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Top 100 Retail Trends in 2021

From Low-Impact Fashion Stores to Self-Navigating Shopping Carts

— December 31, 2021 — Business
Contactless product testers, virtual stores and fully automated formats are just a few of the top 2021 retail trends and they reflect changes in consumer shopping behaviors that will impact the immediate future and years beyond. While many brands have begun expanding or exploring more online systems to bolster their businesses, consumers are making the most og high-quality, convenient experiences that can be had safely from the comfort of home.

Offline shopping experiences are increasingly drawing from the advantages of online shopping systems, and immersive new offerings are being created in store. Standout examples include phygital locations like the Nike Rise Seoul concept store and entirely virtual flagships from luxury fashion houses.

Find more retail innovations in the Trend Hunter 2022 Trend Report.
7.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
96
Electronics-Focused Black Friday Sales
Electronics-Focused Black Friday Sales
The 2021 Best Buy Black Friday Sales Have Already Begun
<
95
Till-Free Grocery Stores
Till-Free Grocery Stores
The UK's First Amazon Fresh Store Features "Just Walk Out" Technology
<
94
Contactless Shopping Experiences
Contactless Shopping Experiences
Hudson Will Use Amazon's Just Walk Out Technology at Its Stores
<
93
Designer Rainwear Collections
Designer Rainwear Collections
Canada Goose Partnered with Y/Project on a Unisex Rainwear Capsule
<
92
Innovative Digital Factories
Innovative Digital Factories
Alibaba Group Debuted Its Xunxi Digital Factory in September, 2020
<
91
Small-Batch Makeup Boutiques
Small-Batch Makeup Boutiques
Chromavis' Atelier Creates Products in Just Days and Weeks
<
90
Contactless Self-Checkouts
Contactless Self-Checkouts
X5's Self-Checkouts Lets Customers Pay with Face Recognition
<
89
Luxury E-Commerce Partnerships
Luxury E-Commerce Partnerships
A New Gucci Tmall Store Alongside Alibaba Targets Chinese Consumers
<
88
Week-Long Holiday Promotions
Week-Long Holiday Promotions
The Meijer Black Friday Week Holiday Promo Promises Deep Discounts
<
87
Robotic Eyewear Labs
Robotic Eyewear Labs
Hip Optical's Robotic Lens Lab Fulfills Orders Within One Business Day
<
86
Meat-Free Butcher Counters
Meat-Free Butcher Counters
The Asda 'Veelicious' Vegan Butcher Counter Addresses Consumer Demand
<
85
Real-Time Online Shopping Services
Real-Time Online Shopping Services
'Korkuma' Converts Websites for a Live Shopping Experience
<
84
Convenience Store Pizza Concepts
Convenience Store Pizza Concepts
The Flatstone Pizza Co. Concept Includes All Required Product
<
83
Digital Furniture Musems
Digital Furniture Musems
The IKEA Museum Digital Archives Iconic Catalogs & Designs
<
82
Virtual Shopping Districts
Virtual Shopping Districts
This Virtual Shopping Center Helps to Support Small Businesses
<
81
Gen Z Fashion Hubs
Gen Z Fashion Hubs
Yoox Created a Dedicated Section for Young Consumers Called Hi_GuyZ!
<
80
Compact Footprint Food Stores
Compact Footprint Food Stores
The ALDI Corner Store Offers a Convenient Way to Access Products
<
79
Wizard-Themed Retail Experiences
Wizard-Themed Retail Experiences
The Harry Potter New York Store Offers Exclusive VR Adventures
<
78
Celeb-Backed Pre-Roll Packs
Celeb-Backed Pre-Roll Packs
Justin Bieber Partners with Palms to Launch 'Peachy' Joints
<
77
Canadian-Owned Online Baby Stores
Canadian-Owned Online Baby Stores
Fox + Cove is an Elevated Online Baby Apparel Store
<
76
Pop-Up Running Labs
Pop-Up Running Labs
On's Performance Running Lab Helps Runners Harness Their True Potential
<
75
Sustainable Personalized Polo Services
Sustainable Personalized Polo Services
Ralph Lauren's Made-to-Order Polo Program Reduces Waste
<
74
Uplifting Lifestyle Pop-Ups
Uplifting Lifestyle Pop-Ups
Christopher Kane's More Joy Pop-Up Inspires Daily Positivity
<
73
Healthy Plant-Based Snacks
Healthy Plant-Based Snacks
The BitesWeLove Crunchy Peas Healthily Satisfy Snack Cravings
<
72
Swiping Try-on Apps
Swiping Try-on Apps
Zyler Offers a Simple and Realistic Clothing Try-on Experience
<
71
Nature-Mirroring Home Additions
Nature-Mirroring Home Additions
F2A Architecture Completes an Extension to a Private Home in BC
<
70
Custom Chocolate Bar Studios
Custom Chocolate Bar Studios
The KITKAT MADE 4 U Creator Studio Helps People Personalize Treats
<
69
Sustainable Styling Pop-Ups
Sustainable Styling Pop-Ups
Rotaro is Sharing Eco-Friendly Fashion Experiences on Airbnb
<
68
Greenery-Accented Retail Spaces
Greenery-Accented Retail Spaces
IKEA Copenhagen Employs Dorte Mandrup for a Green Rooftop Park
<
67
Luxury Tequila Packaging
Luxury Tequila Packaging
Cincoro Tequila Recently Updated Its Packaging to be More Refined
<
66
Outdoor Digital Signage Technologies
Outdoor Digital Signage Technologies
Samsung and Tim Hortons Elevate Digital Drive-Thru Displays
<
65
Consumer-Run Supermarkets
Consumer-Run Supermarkets
The Hyperburgers Inconvenience Store Directly Serves Communities
<
64
Roving Industrial Retail Kiosks
Roving Industrial Retail Kiosks
The Conceptual XiaoChi Mobile Kiosk by Ky Luca is Accessible
<
63
Snowstorm Simulation Shops
Snowstorm Simulation Shops
Canada Goose's Snow Room Brings the Cold to California
<
62
Disinfecting Retail Robots
Disinfecting Retail Robots
The Badger UV Disinfect Robot Boosts Store Cleanliness
<
61
IoT-Based Retail Solutions
IoT-Based Retail Solutions
Sensormatic Solutions Has Launched a Smart Ecosystem Tool for Retailers
<
60
Self-Checkout Shopping Carts
Self-Checkout Shopping Carts
Kroger's KroGo Smart Shopping Cart Provides a Seamless Experience
<
59
Multi-Sensory Wellness Labs
Multi-Sensory Wellness Labs
Comvita Uses All the Senses to Shape Visitors' Experience of Honey
<
58
On-Demand Modular Marketplaces
On-Demand Modular Marketplaces
The Locket is Stocked with a Mix of Snacks, Meals and Brand Goods
<
57
Smart Retail Fridges
Smart Retail Fridges
Micron Smart Vending's Machines Let Users Access Scan Codes to Access Items
<
56
Small Business Shop Windows
Small Business Shop Windows
Westfield's Side Hustle Heroes Initiative Spotlights New Businesses
<
55
Micro-Batching Coffee Concepts
Micro-Batching Coffee Concepts
The Fresh Market is Debuting a New In-Store Coffee Concept
<
54
Space-Saving Retail Coffee Makers
Space-Saving Retail Coffee Makers
The G4 GemX Narrow IntelliFresh Coffee Brewing System is Compact
<
53
Contactless Product Testers
Contactless Product Testers
GK Concept's Dropper Provides Touch-Free Testing Experiences In-Store
<
52
Convenience Store Accommodations
Convenience Store Accommodations
7-Eleven and Airbnb are Opening a New Luxury Store to the Public
<
51
Candy-Sharing Retail Robots
Candy-Sharing Retail Robots
Smiley the Robot Brings Customers Candy as They Shop
<
50
Playground-Inspired Tech Retail Experiences
Playground-Inspired Tech Retail Experiences
Samsung Unveils "Tech Playground" at Selfridges London
<
49
Sustainable Delivery Service Solutions
Sustainable Delivery Service Solutions
BrightDrop's Neighborhood Delivery Hub is Eco-Friendly
<
48
Body Care Refill Stations
Body Care Refill Stations
The Body Shop's Store Refill Scheme Supports a Circular Economy
<
47
High-Tech Cannabis Dispensers
High-Tech Cannabis Dispensers
The Wellness Pantry Uses Blockchain Tech for Age Verification
<
46
The Post-Pandemic Future of Retail
The Post-Pandemic Future of Retail
Retail Innovation in 2022
<
45
Immersive AR Try-Ons
Immersive AR Try-Ons
Snapchat is Introducing Try-On Experiences with Fashion Partners
<
44
Vibrant Inclusive Fashion Collaborations
Vibrant Inclusive Fashion Collaborations
Target's Designer Dress Collection is Flowy and Floral
<
43
Uniquely Personalizable Vehicles
Uniquely Personalizable Vehicles
The 2022 'Range Rover SV' Allows for Extensive Customization
<
42
Streetwear-Branded NFTs
Streetwear-Branded NFTs
Champion Athleticwear and Tafi Create NFTs and Avatar Content for Samsung
<
41
Automated Micro-Stores
Automated Micro-Stores
Dori's Interactive Vending Kiosks are Situated in Busy Pedestrian Spots
<
40
Industrial Plywood Shoe Displays
Industrial Plywood Shoe Displays
Vans New Seoul Store Pays Homage to a Modern Art Exhibition
<
39
In-Store Home Gyms
In-Store Home Gyms
Lululemon Installed an Interactive Home Gym Mirror in 40 Canadian Stores
<
38
Immersive Art-Focused Retail Stores
Immersive Art-Focused Retail Stores
ECCO Has Launched One-Of-A-Kind Flagship Store in Shanghai
<
37
Automated Dark Stores
Automated Dark Stores
Cache Creates & Operates Convenience Stores on Doordash and Ubereats
<
36
Virtual Sneaker Showrooms
Virtual Sneaker Showrooms
Neiman Marcus and Hypebeast Collaborated on a Shoppable Virtual Space
<
35
Mood-Themed Virtual Shops
Mood-Themed Virtual Shops
Verishop Mini Offers a Curated Shopping Experience Within Snapchat
<
34
5G-Powered Autonomous Stores
5G-Powered Autonomous Stores
AiFi and Verizon Created a Next-Gen Convenience Store
<
33
Celebrity Shapewear Pop-Ups
Celebrity Shapewear Pop-Ups
The SKIMS Pop-Up in Paris Features Chunky, Glossy Display Units
<
32
Eco-Friendly Tech Shops
Eco-Friendly Tech Shops
The Google Store NYC Features Cork & Recycled Materials
<
31
Suspended Display Plant Shops
Suspended Display Plant Shops
The REN Flagship Plant Store Elevates Greenery to the Optimal Spot
<
30
Sustainable Packaging Alternatives
Sustainable Packaging Alternatives
L'Occitane Introduces In-Store Product Refills
<
29
Double-Protein QSR Promotions
Double-Protein QSR Promotions
The Subway 'Go Pro' Option Doubles the Meat for Just $2
<
28
AR-Enabled Retail Tools
AR-Enabled Retail Tools
Reactive Reality Has Launched an Avatar-Based Shopping App Called PICTOFiT
<
27
Storytelling Wine Displays
Storytelling Wine Displays
Looma's Education Platform Helps Customers Make Informed Choices
<
26
Self-Driving Retail Vehicles
Self-Driving Retail Vehicles
Robomart Brings Goods to Consumers When Prompted via an App
<
25
Climate-Positive Fashion Exhibitions
Climate-Positive Fashion Exhibitions
Pangaia & Galeries Lafayette Created an Immersive Expereince
<
24
Personal Care Vending Machines
Personal Care Vending Machines
SOS' Interactive Vending Machines Meet Health & Wellness Needs
<
23
Virtual Luxury Fashion Flagships
Virtual Luxury Fashion Flagships
Burberry & Elle Digital Japan Opened a Virtual Flagship Store
<
22
Highly Immersive Phygital Malls
Highly Immersive Phygital Malls
JD.com Has Launched a Massive Interactive Mall in China
<
21
Touchless Fragrance Testers
Touchless Fragrance Testers
Coty & Êverie Developed a Smart Device for Safe In-Store Sampling
<
20
Immersive Luxury Pet Stores
Immersive Luxury Pet Stores
Petco Launches Reddy SoHo Flagship Store for Premium Pet Goods
<
19
Experiential Beauty Stores
Experiential Beauty Stores
MyGlamm's Beauty Store Focuses on Safe Product Testing & Collaboration
<
18
Surprise Collectible Vending Machines
Surprise Collectible Vending Machines
MINISO's Contactless Blind Box Vending Machine Targets Gen Z
<
17
Digital-Only Fashion Retailers
Digital-Only Fashion Retailers
DressX Launches App That Lets Shoppers Try-On Virtual 3D Clothes
<
16
Express Cannabis Shops
Express Cannabis Shops
Sip ‘N’ Smoke by Superette is Styled Like a Cafeteria with a Moving Line
<
15
Immersive Furniture Stores
Immersive Furniture Stores
IKEA's Home Experience of Tomorrow Introduces a New Store Design
<
14
Self-Navigating Shopping Carts
Self-Navigating Shopping Carts
The Conceptual 'Mobi' Smart Shopping Cart Easily Navigate Aisles
<
13
Modular Fixture Grocery Stores
Modular Fixture Grocery Stores
The Sobeys Flexstore is Opening in Orangeville, Ontario
<
12
AR-Powered Beauty Experiences
AR-Powered Beauty Experiences
Lancôme Launches Immersive Headset Experience at Flagship Store
<
11
Mini-Mart Sneaker Pop-Ups
Mini-Mart Sneaker Pop-Ups
atmos Japan Created "atmosmart" Stocked with Products for Sneakerheads
<
10
Play-Focused Beauty Stores
Play-Focused Beauty Stores
ETUDE HOUSE's Beauty Store Concept Encourages Discovery & Customization
<
9
Solar-Powered Beauty Stores
Solar-Powered Beauty Stores
SoulTree in India Sets a Precedent as a Sustainable Flagship
<
8
Retail-Branded Metaverse Spaces
Retail-Branded Metaverse Spaces
Nike Reveals Details About New NIKELAND 3D Space on Roblox
<
7
Experimental Virtual Luxury Shops
Experimental Virtual Luxury Shops
The Gucci Vault is an Experimental Online Store
<
6
Body-Inclusive Activewear Lines
Body-Inclusive Activewear Lines
Peloton Has Announced the Launch of 'Peloton Apparel'
<
5
Immersive Coffee Store Experiences
Immersive Coffee Store Experiences
Nespresso Launches Interactive Boutique Store in the UK
<
4
Phygital Sneaker Stores
Phygital Sneaker Stores
Nike Rise Seoul Offers the Future of Digital & Physical Experiences
<
3
Ultra-Luxe Fashion Pop-Ups
Ultra-Luxe Fashion Pop-Ups
Gucci Opens 'Circolo' Pop-Up Shops in Berlin and London
<
2
Innovative cannabis packaging
Innovative cannabis packaging
Child resistant, eco-friendly cannabis packaging
<
1
2022 Trend Report Report + Webinar
2022 Trend Report Report + Webinar
The Roaring 20s are Coming Back
<