In today’s retail environment, an innovative in-store experience is essential to drawing in customers. With hundreds, if not thousands, of stores just a car ride away, and even more available at the click of a mouse, stores need to think outside the box to capture the attention, and wallets, of consumers. And if innovation is the key to success, then these stores are at the top of their class. Here’s a quick look at ten examples of brilliant experimental retailers today:

The Shops at Hudson Yards (NYC) - hailed as the future of mall retail, the Shops at Hudson Yards feature over 100 stores, rest pods, and even a “floor of discovery.”

Adidas Flagship (NYC) - boasting a running track, tech that tracks your tread, and bleachers looking out onto huge screens playing sporting events.

Nordstrom “Neighborhood” (LA) - this inventory-less department store is designed to fuse online and brick-and-mortar retail. Customers order online, and within two hours their purchase will be available at their neighborhood store. Convenience and luxury come together here.

Under Armour Brand Shop (Chicago) - the largest Under Armour store in America at 30,000 square feet, this two-story athleticwear Mecca provides more than just clothing: a mobile “wearable bar” provides phones that demonstrate how to use the Under Armour app, interactive games measure your athletic ability, and locally-inspired store design like a wall of ivy recalling Wrigley Field runs through the store.

Glossier (NYC) - the formerly online-only, millennial-oriented beauty brand opened a flagship in Soho last year. Washed in floor-to-ceiling millennial pink, this store is a selfie-centric dreamscape for the Instagram generation. Interactive mirrors, giant tubes of iconic products, and a “wet room” for testing skincare make this makeup spot a true retail playground.

Eataly (Various Cities) - this food-hall-meets-Italian-marketplace has taken the nation by storm, with locations on each coast as well as a handful of cities in between. The warehouse-sized stores feature various sit-down restaurants, cafes, and quick-service food stops alongside a grocery section and a brand-based marketplace selling kitchenware from branded Eataly aprons to SMEG refrigerators.

Walmart Intelligent Retail Lab (Long Island) - Unlike your local Walmart, the Intelligent Retail Lab features cameras and AI that track inventory, ensuring that whatever you want will be on shelves. The data collection center sits behind a wall of glass, allowing customers transparency in how their shopping is being monitored--literally.

Petco Pet Kitchen (NYC) - This Petco takes a cue for in-store cafes, providing a pet food-oriented food court. Shoppers can come in and watch chefs create veterinarian-designed pet food, buy dishes for their furry friends, and take more for the road.

The Takeaway
In order to thrive in today’s retail environment, businesses need to start thinking outside the box. These stores prove that the possibilities for innovative and exciting retail are endless--and that the future of retail is now.