News 08.09.2020

Need to Know

Whole Foods launches a permanent online-only store, the Biden-Harris campaign engages gamers and location-sharing opt-in experiences spike amid Covid-19.

Ikea’s phygital window display features a CGI influencer

Imma at Ikea Harajuku, Japan

Tokyo – Virtual influencer Imma stars in Ikea’s new phygital Happiness at Home campaign.

The campaign, which merges physical and digital window displays, used LED screens to showcase a 10-hour long video installation, A Day In The Life of Imma. To demonstrate how small-space living can be elevated, Imma occupies the window display of the new Ikea Harajuku shop.

Offering a mixed-reality retail experience, those passing by were able to see the virtual influencer’s everyday home life as she practised yoga or prepared breakfast over the course of three days. A product selection curated by Imma and used in the virtual Harajuku apartment is also available to be purchased online.

Brands are increasingly blurring the lines between the physical and virtual to create innovative window displays. For more, discover how retail is becoming a phygital playground.

Whole Foods opens first ghost supermarket

Online Only Store by Amazon and Whole Foods Market, New York Online Only Store by Amazon and Whole Foods Market, New York
Online Only Store by Amazon and Whole Foods Market, New York Online Only Store by Amazon and Whole Foods Market, New York

Brooklyn – The retailer’s new facility, open at the Industry City campus, will fulfil grocery delivery orders in Brooklyn.

Marking the first permanent online-only store to open in Sunset Park, the site is closed to walk-in visitors, but appeals to the growing demand for online grocery shopping. The facility, created by Amazon and Whole Foods Market, is designed to better serve the Brooklyn community through increased efficiency, dedicated staff teams and exclusive discounts.

‘This new delivery-only retail model will allow Whole Foods Market to serve even more customers and continue to meet the growing demand for grocery delivery,’ Amazon wrote in an announcement about the store opening. As shoppers continue to embrace the convenience of online ordering, retailers are responding to the lack of demand for walk-in services, and instead providing efficient fulfilment centres.

As the trend for Flagship Fulfilment evolves amid the rise of e-commerce and the ongoing impact of Covid-19, it is changing grocery retail.

The US presidential campaign enters Animal Crossing

Biden-Harris presidential campaign, US Biden-Harris presidential campaign, US

US – Ahead of the upcoming US presidential election, the Joe Biden and Kamala Harris campaign has entered the gaming space with a new digital partnership.

By creating in-game yard signs, millions of Animal Crossing gamers can now take a political stance in the virtual realm. The online gaming community can choose from four flags including the official Biden-Harris logo, the Team Joe logo, the Joe logo that incorporates colours from the pride flag and one which features Biden’s trademark aviators. Supporters of the Democratic nominee can also acquire the merchandise by scanning QR codes through the Nintendo Switch online app.

‘This is just the start of how we plan to engage players ahead of November as we’re already looking forward to rolling out more digital swag, voter education tools, and organising efforts on Animal Crossing and other platforms,’ says Christian Tom, director of digital partnerships for the Biden campaign.

As gaming establishes itself as a safe space for online activism, brands are increasingly harnessing the power of online communities.

Stat: Location-sharing rises during Covid-19

Scramble For The Moon by Margaux Hendriksen Scramble For The Moon by Margaux Hendriksen

The pandemic has prompted increased adoption of location services, according to research by WARC.

The global rate of location-sharing opt-in on mobile apps increased by 39% between February and June 2020. The data also indicates that consumers in Brazil, Greece and Portugal using retail, utilities and travel apps are most likely to opt in to location-sharing. Further analysis of the study suggests that while home location-based audiences represent an opportunity for brands, consumers remain hesitant about visiting public places and so the current value of location-tracking is limited.

Ongoing concerns about data privacy are likely to prevail among consumers, but as we identify in our Data Commerce Market, a new digital economy is emerging that has the potential to benefit both individuals and their local community.

Previous News Articles
The Faroe Islands bring back the joy of getting lost

News

The Faroe Islands bring back the joy of getting lost

As algorithm-driven travel fuels overtourism, a new initiative is challenging travellers to let go of planning and control.
Travel : Tourism : The Faroe Islands
Thai perfume brand Journal turns fragrance samples into NFC collectables

News

Thai perfume brand Journal turns fragrance samples into NFC collectables

Fragrance brand Journal is rewriting the rules of scent sampling with a wearable fragrance tester that doubles as a social connector.
Beauty : Fragrance : Technology
Stat: Survey finds hardening stances on office attendance are impacting UK staff wellbeing

News

Stat: Survey finds hardening stances on office attendance are impacting UK staff wellbeing

Hardening return-to-office mandates are fuelling anxiety among UK workers, with 38% reporting that media coverage of stricter attendance policies i...
Office : Workplace : Stat
Innovation Debrief 2025–2026 report goes live

News

Innovation Debrief 2025–2026 report goes live

Discover the top 50 innovations acknowledging, driving and anticipating change in our new Innovation Debrief 2025–2026 report. 
Innovation Debrief 2024-2025 : Future Trends 2026 : Cultural Foresight
Joe Wicks’ Activate turns movement into play for kids

News

Joe Wicks’ Activate turns movement into play for kids

Fitness trainer Joe Wicks is swapping live-action workouts for animation with Activate – a lively new series of five-minute fitness bursts designed...
Fitness : Health And Wellbeing : Gen Alpha
IKEA creates open-air library along the Seine in Paris

News

IKEA creates open-air library along the Seine in Paris

IKEA has unveiled the Billyothèque, a pop-up outdoor library transforming a stretch of Paris’s Seine riverbank into a space for slow, serendipitous...
Ikea : Reading Room : Reading Experience
Stat: US teens turn to AI companions for life advice

News

Stat: US teens turn to AI companions for life advice

A new study by Common Sense Media reveals that 72% of US teens aged 13–17 have tried AI companions, with over half now using them regularly.
Technology : AI : Stat
DressX debuts fashion-forward Roblox game with Puma

News

DressX debuts fashion-forward Roblox game with Puma

Digital fashion platform DressX is expanding its creative universe with DressGo, its first game on Roblox.
Technology : Fashion : Gaming
EcoBeautyScore unveils science-backed beauty scoring system

News

EcoBeautyScore unveils science-backed beauty scoring system

EcoBeautyScore, the first science-based environmental scoring system for cosmetics and personal care, has officially launched with support from ove...
Beauty : Accredited Beauty : Beauty Scoring System
Stat: UK adults increasingly feel ultra-processed foods are hurting their health

News

Stat: UK adults increasingly feel ultra-processed foods are hurting their health

A new survey by digital wellness platform Lifesum finds that 68% of UK adults believe ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are negatively impacting th...
Food : Drink : Health
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN