Don’t believe the coronavirus powered online hype. Physical retail is alive and kicking and remains as relevant as ever in these coronavirus dominated times. But don’t take our word for it. Check out these excellent bricks and mortar innovations.

1. Blackwell’s

Jellybooks has partnered with book retailer Blackwell’s to exclusively showcase six new debut titles.

An interactive window display was unveiled this month at Blackwell’s flagship store on Oxford’s Broad Street.

People can scan QR codes in the window display while on their daily coronavirus lockdown walk to start reading the aforementioned titles. 

2. Goldsmiths

UK luxury watch and jewellery retailer, Goldsmiths, will later this year begin rolling out a new store design concept.

This will include in-store and digital browsing tools.

The concept, conceived in partnership with Quadrant Design, will initially launch in major retail hubs, including Manchester’s Trafford Centre, Cribbs Causeway in Bristol, Meadowhall in Sheffield, Canterbury, Reading and Leicester. 

3. Pandora

Pandora has partnered with Go Instore to launch a live video service.

The Remote Shopping Assistant offering enables store staff to guide customers through their buying journey from the comfort of their own homes.  

It is available in the UK, across mainland Europe, in Hong Kong and the US. 

4. X5 Retail Group

Russian food retailer, X5 Retail Group, has partnered with Sberbank and Visa to launch a ‘pay with a glance’ service at self-service checkout terminals.

Currently available at 52 Perekrestok supermarkets, this uses biometric identification based on X5's innovation lab technology and VisionLabs solutions.

5. Amazon

Amazon has opened convenience grocery stores in Ealing and Wembley Park, London, its first physical outlets outside of North America.

UK shoppers are for the first time able to use the e-commerce giant’s Just Walk Out tech, which was pioneered at the Amazon Go offering in the States.

6. adidas

adidas has opened its first ever flagship store in Dubai.

The 16,000 sq ft space has 60 digital touchpoints, and also features the MakerLab offering for bespoke creation and design of products, CrepProtect, a free shoe cleaning service, and a Bring It To Me app feature.

Sign up for our free retail technology newsletter here.