By Riann Henkel, Sphere Trending Trend Futurist, Director of Interior Home
In a world of screens, AI-everything, bots and having almost anything you need available at the blink of an eye without ever leaving your house, sometimes it’s refreshing to get out and go analog – and get rewarded with a dose of inspiration.
As trend forecasters, we are constantly looking for inspiration all around us, from a color palette inspired by an amazing sunset to patternwork in a building’s architectural façade. Retail in one of many tools in our toolbox, but post-pandemic it is a reminder of how you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. At the end of the day, there is nothing like getting out in the middle of a city and immersing yourself in the pulse points to observe consumer patterns and product trends.
Retail as Art
Exhibit-style evolving retail keeps the shopping experience fresh and interesting. Recent exhibits while retail trendspotting in Paris included “at my grandmother’s house – ‘chez ma grand-mere-” at Merci and Ole, Ole! – a celebration of Spanish design – at Le Bon Marche.
Beyond Brick-and-Mortar–retail all around
Sensory experiences tie in to product and retail. With scent being so strongly tied to memory, both Nest Candles and Bath and Body Works got creative for the holiday NYC season. Nest featured immersive outdoor scents to reach shoppers on the street, while Bath and Body Works rolled a gigantic candle into the streets to celebrate their annual Candle Day.
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