Clubhouse Culture for Modern Connoisseurs

A new wave of clubhouse-esque spaces revelling in contemporary craftsmanship are championing intimacy and sociability, representing a modern take on mid-20th-century social clubs or riffing on the sensual vibes of old-school jazz dens. It’s a trend so diverse it encompasses sports, sex and scents.

Coach-Me Commerce: Softer Sources of Support

A wave of brands are tapping into a coach-me mentality this season, with retail concepts offering guidance, encouragement and skills improvement aligned with a softer, friendlier version of sporting performance explored in Sports Retail Meets Self-Care. More than testing hubs, these stores feature workshops and advice centres and thrive on human interaction.

Urban Gatherings: Micro-Leisure Booms

A fresh wave of retail spaces focused on urban gatherings is responding to young adults’ craving for IRL community, spurred by the isolation of lockdowns (in Britain, 16- to 24-year-olds are three times more likely to say they feel lonely than those aged 65-74, Future Care Capital, 2022). Sports, gaming and beauty are leading the charge.

New Moves on Minimaluxe

Countering the hyper-stimulating rush of digital life, several notable stores illustrate the renaissance of imaginative minimalism. From next-gen golf brands to sneaker retail, these spaces are designed to enhance a sense of wellbeing through sensorial respite.

Retro Reloaded

The vintage boom, noted in our Spring 2023 Global Store Openings Round-Up, continues to evolve with retail concepts that acknowledge pre-loved products and honour craft and longevity. Mostly residential-style interiors communicate intimacy alongside a tougher retro-brutalist take on the trend in China. Some performance, too, amplifies the changed status of the non-new.

Luxury’s New Motherships

Aiming to consolidate their power bases following a period of pandemic disruption, megabrands including Chanel, Tiffany & Co and Hermès have corralled mega-flagship formats to demonstrate their capacity to instigate IRL awe. As 360° statements of intent, these are infused with everything from Michelin-star chef cafés and artisan ateliers to immersive exhibitions.

Haute-Low Street Style

Deluxe materials juxtaposed with rough or made-to-look-raw materials present the high-low language of next-gen streetwear, confirming its place as a continued contender in the luxury sector.

F&B Blossoms: Deluxe To Go

From Stella McCartney to Prada, several luxury brands are upping the ante on food to go with new in-store hospitality concepts, including a music-inspired café, a vintage-style tiki bar and a matcha counter.

Contemporising Repairs & Customisation

When it comes to personalisation in the era of circularity and advanced artificial intelligence (AI), the lines between product and content are becoming increasingly blurred. New stores from brands including Timberland, Nike and Swiss recycled accessories company Freitag are recalibrating the premise of customisation.

Engaging Eco Angles

From interior design focused on repurposed and recyclable materials to landscaped rooftop gardens doubling as building insulation or increasing urban biodiversity, the continued pursuit of sustainability is creating new languages for the in-store experience.