Even before the pandemic hit, experience was already a critical factor that was driving the way our retail spaces were designed As the pandemic unfolded and productivity of retail space came into greater focus, experience became an even more important factor due to its ability to drive up customer engagement and not only sales As a result, experiential retail is now counterbalancing the widespread availability of e-commerce, ensuring that enhancing a brand’s physical presence as a strategy pays off

This can be extremely beneficial against the background of pent-up demand among consumers who had been forced into isolation for two years but are now emerging from their homes following a widening vaccination net.

These customers are now looking for engaging, immersive and convenient experiences that give them a reason to visit stores rather than making purchases online An IBM survey, released in 2022 rated in store experience as one of the top 5 reasons for shoppers to walk into a store