An activity that is exciting for shopaholics, but also a great cue for those who want to learn on the ground new things that will shyly come from America to Europe as well.
We are thinking not only of luxury brands, but of every vertical, from fashion to retail.
We are increasingly aware that these are no longer places in which to distribute products and services, but spaces in which to offer meaningful experiences.
Therefore, customer service does not take a back seat, but also attention to the use of technology, moving to space design, employee training and change management. Here are some of them.
The Landmark: Tiffany & Co. becomes a valuable art destination
Let's meet at Tiffany's!
In April last year, Tiffany & Co., acquired in 2021 by LVMH, unveiled the new look, of The Landermark, the iconic flagship on 5th Avenue.
Redesigned by architect Peter Marino and OMA New York partner Shohei Shigematsu, Tiffany has become a true art destination, expertly combining innovation, craftsmanship and creative excellence.
This significant restructuring, when we consider the brand's 200-year history, cannot be reduced to visual merchandising.
It is not only the retail and exhibition space that is being rethought, but the brand itself, which now offers a stunning selection of unique and commissioned works. Think of artists such as Anish Kapoor, Pistoletto, Richard Prince, Jeff Koons, Julian Schnabel, and Jenny Holzer.
Salespeople are the true protagonists of Tiffany storytelling, able to converse with great discretion and extreme professionalism with buyers and equally curious patrons to learn the story guarded by precious stones, collectibles and unparalleled craftsmanship. To keep dreaming, not missing from the display is the iconic black satin evening gown designed by Hubert de Givenchy, worn by Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Five-star assistance
So many services are available, one can request engraving, cleaning and jewelry repairs by booking a virtual appointment or onsite to receive assistance from a Tiffany consultant.
The top floors are the most exclusive, open by appointment only. Also frequently sold out is Daniel Boulud's Blue Box Café, the elegant café that echoes Tiffany's signature blue hue.
Dreaming is for everyone, so here a visit to Tiffany's becomes an unforgettable experience for everyone, not just those who buy multi-carat wonders.
UNIQLO: RFID improves shopping experience, inventory management and payment process
The Broadway flagship uses RFID technology to improve the shopping experience, inventory management, and payment process.
Those who work in retail know how onerous the inventory management, the purchasing process, but also the production and storage of a product is. Controlling and tracking inventory in a systematic and organized way thanks to RFID technology is really strategic, not to mention the fact that issues dedicated to product transparency and traceability are increasingly important to consumers.
UNIQLO uses RFID tags for each product so that each item can be read appropriately and accurately. That is why self-checkout is also an innovative, simple, fast, and rewarding experience. The product, placed in the self-checkout, thanks to RFID, is ready to be processed.
The more people become digital natives, the more important it is to ensure a human relationship in the in-store shopping experience, which is why by automating the buying process and reducing transaction times, sales staff can devote themselves to helping customers in store.
But that's not the end of the story, to make the experience more interactive, RFID mirrors improve the real-time search for new products among the shelves that can be purchased in just a few clicks.
Google Store: immersive experiences and workshops for the community
What would Google be without its community?
Hard to say, since more than products and services we need to talk about a lifestyle that promotes flexibility, mobility and integrations.
A stop at the Google store in Williamsburg is a must for an immersive experience. You can test products, such as the Pixel 6 Pro, listen to your favorite YouTube playlist on Nest Audio or take a class to learn more about the Google Watch.
As soon as you enter, the relaxation area alternates with the "Here to" help desk where Google experts offer assistance and repairs and with the "Grab & Go" corner where people can pick up a pre-order placed online at the Google Store.
With the Big Apple's chilly temperatures, there is nothing more comfortable than a crackling fire. And if not everyone has a fireplace at home or wants to deal with transporting firewood, here is where one's TV in turns into a fireplace, an easy solution that gives a relaxing feeling.
Between immersive tests, gadgets and animated displays showcasing hardware and services, there is an alternating agenda of events and workshops to introduce products and answer frequently asked questions.
Wegman: focus on product selection, services and community
It is a supermarket chain with more than 100 stores across New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, and North Carolina.
The family-owned company, recognized as an industry leader and innovator, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016 and for 23 consecutive years has been one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" according to FORTUNE magazine.
The dedicated retail space is 87,500 square feet and employs more than 600 employees, the vast majority hired locally. Wegman's houses a wide range of pre-packaged and prepared-to-order foods.
It is truly amazing the selection available for purchase and the ease with which any shopper can search the shelves. You find everything from kosher to Asian products, from gluten-free to fish delivered daily from ports across the country and the Toyosu fish market in Japan.
Wegman has really thought of everything, with dedicated escalators for carts, self-service checkouts, and a dedicated app for ordering and customizing pickup or delivery. Available are recipes, digital coupons, and the ability to create shopping lists.
There is a strong commitment to the local community; in the past year, Wegman has committed more than $87,000 to the local community through donations and event sponsorships in Manhattan as part of its mission to make a difference in every community it serves.
Saks: stylists, live events, custom shopping and digital signage for increasingly discerning customers
In fact, every consumer expects unique shopping experiences, and Saks is ready to offer them!
That's why even the window dressing, a real ritual here especially during the holidays, becomes a film to be constantly reinvented with the aim to excite, involve, amaze. It cannot be otherwise in this temple of luxury, which houses the salons of Prada, Gucci, Louis Vitton, just to name a few brands.
Digital signage is undoubtedly strategic to present products and help with dedicated and interactive maps for customers to orient themselves in such a large and brand-rich space.
The services available are also not to be outdone: stylists, sartorial adjustments, live events, sustainability projects, dedicated credit cards, custom filters for online shopping and the more classic buy online and pick up in store, without forgetting the assistance provided by the sales consultants, so discreet and skilled at truly catering to every whim.