Why Self Actualization Is The Future of Retail - Retail Executive Magazine Exclusive

Why Self Actualization Is The Future of Retail - Retail Executive Magazine Exclusive

Understanding your customer’s basic, societal, and growth needs should influence your current strategies and offerings. What is the future of retail? A question that has stirred up spirited debate — one we are reminded of with a simple walk to the grocery store or while mulling over a gum purchase. The notion of looking in unordinary places to answer ordinary questions has always inspired me. Triggered by a desire to pursue a consulting venture that provoked positive change and coming off six years in strategy at Lululemon, this trail led me to none other than the field of evolutionary psychology. If that phrase conjures up Psychology 101 and images of Abraham Maslow, you’re on the right track. It is in the posthumous of Maslow’s work and its iterations that lay an undiscovered truth that, if unpacked, can open up a world of opportunity.

A glimpse into Future Stores, Seattle, WA

A glimpse into Future Stores, Seattle, WA

Coming off of another mind-bending year at Future Stores, I left inspired and energized at what the future of retail has in store! What better way to capture than through the power of visuals - see below for the highlights:

Media house, Innovation Leader gets behind the scenes with Lindsay Angelo

Media house, Innovation Leader gets behind the scenes with Lindsay Angelo

It’s challenging to list all of the things causing angst for the retail sector, from Amazon to new startups to the death of once-popular malls around the country.

But according to Lindsay Angelo, a former Strategy Manager at Vancouver-based lululemon athletica, all that disruption creates the imperative to think differently and take risks. (Angelo left the company earlier this month, and is now a growth strategy consultant.)

The Front End of Innovation in Review - a fascinating talk that turns Maslow's tired hierarchy of needs on its head, Boston, MA

The Front End of Innovation in Review - a fascinating talk that turns Maslow's tired hierarchy of needs on its head, Boston, MA

"I’m going to be honest, I went to Lindsay Angelo’s talk, Betterment, the Future of Retail & Maslow, mostly because Lindsay works for Lululemon and I’m a sucker for dropping a lot of money on a pair of Lululemon Wunder Under yoga pants. I wanted to judge the company that made yoga apparel mainstream more than I wanted to learn about the actual subject matter of Lindsay’s speech. Shame on me, I know. But here’s the thing, once I was in the room, I paid attention to the actual subject matter and it was really fascinating – Lindsay turned Maslow’s tired hierarchy of needs on its head...

Keynote: Tackling the democratization of retail, Seattle, WA

Keynote: Tackling the democratization of retail, Seattle, WA

Another successful and mind-bending Future Stores! I'm dedicating this post to an inspirational video that speaks to an aspirational consumer we're seeing more and more of these days; one on a quest towards self actualization...

Keynote: Maintaining your inner play-doh, Seattle, WA

Keynote: Maintaining your inner play-doh, Seattle, WA

Driven by a digital landscape, the maker’s movement & crowd everything, we are witnessing disruption in the world of retail. Consumers are shifting from passively consuming a product to co-creating and inventing on their own. An army of authentic, innovative start-ups with engaged guests are emerging and the landscape is democratizing like never before. How can established businesses respond to maintain their “it” factor?