See What The Retail Stores Of The Future Will Look Like

By Ashley Lutz, Published on January 11, 2013

retail stores of the future

King Retail Services

Retail stores will look very different in a few years.

In the age of mobile technology, shoppers are changing more than ever, and retailers are rushing to catch up with their customers’ ever-evolving demands.

King Retail Solutions designs modern retail stores. The company shared anecdotes and images about what the store of the future will look like.

“Stores will become more theatrical, more immersive, and more of a life experience rather than simply a place to get something,” said Christopher Studach, creative director at KRS. “As much as they are selling products they will be selling a good time, a lifestyle.”

From cash registers to integrating mobile devices, retail stores will soon look very different.

This is a mock-up of what retail stores will look like in the future. Note the digital signage, less conspicuous cash register and computers made available to customers.

King Retail Services

Here’s another shot of what a market would look like in the future. The chef’s specials are illustrated on digital screens above him.

King Retail Services

Here’s a Mobi PCS store that KRS redesigned. Changes included a central “showroom” area and digital devices on the floor.

King Retail Solutions

Here’s a sleek, modern display at the Mobi PCS store designed by KRS.

Here's a sleek, modern display at the Mobi PCS store designed by KRS.

King Retail Solutions

In the future, retailers will evolve from stores to showrooms to actual “playrooms” in order for shoppers to experience the products. IKEA does a good job of illustrating this.

Retailers might devote less space to mass product on the sales floor and more space to product immersion, as seen in Apple stores.

Retailers might devote less space to mass product on the sales floor and more space to product immersion, as seen in Apple stores.

AP

Inventory could conceivably not even exist in the “store” environment at all, but be shipped directly to your home from a distribution center.

Inventory could conceivably not even exist in the “store” environment at all, but be shipped directly to your home from a distribution center.

AP

Cash registers are now being streamlined to be smaller and more efficient, integrating mobile devices.

Cash registers are now being streamlined to be smaller and more efficient, integrating mobile devices.

Urban Outfitters

Sales by associates on the sales floor with hand-held devices is also growing. Auto-charging a customer’s account via smart phone is on the horizon for many retailers.

Sales by associates on the sales floor with hand-held devices is also growing. Auto-charging a customer's account via smart phone is on the horizon for many retailers.

Theodore Ritz | Business Insider

Flexible environments are key to staying fresh, and relevant, meaning that displays should be as temporary as possible. One way of doing this is through digital signage, which updates constantly.

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