Why NOW is the time for ANZ retailers to look north for retail innovation
- Juanita Neville-Te Rito
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Unlocking Opportunity at NRF Asia Pacific
In the ever-changing world of global retail, standing still isn’t an option. With geopolitical tensions rising, trade policies shifting, and customer expectations evolving faster than ever, smart retailers are looking not just to survive — but to adapt and thrive.
One of the clearest signals of this change? The resurgence of regional influence. And right now, the Asia Pacific is not just part of the retail story — it is the story.
Welcome to our own backyard
NRF’s Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific returns to Singapore this June, and it couldn’t be better timed. The Asia Pacific region is the world’s largest and most diverse retail market, full of inspiration, agility, and consumer innovation.
While many of us in ANZ have historically looked to the UK, US, or Europe for retail cues, there’s a compelling case to look closer to home. Singapore, as the host city, offers the perfect bridge — a place where East meets West......where new concepts are tested and scaled fast, and where digital meets physical in some of the most exciting ways seen globally.
In short? It’s the perfect immersion for retailers ready to push boundaries.
What’s driving this moment more than ever?
Trump’s Trade War 2.0: With new tariffs looming and global supply chains recalibrating, markets like Australia and New Zealand are likely to feel the ripple effects — not just in exports, but in where global stock gets dumped. As major Western economies tighten, many manufacturers are turning to the Asia Pacific for new growth. We need to be ready. Eyes wide open.
Proximity = Possibility: Our own backyard has been under-leveraged. ANZ retailers have too often shied away from the cultural complexity of markets like Japan, India, and South Korea. But it’s here where population growth, consumer demand, and retail innovation are exploding. The opportunity is no longer optional. It’s existential.
Retail Innovation that is recognised globally
We’re proud to be the exclusive New Zealand member of the Ebeltoft Group, a global alliance of leading retail consultancies spanning over 20 countries. This membership gives us direct access to world-class thinking, best-in-class case studies, and future-facing strategies from around the globe.
Each year, the Ebeltoft Group publishes the Retail Innovations Report, now in its 20th edition. The 2025 report showcases 50 of the most forward-thinking and inspiring retail concepts from across the world — highlighting how innovation, customer experience, and technology are reshaping the future of commerce.
Our insights into Bells Baking Studio, Livspace, Swee Lee, all from Singapore were uncovered when we headed to Singapore for NRF last year. These aren’t just interesting stores, they are strategic benchmarks that show how retail can evolve to meet tomorrow’s customer, today.
You can explore more about the Ebeltoft Group and download the Retail Innovations 2025 report here.
But before you check out what we saw last year,
how about you come and join us in 2025.
👣 Join RX Group’s ANZ Delegation
This isn’t just a ticket to a conference. It’s a guided immersion, led by retail me (unofficial retail queen) Juanita Neville-Te Rito and members of the RX team, with access to behind-the-scenes retail tours, invite-only experiences, and exclusive workshops designed to turn global inspiration into actionable strategy for your business.
Here’s what’s included:
✅ Expert navigation through the most relevant speakers, exhibitors, and case studies
✅ Private retail safaris and local concept store walkthroughs
✅ Pre- and post-event briefings to unpack and apply what you've learned
✅ Access to ANZ-specific networking sessions
✅ Discounted event and travel packages
📅 Dates: 3–5 June 2025📍 Location: Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Want to find out more deets?
We would love you to join us.
Exciting concepts we saw in Singapore last year
When we visited Singapore in 2024 as part of NRF’s Asia Pacific event, a handful of retail experiences truly stood out, not just because they were new or different, but because they represent the future of retail: blending education, community, technology, and immersive experiences. Here are 5 that left a lasting impression.
🧁 Bells Baking Studio
Where retail meets learning, credentialing, and community
Bells Baking Studio redefines what it means to be customer-centric. With four locations across Singapore, the flagship we visited combines hands-on experiences, government-accredited training, and personal empowerment.
Why it’s different:
Customers can follow 60–80 guided steps via a tablet at their baking station — no prior skills required.
Eligible for SkillsFuture Credit, Bells supports national upskilling goals and solves a hospitality talent shortage.
The setup is beautifully accessible: all tools, ingredients, and step-by-step instruction are provided in a warm, supportive space.
Takeaway for ANZ retailers:Imagine if your store didn’t just sell, it taught, connected, and certified. This is participatory retail with long-term customer engagement baked in.
🏡 Livspace
An end-to-end experience hub for interior design, renovation, and digital fulfilment
Livspace offers a turnkey solution for homeowners — blending online discovery, AI-powered design, physical consultation, and project management in one seamless experience.
What stood out:
Over 10,000 products available across four immersive showrooms
Instant quotes via smart design software, with tracking and CRM tools built in
Upcoming launch into the Australian market (2024/25) makes it especially relevant for ANZ.
Why it’s powerful: Livspace bridges the ‘inspiration-to-installation’ gap. ANZ home, DIY, and design retailers should take note: this is how tech and trust are reshaping the category.
🎸 Swee Lee
Retail reimagined as a cultural hub for music lovers
More than a music store, Swee Lee is a lifestyle experience that includes performance zones, a café, and deeply integrated online/offline engagement.
What impressed us:
A jam space and performance stage that builds loyalty through community
On-site café that extends dwell time and deepens brand love
Seamless omnichannel shopping tied into a lifestyle-first experience
Strategic insight:Swee Lee shows that niche retail thrives when it becomes a place people want to be. Experience-first design can turn even the most specialist category into a community magnet.
🚗 Porsche Studio
A masterclass in brand elevation, immersion, and analogue-digital blending
Porsche Studio in Guoco Midtown goes beyond selling cars — it crafts dreams. With modular spaces, a Porsche-themed café, and immersive digital design tools, the concept transforms luxury into lifestyle.
What makes it iconic:
Concierge-led experiences, immersive design tunnels, and a customisation zone
Café Carrera (in partnership with Baker & Cook) reinforces brand lifestyle
Second floor includes reconfigurable spaces for yoga, e-sports, product launches, and more
A “Prototype” collection exclusive to Singapore boosts social currency
Retail takeaway:Think beyond the product. Porsche Studio proves that immersive spaces + lifestyle storytelling = deep customer connection. Even legacy brands can feel fresh and modern with the right execution.
👜 Coach Play
A 3-level concept store that blends fashion, food, sustainability, and play
Coach Play Singapore, located in a heritage shophouse, is the largest of its kind in the world. It brings the Coach brand to life through immersive storytelling, customisation, and clever localisation.
Why it wowed us:
Café collaboration with Brawn & Brains for local flavor
On-site Coach Create studio lets customers personalise products
A full floor dedicated to Coach Topia, showcasing circular fashion and upcycling
Mirror room with LED storytelling features global talent and heritage nods
Why it matters:Coach Play nails what many retailers aspire to: immersive storytelling, cultural relevance, and a true sense of place. It shows that luxury doesn't need to be sterile — it can be soulful, surprising, and social.
We would love you to join our ANZ delegation to NRF Asia Pacific 2025
📅 Dates: 3–5 June 2025📍 Location: Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Want to find out more deets?
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