#WonderNews: Casa Francis Opens in São Paulo; Christmas Magic at a Lego Store (and More!) Comments Off on #WonderNews: Casa Francis Opens in São Paulo; Christmas Magic at a Lego Store (and More!) 1477

loja

Another edition of #WonderNews is live! It’s the Alice Wonders newsletter that rounds up the top news in Technology, Architecture, and Brick-and-Mortar Retail Experiences – from Brazil and around the world! Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the read. ☕️

Francis opens its first concept store in São Paulo

Casa Francis has just opened its first concept store in São Paulo, on Rua Oscar Freire. Spanning 388 m² (about 4,200 sq ft) and designed by Marcelo Rosenbaum, the space offers a one-of-a-kind multisensory experience, with more than 100 exclusive products, including:

  • Eaux de Parfum;
  • Home fragrance diffusers;
  • Candles.

The store was designed to delight, with a scented façade and three spacious floors that connect customers to the brand’s universe.

And of course, Alice Wonders was part of the space too, with our Lift and Learning technology, which lets customers access exclusive content when they lift a perfume bottle from the display, making the experience even more interactive.

Casa Francis is a true gathering place for anyone seeking sophistication and unforgettable moments.

Nike House of Innovation: the Retail Revolution in New York

Nike House of Innovation, located on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, is a truly immersive, digital retail experience. The store features six floors of innovation, design, and technology.

The space is more than just a store — it’s an environment that engages consumers in a multisensory way. In addition to offering mobile payments and information via QR codes, the experience includes Scenic mannequin bases, digitally designed and activated by BRDG Studios.

If you’re looking for an experience that blends the physical and the digital, Nike House of Innovation is the perfect place to experience the future of retail.

Johnnie Walker innovates with a “Store in Store” at Carrefour

Johnnie Walker brought a unique experience to Carrefour with its “Store in Store” concept. Inspired by the neat glass, the store offers a sophisticated setting with illuminated ice cubes and bottle glorifiers, creating a stunning visual experience.

A dedicated gift area also highlights holiday gift options, making the experience even more memorable. With partner brands such as Kero Coco, Scheepers, and Easy Drinks, the activation showcases innovation at the POS.

And did you know that we at Alice Wonders offer a wide range of tech solutions to create even more amazing spaces? Check out our work!

MAAP expands its European retail presence with a Berlin opening

Cycling apparel brand MAAP has just opened the doors of its new store in the heart of Berlin, in the Mitte district. Located on the ground floor of a historic building dating back to 1890, the store combines modern design and functionality, reflecting the brand’s passion for the world of cycling.

Developed by MAAP’s in-house design team, based in Melbourne, the space was conceived as a social hub for the vibrant local community. Beyond apparel, accessories, and collaborative pieces, MAAP LaB Berlin stands out for its welcoming, creative approach.

With a dynamic program of events, activations, and group rides, the store goes beyond retail, celebrating culture, art, and innovation in cycling. It’s a true meeting point for enthusiasts, who can now explore all the new arrivals and exclusives at the new location.

Lego transforms its London store into an amazing Christmas Wonderland!

This Christmas, LEGO recreated Santa’s Post Office at its flagship store in London, delivering an immersive, magical experience.

With a design that includes a cozy Santa’s Post Office, a themed sofa, a dazzling Christmas tree, and a charming view of the LEGO Holiday Village, the space invites visitors to indulge in nostalgia and creativity.

The experience reinforces the power of sensory retail, connecting generations and creating unforgettable memories in a setting full of holiday magic. Yet another example of LEGO’s innovation and emotional appeal!

Puma opens an immersive flagship in Las Vegas

Puma unveiled its new flagship store at The BLVD, in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, combining technology, personalization, and entertainment.

With 2,300 m² (about 24,700 sq ft) spread across three floors, the space reflects Puma’s “brand elevation” strategy, offering a vibrant, interactive shopping experience. Store highlights:

  • F1 Simulator: race virtually along the iconic Las Vegas Strip;
  • Interactive Arcade: soccer, golf, and racing-themed games;
  • PUMA x YOU Studio: product customization with patchwork, embroidery, and more;
  • Vegas Shop: exclusive apparel and an interactive slot machine for special prizes;
  • Puma Select: exclusive collaborations and releases.

With a focus on athletic performance and connecting with both local and international consumers, the store brings together technology, fashion, and sports in a first-of-its-kind experience. It’s a bold bet on the North American market and Las Vegas’s growing sports scene.


Stay on top of the latest brick-and-mortar retail trends from around the world! Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and our Blog: The Future of Retail so you never miss an update.

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Retail Media on the Rise: Why Is This Market Growing So Fast? Comments Off on Retail Media on the Rise: Why Is This Market Growing So Fast? 1410

retail media

The concept of retail media is becoming very common in the retail market, especially with the growth of digital marketing strategies. This advertising model not only helps brands reach their consumers more effectively, but also creates new opportunities for retail stores to become more interactive and personalized.

But why has this phenomenon gained so much momentum? The answer lies in retail media’s ability to integrate advertising campaigns directly into the shopping environment, which offers a smoother and more relevant experience for consumers.

Instead of relying exclusively on ads in traditional media or social networks, retail media allows advertisers to connect directly with their target audiences while they are already at the moment of purchase decision.

We also can’t overlook the fact that new real-time data collection technologies have allowed retail stores to create increasingly personalized experiences for consumers.

This makes retail media an even more powerful tool, as it allows retailers to better understand their customers’ behavior and adjust their marketing strategies quickly and effectively.

With that in mind, today we’ll look at what retail media is, how it works, and explore the reasons behind its steady growth, as well as examine the trends in this market that are driving this transformation and revolutionizing the shopping experience.

What is retail media and how does it work?

Retail media is a concept that is revolutionizing the way brands and advertisers connect with consumers within retail environments.

This advertising model allows brands to promote their products directly on the sales channels of large retail chains, such as marketplaces, e-commerce sites and even brick-and-mortar stores.

This way, communication happens at the most strategic moment of the shopping journey: when the consumer has already shown intent to buy a product. The retail media strategy has been gaining momentum globally and was also one of the highlights of NRF, the world’s largest retail event.

NRF has shown how major players in the industry are investing in their own media within their ecosystems, creating new revenue streams and offering brands a highly targeted channel to reach the right audience at the right time.

Retail media works by combining shopping behavior data with advertising formats integrated into consumer touchpoints, such as ads on retailer websites, personalized promotions in apps and digital screens in physical stores.

As a result, retailers become true media spaces, delivering more relevant experiences and increasing sales conversion. Whether for brands looking to expand their visibility or for retailers seeking new monetization opportunities, Retail Media has already established itself as one of the most promising strategies in the market.

Keeping an eye on the trends presented at NRF and those coming to the market is essential to understanding how this model can be applied innovatively in your retail store and strengthen your market presence.

Understand why Retail Media is booming in the market

As we’ve seen so far, retail media has established itself as one of the biggest trends in the global market, transforming the way brands and retailers engage with consumers.

With impressive growth, this strategy already moves billions of dollars and is increasingly present in the digital marketing strategies of major retail chains. But have you ever stopped to think about why retail media is booming and being so widely adopted?

To answer that question, we’ve highlighted five reasons that explain this phenomenon and its relevance in the market. Check them out below:

1 – A billion-dollar market in expansion

Retail media isn’t just a passing trend, but rather a sector in constant expansion. According to estimates, this form of advertising is expected to reach around US$ 110 billion globally by 2026, showing its enormous growth potential.

This growth reflects brands’ increasing interest in investing directly at the point of sale, where consumers are already highly likely to buy. Major retail companies have already built robust in-house advertising ecosystems, attracting significant investment and becoming true media giants.

2 – Accelerated adoption by retailers and manufacturers

Brazil has stood out in this landscape, following the global trend. Research indicates that 79% of manufacturers already use retail media, and all of them see this strategy as essential to the future of retail.

In addition, brands are realizing that advertising on e-commerce platforms and in brick-and-mortar stores can be much more efficient than traditional media, as it directly reaches consumers at the moment of purchase decision.

3 – A new source of monetization for retail

One of the reasons for retail media’s rapid growth is its positive financial impact on retailers. Large companies have already begun implementing advertising strategies on their platforms, following in the footsteps of giants like Amazon and Mercado Livre.

By turning their own sales channels into valuable advertising spaces, these companies can increase their profitability without relying exclusively on the profit margin of the products they sell.

4 – Technological advances and new partnerships

Technology has been a major ally in the growth of retail media. Large retail chains are investing heavily in artificial intelligence and data analytics to make ads more accurate and personalized.

In addition, new strategic partnerships between retailers and digital platforms are being formed to further boost this market. The trend is that, in the coming years, retail media campaigns will become increasingly targeted and efficient, delivering an even greater return on investment (ROI) for brands.

5 – Global prominence and accelerated growth

The importance of retail media has been widely discussed at the industry’s leading events, such as NRF, the world’s largest retail show. In recent years, NRF has spotlighted the rise of advertising platforms within both e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail, reinforcing that this is one of the most promising strategies today.

The discussions at NRF New York show how major players are adapting their business models to integrate retail media, creating new opportunities for brands and retailers to maximize sales and audience engagement.

These are some of the reasons why retail media continues to grow at a rapid pace. Its ability to reach consumers at the moment of purchase, generate new revenue for retailers and deliver highly targeted campaigns makes it an indispensable strategy in today’s landscape.

With continued investment in technology, this trend is only set to grow stronger in the coming years. If you work in retail or digital marketing, it’s worth keeping an eye on retail media and the opportunities it can bring to your business!

The future and trends of retail design

The future of retail design is intrinsically linked to the integration of technology and customer experience, transforming retail stores into interactive and engaging spaces.

Events such as NRF in New York highlight trends that point to the need for innovation in store design, aimed at meeting the expectations of increasingly connected and demanding consumers.

In this context, Alice Wonders stands out as a company specializing in creating digital retail experiences. Combining design, technology and architecture, the company develops customized solutions that turn the point of sale into an interactive environment, delivering a distinctive shopping journey for customers.

By investing in retail design innovations, retail stores can stand out in an increasingly competitive market, offering unique experiences that build customer loyalty and boost sales.

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#WonderNews: AI in Stores; Digital Visual Merchandising Gains Ground (and More!) Comments Off on #WonderNews: AI in Stores; Digital Visual Merchandising Gains Ground (and More!) 1372

lojas

Welcome to #WonderNews: the Alice Wonders newsletter that connects you to the top trends in technology, design, architecture, and in-store experiences, in Brazil and around the world.

In an increasingly dynamic consumer market, these areas play an essential role in building spaces and interactions that delight customers and create emotional connections with them.

With that in mind, check out valuable insights, innovations, and ideas that inspire transformation and boost brand success. Grab your coffee and enjoy the read. ☕️

✨ Bandai Namco opens its first Cross Store in the US!

If you’re a fan of anime, games, and collectibles, get ready for some amazing news: Bandai Namco has opened its first Cross Store in the United States. Following the success of its London location, this megastore lands in Industry City to bring all your favorite brands together in one place.

What to expect? The store will feature 10 official spaces dedicated to iconic Bandai Namco products, including:

  • Incredible anime and game collectibles and figures;
  • Exclusive card games, such as the One Piece Card Game;
  • The nostalgic return of Tamagotchis;
  • PAC-MAN, Tekken, and Dragon Ball merchandise.

Plus, the location is an attraction in itself! Industry City’s Japan Village promises an immersive experience with a Japanese market, food stalls, a sake shop, and much more. Perfect for diving into Japanese pop culture!

This initiative shows how geek culture and Japanese entertainment keep gaining ground globally! The shopping experience goes beyond the products: it’s about experiencing the Bandai Namco universe in a unique way.

Home Depot revolutionizes home improvement with AI!

Home Depot has just launched Magic Apron, an innovative suite of Generative AI toolsdesigned to transform the experience of customers looking to renovate and improve their homes.

Available on the Home Depot website and app, Magic Apron can:

  • Summarize product reviews;
  • Answer “how-to” questions;
  • Recommend personalized products for every need.

What sets it apart? It was trained on the expertise of Home Depot’s famous orange-apron associates and will keep learning from user feedback.

And there’s more: Magic Apron will soon come to the brand’s B2B website, offering dedicated support for contractors and industry professionals.

New features are in development, including a personal home improvement concierge for inspiration, product comparisons, and expert advice.

Digital Twins at Lowe’s: AI to optimize stores in real time

Lowe’s is transforming retail with 3D digital twins, updated several times a day to mirror its physical stores. With this technology, the company simulates layouts, tests product placement, and improves sales performance without having to change the actual space.

On top of that, generative AI is giving sales associates “superpowers,” as they now have smart assistants to answer questions about products and projects.

Soon, customers will also have access to chatbots to get recommendations and make purchases directly within the virtual experience.

Prada’s immersive experience: classic never goes out of style

Prada Beauty is taking experiential retail to the next level with the “Love Capture” photo booth, an immersive activation that invites consumers to connect with the brand in a unique way.

These booths, strategically placed in the world’s fashion capitals, combine sophisticated design and interactivity, allowing visitors to capture special moments while trying iconic products from the Prada Beauty line, such as Prada Balm and Prada Monochrome. The Prada Paradoxe fragrance rounds out the experience, turning every photo into a sensory keepsake.

This concept reinforces the trend of retail as a space for memorable experiences that go far beyond the store. Interactive, multisensory environments build lasting bonds with consumers.

Just as in physical space design, where finishes and details elevate perception, in retail it’s these experiences that turn brands into icons – because innovation and delight never go out of style.

⛰️ Digital Visual Merchandising at Columbia’s new store in Shanghai

Columbia Sportswear Company has just opened its newest store on Huaihai Road in Shanghai, and it’s a true example of how Digital Visual Merchandising can elevate the retail experience.

Blending smart design, technology, and brand identity, the space strengthens Columbia’s positioning in the Chinese market, making it the perfect destination for outdoor adventure lovers.

From the moment they walk in, the store invites customers on an immersive journey, blending physical and digital elements to tell the brand’s story. The strategic use of imagery to highlight product categories, the screen-fitted boxes that chronicle Columbia’s history, and the dark ceiling accented by a grid of LED lights are all examples of how every detail was designed to showcase the merchandise.

With innovative design and the strategic use of Digital Visual Merchandising, Columbia shows that its essence lies not only in its products but also in the way it engages and inspires its customers in the retail environment and in its stores.

Samsung takes the photography experience to new heights with the Galaxy S25 Ultra

Samsung is redefining brand activations by taking the Galaxy S25 Ultra experience to the top of Sampa Sky, one of the highest observation decks in São Paulo. The “Experiência Mirante Galaxy S25” (Galaxy S25 Observation Deck Experience) lets visitors test the new smartphone’s powerful camera 150 meters (about 490 feet) above the ground, standing on a glass floor, creating the unique sensation of floating over the city.

With a 200 MP lens and up to 10x digital zoom, the Galaxy S25 Ultra promises to capture every detail of the urban landscape with impressive sharpness. To make the moment even more memorable, Samsung offers instant prints of the photos taken during the activation, ensuring visitors take home a physical keepsake of this one-of-a-kind experience.

Combining technology, entertainment, and immersive experiences, Samsung shows that when it comes to innovation, the sky — or the top of Sampa Sky — is the limit.


Stay on top of the latest trends in brick-and-mortar retail around the world! Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Blog: The Future of Retail so you never miss an update.

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