Headlines

IRDC 2021 Kicks Off with Keys to Surviving “Digital Darwinism”

DENVER — The 21st annual International Retail Design Conference presented by VMSD magazine kicked off on Tuesday, playing host to a throng of visual merchandisers, store designers and retail executives at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel.

Centered around the theme “Rethink Retail,” the conference opened with keynote speaker and digital anthropologist Brian Solis, who shared how the emerging customer experience economy is transforming retail design. Among his insights were keys to surviving what he called “digital Darwinism.”

“With every tech revolution, society changes, business changes, life changes,” explained Solis. “We adapt and keep up, or we become obsolete.”

As a solution, he encouraged attendees to swim with the current of digital transformation and offer new experiences that speak to new consumer needs and behaviors.

He also shared some vital statistics, including how 84 percent of consumers say the shopping experience is as important as the product itself. “Look for places where friction exists, and use tech to take that friction away,” he advised.

There were breakout sessions throughout Day 1, with topics ranging from Walmart’s transformation into a mobile-first shopping destination to retailers’ strategies for meeting consumer demand amid the pandemic.

The action continues on Wednesday when Toni Roeller, SVP of In-Store Environment at Dick’s Sporting Goods (Coraopolis, PA), will sit for an off-the-cuff conversation with VMSD Editor-in-Chief/Associate Publisher and IRDC Conference Chair Jennifer Acevedo on how experiential design is driving the future of physical retail.

VMSD Staff

Drawing on more than 125 years of history serving the retail design market, VMSD magazine provides retail professionals with the most up-to-date, innovative retail design ideas and industry news through its industry-leading magazine, website, social media channels and bulletins.

Recent Posts

2024 Holiday Windows Recap: Respect the Classics

Windows far and wide captivated shoppers during the 2024 holiday season with inspiration from icons,…

19 hours ago

Recap: PAVE Gala 2024

NOW IN ITS 26TH YEAR, the annual PAVE Gala took place this past Dec. 12…

20 hours ago

Markopoulos 2024: An Evening in The Big Apple

NOW CELEBRATING ITS 27th year, the 2024 Markopoulos Award (named in honor of the late…

20 hours ago

Japanese Eyewear Firm Opens LA Prototype

JINS store offers digital-first buying experience in a minimalist setting

2 days ago

PVH Entangled in Trade War

China designates owner of Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger an “unreliable entity”

2 days ago

Big Year (Just Finished and Ahead) for Franchising

Franchise growth exceeded projections last year, expected to do the same in ’25

2 days ago

This website uses cookies.