The pandemic has heightened customers' desire to connect with and support the local communities they live in, with 2/3rds more likely to shop local compared to 2019 (MasterCard, 2020). To meet these new needs, brands are opening new ‘neighbourhood’ store concepts. These new formats act as local hubs, experimenting with hyper-curated products and services based on localised data, unique to people in the area. Customers can get exactly what they need, right on their doorstep, whilst enabling brands to form deeper relationships with the communities they operate in.
Nike opens its latest ‘Nike Live’ store concept in Oregon, US. The store’s offering is based on local preferences and will be updated every three weeks. Customers can connect with a local store athlete via text to ask questions and product recommendations.
US department store Bloomingdale will open its first small format store this autumn at the Mosaic District in Fairfax, Virginia. Customers will be able to buy a curated selection of dining, fitness, beauty and entertainment products and services.
DIY brand Homebase will open three small format stores next to each other in Walton-on-Thames, UK. The site will host two of Homebase’s existing small formats, ‘Kitchens by Homebase’ and ‘Decorate by Homebase’, as well as its first pop-up store.
Retail
Nike opens its latest ‘Nike Live’ store concept in Oregon, US
US department store Bloomingdale will open its first small format in Mosaic District in Fairfax, Virginia
DIY brand Homebase will open three small format stores in Walton-on-Thames, UK
Hospitality
Virgin Hotels announces plans to open three US properties in 2021
Luxury resort Amangiri launches sleep retreat experience in the US
Campaigns
Oatly launches the ‘Are you stupid?’ campaign to tackle new packaging restrictions
Initiatives
Amazon Alexa can now direct users to their nearest COVID-19 testing centre
Secondhand marketplace Poshmark is extending its product offering to pets
IKEA and Republic of Gamers release e-sports furniture
Lidl launches a WhatsApp messaging support service
Image courtesy of Unsplash
