Speed and Precision: Inside VIRA Insight’s Domestic Wood Operation
Over the past 18 months, VIRA Insight has reimagined our wood manufacturing operations from the ground up—investing in automation, engineering, and precision systems to create a facility that delivers real results, fast.
Now, from our Lewisville, Texas headquarters, we can take your product from raw material to ready-to-ship in just 5 business days.
That’s not just fast—it’s the outcome of a focused, future-ready transformation. Our clients—whether national retailers, hotel groups, quick-service restaurant (QSR) brands, or healthcare providers—need competitive pricing, speed to market, engineering insight, and solutions that scale. That’s exactly what we’ve built.
Smart Manufacturing for Rapid Results
In today’s market, expectations are sky-high. You can’t afford weeks of waiting, endless back-and-forth, or missed deadlines. When you’re ready to move, you need a partner who’s already built for speed.
At VIRA Insight, we’ve engineered every part of our wood manufacturing process to accelerate production without compromising quality. Powered by STORETEQ, our automated panel management system, we operate with precision, efficiency, and zero wasted motion.
Here’s what a typical 5-day production cycle looks like:
- Day 1 – Cutting
Up to 160 sheets per hour, routed automatically for precision and speed.
- Day 2 – Edge Banding
Straight or curved? We do both—up to 2,000 linear feet per hour.
- Day 3 – Drilling
Smart vacuum suction locks panels in place. Compressed air removes dust. Clean, accurate holes, every time.
- Day 4 – Pre-Assembly
Hardware and adhesives are added, prepped with care and efficiency.
- Day 5 – Final Assembly
Everything comes together. Pieces are secured, wrapped, and placed on pallets for warehousing or shipping.
That’s it. From first cut to final wrap—your product is ready in under a week.
STORETEQ: The Tech That Powers Our Speed
Our competitive edge is built on more than speed-it’s built on technology that gives us control, flexibility, and accuracy.
Over the past year and a half, we’ve implemented:
- Automated Panel Management
STORETEQ controls material flow, routes panels to machines, and eliminates manual touchpoints.
- Smart Inventory Management
Know what’s in stock, where it is, and how it’s being used-in real time.
- Reduced Material Damage
Gentle, precise movement reduces handling errors and minimizes waste.
- High Material Yield
With an 85-90% yield rate, we keep production lean and pricing sharp.
This system doesn’t just support automation-it drives better timelines, better consistency, and better results.
Built in Texas. Aligned With Your Timeline.
Unlike offshore operations, our domestic production in Lewisville, TX means:
- No delays from overseas shipping
- No time zone miscommunications
- No surprises at the port
You get local control, faster shipping, and tighter alignment with your deadlines.
This speed and visibility aren’t just operational perks-they’re strategic advantages that help you move faster, launch sooner, and lead in your market.
Solutions That Move at the Speed of Business
At VIRA, we’re not just building wood products. We’re building solutions designed around your goals:
- Engineering that anticipates and solves problems
- Automation that removes inefficiencies
- Project management that keeps communication flowing
- Pricing that reflects value-not waste or waiting
- Execution you can count on
Whether you’re outfitting stores across the country or rolling out new fixtures to hundreds of locations, our team is built to help you scale quickly-and smartly.
Ready in 5 Days. Designed to Win.
If you’re looking for a wood manufacturing partner who delivers more than product—who delivers speed, quality, and strategic value—VIRA Insight is ready to make it happen. We don’t just manufacture fast. We manufacture smart. We manufacture right. We manufacture for you.
See Our Process in Action:
Top Retail and Brand Store Design Trends for 2025
The retail industry continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, with emerging trends reshaping how businesses engage with consumers. As we enter 2025, retailers must embrace innovation, sustainability, and customer-centric strategies to stay competitive. Here are the top retail and brand store design trends that will define the industry in 2025:
1. Immersive Store Experiences
Retailers are investing in experiential store designs that captivate customers. Concepts like interactive product displays, digital walls, and sensory engagement zones create unique shopping experiences that encourage brand loyalty and increase dwell time.
2. Seamless Omnichannel Integration
Modern store designs must blend the digital and physical worlds. Smart mirrors, AI-driven customer service kiosks, and QR-code-enabled product interactions ensure a smooth transition between online browsing and in-store purchasing.
3. Sustainable Store Concepts
Eco-conscious consumers demand sustainable store designs. Retailers are integrating energy-efficient lighting, recycled materials, and zero-waste concepts into their physical spaces. Brands are also incorporating vertical gardens and natural elements to enhance aesthetics while promoting sustainability.
4. Flexible and Modular Layouts
Retail spaces are becoming more adaptable, with modular shelving, movable partitions, and convertible spaces allowing for rapid adjustments to store layouts. This flexibility caters to evolving consumer needs and seasonal product rotations.
5. Hyper-Personalized Storefronts
Technology is enabling highly personalized in-store experiences. AI-powered displays change dynamically based on customer demographics, and RFID-based smart shopping carts streamline the checkout process, offering convenience and efficiency.
6. Artistic and Boutique Aesthetics
Retailers are designing stores that reflect a brand’s unique identity through custom artwork, curated ambiance, and high-end boutique aesthetics. This shift towards more artistic, visually distinctive spaces fosters a deeper emotional connection with customers.
7. Minimalist and Functional Designs
A clean, clutter-free environment is becoming increasingly desirable. Minimalist layouts, optimized shelving, and strategic lighting enhance product visibility and provide a calming shopping experience.
8. Tech-Enhanced Shopping Journeys
Augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and interactive touchscreen displays are enhancing the in-store experience. Customers can visualize products in real-world settings or receive tailored recommendations via digital assistants.
9. Phygital Retail Spaces
Physical and digital ("phygital") stores combine the best of both worlds, offering mobile app connectivity, in-store pickup for online orders, and digital payment solutions that improve customer convenience.
10. Localized and Community-Centric Designs
Retailers are focusing on localized branding and incorporating community-driven elements in their store designs. Pop-up spaces featuring local artists, regionally inspired decor, and community engagement initiatives are gaining traction.
Conclusion
Retail and brand store designs in 2025 will focus on immersive experiences, sustainability, and seamless omnichannel integration. By embracing these trends, retailers can craft engaging and future-proof store environments that resonate with evolving consumer preferences.
Elevating Retail Experiences: A Closer Look at VIRA Insight's High-Touch Approach
In the fast-paced world of retail, creating immersive and impactful environments that resonate with customers is paramount to success. At VIRA Insight, we understand the importance of delivering custom-built retail environments that not only captivate but also elevate the overall shopping experience. Our commitment to project management excellence and high-touch client service sets us apart as a trusted partner in bringing brands to life. In this blog post, we'll delve into our unique approach and how it benefits our clients in the retail industry.
Design and Engineering Expertise
At the heart of our process lies our dedication to design and engineering excellence. Our team of talented designers and engineers works closely with clients to understand their vision, brand identity, and objectives. From concept ideation to detailed 3D modeling and prototyping, we collaborate every step of the way to ensure that the final product exceeds expectations. With our expertise in materials, manufacturing techniques, and industry trends, we bring innovation and creativity to every project we undertake.
High-Touch Client Service
What truly sets VIRA Insight apart is our high-touch client service. We understand that every client is unique, with their own set of goals, challenges, and preferences. That's why we take a personalized approach to each project, serving as an extension of our client's business and providing unparalleled support and guidance throughout the entire process. From initial consultation to project completion, our dedicated team is there every step of the way to address any concerns, provide updates, and ensure that the project stays on track and within budget.
End-to-End Project Management
One of the cornerstones of our approach is our comprehensive project management capabilities. We take pride in overseeing every aspect of the project, from design and engineering to logistics and execution. Our experienced project managers act as liaisons between our clients and our network of suppliers and vendors, coordinating timelines, managing budgets, and ensuring that all deliverables meet our high standards of quality and craftsmanship. Whether it's coordinating shipments, overseeing third-party execution, or troubleshooting unforeseen challenges, our team is committed to delivering results with precision and efficiency.
Quality Assurance and On-Time Delivery
At VIRA Insight, quality assurance is ingrained in everything we do. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of excellence, meticulously inspecting every component and assembly to ensure that it meets our stringent quality criteria. Our dedication to quality extends to on-time delivery, as we understand the importance of meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations. With our robust supply chain management and logistics expertise, we ensure that our clients receive their custom-built environments on schedule and ready to make a lasting impression on their customers.
In an increasingly competitive retail landscape, VIRA Insight stands out as a trusted partner in delivering custom-built environments that elevate brands and engage customers. With our commitment to project management excellence, high-touch client service, and unwavering dedication to quality, we empower our clients to stand out in the market and achieve their business objectives. As we continue to innovate and push the boundaries of retail design, we remain steadfast in our mission to create unforgettable experiences that inspire, captivate, and drive success.
The Vital Role We Play in Crafting the Consumer Shopping Experience
Introduction
In the dynamic world of retail, where every square inch of space holds the potential to captivate and convert shoppers, the role of retail environment designers and manufacturers cannot be overstated. As the creators behind the scenes, we at VIRA Insight understand the critical importance of crafting immersive, engaging, and functional retail environments that elevate the consumer shopping experience.
Let’s delve into the significance of our role in shaping the retail landscape and driving business success.
Understanding the Impact of Retail Environments
At VIRA, we recognize that the retail environment serves as the physical manifestation of a brand's identity, values, and promise. It's the first impression that greets shoppers and sets the tone for their entire shopping journey. From the layout and design of the store to the placement of fixtures and displays, every element plays a crucial role in shaping the consumer experience.
Creating Memorable Experiences
In today's hyper-competitive retail landscape, where online and offline channels converge, creating memorable experiences is essential for capturing consumers' attention and fostering brand loyalty. We strive to create spaces that go beyond mere transactions, transforming shopping trips into immersive journeys that resonate with customers on an emotional level.
Our team of talented designers and craftsmen work collaboratively with brands to bring their visions to life, ensuring that every aspect of the retail environment reflects the brand's personality and values. Whether it's through innovative display solutions, interactive digital experiences, or sustainable materials, we are committed to delivering environments that inspire, engage, and delight shoppers.
Driving Business Success
Beyond aesthetics and ambiance, retail environments have a direct impact on business performance. A well-designed and strategically executed retail space can drive foot traffic, increase dwell time, and ultimately boost sales. By optimizing layouts, maximizing visibility, and enhancing product presentation, we empower brands to create environments that encourage exploration, discovery, and purchase.
Looking Towards the Future
As consumer preferences continue to evolve and technology reshapes the retail landscape, our role as designers and manufacturers will only grow in significance. We remain committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation, embracing emerging trends, and staying ahead of the curve to deliver cutting-edge solutions that drive business success and create memorable experiences for shoppers.
Finally, at VIRA, we understand that the retail environment is more than just a physical space—it's a canvas for storytelling, a stage for engagement, and a catalyst for connection. As passionate creators and collaborators, we take pride in our role in shaping the retail landscape and empowering brands to stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Together, let's continue to craft experiences that inspire, excite, and leave a lasting impression on shoppers around the world.
Connecting with Care: Bright Future Ahead
Building a Brighter Future
VIRA Insight’s Connecting with Care (CwC) initiative is celebrating a milestone anniversary, its first year of engaging employees in meaningful and intentional acts of service. In this inaugural year, Connecting with Care (CwC) has thoughtfully developed a mission, chosen Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support as its partner of focus, and organized a series of successful events, all while gaining valuable insights.
The CwC committee and board are committed to creating opportunities for every VIRA employee to experience the rewarding sense of purpose, teamwork and personal growth that comes from CwC volunteering. As the initial board members complete their one year term and pass the torch to the next board, the committee is focused on building on the strong foundation established in year one.
Building on a Strong Foundation
CwC’s first year offered many lessons in organizing and executing events. CwC's Vice President, Marianne Cox noted, “We had to create a step-by-step process, with each step its own mini project, to ensure success.” The committee members learned from their hands-on experiences and used that knowledge to begin creating best practices. “I’m so grateful to everyone who helped CwC come together this year, and I’m really proud of the strong foundation the committee has built,” added Cox.
According to Cox, the “backpack kitting” event for Genesis was a turning point for CwC. After the committee worked tirelessly to secure school essentials, the team organized 60 VIRA volunteers – its largest group yet – to seamlessly assemble 100 backpacks for Genesis. Thanks to insights gained from earlier events, like the holiday toy drive, the backpack event went smoothly. The CwC team credits Genesis Director of Philanthropy Sam Daniels for fast-tracking their learning curve with his in-depth knowledge of event planning and volunteer coordination.
The committee’s goal is to grow employee participation. After each CwC event, positive word-of-mouth buzz has helped attract new participants. Formal communications to promote CwC will continue, like CwC President Skylar Delmas’s speech at the VIRA town hall. Year one volunteers can attest to the many rewards of participation: meeting new people, getting to know colleagues on a deeper level, learning skills to help Genesis and enjoying the experiences. From what volunteers say, a simple rallying call for CwC might be, “Have fun while doing good!”
Generating Buzz for Upcoming Events
The CwC committee is already planning exciting events for the future.
- CwC is also increasing its involvement with the Genesis Thrift Store, with VIRA volunteers not only donating items but working in the store, allowing them to see their impact firsthand.
- VIRA has sponsored Genesis Jamfest, a local concert fundraiser. The VIRA team will also attend the upcoming concert together, having fun and supporting the Genesis’ fundraising efforts.
- This holiday season CwC will be “adopting” Genesis families to fulfill items from the wishlists of these mothers and children, helping to ensure that their holiday celebrations are brighter. The committee will use VIRA’s sponsorship funds to purchase these gifts. CwC will also be collecting gift wrap donations internally to send with the gifts.
- Throughout the year, Genesis will continue to train VIRA employees on how to be “kitchen table ambassadors” educating friends and family about the myths of domestic violence and what Genesis’ services offers. By educating others, VIRA volunteers have the opportunity to change societal norms that support the perpetuation of abuse.
Igniting a Bright Future
As Connecting with Care enters its second year, the positive momentum has never been stronger. Armed with lessons from its first year, the committee is prepared to take on a more ambitious event schedule, as it continues its partnership with Genesis Women’s Shelter. The collaboration with Genesis has been formative for CwC, as Genesis modeled excellence in all things, including communications, problem resolution and event execution. Genesis’ openness to new ideas has inspired the committee to brainstorm creative events, while extending or deepening CwC involvement in ongoing Genesis initiatives like childcare, thrift store support, holiday drives and especially domestic violence education.
Looking ahead, CwC plans to grow its calendar with monthly events. While Genesis will remain the primary partner of CwC for the foreseeable future, CwC will again broaden its focus throughout the year to include events planned at other “pillar” causes important to VIRA employees. Whether it’s the environment, children’s welfare or food insecurity, CwC will find the best local ways for VIRA employees to contribute to the solution. As the CwC initiative grows, its future is undeniably bright with meaningful opportunities for VIRA employees to help, as they “have fun while doing good” in the community.
Connecting with Care, Awareness of Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support
Supporting Genesis Women’s Shelter
VIRA Insight’s social responsibility program, Connecting with Care (CwC), was recently launched to give back to the DFW Metroplex community and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. After careful research, VIRA selected Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support as the primary charitable organization for CwC’s focus. Genesis is a leading advocate for and provider of exceptional services to women and children affected by domestic violence in the Metroplex area.
With a long-term vision to eradicate domestic violence (DV), Genesis trains community members to become ambassadors, spreading awareness about DV and the vital services Genesis offers. Ambassador training became one of the first CwC volunteer opportunities at VIRA. VIRA volunteers learned to effect change by dispelling myths about DV, which helps victims get support to escape and abusers get convicted for their crimes.
The Prevalence of Domestic Violence
The problem of DV is pervasive, affecting millions of women in the U.S. every year, across all ethnicities, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds and neighborhoods. Nationally, 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime, with the statistic rising to 1 in 3 women in Texas. The devastating impacts of DV extend beyond physical and mental abuse to nearly every aspect of a woman’s life, including difficulties at work and forced financial dependence. Genesis understands the magnitude of this issue and offers a full range of innovative services to give help and hope to victims. Currently, Genesis assists nearly 4000 individuals annually in the Metroplex area.
Genesis’ Comprehensive Approach and 24-Hour Helpline
Genesis has taken a holistic approach to helping women and children affected by DV, offering wraparound services to support victims’ physical, emotional, legal and financial needs. The highly intentional and thoughtful Genesis’ process meets each individual where they are in their journey with DV and customizes services for their specific needs. The journey toward safety often begins with a call to the Genesis 24-hour helpline, staffed by trauma-informed professionals. All Genesis staff, from receptionists to teachers to meal preparers, receive training in trauma-informed care. Throughout supportive interactions with Genesis, women are never pressured or told what they “should” do – empowering victims to seek care at their own pace. All Genesis services are provided free of charge, with no strings attached, and clients are encouraged to utilize the services as much and as often as needed.
Genesis Residential Services
Genesis offers both residential and non-residential services. The residential program includes an emergency shelter where women and children can stay for up to eight weeks and Annie’s House, apartments where clients stay for up to a year. The emergency shelter is designed for those in crisis, providing a safe space away from immediate danger. During a short-term or long-term residential stay, victims receive personalized care including group and individual trauma counseling using cutting-edge therapies, safety planning, child care, legal services and occupational therapy (OT). OT addresses daily issues such as job security, sleep disruption, social anxiety and financial independence. OT frees up mental health counselors to work on trauma at a deeper emotional level with clients.
Genesis has the alternative Simmons School on-site in its emergency shelter, to ensure children can continue their education without leaving the safety of the shelter. The on-site school and OT services, reflect Genesis’ innovative approach to care. Annie’s House offers nicely furnished, well-appointed apartments that foster mom and child bonding, healing and growth. Through their residential services, Genesis aims to help clients grow in self-reliance, and believe that they are not at fault for the abuse and are deserving of a life free from violence.
Genesis Non-Residential Services
The majority of Genesis clients access services through the non-residential program, provided in two locations, Genesis at Lucas and Genesis at South Oak Cliff. These services include the same exceptional support offered to residential clients but by appointment at the dedicated non-residential facilities. By providing access to tailored counseling, legal services, safety planning and financial planning, Genesis empowers clients to take proactive steps before needing emergency shelter. The non-residential program builds confidence and helps women gradually regain control of their lives.
Genesis, Distinctly Different
Genesis sets the standard for DV victim care through its innovative, evidence-based programs and continuous focus on improvement. Ruth Guerreiro, the Chief Clinical Officer at Genesis, leads the charge in refining the organization’s clinical services and training their clinicians on best practices. “We are always looking ahead to enhance our clinical services and ensure we are providing the most effective therapies,” Guerreiro explains. To improve its services, Genesis incorporates feedback from frequent client surveys and research from the latest studies.
Unlike many nonprofit organizations, Genesis is very intentional in ensuring that every donation, volunteer activity and event, directly benefits the individuals they serve. From myriad community education programs to customized therapies, Genesis is committed to delivering on their mission and vision. Remarkably 80% of Genesis’ budget is spent on mission-related activities, which is even more commendable given that Genesis does not seek federal funding. Partnering with Genesis, VIRA can be sure that CwC volunteers’ time and donations directly help women and children affected by DV. Genesis’ approach and organizational values are in near-perfect alignment with VIRA’s, enabling the Genesis-CwC partnership to flourish.
Genesis and Connecting with Care, a Flourishing Partnership
In its first year, CwC has quickly developed a supportive voice and supplied willing hands to help Genesis carry out their life-changing and life-saving vision and mission. VIRA CwC participants have found volunteering, sponsoring events, and becoming Genesis ambassadors, to be both an exhilarating challenge and incredibly fulfilling. With unwavering support from Genesis, the first CwC committee has done the hard work to build a solid foundation, making future efforts easier for those who follow. The energy and enthusiasm generated in year one, promise to carry over into an equally exciting year two for the CwC and Genesis partnership.
Connecting with Care, Growing VIRA Insight’s Impact
VIRA Insight Introduces Connecting with Care
VIRA Insight is taking social responsibility to the next level with the launch of its Connecting with Care (CwC) program. CwC is a philanthropic initiative led by passionate VIRA employees. This program embodies VIRA’s inspiring Culture of Care by fostering meaningful community engagement through thoughtful and intentional acts of service. CwC empowers VIRA’s dedicated employees to gain greater sense of purpose while growing personally from increased teamwork, collaboration and engagement. Since its inception less than a year ago, the program has been gaining momentum in fulfilling its mission to give back to the Dallas Fort Worth community, known as the DFW Metroplex and home to the VIRA Insight headquarters.
Employee Driven Social Responsibility
The CwC program is driven entirely by VIRA employees, who are empowered to set and achieve charitable goals. The committee brainstorms, plans and executes activities to support and bring awareness to charitable causes. The CwC team is committed to ensuring that the sponsored activities have maximum community impact. The CwC committee voted unanimously to make the innovative Dallas area Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support its primary, ongoing charitable organization of focus. While Genesis is CwC’s primary partner each year, VIRA encourages employees to support the causes meaningful to them. Whether collecting food for a food pantry or doing a holiday toy drive, the CwC committee looks for creative ways to get people involved and give back.
Why Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support?
The CwC team’s decision to make Genesis its primary charitable partner was a natural choice. The committee was seeking an inspiring organization open to outside ideas and in need of support to increase awareness of its cause. The team wanted to ensure that VIRA’s contribution would be more than just providing volunteers, by making a measurable difference to the chosen organization and the community. Genesis does remarkable, groundbreaking work addressing domestic violence (DV).
With audacious goals for the future, Genesis seeks to not only help women and children who have experienced DV, but also to eradicate the problem of DV. They raise awareness of the causes, prevalence and impact of abusive situations and provide comprehensive support services to 4000 women and children annually in the DFW Metroplex. Genesis organizational values align with VIRA’s values. With its bold goals, impressive operations and aligned approach, Genesis met all VIRA’s CwC criteria to become its primary organization of focus.
Skylar Delmas, CwC Board President, notes, “Genesis, like VIRA, is intentional in everything they do, and their commitment to serving the women and children in our community is extraordinary. It's an honor to be able to support their mission while also fulfilling the goals we have for CwC.”
Exciting Ways to Support Genesis
Genesis encourages its partners to come up with creative new ways to help them in their work. The organization also has many existing opportunities for partners to support, e.g. monetary donations, DV awareness training for its partner’s employees, working at their thrift store, organizing drives for clothing and supplies, supplying volunteers for the annual international Conference on Crimes Against Women co-founded by Genesis’ CEO Jan Edgar Langbein and many more.
Genesis shares VIRA’s enthusiasm about the partnership. Genesis Director of Philanthropy and key liaison with VIRA, Sam Daniels, highlights the synergy between the two organizations: “Genesis and VIRA both continually evolve to meet the needs of those we serve. We foster a culture of creativity, so we’re always eager to engage VIRA employees in new and exciting ways to support our goals.”
This year, Genesis’ Daniels trained CwC volunteers on how to spread awareness of both DV and Genesis’ client services. Armed with knowledge to dispel common myths about DV and explain how Genesis’ helps people, CwC trainees now have a direct hand in helping get services to more women and children affected by DV. Genesis refers to the people they educate as “kitchen table ambassadors”. Though an unassuming title, these ambassadors have a significant impact on their communities by simply talking to friends, colleagues and family about DV. From the lunchroom to the boardroom to the courtroom, everyday people effectively become stakeholders in Genesis’ mission.
Connecting with Care Creates Change for Good
Care is at the cornerstone of everything VIRA’s Connecting with Care program is doing, and CwC is poised to extend its impact. Every employee who gets involved with CwC or simply learns about Genesis from CwC efforts, can become a kitchen table ambassador to spread awareness of DV truths and replace common misperceptions about women and children affected by DV. VIRA is thoughtfully committed to making CwC a force of change for good for its employees, its corporate partners, Genesis and its clients, and the DFW Metroplex community.
Watch for our next blog on the comprehensive services that Genesis customizes for each client.
Top 10 Retail Trends in 2023
Top 10 Retail Trends in 2023
The last several years have been a wild ride for the physical retail industry. Brick-and-mortar stores are facing an uphill battle as the world continues to place more faith and attention on digital shopping experiences. But while it may be more difficult to succeed with a physical retail store in 2023, it’s not impossible. The key? Paying attention to shifting retail trends and understanding when it’s time to change with the times.
Here's the deal. Consumers are looking for a specific shopping experience when they leave the house — something that makes them want to give up on the convenience of shopping from their couches and venture into the real world. Unfortunately, if you’re a business owner who thinks staying the course is best, you could see your dreams go up in smoke. A business needs to adapt to its audience. The wants and needs of that audience are constantly shifting as the world barrels into the future. A new year has just started, and with it comes a wealth of new trends to watch out for. If your business will survive 2023, you’ll need to know what your audience expects and implement those changes into your business model.
In this article, we’re counting down the ten biggest retail trends that brick-and-mortar stores should pay attention to in 2023. Ready to learn more?
Let’s begin!
1. Self Service Checkout Options
If you’re going to compete with the ultra convenience of ecommerce, you’ll need to make the in-person shopping experience a lot more convenient. Nothing makes customers long for the ease of online shopping more than massive checkout lines when trying to leave a store. That’s why self-service checkout has become such a huge trend in the retail industry. We’re starting to see major clothing retailers, supermarkets, and even small mom-and-pop gas stations implementing this technology.
There are different ways you can bring the ease and convenience of self-service checkout to your store. The simplest and most common way is self-checkout kiosks, like those implemented by Walmart, Target, and other massive retailers. Here, the customer takes on the role of a checkout attendant, scanning all of their items at a mini register and making their payment. But oftentimes, these systems are confusing for customers, and large lines form anyway. While it saves you on payroll, there are a few other high-tech options you can look into.
For instance, the ceiling camera approach is part of the “Just Walk Out” technology that huge retailers like Amazon use at their physical stores. A series of ceiling cameras and shelf sensors monitor inventory, taking stock of everything a customer puts in their cart. Then, the customer simply walks out of the store with their items, and their linked payment method charges automatically. By implementing a system like this, customers will never have to wait in line again. Then you’ve got smart carts and smart counters, where customers place their items in a cart or on a counter to scan them.
There’s no looking around for barcodes whatsoever. This creates a simple self-checkout experience. You also don’t have to purchase all new carts for your store when implementing smart carts. Clip-on devices can easily turn any cart into a smart cart.
Finally, there’s an app self-checkout experience, like the one Disney is rolling out throughout its retail locations. With this feature, customers scan their items through an app and pay using an attached payment method. They’re then given a QR code which an attendant scans before leaving. Once the attendant has confirmed each item, the customer is good to go.
Pro Tip: When using this method, it’s important to have several attendants to prevent a long queue from forming.
2. Elevated Retail Experiences
Elevated experiences will be crucial for businesses as we move into 2022. Customers want these experiences, and if they can’t get them from you, they’ll go where they can. One of these elevated experiences is appointment shopping. This is something that came into prominence during the Covid pandemic and has stuck around in its aftermath. Appointment shopping is exactly what it sounds like: It’s when customers set an appointment to come into your store and shop. The beauty of appointment shopping is that it allows customers to select a time when the store won’t be overly crowded and build a meaningful personal relationship with your business.
There are two different kinds of appointment shopping:
- Solo appointments allow customers to browse as normal when there aren’t many people around.
- Itinerary appointments are structured and usually revolve around a specific event or purpose. A great example of this would be product demonstrations and education events that you hold in-store.
Of course, you shouldn’t create an all-appointment business model. You need to encourage walk-in traffic as well. But set aside specific times for appointment customers and start cultivating those relationships. It’s also essential to integrate more technology into your shopping experience. This could include innovations like allowing customers to create a profile that tracks their buying habits to create a more personalized shopping experience. You can also send push notifications to customer devices, letting them know about various personalized deals when they enter your store.
3. Omnichannel Shopping
Customers in 2023 demand an omnichannel retail experience. That means your physical store needs to work off the same information as your website and app, creating a seamless hybrid experience from one location to the next. For instance, some shoppers will want to check your inventory online to know for sure that you have an item in stock before heading to your location. That’s why it’s essential to connect your brick-and-mortar inventory system to your online platforms. Some customers want to make their purchases online and pick them up in-store, later. That means you’ll need to offer fulfillment services. In other words, when a customer orders an item using your app and selects a “pick up in store” option, you’ll need a designated place for them to go once they arrive.
Some businesses have a fulfillment counter, usually in a central location within the store that’s easy to find. Others, like Best Buy, have fulfillment lockers where customers can scan a mobile code and pick up their items from a locker within the store. In the past, it was enough to simply offer a multichannel marketing experience. That was when a business offered multiple platforms like a website, app, and physical location, but they weren’t connected. What you did on the app couldn’t be applied to anything in-store, and vice versa. But in 2023, that’s not going to cut it any longer. And that brings us to …
4. Same-Day Delivery
In 2023, online shoppers no longer want to wait for their items. The days of products taking two, three, or even five days to ship are over, and they aren’t coming back. Modern consumers want everything right away, meaning if your business wants to stay relevant and profitable, you need to offer same-day and next-day delivery options. Companies like Walmart offer this service, allowing customers to purchase anything from groceries to clothing and choose a time to receive their items that day. But these items aren’t coming from a fulfillment center. They’re coming right from physical retail locations.
Instead of being sent out via USPS, these items are delivered by couriers directly from the retail location to the customer’s door. If the customer orders something that isn’t in stock, the system can recommend replacement items before the delivery window closes. Walmart’s app learns the buying habits of these delivery customers and often makes suggestions or alerts them when items they’re interested in come in stock or go on sale.
While we want to draw customers into our retail locations, we can offer a similar experience by allowing them to purchase from our physcial brick-and-mortar stores, online. Then, an in-store representative can deliver the items to them same-day or next-day, depending on store hours and availability.
5. Focus on Sustainable Brands
Back in the day, companies could market any product they wanted, even if the businesses that manufactured those products were involved in less-than-friendly environmental practices. Those days are long since over.
We now live in the information age, where any question can be answered instantaneously. That means people are starting to research the products they’re interested in. They can find out the environmental impact these products have and what brand message the manufacturers put out. Everything from EPA reports to tweets from CEOs can be discovered. As more millennials and Gen-Z shoppers flood the market, these sustainability considerations are becoming a huge part of the buying process. That’s why you have to think about the products you’re offering.
Ask questions like …How are they manufactured? Are the companies creating them using sweatshop labor and skirting environmental mandates, or are they created using sustainable and morally honorable practices?
As of the fourth quarter of 2022, 77% of consumers stated that sustainability is an important factor influencing their buying decisions. In 2021, that number was only 69%. When speaking on the importance of sustainability, 44% of consumers stated that environmental impact was the main reason they shop for sustainable items.
6. Payment Flexibility
We spoke earlier about the checkout process and ways to make it more accessible and convenient for customers. This also extends to the payment methods you offer at the point of sale. Regardless of whether customers are paying via their phones or at a physical register, there should be flexible payment options in place. Customers today are wary of data hacks and identity theft, and many don’t want to give their payment information to a wealth of retail stores. The answer?
Consider accepting payment options through third-party platforms like PayPal and Venmo. Your customers already trust these platforms, and they’re more likely to make a payment when there’s protection from data-hacking threats. Additionally, you can convince customers to make larger purchases when you have pay-over-time options.
Some services, like Affirm, cover the cost of the items purchased by a customer while enrolling them into a payment plan. A large purchase totaling hundreds of dollars becomes infinitely more palatable when the customer can make smaller monthly payments.
These options are often available through ecommerce platforms like Amazon, so by offering them in your physical locations, you’re directly competing with the online shopping world.
7. Labor Shortages
Not all trends are positive. Since 2020, businesses have been struggling to fill the void left by labor shortages. That issue isn’t going to magically go away in 2023. According to the Washington Post, toward the end of 2022, 70% of retail job openings are still unfilled, and that will continue into this brand new year.
In other words, if you want to attract skilled retail employees, you need to make the experience worth their while. Take a look at the salaries and benefits you’re offering.
What can you do to sweeten the deal and attract people to fill your vacant positions? Perhaps additional vacation time or a system of annual raises will help make your business a viable career opportunity for those looking for work. Of course, the other answer to these labor shortages is to invest more in automation technology that can allow you to shrink your workforce.
Smart carts and self-checkout options, like those we discussed earlier, can help ease the burden on in-person staff and create a business plan that can run with fewer employees. While the investment in this technology will be substantial upfront, your business will save money on payroll and benefits costs in the long run.
8. Livestream Shopping
Ecommerce businesses are constantly using influencer marketing to push products and services. So, why shouldn’t your physical location use these popular figures, too?An influencer is a person with a large social media following that promotes a product or service in exchange for some form of compensation. This compensation might be monetary, or it could be something as simple as free products from your store. It all depends on the individual influencer and what their goals are. Ecommerce stores have influencers try out their products or talk about them. The influencer then sends buyers to the ecommerce store with a promo code to track their sales and potentially pay a commission. But an influencer’s usefulness doesn’t begin and end with ecommerce platforms.
You can also utilize their reach and the trust they’ve established with their audience for your physical location. Simply have the influencer use a live streaming feature on a platform like Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram to stream their shopping experience in your store.
They can then edit that stream to an easily shareable video where they walk their followers through the shopping experience, showing off all your store has to offer. Livestream shopping has been a phenomenon in China for some time, and it’s starting to cross over the Pacific into US markets. But is it effective? The Influencer Marketing Factory actually discovered that 36% of a surveyed 1,000 US consumers had purchased something during a live stream. One way to improve your odds of success would be to choose your influencers carefully. Ensure that their audience is large enough to matter and that it can crossover with your target demographic.
9. Hybrid Stores
One way to diversify your offerings and increase your audience is to create a hybrid shopping experience. In recent years, we’ve seen businesses that were once strictly retail expand their horizons, becoming hybrid establishments that cater to a wider variety of consumers. The most notable examples would be Target and Walmart.
These retail giants have converted all of their superstore locations into hybrid retail/grocery stores. While your foray into hybrid retail doesn’t have to be quite so dramatic, consider experimenting by creating an event space or opening up a small coffee shop in your retail location.
10. Augmented Reality Features
With the creation of the metaverse, we’re seeing a huge push in society toward virtual reality and augmented reality platforms. However, despite this, the retail industry has been slow to adopt this growing trend. Only 1% of retailers currently use AR or VR features as part of their business model, but it’s not as difficult to implement as it might seem from the outside.
Simply creating an Instagram filter or incorporating QR codes that could be scanned for additional product information can go a long way toward making your business an AR hot spot. You could even use VR to allow customers to see what it’s like to use your products or create images of themselves wearing the clothing sold by your store. You could also incorporate a feature that would let customers digitally place your items in photos of their homes to see how a certain piece fits within a room.
As 2023 begins, the retail landscape is poised for a number of great shifts. By embracing emerging trends, you’ll be able to provide the best possible experience for your customers in 2023 and beyond. If you want to take it a step further, subscribe to VIRA's newsletter for the latest forecasted trends straight to your inbox.
Top 4 Trends Among Retail Shopping
How Retailers Can Provide The Best Possible Shopping Experience
Who would have guessed that in-store shopping would be thriving the way it is today? Over the last two years, most of us got comfortable shopping for items – the necessities and nice-to-haves – online. According to McKinsey & Company, ecommerce grew three times faster in 2020 yet less than two years later, people are stepping away from the computer and venturing out to the stores go shopping.
That said, if you’ve visited any of your favorite retailers over the last 12 months, you’ve probably noticed that in-store shopping looks different than it did a mere two years ago. “Retail is reinventing itself in part due to the pandemic, but also due to what customers want,” Ryan Van Sluyters, Key Account Manager at VIRA Insight said. “And while customers’ habits have changed, they still want a positive overall experience.” In response, retailers understand it's not business as usual and are implementing changes to keep their customers happy and engaged.
Van Sluyters and his team have seen the following trends emerge as retailers respond to what their customers want:
1. Frictionless Shopping
The concept of buying online and picking up in the store, often referred to as BOPIS, is a preferred way of shopping for many these days, particularly among the younger, more tech-savvy generations.
“Consumers don’t necessarily want to speak with anyone to complete a transaction if they don’t have to. Rather, they want a frictionless shopping experience where they get in, get their product and get out,” Van Sluyters said.
To help facilitate this, many retailers have implemented Dark Stores for order fulfillment in one of three ways: for curbside pickup with a reserved area in the parking lot for these orders; for in-store pickup with a dedicated area inside the store; and for home delivery. Dark Stores contribute to a frictionless shopping experience, as well as provide other benefits for retailers and consumers, including fast and efficient distribution of products, better inventory control management, enhanced SKU management and the ability to stock a wider range of products.
2. Stores Within a Store
Stores within a store are an emerging trend with big retailers today. They are attractive because they help the host store attract more foot-traffic, and they open the potential for new relationships between brands. One example is Lovesac, which piloted a pop-up store within Best Buy two years ago and has since steadily opened several throughout the country. It’s a relationship that makes sense; people need a comfortable place to sit while watching their new TV or surfing the web on their new laptop they purchased.
Target also understands the benefit of leveraging other brands to increase foot traffic and thus, partnered with and opened Ulta Beauty mini stores in many of its stores across the country, and now Sephora has begun rolling out mini stores in Kohl’s. According to Van Sluyters, cosmetics always bring increased foot traffic and partnerships like these will go a long way for the brands involved.
- Supply Chain and Staffing Issues
The double-whammy of the supply chain and staffing issues is wreaking havoc on inventory, fulfillment and the consumers’ experience. But many retailers are using technology to help streamline order tracking, manage customer loyalty programs and even communicate directly with customers. Technology is also being deployed on store shelves to help retailers track products in real time and to see how customers interact with products on the shelves.
But the issues don’t stop there. The labor shortage is also affecting things like fixture installation at the store level. As a result, vendors have looked at ways to develop and deliver easy-to-assemble modular systems so the end-user in the stores can easily put them together, saving time and manpower.
- Sustainability
While this isn’t a new issue, many retailers are now paying even more attention to their carbon footprint and implementing eco-friendly, sustainable practices within their stores. Of course, we’ve seen the trend of eliminating plastic bags and making the commitment to use more renewable energy, but now some retailers are going further and have begun programs that include recycling the plastic barriers that were installed during Covid when they need replacing, and the installation of fixtures made from sustainable and plant-based materials.
“Consumers care about a sustainable future and shop with this in mind. As such, they want to spend their dollars with companies that provide eco-friendly solutions,” Van Sluyters said.
As customers return to the stores, retailers need to be ready to provide the best possible experience for them. Are you ready?
Let us help ensure you are; contact us today to learn what we can do together!
At VIRA Insight, the Future is Sustainable
Designing a Sustainable Future
Your customers shop with sustainability in mind.
They seek out eco-friendly products and reuse and recycle plastics and paper whenever possible. They care about doing their part to build a sustainable future. And they want the companies they do business with to care, too.
We can help with that. At VIRA Insight, we design built environments sustainably, working with our customers to find solutions that work for their business and the environment.
Because we’re dedicated to reducing our own environmental footprint, we can help you deliver for your eco-conscious customers. We’ll collaborate with you to find solutions to all your infrastructure needs, ensuring that you meet your sustainability goals without sacrificing quality or affordability.
The More You Know
The more we know, the better we can do. At At VIRA Insight, it all starts with gathering information. That’s why our sustainability efforts begin with detailed tracking of energy and utility costs.
We’re determined to contain and manage unnecessary energy usage. That’s why we implement energy-saving technology like motion-activated lights, which are installed across our entire facility. This and other common-sense measures help us save money and protect the environment.
Knowing exactly what we’re using and how we’re using it gives us the insight we need to meet our goal of reducing our overall carbon footprint by 2031.
Future Focused
Everything we do at VIRA Insight is focused on the future. We know that to thrive tomorrow, we need to conserve resources today. That’s why sustainability is central to the way we design, manufacture, and deliver for our customers.
Taking a long view requires a commitment to sustainability. It’s why we’re dedicated to reducing our environmental footprint and reusing and recycling materials whenever possible.
Goodbye to Stryofoam
When it comes to sustainability, we’re covering all our bases. That’s why we’re in the process of continually assessing and reassessing our packaging materials. Because it’s not just about what we design and make. It’s also about how we deliver it.
As we evaluate packaging materials, we’re making it a point to eliminate styrofoam wherever possible. Many recyclers don’t accept Styrofoam, but we’ve taken the time to find one that does, ensuring that none of the styrofoam we use in packaging ends up in a dumpster.
This is just one example of the many ways we’re focused on reducing waste at every step along the process, from design and fabrication to delivery and installation.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Why send something to the dumpster when you can reuse or recycle it?
At the heart of VIRA Insight’s Green Initiative is a robust recycling program. We constantly evaluate the way we use raw materials like wood, plastic, metal, and cardboard. By exploring new and innovative ways to reuse, recycle, and sell leftover materials, we’re getting closer to our goal of significantly reducing waste.