There was no shortage of fun in the physical store experiences of the Coolest Retailers. Take K11 Musea in Hong Kong, for example. This seven-storey mall is as much about art and design as it is about shopping, with unexpected installations and immersive Insta-worthy experiences throughout. 

“We believe in art, and we believe in the forces that bring it to life. In addition to our permanent collection of local and international artists’ work, we also allow the public to appreciate art during their shopping and leisure time by providing various multi-dimensional spaces,” says K11. 

While at Casetify in Hong Kong, technology accessories have never looked so good. This retailer is bringing the fun and frills to phones covers with personalisation and products for all styles, interests and passions.

Get creative with store design 

Eye-catching, creative store designs will always be a winner with customers. And it’s hard to get more ‘wow factor’ than at the Zhongshuge bookstore in China. Spanning almost 11,000 square metres in the Guizhou provincial capital, this cathedral-like design features towering arches and columns, criss-cross staircases, c-shaped bookcases, mirrored ceilings and, of course, endless shelves of literature.

Meanwhile Chinese beauty retailer Harmay’s striking store designs keep customers guessing, with each warehouse-style retail concept different from the next. Harmay’s Xindan store follows an apocalypse-inspired theme called ‘chaos and order’, which features a black and white colour scheme with LED lighting, rusted metal elements such as chains, factory fans and steel tables in a factory-like display.

Reward your fans

Of course, without loyal customers, there is no future for any retailer. OntheList, a membership-based platform that sells discounted designer goods across Asia, has created a community of more than 500,000 sustainable fashionistas all over the world since launching five years ago. The brand keeps its customers interested and entertained with events such as swap parties and wellness and lifestyle activities.

Similarly, women’s online fashion brand Love, Bonito has built up a community of loyal followers, thanks to its focus on empowering women. The Singapore-based retailer rewards repeat purchases with special perks through a membership program, such as early access to sales and exclusive launches and surprise experiences. And it recently launched LB Create, a social impact program that aims to fund, amplify and share resources with organisations that champion women’s issues. 

Think outside the box

In our tech-focused world, retailers need to be one step ahead when it comes to customer preferences and convenient shopping. That comes naturally to Bangkok-based modern fashion brand Pomelo – a tech company at heart. Pomelo spearheads the latest tech-driven trends in retail. Take its ‘Tap, Try, Buy’ model, for example. Customers can order as many items as they want and have them delivered to a Pomelo store or convenient third-party location to try on without paying anything upfront. It’s based on a powerful analytics platform that monitors the items customers order versus what they keep to improve product recommendations and decrease costs over time. 

Meanwhile, Delhi grocery delivery service VegEase’s modern, innovative approach to the tradition of handpicking vegetables has redefined the fresh produce shopping experience. Customers log on to the VegEase app, book a grocery cart of farm-fresh fruit and vegetables at their preferred time, and when it arrives at their door, they can handpick the stock themselves to ensure they are getting the top quality picks. 

Want to know more about Asia’s Coolest Retailers? Download the list here.