Preview: Sort by Serendipity

18 : 07 : 2016 Revelation Brands : Libreria : Discovery

Europe – Brands are creating new sorting systems that foster discovery over obvious organisation.

  • Old taxonomies are being replaced by more emotional methods of categorisation
  • Sort by Serendipity encourages mind-wandering over products on demand
Dessú, Paris/London Dessú, Paris/London
Dessú, Paris/London Dessú, Paris/London
Libreria by Second Home, London. Photography by Iwan Baan Libreria by Second Home, London. Photography by Iwan Baan
Black Rock, London

Retailers can often be set in their ways when it comes to how their products are merchandised. Booksellers organise books by genre and author; bars organise hard liquor by category and provenance.

But some are choosing to thwart consumer expectations by creating new ways of categorising products that encourage discovery and education. Bookstore Libreria in London, for instance, organises its books by themes such as the sky and the sea.

‘This is not about being an on-demand service, and not about serving an instrumental need,’ says Sally Davies, director of Libreria. ‘Instead, this is about providing a space that enables you to get an overview of the intellectual landscape and immerse yourself in the experience of being in the store.’

The Big Picture

For more examples of retailers and brands moving away from prescriptive taxonomy, read our latest microtrend, Sort by Serendipity.

Discover More Daily Signals
Merrell marks 45 years of outdoor footwear with It Starts Outdoors campaign

Daily Signals

Merrell marks 45 years of outdoor footwear with It Starts Outdoors campaign

Merrell is celebrating its 45th anniversary with the launch of its first global brand platform, It Starts Outside, and a new creative direction aim...
Sports : Wellness : Advertising & Branding
Men’s Health magazine republishes deleted CDC pages as public health information disappears

Daily Signals

Men’s Health magazine republishes deleted CDC pages as public health information disappears

Men’s Health magazine is republishing online pages and datasets previously accessible on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Health And Wellness : Public Health : Media
Stat: How convivial dining is on the decline

Daily Signals

Stat: How convivial dining is on the decline

Nearly one in five people now eat dinner on the sofa, according to a new global study by Ingka Group (Ikea’s parent company) – a sign that the...
Food : Drink : Statistic
How Norway’s Consumer Council is fighting back against enshittification

Daily Signals

How Norway’s Consumer Council is fighting back against enshittification

The Norwegian Consumer Council has launched a satirical film campaign to accompany its new report on the deterioration of digital products and serv...
Technology : Value : Sustainability
Is fashiontainment the future of retail loyalty?

Daily Signals

Is fashiontainment the future of retail loyalty?

Fashion retailer Gap Inc has launched Encore, a loyalty programme designed to connect fashion, entertainment and cultural experiences across its po...
Fashion : Retail : Gap
Stat: Gen Z faces a widening gender divide

Daily Signals

Stat: Gen Z faces a widening gender divide

A survey of 23,000 people in 29 countries suggests that Gen Z men hold more traditional views on gender roles than older generations, revealing a c...
Society : Gen Z : Statistc
ITB Berlin 2026: Regenerative hospitality takes centre stage

Daily Signals

ITB Berlin 2026: Regenerative hospitality takes centre stage

On the final day of ITB Berlin 2026, speakers highlighted regenerative hospitality as the next frontier for luxury travel, calling for a shift from...
Travel : Hospitality : Sustainability
Foresight Friday, Rose Coffey, senior foresight analyst

Daily Signals

Foresight Friday, Rose Coffey, senior foresight analyst

Every Friday, we offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, senior foresight analyst ...
Fashion : Media : Interactive Runway
Stat: Luxury consumers set to boost wellness spending

Daily Signals

Stat: Luxury consumers set to boost wellness spending

According to The New Wellness Ecosystem report by Karla Otto and Phronesis Partners, 60% of luxury consumers in ...
Wellness : Luxury : Statistic
ITB Berlin 2026: Balancing ambient technology with off-grid experiences

Daily Signals

ITB Berlin 2026: Balancing ambient technology with off-grid experiences

Insights and event coverage from day two of ITB Berlin 2026. 
Travel : Itb Berlin : Hospitality
You have 2 free Daily Signals remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN