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Physical retail has almost reclaimed its place in the mainstream post COVID-19. And rightly so. But there’s an evolutionary catch here - destination building. Confused about what we’re saying?
Developers and brands are trying to build retail locations into destinations or it places for customers.
How is this happening?
🎯 Data-Driven Design: Demographics, psychographics, community preferences - data is helping create retail destinations that hit the right notes. Consider a shopping outlet that offers dining experiences, an outlet with experiential elements, stores with living areas, pop-up events and more. Harnessing region-wide data is helping shape evolutionary retail designs that build connections with communities.
🤝 Community Bonds: Shopping outlets are diversifying their presence and becoming one-stop local hubs. From tapping into cultural and natural elements to special artwork, architecture, knick-knacks and more, they’re acing it, while building bonds with local communities simultaneously.
🎳 Engagement Zones: Retail outlets are now offering common spaces which are akin to living rooms or engagement zones for local citizens. They’re creating spaces that foster interactions and gatherings. Wi-Fi, seating, dining options, and other amenities are attracting and retaining footfalls.
With people swamped by a deluge of online options, physical retail is reinventing and reshaping its core philosophies to suit the current context.
It is no longer about just being that neighbourhood store. It is about making a comeback as a community hub, a place where you shop, dine, interact and even relax for some time.