How retailers are rethinking store experiences

Retail Gets Real 226: The Lionesque Group's Melissa Gonzalez on how physical retail is adapting for the future
Retail Gets Real is sponsored by

After months of online shopping, consumers are looking forward to getting back into stores, trying on clothing and interacting with products. With expectations higher than ever, experiential shopping remains a strong trend heading into the future.

NRF Converge session
Melissa Gonzalez, CEO at The Lionesque Group and Principal at MG2 speaks with NRF’s Susan Reda and Bill Thorne on Retail Gets Real.

In this episode of Retail Gets Real, Melissa Gonzalez of the Lionesque Group emphasizes the importance of experiential shopping in retail establishments. When “a brand or retailer goes beyond thinking about the products or the services they're selling you,” she said, “they're adding in those layers of surprise, and delight, and discovery to the experience.”

While the element of touch was eliminated due to safety concerns during the pandemic, she saw retailers incorporating new scents or architectural elements. These touchpoints allow retailers to lean more into a brand story and showcase what they represent.

She also noticed an increase in stores adding a biophilic design, which incorporates wood and greenery into a space. Tune in to the episode to learn about more new trends and strategies for physical retail.

More from the podcast

A conversation with 2022 America’s Retail Champion Margaret Barrow
 
Margaret Barrow, founder and CEO of It's NOLA.
Retail Gets Real Episode 345: The founder and CEO of It’s NOLA talks about advocating for small businesses.
Read more
The future of AI in consumer experience
 
Individuals using a phone to shop.
Retail Gets Real episode 344: IBM’s Jane Cheung shares consumer study insights and how retailers are using AI
Read more
How Saks OFF 5TH is crafting customer-centric experiences
 
Saks OFF 5th Spring collection
Retail Gets Real episode 343: President and CEO Rob Brooks talks about creating hyper-personal experiences for shoppers.
Read more