Modern retail store interior with impressive visual merchandising displays

The future of retail, studied every quarter.

Eight consecutive studies. Twelve-plus retail sectors. One clear signal — experience is everything.

Experiential RetailConvenienceGrocery & QSRLoyaltyAI & CommercePop-ups
01 · The Shift

The forces rewriting retail

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Consumer decisions are emotion-driven

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More lifetime spend from emotionally connected customers

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Experience economy by 2032

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Say stores must entertain, not just sell

02 · Our Point of View

Not another retail report.

We don’t study retail from the outside. We design, build, and launch the environments people walk into — so our research starts where the industry’s usually ends: in the making.

Trade bodies and analysts publish the numbers. We chase the feeling. Every study is written by the designers, strategists, and makers actually shaping the floor — grounded in craft, driven by curiosity, and made for the dreamers building what’s next.

Makers, not observers

Our insight comes from the fabrication floor and the sales floor — not a spreadsheet from afar.

Craft over consensus

We look for the emotional truth of a space, not the safe conclusion everyone already agrees on.

Curiosity as method

Each study chases a new question about how physical retail makes people feel — and follows it.

Explore the Studies

The through-line

“Brands that create emotionally connected experiences drive 306% more lifetime customer spend.”

Harvard Business Review — validated across our research

Trusted Partners

The brands behind the research

7-Eleven logo
Bojangles logo
Checkers logo
Starbucks logo
Dick's Sporting Goods logo
Adidas logo
Panera logo
Just Salad logo
Dairy Queen logo
Boost Mobile logo
Bud Light logo
Meijer logo
Best Buy logo
7-Eleven logo
Bojangles logo
Checkers logo
Starbucks logo
Dick's Sporting Goods logo
Adidas logo
Panera logo
Just Salad logo
Dairy Queen logo
Boost Mobile logo
Bud Light logo
Meijer logo
Best Buy logo

Talk to our team

Let’s chat about your brand

Want to turn these insights into a real retail transformation? Connect with the Imagine team to scope a project or request a briefing tailored to your brand.

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