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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?
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Insights by Trend Hunter AI

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?
8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Retail Lounge
Retailers are launching experiential events to enhance connections to consumers
Trend - Retailers in various industries, such as department stores, luxury brands, and more, are launching in-store lounges and experiential events. These events are designed to enhance the comfort of shoppers while deepening the connection between the shoppers and the brand.
Workshop Question - How can we create experiential in-store events that enhance consumer engagement and strengthen their connection to our brand?
9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
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?
8.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI Kiosk
Smart kiosks that provide recommendations and point-of-sale support are being deployed
Trend - Retailers are deploying in-store kiosks powered by artificial intelligence (AI). These AI kiosks interpret and make recommendations for consumers interacting with them, thus streamlining the retail process. The advent of AI kiosks also reduces the required staff and, thus, costs for retailers.
Workshop Question - How could your brand improve its consumers' experiences by employing artificial intelligence, or other, smart features?
8.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Branded Rage
Pop-up rage rooms provide a space for consumers looking to de-stress
Trend - As rage rooms become popular among consumers, brands are replicating this activity in their activations to craft a memorable experience that is also an effective outlet for stress reduction. This controlled environment allows individuals to release built-up frustration in a tangible, expressive way.
Workshop Question - How could your brand incorporate wellness concepts into its product or service?
7.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Mobile AI
Retailers are using AI to add unique features to their mobile retail apps
Trend - Retailers are launching mobile apps with AI-powered features designed to replace their existing apps. These apps offer recommendations, conversational support, image search, and features unique to certain retailers. These brands aim to improve customer retention while reducing ordering friction.
Workshop Question - How could your brand improve its customer satisfaction rates through AI features?
7.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Spatial Shopping
Retailers are launching VR shopping applications for spatial computing headsets
Trend - Online retailers are launching shopping services specifically for VR headsets. By adding shopping directly to these devices, e-commerce is made more convenient for consumers. These immersive apps enable try-ons and previews in a 3D environment, more accurately conveying the details of products.
Workshop Question - How could your brand modify its services to capitalize on the recent popularity of spatial computing?
7.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI Stylist
Artificial intelligence is used to provide fashion recommendations to shoppers
Trend - Shopping brands are utilizing artificial intelligence to provide personalized recommendations, answer queries, offer product information, and enhance the shopping experience for customers. These assistants can be integrated into e-commerce websites, mobile apps, or messaging platforms.
Workshop Question - How can your brand enhance the pre and post-purchase process for its customers?
7.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Consumer Marketplace
Brands are launching first-party storefronts to connect consumers to others
Trend - Brands across multiple industries are launching consumer-to-business-to-consumer (C2B2C) storefronts. C2B2C offers consumers discounts on products and enables consumers to sell unwanted products while the business handles transactions and verifies the quality of listed items.
Workshop Question - How might your brand benefit from connecting its consumers via an online marketplace or forum?
6.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Everyday Web3
Web3 is integrated into everyday routines
Trend - Though the introduction to Web3 has had a shaky start, it's adoption in everyday routines and business practices is showcasing the real impact of the decentralized web. Customer service, online shopping, and even health care are enhanced by Web3 services when they're seamlessly integrated.
Workshop Question - How could your brand make new tech more digestible for its customers?
9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Recruitment Metaverse Shops
Recruitment Metaverse Shops
IKEA on Roblox Merges Virtual Gaming and Real-World Job Opportunities
IKEA on Roblox introduced the Careers Done Different collaboration to reach a new generation interested in virtual gaming and real-world employment opportunities. This virtual IKEA store is styled... MORE
Metaverse Pharmacies
Metaverse Pharmacies
MAG and the Pharmacy Group are Developing a Virtual Pharmacy in Decentraland
iMining Technologies, a leading publicly-traded Web3 tech company, has announced that its subsidiary Metaverse Advisory Group (MAG) has entered a partnership with Noman Qureshi, owner of the... MORE
play_circle_filledDigital Footwear Experiences
Digital Footwear Experiences
Reebok Impact is a Next-Gen Shoe Experience with AI and Wearables
Futureverse, a leader in artificial intelligence and metaverse technologies, is teaming up with Reebok to launch Reebok Impact in 2024. This digital shoe experience is aimed at allowing mass... MORE
Customer Loyalty Partnerships
Customer Loyalty Partnerships
tokenproof and adidas Announce a Strategic Long-Term Partnership
tokenproof and adidas are “ushering a new era of loyalty and rewards for all consumer brands with a strategic three-year partnership. The collaboration began with the integration of tokenproof&#... MORE
Physical Metaverse Merchandise Stores
Physical Metaverse Merchandise Stores
Roblox will Sell Physical Goods with Shopify
Roblox has announced a strategic partnership with Shopify to enable the sale of physical goods directly within its platform. This integration allows developers, creators, and brands to sell real-... MORE