For my research, I will have to look at both what consumers want (specifically young women), and how retailers are reshaping their spaces to meet these needs. The future of shopping in the post-pandemic era, in fact, looks like a hybrid experience – online shopping and in-store coexisting and informing each other.
According to Forbes, “shoppers say they value stores for the following reasons:
1. Touch and feel merchandise
2. Get merchandise immediately
3. Avoid shipping fees for purchases
4. Take advantage of in-store discounts
5. Enjoy the shopping experience”
I plan to start with a smaller intervention, possibly a workshop at CSM, talking to young women who have had bad (and also good) experiences shopping. Next, I’ll reach out to retailers who have been doing things differently – like the owners of Paper Dress Vintage in East London. A shop during the day, it turns into a music venue/club at night (actually one of my favourite places and sticky dance floors in London).