Brands curate relaxing shopping experiences for people with varying needs
Trend - Brands are curating mindful shopping experiences for consumers--either for the entire shopping experience or during certain times of the day. These quiet retail environments are designed for neurodiverse people, and/or for people who generally prefer shopping in relaxed spaces.
Insight - As consumers become more vocal about their needs and preferences, brands are recognizing that one-size-fits-all approaches to retail, products, services and production are no longer relevant. Now, consumers with varying needs and preferences expect that brands cater to them in a way that's more adaptable and inclusive.
Insight - As consumers become more vocal about their needs and preferences, brands are recognizing that one-size-fits-all approaches to retail, products, services and production are no longer relevant. Now, consumers with varying needs and preferences expect that brands cater to them in a way that's more adaptable and inclusive.
Workshop Question - How is your brand authentically prioritizing inclusion?
Trend Themes
1. Mindful Shopping Experiences - Brands providing mindful shopping experiences for neurodiverse people and people who prefer relaxed spaces represent opportunities for brands to customize their retail environments towards diverse customer needs.
2. Inclusive Shopping Hours - Retailers allocating quiet hours for the neurodiverse population and other customers during the busy shopping season or week, points to an opportunity for retailers to build inclusivity and accessibility for a greater population of shoppers.
3. Celebrating Diverse Communities - Pop-up events that celebrate and support diverse communities like that of 2SLGBTQIA+ signifies an opportunity for brands to support and connect with potential customers from targeted or underrepresented communities.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - As retail is evolving and consumers are becoming more vocal about their needs, brands are recognizing that one-size-fits-all approaches to retail, products, and services are no longer relevant, and that diverse consumer needs require a more personalized approach.
2. Hospitality - Offering customized customer experiences such as quiet shopping hours or zen-like shopping malls can inspire opportunities for hospitality and entertainment industries to adapt and broaden their offerings accordingly.
3. Design - As demonstrated through the Hyundai Seoul department store, emphasizing the use of sculptural forms and white spaces in retail spaces, and using natural light can create a calming and immersive atmosphere that can inspire the design industries to create more retail spaces with an emphasis on minimalism, natural light, etc.
