Brands in Paris are living up to the city’s reputation for chic fashion, with their latest store launches. Luxury is the focus this month, but in surroundings that are clean, understated, and at times, rustic. Stores also continue to push on with sustainability efforts across design, products and services. We have a luxury retailer opening a bookstore, a shoe store opening a repair centre, and a fashion brand including upcycling in its product offerings. Here are the most fashionable retail stores we have found in Paris this month.   Both, Marais French shoe brand Both has launched a new ..read more

New York is known for its vibrant community and culture, which this month’s stores have been leaning into. Some stores are chasing particular niches or hobby groups, such as creatives and artists, and providing services and galleries in-store. This demonstrates the continuing interest in broadening retail away from simple product space, to cultural spaces where people may want to spend more time. Stores are also making use of technology and data to better serve customers in the area. This can both be looking at local trends to influence products stocked, as well as using location data to speed ..read more

Seoul is becoming one of the most interesting locations for innovative retail experiences. There is no one dominant theme this month, as stores fuse different types of retail with each other – some looking to the past with nostalgia and brand history or Korean design, and others looking to the future and providing immersive technology. We’ve found a camera company selling clothing, a perfume store opening a café, and AI generated ice cream flavours. Here are our top picks for the best new retail in Seoul in March.   Image credit: AXIS-Y AXIS-Y, Gangnam K-beauty skincare brand AXIS-Y has ..read more

Retail in Japan is as design-focused as ever this month. While we have found brands using the technology and immersive displays that Tokyo is known for, there are also signs that European design aesthetics are becoming more prevalent.  Stores are bringing in expert designers to ensure that there is no clash, with Nordic contemporary minimalism harmonising with traditional Japanese designs. We are also seeing stores testing retail concepts in pop-ups first before rolling them out to larger flagships. Here is our selection of the best new retail in Tokyo this month.   7-Eleven, Chiba P ..read more

New York is known for its wide range of art, from eclectic designs to classic pieces, which seems to have inspired the retail spaces we have found this month. History and the past are still influential to retail, with store designers using retro colours and carefully chosen vintage pieces to add character to their spaces. One luxury store is displaying its collection of historical items like a gallery display, while another is using vintage fixtures as part of a wider maximalist design. Artists and designers are also much sought after to craft custom furniture and fittings, curate collections ..read more

Luxury brands are betting big on physical retail spaces in London this year. We’ve found French-owned and influencer brands setting up boutiques, with minimalism – part of the quiet luxury trend – the dominant style. Several of the stores we found this month contrast brutalist and industrial settings against the understated luxury of their products, giving the spaces a chic and sophisticated feel. Stores are also continuing with the gallery trend, with one store leaning on its musical cache and connections to display rock star photography, and a fashion pop-up making the exhibition the focus o ..read more

Valentine’s is a big event in the retail calendar, with stores trying unique ways to celebrate the day, or provide a new twist on their offerings. This February sees a range of stores offering Valentine’s pop-ups, from the traditional (lingerie and perfume stores) to the less traditional (toys and trainers). Some retailers are bringing in celebrity guests to give advice on relationships, while some are creating unique products for Valentine’s or offering personalisation. Plan ahead for your Valentine’s Day offering next year with some inspiration from the best loved up pop-ups across the world ..read more

New York is known as the city that never sleeps, and retail is certainly not resting on its laurels this month, with another exciting range of stores launching here. Many of the stores this month have focused on beautiful architecture, design and styling, making their spaces as impressive as their products. Some have incorporated existing New York building features, some have opted for vintage styling, and some have gone with highly original colours to make their interiors pop. The retail space as a café, bar and restaurant has also continued as a trend, with brands taking over whole buildings ..read more

Luxury is increasingly prized in Asia, with many high-end brands launching retail spaces across the continent. This month sees the trend continue as a number of well-known luxury brands open new stores with a variety of concepts. Localisation is reflected in the design of spaces and the communities they are appealing to. Brands recognise that customers want their items to be unique and bespoke to them, and therefore personalisation options also make an appearance across a number of stores. Mixed-use retail spaces are another element we are continuing to see, as cafes, galleries and clubs are i ..read more

Retail is starting out high-end this year, with a multitude of luxury services and retailers popping up around London. Brands are recognising that customers are looking for unique and specialist experiences to make their visit to physical spaces worth their while. Personalisation and bespoke services are the theme this month, with retailers launching specialist beauty stores, perfumers offering AI-selected scents, and menswear adding in-house grooming. Find out how to upgrade your retail game with our picks for the best new retail in London this month.   The Fragrance Shop, Oxford Street ..read more