Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 462,935 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,243 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,972 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,243 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,972 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,215 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 462,935 cutting edge ideas.

Top 25 Retail Ideas in October

From In-Store Sneaker Creators to Smiling Payment Systems

— October 28, 2017 — Business
From in-store sneaker creators to smiling payment systems, the October 2017 retail trends demonstrate that brands are making a major push to personalize the in-store shopping experience.

One way in which brands are making their stores a destination for consumers is by offering hands-on experiences that cannot be enjoyed online. For instance, Nike unveiled a new in-store sneaker creation tool called the Nike Makers Experience that allows consumers to make custom footwear on the spot. A similar example is Muji's Aroma Bar, which was staffed with experts who helped customers put together the perfect fragrance for their home.

However, this personalized experience isn't just limited to the products consumers are buying, but also the way that they are buying them. One perfect example of this phenomenon highlighted by the October 2017 retail trends is the case of KFC China's Smile to Pay system, which uses facial recognition software to process each customer's payment.
5.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
25
Accessible Discount Store Formats
Accessible Discount Store Formats
Myer's Announces a New Floor Plan to Cater to Bargain Shoppers
<
24
Smiling Payment Systems
Smiling Payment Systems
Alipay Uses Smile to Pay to Let KFC China Customers Pay With Smiles
<
23
In-Store Concert Spaces
In-Store Concert Spaces
Selfridges' 'Music Matters' Turns the Retail Space Into a Music Venue
<
22
Retail Store Apartments
Retail Store Apartments
John Lewis Invites Consumers to Temporararily Live In Its In-Store Spaces
<
21
Labor-Minimizing Concept Stores
Labor-Minimizing Concept Stores
'Simply Goodwill' Offers Shoppers a More Traditional Approach
<
20
Artist-Run Interfaith Pop-Ups
Artist-Run Interfaith Pop-Ups
Miranda July is Opening a Secondhand Shop in Selfridges
<
19
Downscaled Designer Retailers
Downscaled Designer Retailers
Nordstrom Local is a New Store By the Nordstrom Brand
<
18
Diverse Donut Shops
Diverse Donut Shops
The Donut Monster Brand is Looking to Expand to Brick and Mortar
<
17
Toronto Beauty Brand Pop-Ups
Toronto Beauty Brand Pop-Ups
This Limited-Time Glossier Pop-Up Will Be in the West Queen West Area
<
16
Online Mattress Pop-Up Spaces
Online Mattress Pop-Up Spaces
Casper Pop-Up Stores Will Be Appearing Throughout the US in 2018
<
15
Sustainable Denim Pop-Ups
Sustainable Denim Pop-Ups
'The Denim Counter' Will Sell Everlane's New Denim Collection
<
14
In-Store Aromatherapy Bars
In-Store Aromatherapy Bars
Muji Introduced an 'Aroma Bar' to Selfridges' London Flagship
<
13
Spooky Retailer Pop-Ups
Spooky Retailer Pop-Ups
The Macy's Herald Square Activation Featured Halloween-Themed Decor
<
12
Co-Curated Designer Boutiques
Co-Curated Designer Boutiques
The Adidas X Concepts Store is Now Open in Boston
<
11
Digitized In-Store Experiences
Digitized In-Store Experiences
Nordstrom's 'Reserve Online and Try in Store' Service Has Expanded
<
10
eCommerce Grocer Acquisitions
eCommerce Grocer Acquisitions
Amazon's Acquisition of Whole Foods Has Already Seen Big Results
<
9
Organic Big Box Eateries
Organic Big Box Eateries
Walmart Has Partnered with Grown Restaurant to Open a New Location
<
8
Pop-Up Shop Carts
Pop-Up Shop Carts
The Poundshop Cart Can Be Used in Lieu of Store Space
<
7
Sprawling Accessories Stores
Sprawling Accessories Stores
Ardene is Set to Open a Series of Large-Format Stores in Canada
<
6
Minimalist In-Store Promotions
Minimalist In-Store Promotions
Target's Minimalist Redesign Eliminates Its Promotional Signage
<
5
Zero-Packaging Grocery Stores
Zero-Packaging Grocery Stores
The Zero Waste Shop Makes You Bring Your Own Food Containers
<
4
Gen Z Cosmetic Stores
Gen Z Cosmetic Stores
'Riley Rose' is Forever21's Newest Conceptual Beauty Store
<
3
Pure Beauty Boutiques
Pure Beauty Boutiques
'The Detox Market' Sells All-Natural Health, Wellness, and Beauty Products
<
2
Shopper-Friendly Retail Stores
Shopper-Friendly Retail Stores
This Target Store Design Reimagines the Shopper Experience
<
1
In-Store Sneaker Creators
In-Store Sneaker Creators
The 'Nike Makers Experience' Lets Consumers Create One-of-a-Kind Shoes
<