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FuturistU > Tactics > Future of Tech > Module 2 / 4

Phase 1 of Futurism: The Beguiling

Instructor: Sean Watson
Future of Entertainment
Download the Future of Entertainment Trend Report
In this module, Sean examines the first phase of Futurism, The Beguiling, which focuses primarily on the retail transformation driven by technology. He looks at the ways brands and retailers are leveraging the Megatrend Multisensation to offer a fully immersive and experiential in-store experience. From shops that recommend products using facial and emotion recognition to personalized financial advice based on voice recognition, technology is enabling brands to completely reinvent what it means to be a shopper.

In-store shopping and services are transforming at an unprecedented pace, which now aligns to the consusmer desire for excitement, ease and entertainment.
Related Trend Report: Future of Entertainment
Workshop Questions:
1. What new aspect to access of sensation can your brand take advantage of?
2. How can you enhance the physical experience for your customers?
View Innovation Webinars

Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Web3 Cannabis
Cannabis brands create metaverse-based experiences and events
Trend - Cannabis brands are expanding their digital footprint by creating experiences or hosting events in the metaverse. Brands in this space are offering everything from metaverse-based cannabis testing labs to virtual dispensaries.
Workshop Question - How could your brand better prioritize experience for its customers?
7.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Musical Bottle
Augmented reality scans on beverage bottles and packaging offer musical experiences
Trend - Brands using AR elements on product packaging is a popular way to offer product information and even game-based interactions, and now beverage brands are using this technology to create musical experiences with their products.
Workshop Question - How could your brand seamlessly integrate interactive elements into its product experience?
7.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Airport Activations
Experiential airport activations once again become the norm post-pandemic
Trend - As travel opens up in a post-pandemic world, brands are once again curating experiential, pop-up experiences in airports for travelers to enjoy. These activations make use of travelers' waiting times in airports and prioritize experience over fast shopping.
Workshop Question - What kind of pop-up experience would be valuable for your brand's customers?
6.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Phygital Retail
Brands merge physical and digital worlds in retail spaces
Trend - Though digital elements in retail spaces aren't new, brands are now designing "phygital" in-store experiences from the ground-up. These stores offer a blend of experiences--the interaction of in-person retail, the convenience of e-commerce, and the novelty that's associated with tech-forward retail experiences.
Workshop Question - What kind of customer-focused experiences can your brand create?
7.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Retail Bot
Retail-based robots now have more social features and functions
Trend - Retail bots are no longer only designed to offer assistance in-store--they're now also dealing with some of the social interactions associated with brick and mortar shopping. These bots are designed to foster good will and do everything from greeting customers to bringing them snacks.
Workshop Question - How is your brand ensuring its customers are engaged throughout the purchase journey?
7.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Reflective Display
Connected mirrors help retailers personalize the shopping journey
Trend - As brick and mortar stores compete with ecommerce, businesses are taking cues from the virtual world with tech-enhanced shopping experiences. This now includes connected mirrors being displayed in-store that allow customers to personalize their shopping journey.
Workshop Question - How could your brand better prioritize customer experience with technology?
8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Alt Curation
Brands, artists and influencers offer distinct forms of curation
Trend - Brands and influencers are curating special collections for customers. This new form of curation is less about selling specific products or services and more about directing customers or viewers to new forms of marketing.
Workshop Question - How is your brand prioritizing authentic interactions with its customers?
6.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Virtual Changing
Virtual fitting rooms are growing in popularity amidst the pandemic
Trend - Virtual fitting rooms are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to in-person fitting rooms, particularly as the ongoing pandemic has put restrictions on in-person shopping. Now, consumers are able to see how clothing may look on them without having to worry about hygiene or being inconvenienced.
Workshop Question - What long-term pandemic-related changes could your brand better adapt to?
6.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AR Edu
Branded educational experiences use augmented reality to enhance engagement
Trend - Brands are using augmented reality-powered educational platforms and features that help them better engage with customers. The use of AR in educating customers helps brands enhance the product/service experience for users.
Workshop Question - How could your brand incorporate educational AR to better engage customers?
6.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Virtual Lab
Virtual innovation labs let consumers test and design products remotely
Trend - Pre-pandemic, brands in a range of industries experimented with innovation labs where they could display and test their most innovative products and ideas with consumers. Now, they're doing the same but virtually--as retailers remain restricted with how they curate in-store experiences.
Workshop Question - How could your brand create distinct virtual experiences for customers?
6.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends