inclusive Fashion Collaborations
Vibrant Inclusive Fashion Collaborations
Target's Designer Dress Collection is Flowy and Floral
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43
The Post-Pandemic Future of Retail
The Post-Pandemic Future of Retail
Retail Innovation in 2022
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42
Streetwear-Branded NFTs
Streetwear-Branded NFTs
Champion Athleticwear and Tafi Create NFTs and Avatar Content for Samsung
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41
Industrial Plywood Shoe Displays
Industrial Plywood Shoe Displays
Vans New Seoul Store Pays Homage to a Modern Art Exhibition
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40
Uniquely Personalizable Vehicles
Uniquely Personalizable Vehicles
The 2022 'Range Rover SV' Allows for Extensive Customization
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39
Immersive Art-Focused Retail Stores
Immersive Art-Focused Retail Stores
ECCO Has Launched One-Of-A-Kind Flagship Store in Shanghai
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38
In-Store Home Gyms
In-Store Home Gyms
Lululemon Installed an Interactive Home Gym Mirror in 40 Canadian Stores
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37
Virtual Sneaker Showrooms
Virtual Sneaker Showrooms
Neiman Marcus and Hypebeast Collaborated on a Shoppable Virtual Space
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36
Automated Dark Stores
Automated Dark Stores
Cache Creates & Operates Convenience Stores on Doordash and Ubereats
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35
5G-Powered Autonomous Stores
5G-Powered Autonomous Stores
AiFi and Verizon Created a Next-Gen Convenience Store
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34
Mood-Themed Virtual Shops
Mood-Themed Virtual Shops
Verishop Mini Offers a Curated Shopping Experience Within Snapchat
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33
Eco-Friendly Tech Shops
Eco-Friendly Tech Shops
The Google Store NYC Features Cork & Recycled Materials
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32
Automated Micro-Stores
Automated Micro-Stores
Dori's Interactive Vending Kiosks are Situated in Busy Pedestrian Spots
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31
Sustainable Packaging Alternatives
Sustainable Packaging Alternatives
L'Occitane Introduces In-Store Product Refills
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30
Celebrity Shapewear Pop-Ups
Celebrity Shapewear Pop-Ups
The SKIMS Pop-Up in Paris Features Chunky, Glossy Display Units
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29
Storytelling Wine Displays
Storytelling Wine Displays
Looma's Education Platform Helps Customers Make Informed Choices
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28
Double-Protein QSR Promotions
Double-Protein QSR Promotions
The Subway 'Go Pro' Option Doubles the Meat for Just $2
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27
Climate-Positive Fashion Exhibitions
Climate-Positive Fashion Exhibitions
Pangaia & Galeries Lafayette Created an Immersive Expereince
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26
Self-Driving Retail Vehicles
Self-Driving Retail Vehicles
Robomart Brings Goods to Consumers When Prompted via an App
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25
Virtual Luxury Fashion Flagships
Virtual Luxury Fashion Flagships
Burberry & Elle Digital Japan Opened a Virtual Flagship Store
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24
Suspended Display Plant Shops
Suspended Display Plant Shops
The REN Flagship Plant Store Elevates Greenery to the Optimal Spot
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23
Personal Care Vending Machines
Personal Care Vending Machines
SOS' Interactive Vending Machines Meet Health & Wellness Needs
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22
AR-Enabled Retail Tools
AR-Enabled Retail Tools
Reactive Reality Has Launched an Avatar-Based Shopping App Called PICTOFiT
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21
Highly Immersive Phygital Malls
Highly Immersive Phygital Malls
JD.com Has Launched a Massive Interactive Mall in China
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20
Touchless Fragrance Testers
Touchless Fragrance Testers
Coty & Êverie Developed a Smart Device for Safe In-Store Sampling
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19
Immersive Luxury Pet Stores
Immersive Luxury Pet Stores
Petco Launches Reddy SoHo Flagship Store for Premium Pet Goods
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18
Experiential Beauty Stores
Experiential Beauty Stores
MyGlamm's Beauty Store Focuses on Safe Product Testing & Collaboration
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17
Surprise Collectible Vending Machines
Surprise Collectible Vending Machines
MINISO's Contactless Blind Box Vending Machine Targets Gen Z
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16
Digital-Only Fashion Retailers
Digital-Only Fashion Retailers
DressX Launches App That Lets Shoppers Try-On Virtual 3D Clothes
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15
Express Cannabis Shops
Express Cannabis Shops
Sip ‘N’ Smoke by Superette is Styled Like a Cafeteria with a Moving Line
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14
Immersive Furniture Stores
Immersive Furniture Stores
IKEA's Home Experience of Tomorrow Introduces a New Store Design
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13
Mini-Mart Sneaker Pop-Ups
Mini-Mart Sneaker Pop-Ups
atmos Japan Created "atmosmart" Stocked with Products for Sneakerheads
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12
Self-Navigating Shopping Carts
Self-Navigating Shopping Carts
The Conceptual 'Mobi' Smart Shopping Cart Easily Navigate Aisles
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11
AR-Powered Beauty Experiences
AR-Powered Beauty Experiences
Lancôme Launches Immersive Headset Experience at Flagship Store
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10
Modular Fixture Grocery Stores
Modular Fixture Grocery Stores
The Sobeys Flexstore is Opening in Orangeville, Ontario
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9
Play-Focused Beauty Stores
Play-Focused Beauty Stores
ETUDE HOUSE's Beauty Store Concept Encourages Discovery & Customization
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8
Solar-Powered Beauty Stores
Solar-Powered Beauty Stores
SoulTree in India Sets a Precedent as a Sustainable Flagship
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7
Retail-Branded Metaverse Spaces
Retail-Branded Metaverse Spaces
Nike Reveals Details About New NIKELAND 3D Space on Roblox
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6
Experimental Virtual Luxury Shops
Experimental Virtual Luxury Shops
The Gucci Vault is an Experimental Online Store
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5
Body-Inclusive Activewear Lines
Body-Inclusive Activewear Lines
Peloton Has Announced the Launch of 'Peloton Apparel'
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4
Immersive Coffee Store Experiences
Immersive Coffee Store Experiences
Nespresso Launches Interactive Boutique Store in the UK
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3
Ultra-Luxe Fashion Pop-Ups
Ultra-Luxe Fashion Pop-Ups
Gucci Opens 'Circolo' Pop-Up Shops in Berlin and London
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2
Phygital Sneaker Stores
Phygital Sneaker Stores
Nike Rise Seoul Offers the Future of Digital & Physical Experiences
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1
Innovative cannabis packaging
Innovative cannabis packaging
Child resistant, eco-friendly cannabis packaging
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