Retailers at the Forefront

The company's brands, including Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People and Terrain are ideal illustrations of many of the 2015 trends. As they describe themselves, "Each brand chooses a particular customer segment and sets out to create sustainable points of distinction with that segment." In addition to targeting niche segments, the company's brands also achieves a greater "share of life" by offering a variety of soft and hard good merchandise. This big box has mastered the "hook and bullet" customer segment with an impressive assortment of merchandise, services and in-store experiences. They also have a tremendous inventory management system that allows them to customize and restock their stores based on the local market. Look for them to grow by capitalizing on some of the recent vacancies in their big box category. Their Denver flagship is a great illustration of understanding their customer segment and delivering a total experience — from an interactive mountain bike trail to a 45 foot climbing wall. The Apple brand has become synonymous with a lifestyle and their experience-oriented stores with "endless isles" of online merchandise, in-store classes and roving salespeople with instant check-out service are precursors of the 2015 trends. They are a great illustration of high tech/high touch service. The company has transformed the grocery concept into a true experience. They are at the forefront of the sustainability trend and have matched their organic "Whole Foods" orientation with a "Whole Planet" and "Whole People" approach.