Future Stores will open on Oxford Street next week, aiming to revolutionise retail.
- With a £20 million investment, the store combines cutting-edge technology in a physical space.
- Ariel Haroush, the founder, plans further expansion, citing challenges in traditional retail.
- Intel will feature its AI PCs at the opening, highlighting innovative in-store experiences.
- The store integrates high-tech displays and data-driven insights for personalisation.
Future Stores, located at 95 Oxford Street, is set to redefine traditional retail by introducing an interactive, highly immersive shopping environment. With a significant £20 million investment, the store blends the latest technology with a physical retail space, aiming to transform shopping into a dynamic experience.
Founder Ariel Haroush, a US-based Israeli tech entrepreneur, envisions this concept as a necessary evolution in retail, particularly as conventional methods struggle to captivate modern consumers. With shoppers’ attention spans becoming shorter, especially among Generation Z and Generation Alpha, Haroush argues that traditional retail must evolve or risk losing engagement. Future Stores promises to offer what both consumers and brands desire: an engaging and meaningful shopping experience.
The innovative concept will initially feature Intel, showcasing ‘the world’s most advanced retail store,’ where customers will have the opportunity to interact with its newly launched AI PCs. This initiative not only promises a state-of-the-art shopping experience but also represents a notable step towards integrating tech giants into retail spaces.
Spanning two floors and covering 4,682 square feet, the Oxford Street location is equipped with high-definition Micro LED displays, large billboards, and sophisticated cameras. These elements are designed not only for aesthetic appeal but also to serve practical transactional purposes. An integrated payment system allows the space to function simultaneously as a sales point and a stockroom, situated in the basement. Importantly, the store leverages data analytics to gather insights on customer behaviour, such as dwell time and traffic patterns, both inside and outside the store.
According to Engin Celikbas, Managing Director, harnessing data is no longer an optional luxury but a necessity for creating personalised consumer interactions. The ability to engage with consumers on a deeper level not only enhances conversion rates but also boosts customer satisfaction.
Haroush is also dedicated to making the high street more accessible for emerging brands. Future Stores offers these newcomers a platform to display their products as though they occupy a flagship space. This approach democratises retail, allowing new designers who might not be able to commit to long-term leases to gain a desirable presence.
The technology inside Future Stores allows for adaptive retail spaces that can quickly adjust to consumer demands or campaign effectiveness. This adaptability ensures that the retail environment remains dynamic and responsive. Haroush’s vision is not static; he aims for Future Stores to continuously evolve, leveraging collaborations with brands of varying sizes. As retail becomes increasingly an experiential venture, the concept strives to embody that ethos.
Retail expert Kate Hardcastle MBE complements Haroush’s vision by emphasising the importance of fresh, disruptive brands. Hardcastle notes, ‘Retail cannot just be a place to sell. It’s a place to be,’ highlighting a potential shift in the role of physical retail spaces in the future.
Future Stores on Oxford Street exemplifies a transformative step in retail by merging creativity, advanced technology, and consumer interactivity.
