Celebrating retail: Forum explores the store of the future

The latest retail trends were presented by The Future Laboratory’s team of experts, as well as a group of distinguished guest speakers. Guests heard insights from David Walker-Smith, managing director of UK department store Fenwick, Chris Morton, CEO of fashion marketplace Lyst, Paul Gulati, senior associate of Universal Design Studio, and luxury retail specialist Muriel Zingraff-Shariff.

To begin the forum, guests were served a lunch of tri-tip beef, slow-cooked hen eggs, Isle of Wight asparagus and pink fir apple potatoes prepared by London-based Blanch & Shock Food Design. In the afternoon tea break, guests were treated to cakes designed by Christopher Murphy of Tuck-Box. Improvising on the themes presented in the retail showcase, Murphy prepared a tropical coconut and mango sponge, carrot cake and cinnamon doughnuts with meringue and chocolate syrup, all inspired by different outstanding stores.

The forum also included a chance to experience The Future Laboratory’s customised Global Retail Theatre – an in-house cinema where guests could learn about exciting retail innovations from around the world. Finally, guests were given the chance to try a miniature version of The Fragrance Lab, a cutting-edge retail concept created by Selfridges in collaboration with The Future Laboratory, design studio Campaign and perfumers Givaudan. The day was rounded off with an early evening champagne reception in the courtyard.

For more information on forthcoming LS:N Global events, contact Alena Joyette.