In this episode, they reveal how they design flagship spaces in London, Paris, and New York that deliberately increase dwell time, why sales associates are trained to tell customers to leave without buying, and how they were inspired to create the "IRL is Better" campaign.
THE FUTURE OF SHOPPING
▶ Why efficiency has stripped retail of emotion — and how to put it back
▶ The architectural toolkit for deceleration: treasure-hunt layouts, suspended furniture, and materials built to last
▶ Sales advisors, not salespeople: training staff to prioritize connection over conversion
▶ "IRL is Better" — inside the anti-social media campaign that doubled down on real-world intimacy
▶ How handwritten notes and personal emails extend the flagship experience online
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Emotions Over Efficiency
1:30 - The Creative Partnership: Marc-Antoine Barrois & Antoine Bouillot
5:05 - Why Are Retail Spaces Today So Emotionally Void?
8:14 - What Happened When a Customer Didn't Recognize Marc-Antoine?
10:56 - Store Concept: What Makes Marc-Antoine Barrois Special?
16:07 - IRL Is Better: Asking Customers to Stop Scrolling
22:25 - Architecture of Deceleration: Zones & Retail Easter Eggs
31:00 - The Future? Going Where You're Not Expected
ABOUT THE PODCAST
🎙️ Retail Disrupted is a Top 5% Global Podcast with the leaders and disruptors shaping the future of retail. Hosted by retail analyst Natalie Berg.
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