Deep DiveBEST at Retail: Evolving Physical Stores for the Attention Economy John Mercer, Head of Global Research and Managing Director of Data-Driven Research May 18, 2026 Reasons to ReadDiscover the future of physical retail and how retailers can navigate the polarized consumer demands between convenience and engagement to drive loyalty and sales. Read this report to discover answers to these and other questions: How can retailers address the increasing demand for friction-free shopping experiences? What are the key trends influencing consumer expectations for in-store experiences and services? How does the Coresight Research BEST framework guide retailers in balancing convenience with high-touch service? What technology solutions are most effective in enhancing the consumer shopping journey? Which global retail examples are setting the benchmark for implementing the BEST framework? Companies mentioned in this report include: PUMA, IKEA, Decathlon, H&M, Marks & Spencer, Uniqlo, Levi’s, Adidas, New Balance, The Body Shop, Sainsbury’s, Flying Tiger, Miniso, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and others. Data in this report include: consumer survey responses on services and technology usage in-store; preferences for shopping attributes across sectors; insights from global retail store visits; and examples of technological innovations enhancing the in-store experience. Already a subscriber? Log in You are currently viewing a preview of this report. Please select an access option to view the full report. Hide Options - Show Options + Get unlimited access to all our research with one of our subscription plans. View Subscription Plans or Contact us to purchase this report. Contact us ✕ This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in: Weekly UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025, Week 30: Marks & Spencer Opens Airside Food StoresAnalyst Corner: The Shifting “Friction Gap” Between Stores and E-Commerce Is Benefitting Digital Channels, with John MercerThe American Mall Renaissance: A Bifurcated Sector with Top-Tier Assets Leading the WayShoptalk Spring 2025 “Shark Reef” Startup Pitch Competition: Innovator Profiles
