The new L’Occitane retail location opened up in Midtown Manhattan recently and it surrounds the concept of experience for consumers. It sits largely at 1,870 square feet and is packed with technological elements that encourage interactive points for customers to share on social media platforms. There is a sense of escapism that is incorporated into the retail space's design as every interactive touchpoint drives the need of sharability.
There is a live video feed of L’Occitane's Instagram account to encourage interactive activity and a variety of installations that virtually takes visitors to France, where the label originated. This is evoked using stationed bikes, VR experiences through the Lavender fields in Provence in a hot air balloon, and even lavender scented hand massages to drive the experience even further. The experiences will alter every month depending on the product releases.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Experiential Retail
- Opportunity for retailers to create immersive and interactive experiences that drive social media engagement.
- Incorporating Technology
- Advancements in technology allow retailers to incorporate interactive elements and live feeds to enhance the consumer experience.
- Destination-inspired Retail
- Creating retail spaces that transport customers to different locations through virtual reality and sensory experiences.
Where This Applies
- Skincare
- Skincare brands can leverage experiential retail to create unique and engaging experiences for customers, enhancing brand loyalty and awareness.
- Retail Design
- Design firms specializing in retail can help create immersive and visually appealing experiential retail spaces.
- Social Media Marketing
- Opportunity for social media marketers to leverage experiential retail to drive user-generated content and engagement on social platforms.
