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SPECIAL FEATURE: RETAIL’S UNMISSABLE TOP TEN

Samaritaine, Paris, France

A New Retail Landscape...

Matthew Brown, Retail Futurist and Owner and Founder of
Echochamber, a London-based retail trend agency and his team has
travelled the world seeking out retail innovation since 1999. In this
article, he zones in on the ten unmissable global retail stores that can
be found across the world in 2022.

wo years into the pandemic it is clear that not only has retail out’ technology internationally,
survived, it continues to innovate. Moreover, trends that we with 15 Amazon Fresh locations
Twere predicting to emerge within the next few years have across London within the first year.
accelerated into the retail landscape much faster than expected. This has Whilst Amazon is actively promoting
brought both the destruction of legacy retail and the creative shoots of its fresh private label, on a strategic level
recovery, as new concepts fill the vacuum. Amazon Fresh is really proof of concept, designed to sell ‘just walk
The world has learned to shop online, QR codes are now part of out’ technology to other retailers beyond food retail. The grocery
everyday life, and technology brings fresh opportunities for creative industry has already opened their own versions; Sainsbury’s Pick & Go
brands to connect with us in ways that add genuine value to the uses Amazon tech, whilst Tesco Get Go uses rival Trigo, and Aldi’s new
shopping experience. checkout free Greenwich store uses AiFi. Expect a host of international
At the same time, inspiring tactile experiences are more important concepts across the worldin 2022.
than ever. The retail essentials of great merchandising and design,
personal service and product innovation are flourishing. Department 9. Eataly, London, UK
stores, far from extinct, are reinventing themselves as exciting, expert, Whilst the pandemic has accelerated online retail and technology
curated and socially responsible destinations. trends in convenience grocery, Eataly proves that tactile food experiences
Hospitality, on hold during the pandemic, is back as a driving force still matter and that hospitality is key to creating inspiring physical
in retail. Pop-ups are exploding with dynamic creativity and constant retail. The pandemic didn’t stop Eataly’s launch in London and what a
change, driven by the normally staid luxury sector. This truly is a great wonderful store it is! We first visited the Turin original in 2007 and have
time for retail. Here are ten of our favourite new stores in 2022... followed the brand around the world ever since. The new London store,
near Liverpool Street station, is particularly impressive; 45,000sq ft of
10. Amazon Fresh, London, UK food over two floors, with London’s biggest Italian enoteca, a cookery
2022 is the year of the convenience revolution. Back in 2018 when we school, more than 5,000 Italian products, house made mozzarella, pasta
first visited Amazon Go in Seattle, it was clear that checkout-free retail and bread. There are also three restaurants and bars and six eateries.
offered not just frictionless shopping, but more importantly magical Eataly is perfect proof that storytelling, beautiful merchandising and
technology that could totally transform the way we interact with brands. crafted food production instore are timeless tools in creating expert
However, it wasn’t until 2021 that Amazon finally launched its ‘just walk retail that surprises and delights.