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35 Department Store Innovations

From Simulated Shop Assistants to Pop-Up Beauty Boutiques

— August 28, 2014 — Business
Simulated shop assistants, virtual fitting rooms and interactive window displays are just some of the department store innovations that are changing the way we look at retail.

These non-traditional examples utilize modern technology to sell a product and range from art installations to sophisticated mannequin machines that are making futuristic shopping experiences a reality rather than a mere dream.

Memorable examples from this list include movement-mimicking mannequins that were introduced by fashion retailer United Arrows. Named 'Marionettebots', these robotic mannequins were programmed to replicate human movement and created and interactive experience for surprised shoppers.

Another favorite from this list of department store innovations is the Selfridges' luxury fashion drive-through. The London retailer allowed its consumers to make their orders via iPad or pre-order items online without having to deal with the stresses of in-store shopping. Once inside the drive-through, one's orders were bagged, processed and given to shoppers inside their vehicle, a process that is a popular practice in most fast food locales.
6.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
35
Augmented Reality Retail Shops
Augmented Reality Retail Shops
The Imagine Shop Takes Retail Shopping for Watches & Yachts Online
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34
Dog-Filled Department Stores
Dog-Filled Department Stores
Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Video Has Canines Indulging in Luxury
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33
Simulated Shop Assistants
Simulated Shop Assistants
Clarins Promotes the Alien Eau Extraordinaire with a Virtual Assistant
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32
Gold-Plated Gaming Consoles
Gold-Plated Gaming Consoles
The Gold-Plated Xbox One is All the Rage at Harrods Department Store
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31
Data-Transmitting Mannequin Apps
Data-Transmitting Mannequin Apps
VMBeacon Allows Users to Find More Information About Products
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30
Avian-Inspired Accessory Displays
Avian-Inspired Accessory Displays
The Brand New Selfridges Accessory Display Calls Upon the Wild
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29
Movement-Mimicking Mannequins
Movement-Mimicking Mannequins
The United Arrows Marionettebots Attract Customers Through Motion
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28
Robotic Shopping Dummies
Robotic Shopping Dummies
Dr. Hiroshi Ishiguro's Android Mannequin Interacts with Consumers
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27
Department Store Sneaker Collaborations
Department Store Sneaker Collaborations
New Balance and Harrods Team Up to Create the New USA 574s
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26
Luxury Fashion Drive-Throughs
Luxury Fashion Drive-Throughs
One London-Based Department Store Created a Fashion Drive-Through
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25
Projected Snowflake Shows
Projected Snowflake Shows
The Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show Gets Shoppers in a Festive Mood
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24
Massive Cosmetic Installations
Massive Cosmetic Installations
The Selfridges Beauty Workshop Display by StudioXAG is Life-Size
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23
Festive Augmented Reality Windows
Festive Augmented Reality Windows
This Year's Holiday Window from La Rinascente is Interactive
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22
Opulent Nature Storefronts
Opulent Nature Storefronts
The Bergdorf Goodman Carnival of the Animals Display is Grand
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21
Social Media Department Stores
Social Media Department Stores
Upside is a Market Where You Can Experience the Web in Real Time
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20
Retro Sci-Fi Retailers
Retro Sci-Fi Retailers
The Dover Street Market London Makeover by Rei Kawakubo is Eye-Catching
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19
Inflatable Shop Displays
Inflatable Shop Displays
The 2013 Selfridges Pop Up Store by Bonsoir Paris is Retro-Futuristic
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18
Men-Only Shopping Services
Men-Only Shopping Services
Selfridges' Personal Shopping Service Caters Specifically to Men
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17
Heavenly Shoe Shops
Heavenly Shoe Shops
Harrods' New Shoe Department Has Been Dubbed 'Shoe Heaven'
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16
Outrageous Textile Displays
Outrageous Textile Displays
Yang Yang Makes an Impression with Crazy Prints and Mannequins
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15
Manga Princess Clothing Boutiques
Manga Princess Clothing Boutiques
'Girls Love Mode' is Every Sailor Moon Fans' Dreams Come True
<
14
Pop-Up Designer Nail Bars
Pop-Up Designer Nail Bars
The Les Vernis Couleurs Culte de Chanel Nail Bar is Coming to Selfridges
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13
Pop Art Beauty Parlors
Pop Art Beauty Parlors
The Mic Styling Hair Salon by Kitsch-Nitsch Revives a Retro Aesthetic
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12
Shoe-Obsessed Retail Displays
Shoe-Obsessed Retail Displays
The Selfridges Christian Louboutin Store Window is Whimsical
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11
Gender-Neutral Toy Stores
Gender-Neutral Toy Stores
Shed Architects Designs Harrods Toy Kingdom for Both Boys & Girls
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10
Hyper-Connected Dressing Rooms
Hyper-Connected Dressing Rooms
The Connected Fitting Room Lets Consumers Take Control of Shopping
<
9
Oversized Designer Installations
Oversized Designer Installations
The Hermes Kellydoscope Bag Set-Up Will Draw Plenty of Attention
<
8
Adventurous Shopping Centers
Adventurous Shopping Centers
This German Studio Has Designed a Concept for a Berlin Shopping Mall
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7
Couture Pastry Shops
Couture Pastry Shops
Prada Not Only Sells Clothes, But It Will Soon Sell Prada Pastries
<
6
Champagne Vending Machines
Champagne Vending Machines
Moet & Chandon Unveil Their Champagne Dispenser for Christmas
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5
Playful Spring Retail Displays
Playful Spring Retail Displays
The ROLLOUT Holt Renfrew Walls are Youthful & Energetic
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4
Responsive Fitting Room Booths
Responsive Fitting Room Booths
Urban Research's Wearable Clothing is Portable and Interactive
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3
Cascading Ceiling Displays
Cascading Ceiling Displays
The Alter Concept Store Features Sideways Staircases
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2
Yeti Storybook Window Displays
Yeti Storybook Window Displays
The Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Window is an Interactive Experience
<
1
Personal Fragrance Finder Shops
Personal Fragrance Finder Shops
The Fragrance Lab by Selfridges Perfectly Matches You to a Perfume
<