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Take me to PSFK iQThis store experience & design report is a guide to New York City retail for industry professionals to better understand the ways in which brands, retailers and solution providers are using the physical footprint in NYC to deliver innovative retail experiences.
New York City has always been at the forefront of trends in retail and commerce, and today is no different. Whether engaging consumers with community-first, hyper-local and personalized experiences or immersing them with branded storytelling, retailers are rethinking how their spaces can be used in the context of recent e-commerce acceleration and consumer shifts. The newest store openings manifest that the role of the physical store is expanding towards exceptional, unique experiences and differentiating away from purely transactional function.
New York City continues to earn its claim as the retail industry’s capital city. In this report, PSFK researchers highlight 12 trends that will shape the wider brick-and-mortar scene in the years ahead. Supported by innovative examples from a range of retailers and businesses, get to know the newest store openings in New York City and let this report guide you through the city’s most lively neighborhoods.
In this updated report (January 2023), PSFK has created a dedicated DTC section that highlights the growing number of digital native companies developing physical manifestations of their brand across NYC.
Within the report, find an updated guide to both DTC stores and flagships along New York’s popular streets and neighborhoods.
This report on NYC retail was developed by the same PSFK research department that since 2004 has provided trends-led innovation consulting advice to Apple, BMW, Facebook/Meta, Google, Microsoft, Samsung and Volkswagen.
To capitalize on the booming wellness market, retailers are introducing consumers to services that provide sensorial resets and act as a soothing antidote to the fast-paced contemporary lifestyle. From pared-back, calming and welcoming designs to innovative therapies and on-site wellness services, brands offer restorative experiences that cause shoppers to stop and immerse themselves in the spaces, and also the brands.
Collaborative RetailAs retailers recognize the market’s challenges and the power of partnerships, multi-brand collaborations have emerged as a new strategic solution elevating physical presence and revitalizing consumer experience. Capitalizing on each others’ strengths, retailers create curated in-store experiences providing consumers with discovery opportunities, and support upcoming businesses by amplifying unique voices that complement one another.
Hospitable EnvironmentsNew York City welcomes visitors with hospitality concepts that cater to a growing desire for unique experiences and modern wellness services. From branded hospitality offerings to redesigned and reinvented iconic hotels, new hospitable environments on NYC’s map mark the industry’s post-covid recovery and complement trends seen in the retail environment, such as Sensorial Reset, Community Hubs and Local Curation.
Community HubsHoping to build meaningful relationships with their customers and cultivate a sense of community around their spaces, innovative retailers are recasting themselves in the role of community hosts. By revising stores as community hubs, brands enable consumers to connect, engage in shared experiences and discover products along like-minded shoppers, and by that, appearing as to-go destinations for reasons other than simply a regular shopping.
Online-To-OfflineBrands have already tied digital assets to physical products, however, as seen in New York City’s landscape, digital-first brands are all-in for the IRL and exploring physical locations. By bridging the two realms, online and offline, brands not only aim to bring greater awareness to the digital mediums, acting as education hubs, but also upgrade their stores with experiences previously reserved only for the online worlds.
Purpose-Driven DestinationsBeyond the products they sell, many brands have different values and principles that are not always communicated or explored. With purpose-driven pop-ups, these qualities can be turned into actions and delved into from different angles, granting a different relationship with potential customers above the traditional buy-sell transaction. Unlike other brand endeavors, these efforts can impact and improve people's lives and bring value to communities.