Shop! Ideation 2023 began with a tour of Minneapolis’ Walker Art Center and Sculpture Garden.

Attendees spent the afternoon at the Walker Art Center touring the exhibition, “Five Ways In: Themes from the Collection.”

Sunday evening was the welcome reception at the host hotel, Marriot City Center, in downtown Minneapolis.

The opening session on the first day of Shop! Ideation was presented by Michelle Adams of Marketing Brainology.

The session focused on neuroscience tools used in retail spaces and how sensory elements target the human brain and build lasting memories.

Matt Ringsmuth and Heather Sexton of Target spoke next in their session “Making the Most of Your Asset Protection Strategies.”

Ringsmuth (pictured) and Sexton highlighted Target’s efforts to increase store safety and security through physical design and digital technology.

The next presentation was “Immersive Retail: Harnessing the Potential of the Human-Physical-Digital Connection,” by Angela Gearhart, Executive Consultant at AAG.

Gearhart educated attendees on new immersive retail technology and how brands can communicate their values by focusing on their customers’ needs.

Claire Tassin, Lead Retail and E-Commerce Analyst at Morning Consult, was next to present her session, “Inflation Is Destroying Brick-and Mortar Differentiators: Here’s What to Do About It.”

Tassin explained the latest economic trends, the state of consumer shopping and how retailers can identify key attributes to keep shoppers coming back.

Liam O’Connell of Envirosell presented his session “Meaningful Disruption: Using Eye Tracking to Design More Effective Signage.”

O’Connell highlighted the latest technology for signage strategy and examined real data and in-depth findings from eye-tracking research.

The closing keynote was presented by James Damian of James Damian Brand Integration Services.

Damian captivated attendees by exploring how creative leaders can move away from convention, disrupt the status quo and become a breakthrough thinker.

Murray Kasmenn, Executive Director of Shop!, thanked sponsors, the Shop! team, speakers and attendees.

After a full day of speakers, attendees gathered in the atrium for a cocktail hour and networking reception.

Tuesday was all about the Retail Challenge, facilitated by Bevan Bloemendaal, Chief Brand and Creative Officer for NELSON Worldwide.

This year’s Retail Challenge focused on the salon and hair care brand Aveda.

Teams were challenged to create a new pop-up for Aveda incorporating their core values and mission.

The winning team will have their project built at Shop! Marketplace taking place April 9-11, 2024, hosted in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Shop! Ideation 2023 closed with dinner and reception during, which the winner of the Retail Challenge was announced.