Disruptive Innovation for Your Holiday Shopping

July 14, 2015

As mobile evolves, its speed quickens and e commerce continues to grow to the primary learning platform for retail forward brands, the consumer’s knowledge, power and resources are also growing in parallel. Their options are expanding, their attention span is shrinking and there seems to be a new opportunity to abandon cart around every aisle, click and tap.

Now more than ever, retailers need to explore new, unconventional and innovative ways to keep the consumer engaged in-store and online from research to checkout.

But the innovators in the industry recognize this as opportunity… Do you?

The technology landscape is drastically changing the way consumers shop across platforms.

Liner

This awesome app allows you to highlight and organize your internet findings in an awesome user interface. Build collections, favorites and archives, share and have awesome research sessions.

Learn more: Liner.com

© Makeable 2015

Gift Planner

Sometimes those special occasions just creep up on you and you forget to get a gift. Never again. Keep track of all your important dates, the gifts you want to get, maybe even options and prices. Never forget again.

Learn more: Gift Planner

© Makeable 2015

Dropmark

A creative drag and drop, collaborative bookmarking web experience. The interface is intuitive, social and useful. And the visualization is beautiful, purposeful and organized. Bookmarks for the creative class.

Learn more: dropmark.com/

© Makeable 2015

Droplet Pay

A business loyalty program built into a mobile customer to store payment service. Quick, easy, convenient and saves you money.

Learn more: dropletpay.com/

© Makeable 2015

Belly

Retail loyalty program: users have to check-in at businesses (scan member card, or use app). Rewards are specific to each business.

Learn more: bellycard.com/

© Makeable 2015

Urban On

The Urban Outfitters app does a lot more than let consumers browse racks when they’re supposed to be working. It sends notifications to consumers at key moments throughout the in-store experience, including pushes to share outfits with friends while in dressing rooms in exchange for promotions.

Learn more: Urban On

© Makeable 2015

Carrefour LED store locator

Indoor store positioning technology that allows customers navigate store aisles without the need for wifi or cellular reception. It’s all based on your camera, and how it receives pulses of light.

Learn more: Carrefour LED Locator

© Makeable 2015

Shopkick

Retail loyalty program activated via mobile app. The app gives incentives (points) for store walk-ins, scanning items and purchases, that can later be redeemed as gift cards.

Learn more: shopkick.com/

© Makeable 2015

Amazon Flow.

Instant image recognition that lets you browse product shelves and search further product information (in this case, price comparison) on the fly.

Learn more: Amazon Flow

© Makeable 2015

Deliv

Crowdsourced, same day delivery from local stores. Purchase online and track your order’s path to your location. Available at Bloomingdale’s.

Learn more: deliv.co/

© Makeable 2015

de Bijenkorf Virtual Dressing Room

Customers can dress digitally in clothing and accessories from de Bijenkorf’s entire summer collection, right from the shopping floor.

Learn more: Virtual Dressing Room

© Makeable 2015

QR codes in Jeans by Hointer

Aiming to provide a better shopping experience for men, Hointer added QR codes to their jeans so customers can easily scan the code on their desired pair and get their size delivered to them in the changing room.

Learn more: Hointer QR Codes

© Makeable 2015

Amazon Dash Button

Amazon partnered with CPG brands to automate the reorder process. When running low on a product, just press your conveniently located Dash button and your resupply will be on it’s way.

Learn more: Amazon Dash Button

© Makeable 2015

Kate Spade Saturday 24h Window Shop

To introduce the Kate Spade Saturday casual clothing and accessories collection, Kate Spade is now offering 24-hour interactive window shops at four formerly vacant storefronts in New York City (locations).According to PSFK, “shopping takes place through a large touch screen display,” and “apparel items can be previewed on model photos.” Items purchased are then delivered within one hour.

Learn more: 24 Hour Window Shop

© Makeable 2015

Best Buy IFTTT

If you’re dying for a reason to use the handy programming platform, or just want more electronics to use it with, you can now use triggers like product price changes, online availability changes, most popular products, and new product in category to do whatever creative concoction you can cook up with the other services integrated.

Learn more: Best Buy IFTTT API

© Makeable 2015

Ebay Group Gifts

Ebay is all about trying to get you a good deal, whether it’s on new or used products. Above all, it’s a collaborative platform that connects. That’s why Group Gifts is a perfect compliment to their service allowing groups of people to pitch in on a gift for someone from anywhere in the world.

Learn more: groupgifts.ebay.com/

© Makeable 2015

Cups

Drink a lot of coffee? Maybe you just a “regular” amount but it’s generally at the same location. Cups may be the app for you. It’s your monthly train pass for coffee. Which is great, because if you work in this century you probably drink more coffee than you ride the metro.

Learn more: groupgifts.ebay.com/

© Makeable 2015

Pixbi

Yes, another way for the beautiful fashion bloggers to make more money. Actually, Pixbi is for anyone one on the internet who hosts photos. Just tag the products in your images with a Pixbi link, and your readers can instantly buy the items from your content without leaving the page. And the best part is, the hosts are taking 6%.

Learn more: Pixbi.com

© Makeable 2015

Meat Pack Countdown

The local sneaker boutique in Guatemala used GPS in their app to lure potential customers into their store. But not with any traditional offer. They would receive an alert that would start at 99% off and count down. The sooner they got to the store, the higher discount they would get.

Learn more: Meat Pack Countdown

© Makeable 2015

Rebecca Minkoff Interactive Mirror & Fitting Room

The ‘connected wall’ features an RFID driven mirrored display that shows videos and inspirational content, and enables interaction as shoppers can touch the surface to request associates to prepare fitting rooms, order drinks and even change the environment’s lighting.

Learn more: Mirrored Dressing Rooms

© Makeable 2015

Sprinkles- Cupcake ATM

The world’s first Cupcake ATM that is open 24 hours and dispenses all of the Sprinkles cupcake flavors in boxes upon the push of a button. Available in select cities, this innovative form of vending cupcakes has gone viral.

Learn more: Cupcake ATM

© Makeable 2015

The Try Button

It’s the nifty little google plugin button that pops up on your favorite retail sites for automatic pre-paid shipping. Just add a couple sizes, try them on, keep the one that fits and send the rest back… all on them.

Learn more: try.com/

© Makeable 2015

Warby Parker

Not only does Warby Parker allow you to select 5 pair of glasses to try on at home, and provide fully customizable online options, but for every pair of sunglasses sold, a pair is given to someone in need.

Learn more: warbyparker.com

© Makeable 2015

Rose Bike Town, Munich

A multimedia concept store specialized in custom bicycles, offering touch screen configurators and live digital builds.

Learn more: Rose Bike Town

© Makeable 2015

HelloBond/Heineken

In the successful partnership Heineken allowed their users to send “hand” written letters to loved ones just in time for the holidays. Heineken successfully connected their brand with the warm and fuzzy feeling of a handwritten letter.

Learn more: Heineken Handwritten Cheer

© Makeable 2015

Left Shoe Company

Handmade shoes made to measure using data collected by a 3D scanner at a retail location. Sometimes, there’s room to innovate in the most classic of crafts.

Learn more: leftshoecompany.com/

© Makeable 2015

Nervous System customizable 3D printed Jewelry

This customizable 3D printed jewelry is inspired by nature's nervous system and is made to order. You’ll have a totally unique and personalized piece of jewelry on your doorstep, hot off the 3D printer.

Learn more: n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/

© Makeable 2015

Pinterest IRL - Nordstrom

Nordstrom now tags popular items on Pinterest with a red tag in their stores. Nordstrom also created an in-store app for salespeople that matches up popular Pinterest items with current inventory for a department on a store-by store basis.

Learn more:

Pinterest In Store

© Makeable 2015

Stitch Fix

Clothing and accessories hand picked by a personal stylist, and sent monthly to your door. Return the items you don’t like and pay for what you keep. All feedback just makes the experience better.

Learn more: stitchfix.com/

© Makeable 2015

Pot Box

Tired of going to the store to get more bud. If only you could stay in your house, smoke weed and order Taco Bell all month long. Well now you can. With Pot Box you get your monthly subscription of ethical bud in various forms in the legal states. Concerned about quality? You’ll also find a nifty batch of lab results inside.

Learn more: potbox.com/

© Makeable 2015

Birchbox

The monthly box of surprise self indulgence delivered to your door. Sample products without the investment in large portions, then proceed to explore other alternatives or purchase your favorites.

Learn more: birchbox.com/

© Makeable 2015

Noble Brewer

The world's first online beer club for home brewers. They find their favorite recipes from home brewers, produce it at scale and send it out to the club members for new beers each month.

Learn more: noblebrewerbeer.com/

© Makeable 2015

Ask Zappos

Once upon a time, Zappos built a system where their users could text them any product, and their staff would find that exact item, and more. It’s a real text based UI

Learn more: askzappos.com/

© Makeable 2015

Flingy

Have a tough decision to make? Just ask your friends, or the whole Flingy community. Post your options and wait for the answers to roll in. Or cast judgement and browse people's hard decisions.

Learn more: flin.gy/

© Makeable 2015

Tastingroom

Build an algorithmically guided wine profile and monthly subscription with Lot 18’s Tastingroom. You’re taste profile is observed based on feedback from each order to personalize wine suggestions.

Learn more: tastingroom.com/

© Makeable 2015

Zoolafix

Headed to a strange city one weekend and need a tour guide? Better yet, a party guide? That’s what Zoolafix is here to provide. On this platform users can sign up to be or rent a local party guide for hire.

Learn more: zoolafix.com/

© Makeable 2015

Argos Gift Giver

The tinderfication of gift giving is here. Argos leveraged its arsenal of retail products online to build a real personal gift giving experience. Swipe left or right through suggested products, and based on interests, it will recommend a gift for that personality type.

Learn more: Argos Gift Finder

© Makeable 2015

Spoil

The personalized gift giving concierge. Just enter a short description of the gift recipient and a price range, then let the concierge do the rest. The gifter won’t know what’s been sent, but will receive hints.

Learn more: spoil.io/

© Makeable 2015

Stylio

A personal shopper in your pocket, with the creds to back it up. They employ real stylists and style bloggers to help you shop, or even just shop for you.

Learn more: getstylio.com/

© Makeable 2015

Denarri

The products you love, at the price you want, in 3 clicks. Just let Denarri know you’re looking with a little criteria, and their experts will sift through the list and only send you the best and cheapest.

Learn more: denarri.com/

© Makeable 2015

Mimry

Personal stylist for men, just a text away. Stylists get to know your lifestyle and personality so they can make the best recommendations possible.

Learn more: mimry.com/

© Makeable 2015

Cards Against Humanity’s Holiday Bullshit

There’s not much else to say about this promotion accept for the fact that 250,000 people signed up to receive 10 mystery gifts from the notorious card game. They were outrageous, a little raunchy, and almost all guaranteed a place on the internet. Then, they even hid a puzzle (in association with the professionals) in the gift pattern to award a grand prize. Of course, Reddit took up their reigns to put their collective upvotes together and solve it.

Learn more: holidaybullshit.com/

© Makeable 2015

The conditional logic for your smartphone, packaged for the everyday user.

This packages scripts to seamlessly connect all of your tech with if-then statements, either automatically or through the push of a button. This seemingly magic app has opened its platform up to developers to submit and search recipes making the possibilities for non-developers virtually endless.

Learn more: ifttt.com

© Makeable 2015

The Reddit Button

The phenomenon itself. The countdown began and it was only a matter of time before someone would click and reset the timer. Users who were able to wait the longest were awarded a badge for their Reddit profile. In the end, 3 months later of speculation, nail biting and exhausting theories, it was all an experiment. Damn you Reddit.

Learn more: The Button

© Makeable 2015

Google Photos/Tagasauris

Auto recognizes people, places and objects in your phone’s camera roll and places accurate corresponding searchable tags on each photo.

Learn more: photos.google.com/

Learn more: tagasauris.com/

© Makeable 2015

Zano

A mobile controlled nano drone for HD photo and video.

Learn more: flyzano.com/

© Makeable 2015

Lays Uber Instant Picnic/Ice Cream Truck

Lays partnered with Uber to deliver free on-demand picnics to celebrate the last few weeks of summer. The picnic included two Katz’s Deli sandwiches and two bags of the “Do us a Flavor” finalists to get you a taste and get you hashtagging. They’ve also been known to do this with Ice Cream Trucks.

Learn more: Do us a Flavor

Learn more: Uber Ice Cream

© Makeable 2015

Converse Sample Library

New artists are constantly coming in and out of the brand’s recording studio and this is a result of what happens when each one records a single sample to be downloaded for free by the music production community.

Learn more: conversesamplelibrary.com/

© Makeable 2015

Montreal Megaphone

An installation combining voice recognition and projection. In a public space in Montreal, people were invited to speak on a megaphone, as words from their speech were projected on a wall.

Learn more: Montreal Megaphone

© Makeable 2015

Sochi 3D LED Selfie

A kinetic installation at the Sochi Olympic Games displayed 3D faces. Participants first had their faces scanned in a special photo booth, then watched the installation move and reproduce the image in light and 3 dimensions.

Learn more: 3D Selfie

© Makeable 2015

Audi of America & Columbia: Experiments in Motion

A suspended model of lower Manhattan, over a projected version of it, showing the movement of buses, subway and cars.

Learn more: experimentsinmotion.com/

© Makeable 2015

Joyus

In this video based shopping platform a dedicated team of stylists, beauty and health experts post instantly shoppable videos, reviews and tips to influence and guide the buying process.

Learn more: joyus.com

© Makeable 2015

Shapeways

The world's leading made to order 3D printing service and store. Shop from a wide selection of pre-made 3D models to buy or gift, from crazy bow ties to miniature figures, or if you’re a whiz yourself, upload your own design to be 3D printed and sent to your door.

Learn more: shapeways.com/

© Makeable 2015

The J. Crew Gift Guide

Not Only did J. Crew build a section of their website dedicated to gift giving, but they made it really easy to find a gift. Their menu sorts by the person you’re giving it to, and they even have a gift consultant on call 24/7. Psst. You can make a wish list too to share with the people who might be buying for you, which we hear is a great way to get the gifts you want. And on top of all this, they cater to different budgets within these categories in an intuitive UX.

Learn more: J.Crew Gift Guide

© Makeable 2015

Superbrugsen Crowdsourced Stock

In a very interesting buying strategy, Superbrugsen, a supermarket in Denmark, wanted to make sure it carried what their customers wanted. So they crowdsourced their stock list, and had consumers fill out forms suggesting their desired groceries.

Learn more: Super Burgsen Crowd Sourcing

© Makeable 2015

The Pizza Magnet

A Dubai based Pizza company sent their loyal customers a refrigerator magnet shaped like a pizza. But it’s no ordinary Pizza, press the button and wait for a soon to arrive pizza at your door.

Learn more: PizzaMagnet

© Makeable 2015

Polyvore

The trend based shopping site guided by members and stylists. Items can be grouped together in sets and each item links out to the original ecommerce page where it can be bought. As you use the platform, they personalize sets and trends just for you and your style.

Learn more: polyvore.com/

© Makeable 2015

CanIGetMyOrderForFreeAtTheBodyShopYet.com/

The product is as simple as the URL. For the holiday season, The Body Shop encouraged users to visit the URL and receive a yes or no answer. Refresh until you get a yes or leave at the no. The only catch–you have to buy a bag that donates to charity to receive your order for free.

Learn more: CanIGetMyOrderForFreeAtTheBodyShopYet.

com/

© Makeable 2015

Styld.By

Gap’s seasonal series allows shoppers to browse a lookbook styled and curated by bloggers and influential Instagrammers. It’s shoppable, social and inspirational.

Learn more: styld-by.com/

© Makeable 2015

Greetabl

Select your gift from their original gift packages, each designed around an experience, write your note and they’ll do the rest. They send the gift straight to the address specified and even hand write your note for you. It’s creative, personal and not to mention well packaged.

Learn more: greetabl.com/

© Makeable 2015

GiftRoulette

It’s as simple as entering (or randomly generating) your preferences, entering an address and credit card number, sit back and wait. One of their “professionally trained” gift givers will pick out something unique and send it on its way.

Learn more: GiftRoulette.me

© Makeable 2015

Strolby, starting your gift search right.

If you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, but you want a non-commoditized product, there’s just not a good starting point, until Strolby. As a combatant of Amazon they provide an editorial perspective to local shops and independent artisans, a place to curate their storefront, online.

Learn more: strolby.com/

© Makeable 2015

Little Black Bag

This shopping platform turns the online shopping experience into an exciting trading game. Pick one item, and two more items are added to your bag based on the style profile it has built on you. You can then trade those other two items with other users for the next seven days until it's time to ship. It’s a clever game that unfortunately didn’t last.

Learn more: Little Black Bag

© Makeable 2015

Robot Store Assistant

Mitsukoshi department store in Nihonbashi, Japan, has started to employ a robot at its information desk. The female-looking robot, named Aiko Chihira, speaks Japanese and is capable of sign language.

Chihira uses human-like facial expressions, and offers guidance to customers with information about the department store.

Learn more: Robot Store Assistant

© Makeable 2015

L’Habibliothèque

A trendy library of casual clothing and accessories, located in Paris. Customers select a subscription duration and borrow or purchase items, both in store and online.

Learn more: lhabibliotheque.com/

© Makeable 2015

Story

STORY is a retail concept that takes the point of view of a magazine, changes like a gallery and sells things like a store. That means every four to eight weeks, STORY completely reinvents itself -from the design to the merchandise – with the goal of bringing to light a new theme, trend or issue.

Learn more: thisisstory.com/

© Makeable 2015

Wantful

Although it never made it through its series B funding, the startup was actually a very cool gift giving solution for those who don’t know quite what to give. Just select a few gifts you think someone might like, and they send the gift giver a personalized catalogue to pick the gift they want.

Learn more: Wantful

© Makeable 2015

Fashion Trucks–style on the go

Fashion trucks and boutiques have been popping up all over since the food truck craze. A fast paced culture like ours needs 4 wheels on everything.

Learn more: findafashiontruck.com/

© Makeable 2015

Giftstarter

Kickstarter for gifts, not much else to be said right? Find a perfect gift, gather the friends with a link and let them pledge with a handy dividing tile system. Can't think of a gift? They have gifto concierge’s there to help you along the way.

Learn more: giftstarter.com

© Makeable 2015

Your new personal assistant, just a text away.

Ask your own personal operator any question, for any service, or any favor and they’ll get the job done. It’s still in private beta, but the capabilities are fantastic. We’re big fans of text-UI based apps and this one takes it to a new level.

Learn more: Operator.com

© Makeable 2015

On Tapster

Tapster gives you the options to purchase the things you need at the right time in the right place through an awesome card based interface.

Learn more: ontapster.com/

© Makeable 2015

Mikmak

The first mobile video shopping network. Videos are uploaded daily of your favorite products, you can binge watch, and shop these products straight through the app.

Learn more: mikmak.tv/

© Makeable 2015

Spring

Spring is mobile shopping app that presents curated looks by your favorite brands and Influencers buyable at a single swipe all through the familiar scrollable UI. Follow, get inspired and swipe.

Learn more: shopspring.com

© Makeable 2015

Mona

Mona is your smart mobile shopping assistant. Start a mission and let Mona know what you’re looking for, then Mona will find you personalized matches. But Mona learns, as you provide feedback it learns your style, brand and price preferences.

Learn more: monahq.com/

© Makeable 2015

GiftStar

Enter in who you’re buying a gift for based on age, category and price through a sentence based UI and get instant gift recommendations with purchase just a click away.

Learn more: Giftstar

© Makeable 2015

VW RR

This awesome website is so simple and so awesome. Just record a 10 second video of yourself making car noises, and VW auto matches clips of their new R whizzing around the track to the sound of your vocal engine. Then, it’s all exported to their youtube channel and instantly shareable. Awesome on so many levels.

Learn more: rr.vw.com

© Makeable 2015

Marc Jacobs Tweet Shop

A pop-up store during NYFW where customers paid for Daisy products by tweeting or posting on Instagram with #MJDaisyChain.

Learn more: Marc Jacobs Tweet Shop

© Makeable 2015

Topshop TopTrends

One London Fashion week Topshop decided that everyone should have access to the latest trends, at the moment they’re unveiled. So they bought five giant billboards and live broadcasted fashion influencer’s tweets across them throughout the show.

Learn more: TopTrends

© Makeable 2015

The Bucket List

What’s one thing on your bucket list? Is it saving a life? Pretty powerful question huh? Well, Trillium asked people on the street what their bucket list items were, then bought the keywords for their top bucket list names. So when they search google for any of those terms, their google ad comes up, asking that question.

Learn more: Trillium Bucketlist

© Makeable 2015

Zappos Pinpointing

Link Zappos with your Pinterest for recommended products based on your pins. Not sure what to get your friends? Search their Pinboard and get Zapified recommendations on what to get them too.

Learn more: Pinpointing

© Makeable 2015

C&A Brazil

Brazilian clothing store C&A has special clothes hangers that show how many likes each look has garnered from the Facebook community. The likes are updated in real time and the system is being called “Fashion Like” by the company.

Learn more:

http://www.cnet.com/news/hangers-with-like-counts-let-facebook-dictate-fashion/

© Makeable 2015

LiketoKnowit

This packaged up purchase through Instagram funnel is becoming the go to for brands and influencers alike. All the consumer has to do is sign up online with their email and when they like a product on Instagram that’s identified a LTKI product, they receive an email with buying instructions. Pretty simple.

Learn more: liketoknow.it/

© Makeable 2015

Fox and Fawn Brooklyn

Fox and Fawn is one of the few retail businesses to successfully check the buying through Instagram box. If you’re a loyal customer, just give them a call, leave your credit card info, address, name and Instagram handle, and then just play along. All you have to do is be the first to comment on their photos to be the buyer, they confirm and you can pick it up in store or have it sent out.

Learn more: FoxandFawn.com

© Makeable 2015

The Merit Shop–If money didn’t exist

All that matters is you, your talent, your personality. Funded by donations and brand sponsors, the Merit shop let’s you pick items you want and pay by uploading media of your creative output, no matter what it is.

Learn more: themeritshop.org/

© Makeable 2015

Sephora Claus

In the epitome of beauty, poise and style, this holiday SephoraClaus has the power to grant women's wishes everywhere. Eager to give away goodies to help women look and feel beautiful this season, she was able to grant any woman's wish from the Sephora Catalogue. All they had to do was Tweet.

Learn more: Sephora Claus

© Makeable 2015

Selfless Selfie Project

To highlight people’s selfless nature during the holiday season, Uniqlo reached out and asked people what they would pledge their “selfies” to for a cause. Selected pledgers were awarded a 3D printed figure of themselves and we’re put on display at the Uniqlo locations.

Learn more: theselflessselfieproject.com/

© Makeable 2015

Amex Social Rewards

Retweeting and purchasing with your Amex can now earn you extra rewards with certain retail partners. It’s the true definition of social currency.

Learn more: Amex Social Rewards

© Makeable 2015

Poppy Project

Coach invited a group of passionate fashion bloggers to participate in an online art project to spread the word of Coach Poppy. Bloggers would install the pattern on their site, only to watch it grow with each social interaction. In the end, bloggers and fans alike we’re rewarded with prizes from Coach themselves.

Learn more: The Poppy Project

© Makeable 2015

Nordstrom- Shoes of Prey

Nordstrom partnered with the company Shoes of Prey to offer shoppers the chance to create their own custom shoe using an iPad in stores. Customers can now choose a style, heel height, color and size to create a completely customizable shoe that will be mailed to to them directly.

Learn more: shoesofprey.com/

© Makeable 2015

For more Unconventional Wisdom, or to continue the conversation on retail innovation,

contact whatup@itsmakeable.com