Page 50 - #201 September 2025

the chance to meet Kawhi Leonard during the
game. It was Web3 in real-time, brought to life in
the heart of the arena.
Situated on London’s Oxford Street, Europe’s
busiest shopping street, the first Future Stores
location is steps away from iconic landmarks
such as the British Museum and bustling neigh-
bourhoods such as Soho and Fitzrovia. Visible to
millions of commuters and shoppers, it provides
unrivalled access to a local and international
audience and is home to many of the world’s
most valuable brands. Future Stores is a dynamic,
immersive experience, designed to engage your
audience and to encourage them to share. The
store is supported by sophisticated data and
tracking allowing brand owners to customise,
personalise and improve the experience as they
see fit. The London landmark was created with
flexibility and agility in mind. LED screens are
BOSS, Holiday Virtual Experience
reprogrammable in an instant, offering dynamic
content adjustment, dividers to split the space
into two, brand showroom areas, meeting rooms,
spacious stock areas and a team ready to help
deliver the ultimate brand vision.
After launching its sixth and seventh retail
store in the US this year, the tech giant Google,
as part of its ongoing expansion, is poised for its
inaugural physical sites outside the US, with India
emerging as the focal point of this expansion. The
upcoming Google stores are designed not just
to sell products but also to create an immersive
brand experience that resonates with consumers.
By targeting the luxury segment, Google aims to
enhance its competitive edge against Apple and
other established players in the market. India rep -
resents one of the fastest-growing markets for
smartphones globally, with around 712 million
smartphone users. This burgeoning consumer
base presents immense opportunities for tech
companies looking to expand their footprint.
A new immersive centre with a focus on South
Burberry’s ‘Social Retail Store’, Shenzhen, China
Korean culture has arrived in Dubai and it may be
the closest thing to visiting Seoul without having
to leave the country. Korea 360 opened on 11 April
Valentino Brand Activation,
Flatiron Plaza, New York City, US on the first floor of Dubai Festival City Mall. The
Korea 360 initiative is a collaborative effort from
the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and
organised by the Korea Creative Content Agency.
Supported by various ministries, the event aims to
promote South Korean entertainment and culture
on a global stage. Inside the space lies an immer-
sive experience that includes an interactive space
for K-pop and K-drama fans. It features things
like a wall of handprints and famous outfits from
K-pop stars. The country’s history is on display
with artefacts and traditional dress. There are
also exhibitions that showcase viral and trending
South Korean brands and products such as food,
beauty and lifestyle goods. The space can also be
used to host workshops, cultural events and festi-
vals as well as K-pop performances and meet-and-
greets with musicians and celebrities.
Unilever is investing US$105M to build a
“world-class, digital-first” fragrance house,
aimed at boosting the expansion of its fragrance
segment. The fragrance house will be powered by
digital and AI technology, as well as neuroscience
techniques to better understand how smell affects
mood and enhances emotional wellbeing. There
will also be 1,000 raw materials available to
create a unique fragrance formula. “This initiative
will enable us to create and develop our own fra-
grances, as well as continue to work closely with
our important existing partners in the industry,”

50 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL SEPTEMBER 2025