Trends 2026: Yesterday’s Tomorrow?

What’s in store for 2026? It’s fun to read prognostications of the future (will chrome really replace brass?) and how they might affect how and where we shop – from online for value and in store for convenience and experience, to pop-ups that attract new customers.

Last year, more than 8100 stores closed across the country, up 12 percent from 2024, according to Coresight Research (New York), the retail industry analytics firm. Thanks to shifting shopper behavior, visits to mid-tier retailers declined in 2025 as value and luxury segments traffic grew. The most recent holiday season also saw a decline in in-store shopping while e-commerce represented 27 percent of sales. Add to that inflation, tariffs, rising consumer debt and declining consumer confidence and you might ask: What’s a brick-and-mortar retailer to do?

MG2 (Seattle) Principal Bill Sleeth, says play to your strengths. He points to those retailers offering a respite environment. “Retailers who are focused on creating long-term relationships with customers,” he says, “have always brought a hospitality perspective to their experiences with amenities like concierge services, exclusive offerings and elevated seating that feels more lounge than shop.” Translation: Hospitality is best served in person in quiet luxury palettes incorporating high-touch (neuro-aesthetics), luxe materials like soft-touch laminates, velvets and honed stone that can dampen ambient sound. When done well, Sleeth says “exaggerated, warm lighting, built-in lounge seating, and wood-clad walls and ceilings add a Lo-Fi intimacy that still feels fresh.”  Some designers are utilizing circadian lighting systems that automatically adjust color temperature throughout the day.

And that’s not lost on digitally native brands expanding into physical environments. These brands offer a roadmap for merging tech efficiency with personalized in-store experiences.

As a result, look for selling floorspace to continue decreasing as retailers increase space for pickup and returns. “The push to create omnichannel experiences at retail is not a new idea,” Sleeth says. “Today, (customers) are beyond ready for a truly friction-free experience, where they start shopping on their phone and finish the order instore, with items seamlessly delivered to them in the dressing room, at the curb or at home.” Going forward, he says, “AI promises to bring more horsepower to retailers by personalizing and streamlining these experiences.” In this scenario, backrooms grow to accommodate stock as selling floors continue to embrace the curated gallery aesthetic.

While these might work for fashion retailers, what about other store formats from the indie bookseller to the national supermarket chain? “Stores have to be real,” says Alec Zaballero, Principal, Retail Studio, Arcadis Architects (New York). Clients are asking for their stores to embody one value, and that’s authenticity, he says. “They want their spaces to feel aligned with their brand story and values, and for customers to viscerally feel that sense of brand alignment.” That’s especially true for new brands and brands that target younger demographics. For example, Zaballero says, “’Being “green’ has become the baseline for brands.” So for those who have sustainable values such as ethical sourcing and environmental practices as part of their core brand values, “these values are reflected in their store designs as part of the brand messaging.”

Material choices and specifications underscoring the message are also cost drivers, Zaballero says. ”The prevalent strategy is to select ‘real’ materials in high touch/high customer engagement areas and then more cost-effective materials in less customer-critical areas.” Significant technical advances in materials are now available. “We now have new options for stone, concrete and wood finishes in veneer, laminate or digitally printed forms,” he says.

Look for smart surfaces in high-traffic areas might feature antimicrobial and self-healing surfaces to increase hygiene and decrease wear. And yes, prognosticators suggest polished chrome (and aluminum) hardware – ’70s throwbacks – are poised to replace brushed brass and gold metals as part of the 2026 refresh.