These Are the Retail Trends That Will Stay Long After the Pandemic

There is no doubt that the pandemic has catalyzed significant changes in our daily lives, and for retailers, the changes are abundant, from social distancing requirements that require reconfigured floor plans to mask mandates and hand sanitizer stations. However, one day, these present-day standards will be behind us, but not all of the trends to emerge during the pandemic will go away with them. Outdoor space and social equity are sure to still around long after the threat of infection has dissipated.

“People will always gravitate to public places where they can commune with their friends and family and enjoy a bite to eat in between shopping and browsing. After being on lockdown for so many months, this desire will only grow stronger,” Greg Lyon, chairman and principal at Nadel Architecture + Planning,” tells GlobeSt.com. “The pandemic has also highlighted the need for outdoor gathering areas that are attractive and comfortable. We see the demand for features like the outdoor living rooms we designed for many of our projects growing stronger in light of the pandemic, and even after it has subsided, this demand will continue.”

In addition, Lyon says that inclusive design and spaces that promote social equity and justice will also become lasting trends. “The call for meaningful art in neighborhood centers will grow louder, particularly as the demand for societal equity and social justice have increased in many cities and towns,” he says. “Art that not only reflects the struggles of local residents but also highlights the hope for a better future will become more prevalent moving forward.”

Before the pandemic, retail was already in the middle of an evolution, and in many ways those trends have been reaffirmed by the pandemic, like experiential retail or spaces that serve the surrounding community. “A neighborhood center must match and be a part of the very fabric of its environment in order to resonate with the local community and draw them in,” says Lyon.

The firm worked on a neighborhood retail center, Freedom Plaza, during the recession that embodied both the earlier trends and new trends to emerge during the pandemic. “In the case of Freedom Plaza, we were able to accomplish this through building architecture, artwork, and other amenities that reflected the culture of this urban area,” says Lyon. “The building design has an industrial sensibility to match the city, and the artwork was contemporary and bright to represent the residents’ lives and inspire hope for their future. This was achieved through colorful murals and public art throughout the center, as well as a custom water feature that highlights phrases and graphics that celebrate the local culture.”

Ultimately, these details help to create a sense of place, which is the goal for many retail projects. “All of these elements combine to accurately and positively embody the surrounding culture and provide a gathering place that truly reflects who they are and who they want to become,” adds Lyon.