FuturistU > Retail > Omnichannel Retail > Module 3 / 5

Personalization in Retail

Instructor: Ady Floyd
Retail Technology
Download the Retail Technology Trend Report
In the second omnichannel retail module, Ady dives into the Megatrend Personalization to showcase how targeted retail strategies are positively impacting consumers and brands alike. Today's shopper wants personalized deals, discounts and offers. They even want retailers to recognize them by name and to create a more humanized experience.

In this module, Ady looks at a variety of targeted retail strategies from branded social media interactions to shopping virtually from the comfort of one's home. Understanding the array of trends and tactics will allow you to assess what platform will work best for your brand, and how you can attract the right consumer.
Related Trend Report: Retail Technology
Workshop Question:
How can you utilize multiple channels to personalize the path to purchase?
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Featured Insights

Omni-Personal
Brands combine social media and personalization to increase engagement
Implications - In order to create seamless omnichannel interactions, brands are combining social media initiatives with personalized campaigns. Through online engagement, brands create unique coupons, Avatars, websites and more, that illustrate their understanding of individuality. This shift in personalized retail will increase consumer engagement while allowing brands to cultivate authenticity for their audiences.
Workshop Question - What is one way you can create a more personalized omnichannel experience for your consumers?
5.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Social Media-Inspired Fragrances
Social Media-Inspired Fragrances
The Instance Fragrance Concept Uses Instagram for Personalization
Millennial women and men have new expectations for the perfume products they choose to invest in and for many, personalization is a key concern—this is addressed in a creative way with the ‘... MORE
Personal eCommerce Website Platforms
Personal eCommerce Website Platforms
'Diggsweep' Creates a Unique URL and Site for Your Sale
Selling personal items online usually means heading to Kijiji, Craigslist or eBay, but the ‘Diggsweep’ platform looks to change this by offering a more customized way to sell your things.... MORE
play_circle_filledSocial Media Queueing Campaigns
Social Media Queueing Campaigns
Nike Created a Virtual #AirMaxLine for Sneakerheads on Instagram
The excitement and anticipation of getting one’s hands on a newly released product is often dampened by the reality of having to wait in line for hours upon end, but Nike found a way to... MORE
play_circle_filledSocial Media Burger Personalization
Social Media Burger Personalization
Burger King Lets You Customize Your Own Burger Via Instagram
Burger King Spain connects with its consumer base on a deeper level with a customize your own burger initiative. In partnership with agency LOLA MullenLowe Madrid, the fast food establishment... MORE
On-Demand Snow Billboards
On-Demand Snow Billboards
Swiss International Air Lines Made a Tweet-Powered Travel Billboard
Since consumers in the UK market are often late to book ski trips, Swiss International Air Lines collaborated with experience agency Space to create an interactive travel billboard that delivers... MORE
AI Measure
Fashion retailers employ virtual scanning devices to customize clothing
Implications - Scanning body measurements for the purpose of finding clothing and accessories that fit perfectly is becoming increasingly popular among retailers seeking to customize their offerings in relatively low-commitment ways. The adoption of virtual scanning technology allows fashion brands to better adapt to the needs of their customers, while improving brand appreciation for their perceived focus on customer service.
Workshop Question - How can your brand adopt low-commitment customization into its products/services?
4.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Foot Shape Scanners
Foot Shape Scanners
Volumental's Device Addresses Fit for Online Shoe Shopping
The rising popularity of online shopping has brought about concerns regarding customer service enhancements that can be made digitally to ensure consumers get what they want—in the world of... MORE
Fashion Try-On Websites
Fashion Try-On Websites
MySize Created 'Modelista' to Show Off Its Mobile Measurement Technology
In order to show off the full capabilities of the MySizeID mobile measurement technology, MySizeID created an online store called ‘Modelista.’ The Modelista webshop is a place to... MORE
play_circle_filledVirtual Shoe-Fitting Services
Virtual Shoe-Fitting Services
Department Store Isetan Uses a Flickfit 3D Scanner to Measure Feet
Isetan is a Japanese department store that’s looking to the future of service by offering a unique new shoe fitting service. At the store in the Shinjuku area of Tokyo, Japan, consumers are... MORE
Retail-Recommending Accessories
Retail-Recommending Accessories
The Starlook App Helps You Find Clothes That Fit Your Body Type
The Starlook app is dedicated to helping people find clothes that compliment their specific body type, promoting healthy body image, and saving consumers time and money. While clothes always look... MORE
AI Fashion-Fitting Systems
AI Fashion-Fitting Systems
Body Labs Blue Uses AI and Machine Learning to Fit Garments
The newest API from Body Labs called ‘Body Labs Blue’ is a unique retail tool that gives consumers confidence about measurements when shopping online for clothing. The embeddable web... MORE
Omnichannel Assistance
Brands create seamless shopping micro-moments through digital assistance
Implications - Embracing the increasing interconnectivity of digital and physical, consumers are leveraging online resources to make their shopping experience even more intuitive. Brands are adapting by taking an omnichannel approach to their consumer engagement, offering personalized assistive functions that help make shopping, either online through e-commerce or in-store brick and mortar, much more seamless. Where friction creates a barrier to purchase, brands that enhanced the shopper experience through impactful micro-moments will win out with the increasingly digital modern consumer.
Workshop Question - What alternative platforms could your brand tap into to offer your consumer an elevated experience?
3.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Retail Comparison Apps
Retail Comparison Apps
The FindSimilar App Helps Shoppers at Hammerson Stores Discover New Items
Hammerson, a European retail owner, manager, and developer, has recently debuted its new FindSimilar app to rave reviews from consumers who made use of it. The app, which was developed by tech... MORE
Reward-Finding Shopping Apps
Reward-Finding Shopping Apps
'Dosh' Finds Cash Back Shopping Opportunities Automatically
The ‘Dosh’ app works to find opportunities for consumers when it comes to cash back shopping for regular purchases and bigger ticket things like travel. Requiring no lengthy searching, &#... MORE
Ethical Shopping Extensions
Ethical Shopping Extensions
DoneGood's Chrome Plugin Suggests Alternatives When Shopping Online
The two reasons people often cite for not shopping more ethically is a difficulty in finding socially responsible brands and cost. DoneGood’s Chrome extension seeks to solve both problems. The... MORE
TV Series Outfit Retailers
TV Series Outfit Retailers
The Dote App Lets Consumers Shop Outfits as Seen on 'The Bold Type'
‘The Bold Type’ is an American drama series, which follows a group of stylish women in the publishing world, so it’s no surprise that a new companion app has been created, which... MORE
Mobile Mall Wallets
Mobile Mall Wallets
Samsung Pay Members Can Now Use the Mobile Payment Card App for Online Malls
Samsung Pay was introduced as a mobile payment card network that offers a digital replacement for a variety of physical credit, debit, membership and rewards cards. One of the newest features to be... MORE

Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Retail Moodboard
New apps let users create fashion moodboards, share looks, and shop together
Trend - New retail apps combine moodboard creation with social feeds, shared collections, shoppable tags and streamlined checkout so users discover styles, collaborate on looks, and buy directly from boards. These apps provide tailored recommendations based on each user's preferences.
Workshop Question - How can we incorporate collaborative, visual discovery elements to enhance user engagement and streamline the purchasing process?
8.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Social Media-Inspired Retail Apps
Social Media-Inspired Retail Apps
Depop Outfits Lets Users Create Moodboards and Collages
Depop Outfits is a new styling tool from the fashion resale app that's designed with users who have a penchant for collages and mood boards. The new shopping feature will enable users to access a... MORE
Smart Fashion Management Apps
Smart Fashion Management Apps
'Acloset' Interprets Wardrobes, Provides Recommendations
Acloset is a smart fashion application that allows users to create a digital wardrobe by photographing or uploading images of their clothing, which the app then categorizes for easier organization.... MORE
Retail Moodboard Apps
Retail Moodboard Apps
'ShopLook' Makes Curated Online Shopping Easy with Moodboards
Shoplook is an online platform that provides a creative workspace for assembling digital moodboards, outfits and visual concepts. The service offers a free form canvas that supports drag and drop... MORE
Social Wardrobe Apps
Social Wardrobe Apps
'Whering' Enables Fashion Moodboard and Wishlist Creations
Whering is a digital wardrobe and styling application designed to help users organise clothing items and make more informed purchasing decisions. The platform allows individuals to upload images of... MORE
AI Intimacy
Retail brands are using AI to create deeper emotional connections with customers
Trend - Retail companies are deploying AI systems that go beyond transactional interactions to build genuine emotional relationships with customers. These technologies learn individual preferences, remember personal details, and anticipate needs in ways that make customers feel truly understood. AI is being used so every interaction feels like a continuation of an ongoing relationship.
Workshop Question - How could your brand use AI to remember and celebrate the small details that make each customer feel uniquely valued?
7.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Interactive AI-Powered Retail Kiosks
Interactive AI-Powered Retail Kiosks
Skechers and We Are Social Singapore Launched the Luna Kiosk
Skechers and We Are Social Singapore have announced a new partnership that will see the performance footwear brand and the creative agency offering access to the Luna kiosk. The artificial... MORE
Optician-Focused AI Retail Solutions
Optician-Focused AI Retail Solutions
KITS Eyecare Ltd. Has Introduced OpticianAI™
KITS Eyecare presents an advanced artificial intelligence platform designed to modernize the eyewear shopping experience — OpticianAI™. This system combines facial recognition, prescription... MORE
AI-Powered Retail Advisors
AI-Powered Retail Advisors
Lowe's Mylow Companion Enhances Service & Associate Onboarding
Lowe's Mylow Companion is a new AI tool for associate sales floor devices and it's poised to enhance the in-store customer experience and the associate onboarding process. The app quickly provides... MORE
AI-Powered Loyalty Programs
AI-Powered Loyalty Programs
The Ubacart Loyalty Program is Targeted Towards Convenience Stores
The Ubacart loyalty program has been created by the brand as a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered discount solution for shoppers to help them enjoy exclusive discounts and wards for their... MORE
Omnichannel Acceleration
Brands diversify retail presence across digital & physical channels
Trend - As traditional DTC models face growing challenges from supply chain disruptions and shifting consumer preferences, brands are rapidly expanding their presence across multiple retail channels. This expansion includes leveraging retail media networks, exploring social commerce, maintaining brick-and-mortar locations, and creating seamless experiences between digital and physical touchpoints.
Workshop Question - How can your brand create more seamless connections between its various retail channels?
5.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI-Powered Ecommerce Technologies
AI-Powered Ecommerce Technologies
Hugo Boss Launches a New AI-Powered Product Content Feature
Hugo Boss is enhancing its online customer experience by incorporating artificial intelligence technologies that streamline product discovery and interaction. Launching globally, the brand hopes... MORE
Efficient Omnichannel Fulfillment Centers
Efficient Omnichannel Fulfillment Centers
National Logistics Services is Building in Caledon
National Logistics Services has announced the construction of a new, highly automated omnichannel fulfillment center in Caledon, Ontario. This 624,000 square foot facility, which will feature state-... MORE
Omnichannel Automotive Services
Omnichannel Automotive Services
Automotive Mastermind has Adapted to Modern Consumer Patterns
Automotive Mastermind has adopted an omnichannel approach to automotive sales to address the evolving consumer patterns in the industry. This strategy integrates various channels, including online... MORE
Omnichannel Messaging Platforms
Omnichannel Messaging Platforms
DIDWW Aims to Streamline Global Business Communications
With global business communications on the rise, leading telecom operator DIDWW recently announced the launch of its omnichannel Messaging Platform to streamline international communication.... MORE
Taste Identity
Consumers unite streaming and media data to showcase cultural identity
Trend - New platforms are emerging that allow users to aggregate and share their digital consumption habits across multiple services, creating comprehensive "taste profiles" that span music, movies, books, and other media. These platforms move beyond simple recommendation engines to create holistic portraits of users' cultural preferences and consumption patterns, enabling more authentic connections based on shared interests.
Workshop Question - How can your brand help consumers authentically express their preferences and find like-minded communities?
3.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Digital Taste Profiles
Digital Taste Profiles
The Shelf App Creates Comprehensive Media Consumption Analytics
Shelf is a new platform that captures and displays users’ entertainment choices across multiple streaming and content services. The app seamlessly integrates with Spotify, Netflix, Goodreads,... MORE
Streaming Content-Tracking Apps
Streaming Content-Tracking Apps
The 'CineHub' App Keeps an Eye on Content You've Watched and More
The ‘CineHub’ app is a tool for helping content streaming and movie enthusiasts alike keep track of what they’ve watched and more. The app works by providing users the ability to... MORE
Passion-Sharing List Platforms
Passion-Sharing List Platforms
MyLikes Helps Users Share What They Enjoy with Curated Lists
Users seeking a more simplistic, hate-free corner of the internet to share their passions and recommendations should look no further than a new platform called MyLikes. MyLikes takes a more... MORE
Dynamic Interest Social Platforms
Dynamic Interest Social Platforms
Palette Let's People Curate Their Likes However They Please
Introducing Palette, a dynamic social platform designed to revolutionize how users curate and share their interests. With Palette, individuals can organize and showcase a diverse array of interests,... MORE
Employee-Free Retailer
Brick and mortar stores are turning to AI to mitigate labor costs
Trend - Retailers and grocers are testing fully automated locations to lower costs. By saving on the many complications associated with labor, these retailers are able to offer reduced prices for the benefit of the consumer. These often begin as solo test locations before expanding based on demand.
Workshop Question - How could your brand alter its operations to reduce costs of its products or services for consumers?
6.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Grab-and-Go Employee-Free Retailers
Grab-and-Go Employee-Free Retailers
Lotus Launched a 'Pick & Go' Location in Thailand
Lotus’s Pick & Go employee-free store in Thailand represents a significant step forward in retail innovation. The store, which operates without any staff on the premises, leverages... MORE
Employee-Free Smart Stores
Employee-Free Smart Stores
The 'Teo' Employee-Free Store in Germany is a Success Story
The Teo unmanned smart store concept in Germany, developed by the German supermarket chain tegut showcases a unique direction of retail. Initially launched in Fulda in November 2020, this store has... MORE
Smart Shopping Cart Rollouts
Smart Shopping Cart Rollouts
ZeroQs Raised Over €457 Thousand to Invest in Smart Shopping Carts
Warsaw-based retail startup ZeroQs has successfully raised €457,000 in funding from Freya Capital to further develop and expand its smart shopping cart technology. The company’s innovative... MORE
Cashier-Free Grocer Expansions
Cashier-Free Grocer Expansions
Aisle 24 Continues to Expand in Canada Amid Success
Aisle 24, a cashierless grocery retailer, continues its expansion across Canada with the launch of a new, larger store concept. Founded in 2016, Aisle 24 operates 24/7, fully automated stores that... MORE
Controlled Impulse
Budgeting and savings apps are used by Millennials to prevent impulse purchases
Trend - While personal finance management apps have existed for over a decade, the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) and data collection algorithms have made recent apps far more effective than before. These modern budgeting apps are used to prevent unnecessary spending while saving toward goals.
Workshop Question - How can your brand leverage AI and data collection to help its customers make more informed purchasing decisions?
3.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI-Powered Budgeting Apps
AI-Powered Budgeting Apps
Cleo Helps Gen Z Get Their Finances in Order with Roast & Hype Modes
Many people avoid budgeting apps because they fear feeling restricted but Cleo is an AI-powered budgeting app that offers a feel-good experience. Cleo, the AI-powered assistant, has captivated Gen Z... MORE
Privacy-Focused Budgeting Apps
Privacy-Focused Budgeting Apps
The 'Apollo' Personal Finance App Streamlines Money Tracking
The ‘Apollo’ personal finance app is a digital tool for consumers to incorporate into their daily regime as a way to take more control over their money and more. The app maintains a... MORE
play_circle_filledPersonalized Financial Assistants
Personalized Financial Assistants
The Monarch AI Assistant is a Dedicated Financial Coach
The Monarch AI Assistant is a smart and personalized financial coach that helps users manage their money and achieve their goals. It uses artificial intelligence to analyze users’ income, expenses,... MORE
Empowering Financial Management Apps
Empowering Financial Management Apps
Windfall Makes Money Tracking and Management Easy
Windfall is a money tracker app poised to transform the way individuals manage finances. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, Windfall makes it effortless to stay on top of... MORE
Digital Money Saving Tools
Digital Money Saving Tools
SaveStrike Helps Users Easily Create Wishlists To Curve Impulse Buying
SaveStrike is your ultimate digital companion for managing and saving your favorite products from various online shops in one convenient app. With SaveStrike, you can easily create and organize... MORE
Visual Aid
Brands are designing packaging to be accessible for consumers with visual impairments
Trend - Brands are creating packaging designs with smart solutions for consumers with visual impairments. These solutions include scannable codes or symbols that interact with smart applications to provide either easier-to-read or audio-based information, more effectively supporting shoppers.
Workshop Question - How can we leverage technological solutions to make our products more accessible for a wider range of consumers?
6.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Accessibility-Focused Packaging Designs
Accessibility-Focused Packaging Designs
MĂĽller Debuts Accessible Packaging Designs
MĂĽller has announced a significant update to its product offerings as the brand debuts its new accessible packaging designs. The venture seeks to make shopping more accessible for visually impaired... MORE
Inclusive Shopping Labels
Inclusive Shopping Labels
Coca-Cola Debuts NaviLens QR Codes for Visually Impaired Consumers
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP)’s Great Britain Christmas can multipacks will now include NaviLens codes on its cardboard packaging designed to aid partially sighted or visually impaired... MORE
Scannable Infant Products
Scannable Infant Products
SMA Nutrition Introduced NaviLens Codes into its Product Packaging
SMA Nutrition, a division of Nestlé, has incorporated NaviLens technology into its infant nutrition product packaging. This development is intended to improve the shopping experience for parents... MORE
Visual Impairment-Friendly Packaging
Visual Impairment-Friendly Packaging
Haleon and Microsoft Have Partnered for Inclusive Packaging
Haleon and Microsoft have partnered on a new packaging initiative to help those with low vision or who are blind to read labeling on a range of products. The partnership coincides with World Sight... MORE
AI-Assisted Cooking Partnerships
AI-Assisted Cooking Partnerships
Unilever and Be My Eyes Partnered to Support Shoppers
Unilever and Be My Eyes have announced a new partnership that will support blind and low-vision shoppers using the latest technology for an easier shopping experience. The partnership builds on... MORE
Gamified Storefront
Brands are gamifying brick and mortar stores for the retailtainment trend
Trend - Brick-and-mortar storefronts are adding elements of gamification and entertainment to improve the in-store shopping experience. These 'retailtainment' initiatives add immersive experiences and interactive elements to increase consumer engagement and pull the focus away from simply spending money.
Workshop Question - How can we integrate gamification and entertainment into our physical spaces to create a more engaging and immersive experience for our customers?
6.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Gamified Metaverse Stores
Gamified Metaverse Stores
Lacoste is Virtually Inviting Shoppers into the Jaws of a Croc
French clothing brand Lacoste teamed up with Web3 development company Emperia to create a metaverse store that invites shoppers straight into the jaws of a virtual crocodile. Inside the space,... MORE
Interactive Arcade Storefronts
Interactive Arcade Storefronts
JD & Snap London Created an AR Storefront for Christmas
As part of its ‘King of the Game’ Christmas campaign, sports retailer JD teamed up with Snap to turn its London storefront into an AR storefront. With the storefront turned into a giant... MORE
play_circle_filledMulti-Sensory Flagship Stores
Multi-Sensory Flagship Stores
KATE Shibuya Offers Immersive Digital and Physical Experiences
KATE Shibuya presents a groundbreaking flagship store that integrates digital and physical elements to offer an immersive shopping experience. This innovative retail environment blends cutting-edge... MORE
Digital Snowball Competitions
Digital Snowball Competitions
The LEGO Snow Throw Pits NYC and London Stores Against One Another
The LEGO Snow Throw is a first-of-its-kind transatlantic, interactive game that transforms storefront windows into digital snowball machines. For the holiday season, people who pass by the 5th... MORE
Interactive Cosmetics Retail Stores
Interactive Cosmetics Retail Stores
Watsons Upgrades its Stores for Gen Z and Gen Alpha Consumers
Watsons, a leading Asian beauty and health retailer, has strategically upgraded its stores as interactive cosmetics retail stores to cater to the interactive and dynamic preferences of Gen Z and Gen... MORE