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Future of Retail

A group of people seated indoors hold up small signs with words like “COMPLICATE” and “CONFIRM.” One person in the foreground wears a red beanie; others appear focused and attentive during the event or discussion.
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Designing the Future of Retail

Discovery, decision-making, and loyalty are reaching new heights as consumer expectations inspire higher standards of engagement and innovation. 

On Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, IDEO, Haigo and Kepler hosted a select group of senior retail and brand leaders to discuss how commerce is being reshaped across every step of the journey.

Kyu House Events Retail11

Operators, creatives, and technologists examined how the future of retail is taking shape:

  • Haigo and Kepler previewed their Omnichannel Retail Barometer
     
  • Haigo’s Guewen Loussouarn reminded retailers that opportunities were about the right shots, not taking all of them. 
     
  • IDEO​’s Heather Boesch shared the signals she had spotted: the return of bricks-and-mortar, the rise of the anti-brand, and containers for virality.
     
  • IDEO Chair Tim Brown moderated a panel on speed, intention, and AI with Anthropologie CMO Barbra Sainsurin; Snap​’s Global Head of Creative Lab, Rudi Anggono; and Aesop Marketing SVP, Rob Imig.
     
  • Retail isn’t moving toward a single destination, and deliberate choice is the real strategy
Two colorful printed flyers titled Omnichannel Barometer with statistics and information about omnichannel services, placed on a dark wooden surface. The flyers feature sections in yellow, black, and pink.
People attend an indoor event with a purple-lit background. Some stand near pillars, talking or listening, while others sit and use their phones.
A person holds a black card with COMPLICATE written in white letters, resting on their striped skirt. A glittery phone case with a heart-shaped ring is also visible nearby.
Sheets of colorful round stickers on a table, each labeled with phrases like Impulse Buyer, App Advocate, Review Reader, and Sustainable Shopper. Pens and more sticker sheets are visible nearby.
A woman in a red and blue dress holds a microphone and gestures while presenting in front of a screen to an audience. Large green plants are visible beside her.
A woman in a dark blazer raises her hand and makes a peace sign gesture in a blurred indoor setting, surrounded by other people who are also making the same gesture.

Stories

Four people sit on stools in front of a large plant, speaking to an audience. One person on the right gestures while talking, as the others listen. The setting appears to be a panel discussion or event indoors.

The Store Is Everywhere All at Once

The Future of Retail was explored by senior leaders at kyu House.