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Top 40 Retail Trends in October

From Digital Furniture Museums to Live Lifestyle Shopping Apps

— October 1, 2021 — Business
Innovative ideas and experimental promotional tactics were at the heart of the October 2021 retail trends. Whether it was customer-focused digital concierges or shoppable virtual concerts, it seemed that brands from every category were testing out new ways to make the shopping experiences more dynamic.

In particular, numerous companies began implementing "phygital" shopping experiences -- an exciting new retail trend that sees brands using technology to blend the digital and physical worlds. For example, e-commerce company JD.com launched a five-story shopping mall in Xi'an, China that allowed shoppers to browse products that they could then order online. The mall was decked out with interactive AR and VR-enabled experiences, encouraging shoppers to use their smartphones while in-store.

Another standout trend witnessed this month was the continued rise of live e-commerce in Asia. Uncle Bud's held a live shopping event on Tmall Global featuring NBA Legend Earvin 'Magic' Johnson. Meanwhile, rural Chinese farmers took to Kuaishou -- a TikTok-like e-commerce app -- to begin hosting live streamed marketplace events.
7.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
40
Heated Retail Food Displays
Heated Retail Food Displays
The Alto-Shaam Heated Shelf Merchandisers Have Halo Heat Technology
<
39
Online Direct-to-Consumer Sweet Shops
Online Direct-to-Consumer Sweet Shops
Fannie May is Launching a New Option for Avid Fans
<
38
Cinnamon Roll Reward Programs
Cinnamon Roll Reward Programs
The Cinnabon Rewards Program is Rolling Out Alongside a New App
<
37
Smart Digital Logistics Platforms
Smart Digital Logistics Platforms
The Dada Smart Delivery SaaS System Provides Delivery Solutions
<
36
Retail Pharmacy Bank Accounts
Retail Pharmacy Bank Accounts
Walgreens Scarlet is Arriving Exclusively at the Retailer
<
35
Digital E-Commerce Concierges
Digital E-Commerce Concierges
High Alpha Has Launched 'HumanKind' For Online Retailers
<
34
CBD-Focused Live Commerce Events
CBD-Focused Live Commerce Events
Uncle Bud's CBD Launches on Chinese Commerce Platform Tmall
<
33
Interest-Free Pay-Later Apps
Interest-Free Pay-Later Apps
LayBuy Launches in the UK Presenting a Viable Alternative to Afterpay
<
32
All-in-One Loyalty Programs
All-in-One Loyalty Programs
The Alltown Fresh 'Fresh with Benefits' Loyalty Program is Seamless
<
31
Department Store Beauty Subscriptions
Department Store Beauty Subscriptions
Liberty Now Offers The Beauty Drop Subscription Service
<
30
Shoppable Food-Based Ads
Shoppable Food-Based Ads
Walmart Announces Cross-Platform Partnership with Meredith Corporation
<
29
Camping Equipment Retailer Expansions
Camping Equipment Retailer Expansions
Meijer is Expanding Its Seasonal Camping Equipment Offerings
<
28
Farmer-Run Live Commerce Events
Farmer-Run Live Commerce Events
Kuaishou Becomes Go-To Livestream Platform for Chinese Farmers
<
27
Metaverse-Based Skateparks
Metaverse-Based Skateparks
Roblox and Vans Join Forces to Launch Virtual 'Vans World'
<
26
AI-Enabled Mask Detection Kiosks
AI-Enabled Mask Detection Kiosks
RealNetworks Launches 'MaskCheck Kiosk' For Business Safety
<
25
Advanced Live Commerce Features
Advanced Live Commerce Features
Taobao Live Announces Plan to Supercharge Its Livestream Ecosystem
<
24
Vets-Only E-Commerce Platforms
Vets-Only E-Commerce Platforms
Chewy Introduces Online Market Place for Vets Called 'Practice Hub'
<
23
App-Monitored Futuristic Supermarkets
App-Monitored Futuristic Supermarkets
The Carrefour Smartphone App Eliminates Checkout Lines
<
22
Locally Sourced Cruise Retail Concepts
Locally Sourced Cruise Retail Concepts
Azamara Launches a Destination-Tailored Shopping Program
<
21
Integrated IoT Retail Systems
Integrated IoT Retail Systems
Platform9 Teams Up WIth Intel To Launch Smart Retail Solution
<
20
Live Lifestyle Shopping Apps
Live Lifestyle Shopping Apps
Verishop Has Launched 'Livestream Shopping' Feature for iOS App
<
19
CBD-Infused Men's Grooming Products
CBD-Infused Men's Grooming Products
DJ Khaled Debuts the Groomed x Blesswell Pop-Up Location
<
18
Shoppable Digital Concerts
Shoppable Digital Concerts
Singer Zara Larsson is Hosting a Live TikTok Concert with Ellesse
<
17
Connected Food Order Lockers
Connected Food Order Lockers
The OrderHQ Smart Locker Series Offers a Contactless Experience
<
16
AR-Enabled Sneaker Hunt Campaigns
AR-Enabled Sneaker Hunt Campaigns
Schuh Wants Shoppers to Hit the Streets in Interactive New Game
<
15
Artistic Technology Retail Shops
Artistic Technology Retail Shops
The New Samsung Space in Selfridges is Fashionably Finished
<
14
Luxury Beauty Retail Livestreams
Luxury Beauty Retail Livestreams
Amala Beauty Launches Interactive Shopping Events on Tmall Global
<
13
Digital Furniture Musems
Digital Furniture Musems
The IKEA Museum Digital Archives Iconic Catalogs & Designs
<
12
Upcycle-Focused Fashion Pop-Ups
Upcycle-Focused Fashion Pop-Ups
Madewell and ThredUP Have Partnered to Launch 'A Circular Store'
<
11
Millennial-Targeted Telehealth Platforms
Millennial-Targeted Telehealth Platforms
Hims & Hers Partners with REVOLVE to Reach Younger Crowds
<
10
IoT-Based Retail Solutions
IoT-Based Retail Solutions
Sensormatic Solutions Has Launched a Smart Ecosystem Tool for Retailers
<
9
On-The-Go Cocktail Kits
On-The-Go Cocktail Kits
Aperol Has Annouced the Launch of the 'Aperol Spritz Kit' in the UK
<
8
Virtual Sneaker Showrooms
Virtual Sneaker Showrooms
Neiman Marcus and Hypebeast Collaborated on a Shoppable Virtual Space
<
7
The Post-Pandemic Future of Retail
The Post-Pandemic Future of Retail
Retail Innovation in 2022
<
6
Suspended Display Plant Shops
Suspended Display Plant Shops
The REN Flagship Plant Store Elevates Greenery to the Optimal Spot
<
5
Highly Immersive Phygital Malls
Highly Immersive Phygital Malls
JD.com Has Launched a Massive Interactive Mall in China
<
4
AR-Powered Beauty Experiences
AR-Powered Beauty Experiences
Lancôme Launches Immersive Headset Experience at Flagship Store
<
3
Play-Focused Beauty Stores
Play-Focused Beauty Stores
ETUDE HOUSE's Beauty Store Concept Encourages Discovery & Customization
<
2
Experimental Virtual Luxury Shops
Experimental Virtual Luxury Shops
The Gucci Vault is an Experimental Online Store
<
1
Body-Inclusive Activewear Lines
Body-Inclusive Activewear Lines
Peloton Has Announced the Launch of 'Peloton Apparel'
<