Retail
1/ Beyond the Horizon
Hospitality and retail with references from the late eighties and early nineties. Environments that feel as if time has stood still, untouched.
From a time before screens and being on devices prevented us being present in the moment. Small scale clubs, boutiques and salons to join together.
Attention to materials and heritage. Places that feel unique to the location. Destinations, irreplaceable and unique.
The knowledge and attention of those working there as part of the experience.
References to the luxuries of the past. Dark, atmospheric hotel lounges. Mirrored walls and glowing lights. Wrapped around, almost closed off from the world.
Being present
Destinations
Referencing luxury
Small scale
Top Trattoria del Ciumbia by Dimorestudio
80’s Interior by Liminal Destinations, AI generated
Bottom Boisson bottle shop by Studio Paul Chan
Photo by LA Chess Club
Photo by unknown
2/ Roots of Renewal
Tactile wood finishes create a sensory experience, adding warmth and natural texture that invites touch and engagement.
Stone texture contrasts beautifully with softer materials and creates a timeless quality.
Undyed materials bring a raw, natural feeling, embracing the unique tones and patterns found in the fibres, grains or textures of the material.
Reusable materials or elements play an important role, reducing waste and creating adaptable spaces. This enhances the longevity of spaces and allows for easy adaptation and redesigns, ensuring that the environment remains functional over time.
Tactile wood
Stone textures
Undyed
Reuseable
Top Koro Ihara sculpture at 21_21 Designsight Pooploop exhibition, Tokyo
Bbrood bakery counter by Sho Ota
Bottom Aesop Barcelona interior by Mesura
Atelier Write for Tokyo Design Studio New Balance x Overcoat
Drawer Chair by Studio Yumakano
3/ A New Kind of Freedom
The temporary sparks a thrill, a special moment in time reminding us that moments are meant to be cherished before they vanish.
Historic legacy brands, deep-rooted in history, allowing people to carry pieces of the past into the future.
Curation in retail becomes a celebration of individual taste, discovering something unexpected and special.
Hyper-niche retail is the heart of specialization, focusing on the unique that caters to specific interests of people or communities.
A touch of fantasy to step outside the everyday, inviting moments of wonder that remind us that which is extraordinary is a joy.
Temporary
Forever
Curation
Hyper-niche
Top Facade by Rithika Merchant
Rare Mags, Manchester
Bottom Modena fan magazine by New Balance
Slam Jam archive, Milan
Shoe customising session Grosbasket, Ljubljana
4/ The Power of One
The future of retail is being fundamentally transformed by artificial intelligence. From simple keyword matching to sophisticated understanding of consumer context and intent. The human element will remain crucial, particularly when deep product knowledge and curation are required.
Vision technology transforms the shopping experience through personalization, streamlining inventory management, and creating intuitive interactions between people and products.
Human skill and knowledge can be augmented by technology, for better informed decision-making, insights and undisrupted human contact with emotional intelligence that only humans can provide.
Augmented advise
Keyword matching
Vision technology
Curation
Top Departamento interior by 22R and Taiga Takahashi
AI driven second-hand retailer Faircado
CCTV for customer behaviour insights
Smart Payment Telpo Automated Self Checkout
Right Agentic AI diagram by Akira AI
Ocada’s warehouse robots
Exterior Attempt shop, Shanghai