News 21.04.2021

Need to Know

Browns unveils a connected luxury store, Bentley translates automotive design into apartments and Chinese consumers seek next-generation protein.

Browns’ tech-driven store augments luxury retail

Browns Brook Street, Mayfair, London
Browns Brook Street, Mayfair, London
Browns Brook Street, Mayfair, London

London – The luxury department store’s new technology-enhanced layout promises to transform high-end retail.

Browns, which is owned by e-commerce platform Farfetch, is becoming a connected and service-driven luxury environment, building on Farfetch’s mission to create the store of the future. In this vein, this new multi-brand store is complemented by the Browns app, which allows customers to book appointments and pre-arrange a selection of items on arrival. Meanwhile, the store's changing rooms will feature connected mirrors to display products selected by customers.

Other experiential elements include an on-site restaurant, a dedicated area for make-up and styling, and a space for a changing roster of store events. Holli Rogers, chair of Browns, says: ‘Our new magical home will inspire customers as well as usher in a fundamental shift in the way people shop as layered into this connected, tech-enabled experience is a thoughtful and human side – which is so crucial in the current landscape where personalisation is pivotal.’

As we explore in Storefront Salvation, retailers are recognising the importance of digital innovation in store environments and combining physical touchpoints with technology.

Next shop-in-shops dig into the gardening boom

Homebase garden centre at Next, London Homebase garden centre at Next, London
Homebase garden centre at Next, London Homebase garden centre at Next, London

UK – DIY chain Homebase is bringing a shop-in-shop format to fashion retailer Next in a bid to reach green-fingered urbanites.

Opening in six Next stores across the UK – including Bristol, Sheffield and Ipswich – the small-format Homebase stores will sell a variety of garden products and plants, with team members on hand to provide expert advice. The move will make Homebase products more accessible to consumers returning to city centres, and supports Homebase’s wider push for more small-format outlets on British high streets.

The partnership also reflects increasing consumer interest in gardening, plant care and access to nature amid the pandemic. ‘We're a great nation of gardeners, with more and more people enjoying the benefits of gardening and being outside,’ says Damian McGloughlin, CEO of Homebase. ‘The launch of these new garden centres means we're able to offer more gardeners, both experienced and those just starting out, Homebase products in more locations across the country.'

With the retail sector facing an uncertain future, this partnership provides an example of how brands can work together to benefit one another. For more, delve into Epidemic Retail Futures.

Automotive design drives Bentley’s residences

Bentley Residences by Bentley Motors and Dezer, Miami Bentley Residences by Bentley Motors and Dezer, Miami

Miami – Car retailer Bentley is opening its first branded residential tower in Miami, translating automotive design into a liveable environment.

The Bentley Residences building is set to open in 2026 in Sunny Isles beach in Miami. Launched in partnership with property firm Dezer Development, the high-spec complex is built to suit the needs of luxury car owners, with an in-unit multi-car garage and a patented car elevator. Featuring more than 200 luxury apartments, the residential tower will also boast communal amenities such as a gym, spa, whisky bar and restaurant.

‘We curate experiences for our customers as soon as they [get into] a Bentley, and everything has been tailor-made to enhance the experience within the car: the drive, noise, sound, smell and materiality,’ says Chris Cooke, lead designer at Bentley. ‘They can walk into their apartment and have that same level of detail and design philosophy that can be carried into their entire lifestyle.’

Through this development, Bentley is showing how its brand values and quality can play out in luxury homes – joining other luxury Brandlords.

Stat: Meat-free foods to snatch market share in China

Novameat, Spain Novameat, Spain

Chinese demand for plant-based meat options is rising, according to a white paper by food company Xingqiling.

According to the company – which specialises in plant-based products – local demand in the sector could increase by 200% in the next five years as Chinese consumers embrace new tastes and products. As a result, Xingqiling forecasts that China’s meatless market will reach a value of £9.3bn ($13bn, €10.8bn) as soon as 2023. Looking further ahead, the company expects the market share of plant-based meat will grow to 10–25% of the global meat market over the next five to 20 years.

The research comes at a time when plant-based brands such as Beyond Meat are scaling up their operations in China in response to accelerating regional interest. Furthermore, this shift in mindset among Chinese consumers could have a significant positive impact on the environment by reducing emissions from livestock farming.

Read Next-generation Protein to explore the companies pioneering new ingredients that better mimic animal products.

Previous News Articles
Disney unveils first-ever Middle East theme park on Yas Island

News

Disney unveils first-ever Middle East theme park on Yas Island

In a landmark moment for the entertainment and tourism sectors, The Walt Disney Company, in partnership with Miral, has announced the first-ever Di...
Abu Dhabi : Saudi Arabia : Travel And Hospitality
New data set helps identify culturally specific biases in LLMs

News

New data set helps identify culturally specific biases in LLMs

A new dataset called SHADES is helping researchers uncover how AI models internalise and reproduce harmful stereotypes in multiple languages.
AI : Technology : LLMs
Portugal tops list as Americans seek freedom abroad

News

Portugal tops list as Americans seek freedom abroad

In a recent survey of over 100,000 Americans considering emigration, Portugal has emerged as the top relocation destination. 
Travel : Society : Wellness
Electrolux launches campaign based on Swedish culture and values

News

Electrolux launches campaign based on Swedish culture and values

Multinational home appliance manufacturer Electrolux has launched a campaign celebrating core Swedish design values.
Home : Appliances : Advertising
Sober living meets social connection at NYC’s new members’ club The Maze

News

Sober living meets social connection at NYC’s new members’ club The Maze

New York City is set to welcome its first alcohol-free members’ club, The Maze, in autumn 2025.
Hospitality : Sober : Luxury
Stat: Brits Spend £439m a month to skip ads on top streaming platforms

News

Stat: Brits Spend £439m a month to skip ads on top streaming platforms

UK consumers are spending more than £439m each month, over £4.8bn annually, on ad-free streaming, according to new data from finance comparison sit...
Media : Entertainment : Streaming
AirCar readies for launch, ushering in an era of casual air mobility

News

AirCar readies for launch, ushering in an era of casual air mobility

Slovakia’s Klein Vision has announced that its AirCar – a road-legal vehicle that converts into a certified aircraft in under two minutes – will be...
Mobility : Air Travel : Transport
Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

News

Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

Every Friday, The Future Laboratory team offers an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, ...
Foresight Friday : Gen Z : Gen Beta
British Gen Alphas are listening to CDs and vinyl

News

British Gen Alphas are listening to CDs and vinyl

Nearly half of Generation Alpha are turning to physical music formats, according to new research from Key Production.
Gen Alpha : Music : Media
Social media star Kai Cenat launches Streamer University

News

Social media star Kai Cenat launches Streamer University

Twitch sensation Kai Cenat has launched Streamer University, a weekend-long experience for aspiring creators to collaborate, learn and produce cont...
Media : Entertainment : Education
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