Just announced! MG2 Principal Melissa Gonzalez is going to be a Glossy Wellness Awards judge among a cohort of industry experts. The Awards recognize the companies transforming the wellness industry through campaigns, initiatives, products, practices and innovations focused on living well and longevity.
The luxury industry is not being redefined, but the ways consumers experience and evaluate it are evolving. Craftsmanship still anchors the category, but how consumers engage with brands, where they encounter them, and what they expect from those interactions is shifting. All forms of retail remain relevant, from pop-ups to permanent spaces, from standalone brand experiences to department stores, but they are increasingly evaluated as part of a larger ecosystem.
What matters is not simply where brands show up, but how each environment contributes to the broader relationship consumers have with the brand over time. Hospitality, wellness, after-care, and personalized service have become more integrated parts of the luxury experience. They are shaping how consumers evaluate the luxury experience before, during, and long after the purchase itself.
Consumers still associate luxury with quality, rarity, and long-term value, but they are also placing greater importance on environments that feel intentional, service that is attentive, and experiences that create stronger emotional resonance and sustained engagement over time.
In this report, we explore how physical spaces are adapting to changing expectations around connection, service, participation, and what is shaping long-term brand affinity, while continuing to reinforce the craftsmanship and quality that remain foundational to the luxury industry.
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Based on our findings, luxury consumers shared the following key insights on how they engage with and perceive luxury brand environments, including what draws them in, what diminishes the experience, and where they see the industry heading:
62% of respondents say quality and craftsmanship is the top reason they buy luxury today. However, younger consumers place significantly more weight on what a brand represents and how it fits into their lifestyle, reinforcing a shift from product alone to product plus meaning and expression.
More than 3 in 4 respondents associate luxury with owning something rare or of status. At the same time, nearly half express interest in private, members-only environments, showing that while ownership remains foundational, value is shaped by the experiences and relationships built around it.
50% of luxury consumers identify a quiet atmosphere as a defining characteristic of a premium experience. Consumers are also prioritizing environments that feel intuitive, well-paced, and easy to navigate, showing that flow and functionality shape perceptions of luxury just as much as aesthetics.
More than 90% of consumers are already engaging with luxury beyond the product itself, whether through interest in hospitality and travel experiences or through visits to luxury branded hotels and restaurants. These environments are becoming central to how consumers engage with brands over time.
Close to half of respondents say after-care services protect the value of what they purchase and build trust in quality. Increasingly, consumers expect that level of care to extend across the full experience, reinforcing the importance of service, continuity, and long-term support.
These consumers are grounded in quality and consistency. They care about how something is made, how long it will last, and whether the brand delivers on what it promises. They are less driven by what is new and more focused on what holds up over time.
This group is building their relationship with luxury. They are motivated by progress and self-expression, and they are open to different ways of engaging, whether through product, experience, or brand storytelling.
These consumers are motivated by visibility and recognition. They are drawn to brands and environments that clearly communicate status, whether through product, service, or the overall setting.
These consumers place the highest value on how a brand takes care of them. They are drawn to experiences that feel attentive, consistent, and personal over time. What matters is not just the product, but the level of service, follow-up, and support that surrounds it.
Heritage Collectors value restraint, longevity, and enduring quality. Status Seekers prioritize visibility, access, and cultural relevance. Aspirational Achievers gravitate toward immersion, lifestyle participation, and more accessible entry points into the brand, while Cared For consumers place greater importance on attentiveness, emotional ease, and supportive experiences.
At the same time, many expectations remain consistent. Calm, privacy, atmosphere, personalization, and thoughtful service continue to shape how luxury is experienced. The opportunity for successful expansion and evolution is how those expectations are expressed across environments, services, and forms of engagement.
Physical spaces are relationship infrastructure, supporting everything from access to care across multiple touchpoints. The strongest luxury brands are not simply offering more experiences, but creating systems that feel cohesive, intentional, and clear in what the brand stands for.
As brands expand into new formats and services, the opportunity is not simply to extend further, but to understand which forms of value matter most to different consumers and how physical space can support longer-term emotional connection over time.
Great news! VMSD recently unveiled its 2026 Top Retail Design Firms, and MG2 ranked #4.
这是我们双方合作开发的成果 咨询 与设计团队合作，该理念将行为洞察转化为完整的顾客旅程，涵盖从顾客到达超市到结账的整个过程。它既支持快速高效的购物，也支持更具探索性的购物体验，拥有直观的布局、灵活的区域划分以及一个专注于透明化预制食品体验的中央“广场”。该超市的设计旨在反映并适应当地社区，融合了场所营造、技术和人际互动，打造出一个既实用又引人入胜的购物环境。
抵达体验直观便捷，流程简化流畅，社区融入其中。新鲜至上，高科技垂直农业技术得以充分发挥。行动顺畅无阻，导航清晰明了，信息传递个性化。一个反映其所在社区特色的市场，为顾客带来沉浸式体验。便捷性与品质兼顾，机器人确保高效运作，厨师们则倾力打造美食盛宴。最后一刻与最初时刻一样令人难忘——融入社区，享受流畅的自动化体验。
请查看我们近期发布的关于超市设计趋势的报告：
In an article for Women’s Wear Daily, Andre Claudio explored what sustainability means to today’s shoppers, including perspectives from MG2 Principal Melissa Gonzalez on evolving consumer expectations.
“’Gen Z and millennials think about sustainability more broadly than previous generations, looking beyond recycled materials or eco-friendly products to consider how things are made and the overall impact of the retail experience,’ Melissa Gonzalez, retail strategist and principal at MG2, told Sourcing Journal. ‘For them, sustainability extends into store design, operations and the brand footprint, driving expectations for visible and meaningful commitments across every part of the shopping environment.'”
In a recent Retail Brew article, MG2 Principal Melissa Gonzalez shares insights on the in-store experience.
“‘When it comes to both Gen Z and Gen Alpha, “they want community, they want engagement, they want tactile,’ Melissa Gonzalez, principal at MG2 Design with a focus on store design, told Retail Brew.”
In a recent article, Senior Reporter Katie Hicks of Marketing Brew explores how Gen Alpha is changing the in-store experience.
“Older generations grew up watching many facets of life shift from IRL to online, including shopping. But as younger generations search for places outside of home and school to hang out and watch as creators encourage them to visit stores in person, it’s possible that a reversal could be taking place. A survey from retail consultancy MG2 Advisory recently found that 73% of Gen Alpha prefers good ol’ fashioned brick-and-mortar shopping to buying online.”
VMSD recently announced its 2026 Designer Dozen Awards. Maria Barrios, MG2 Architectural & Interior Designer, made the list!
Maria shared “From a very young age, I was immersed in the fine and performing arts (painting, dance and drawing) which later evolved into formal studies in graphic design, interior design and architecture. Retail design felt like the perfect intersection of all those disciplines. It combines storytelling, branding, spatial awareness and human psychology. I was especially drawn to how global retail brands can connect with people across cultures through physical space. Retail allows me to design environments that are not only functional, but emotional and experiential.”
MG2 Principal 比尔·斯利斯 is speaking at SPECS on March 9 alongside VASA Fitness Chief Growth Officer Christopher Tarrant on What is Old is New (And Valuable): Adaptive Reuse Strategies.
In an article for Floor Covering News, Steve Feldman explores Gen Alpha and its impact on retail, citing MG2 Advisory’s research.
“Believe it or not, Gen Alpha is already beginning to have an impact on retail. A report authored by Melissa Gonzalez of MG2 Advisory, which focuses on retail evolution, reveals interesting research. For example, Gen Alpha is shaping and inspiring purchases made by the adults in their lives. While adults ultimately hold the buying power, 70% of Gen Alpha report that adults in their lives often purchase items they suggest, supporting they not only influence household buying decisions but are also shaping trends and brand loyalty across generations. They are active participants in deciding what to buy, sharing what they have learned online. This is why store environments cannot afford to overlook the range of age groups moving through their spaces, because even without a credit card, Gen Alpha is already shaping how brands and stores show up.”
In a “Borrowed Brilliance” column by INSTORE Magazine, MG2 Principal Melissa Gonzalez shares business advice that applies across retail industries.
“As leaders, we must stop silencing the quiet signals. When your body sends you a warning, when your team feels uneasy, when your instincts whisper, pause and listen. Those whispers often hold the wisdom you need to pivot, to protect or to pursue a new path.” — Melissa Gonzalez, principal at architecture and design firm MG2.
In an article for The Retail Bulletin, Glynn Davis explores how younger consumers are embracing the in-store experience and the value of “friction” in retail.
“It seems that Gen Alpha (eight-to-14-year-olds) recognizes the upsides of injecting a little friction into their lives. As many as 73% prefer to shop in store, according to research from MG2, having grown up with online as the norm they now regard brick-and-mortar stores as the more novel experience and they want a bit of this physical action.”
In a recent Retail Brew article by Erin Cabrey, MG2 Principal Melissa Gonzalez shares her insights on Gen Alpha’s retail preferences and influence, here’s a snipped from the article.
“And while Gen Z, too, prefers an in-store experience, Gen Alpha differs in their desire for interactivity in stores, as over half will leave a store if there isn’t anything for them to try out (that ability to test has helped Sephora thrive with the generation). Gonzalez chalked this preference up to their experiences meeting up in virtual worlds since they were young.”
MG2 Principal Melissa Gonzalez recently joined Natalie Berg on her podcast, Retail Disrupted, to explore the future of experiential retail, why digitally native brands are investing in physical stores, and how purpose-led leadership is reshaping the industry.
In the VMSD feature, “Trends 2026: Yesterday’s Tomorrow?”, Janet Groeber spoke with MG2 Principal Bill Sleeth about the trends we would be seeing this year. Bill discusses at length how hospitality continues to shape the retail experience.
“Retailers who are focused on creating long-term relationships with customers have always brought a hospitality perspective to their experiences with amenities like concierge services, exclusive offerings and elevated seating that feels more lounge than shop.”
In a recent article, Floor Daily featured insights from MG2 Principal Melissa Gonzalez on how Gen Alpha is reshaping retail and consumer behavior.
“’Gen Alpha may be young, but their influence is already impactful,’ says Melissa Gonzalez, who leads the MG2 Advisory and authored the Gen Z report. ‘They’re shaping household purchasing decisions, accelerating trend cycles, and redefining how brands need to earn attention and trust.’”
In an episode of Retail Remix by Retail TouchPoints, host Nicole Silberstein revisits standout insights that continue to resonate in 2026 from industry experts, including the insights from MG2 Principal Melissa Gonzalez.
If you missed the first inaugural Lead Like Her event in Columbus, OH last month, you can still get a taste of the experience. On an episode of The Robin Report’s Lead Like Her series, MG2 Principal Melissa Gonzalez joined Shelley E. Kohan to discuss leadership growth and the realities of today’s retail environment.
他们当中年龄最大的也只有14岁，即便没有自己的信用卡，他们也已经开始影响品牌和商店的呈现方式。他们比以往任何一代人都拥有更多选择，并且熟练掌握智能手机、平板电脑、电脑、数字世界、虚拟现实和人工智能工具，在适应能力以及对便捷性和效率的期望方面，他们正迅速超越Z世代和千禧一代。他们能够自然地穿梭于数字空间和实体空间之间，他们的文化和商业影响力正在加速增长，因此，了解他们当下的喜好以及未来几年他们对品牌和零售商的期望至关重要。本研究探讨了阿尔法世代如何首次发现品牌，他们希望在交易之外如何与品牌互动，以及为什么他们能够激发和影响跨世代的购买决策，不容忽视。
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根据我们的调查结果，Alpha世代消费者分享了以下关于店内设计和活动策划方面他们最关注的关键见解。总体而言，他们希望与品牌进行有意义的互动，积极参与购物过程，并明确表达他们对家庭购买决策的影响力。
97% 阿尔法世代 希望帮助品牌做出设计决策从测试新产品、为产品开发提供信息，到塑造商店环境的外观和感觉，都表现出强烈的成为品牌社区积极成员的愿望。
73% 阿尔法世代 他们更喜欢在实体店购物，以便完全沉浸其中。 在品牌环境中，他们重视亲身试用体验，这让他们能够探索产品、验证购买决定，并与品牌建立更深层次的联系。
3/4 阿尔法世代 例如店内食品和饮料供应 促使顾客在店内停留更长时间。这些体验让购物更愉快，鼓励探索，并提供社交机会，从而加强顾客与品牌的联系。
66% 阿尔法世代 依靠清晰的店内标牌 引导他们的购物之旅，兼顾可预测性和探索性，并体现他们对在线互动所期望的简单便捷。
70% 阿尔法世代报告称，他们生活中的成年人 经常购买他们推荐的商品这表明，它们不仅影响家庭的购买决策，而且还在塑造跨世代的潮流和品牌忠诚度。
这类人喜欢自主决策，并且偏爱能帮助他们保持专注的商店。他们购物时目标明确，充满自信。
这些人注重时尚，并且会关注商店是否把他们当作真正的顾客对待。他们希望感到被关注、被重视，而不是仅仅被视为父母的延伸。
这类人群希望品牌能够认可他们的兴趣和发展方向。他们寻找能够体现自身个性的店铺，并避免那些限制他们的品牌。
阿尔法世代或许是当今最年轻的消费者群体，但他们的影响力正在重塑品牌和零售商对互动方式的思考。这一代人重视自主性、好奇心和玩乐精神，他们能够自如地穿梭于数字世界和现实世界之间，并期待清晰、互动且有意义的体验。他们渴望亲身探索、个性化体验和参与机会，从而建立更深层次的联系，并影响着不同世代的家庭购买决策。信任源于真实性和可见的行动，而非空洞的承诺；科技必须提升而非分散品牌体验。能够赋予阿尔法世代探索、体验和参与机会的商店，将赢得他们的关注和忠诚。通过设计兼顾可预测性和探索性的体验，品牌可以与这一已经产生深远影响的世代建立持久的联系。
MG2 Principal Melissa Gonzalez will be speaking alongside Christiane Pendarvis of Pattern Beauty at NRF ’26 in NYC on Sunday, January 11th. Learn how to win in a multichannel world with insights into how retailers can effectively strategize by aligning teams, unifying data and inventory, and delivering consistent customer experiences.
In a recent Retail TouchPoints article by Editor Adam Blair, MG2 Principal and Founder of MG2 Advisory Melissa Gonzalez explores 2026 Retail Predictions.
“The next era of retail will be shaped by a collective and growing longing for restoration. After years marked by fatigue, chronic stress and emotional overload, consumers are moving toward brands that actively safeguard their wellbeing. They are seeking products, services and environments that preserve energy rather than depleting it, in spaces that help them regulate, reset and return to themselves. Retail that prioritizes emotional clarity and nervous system health will become a decisive differentiator.”
MG2 Senior Project Designer Eladio Victoria and Principal Melissa Gonzalez spoke with Jessica Chevalier at Floor Focus Magazine, sharing their perspectives on the retail sector as designers.
“We build connection by creating emotional touchpoints through flooring,” says Eladio Victoria, senior project designer with MG2. “We are combining the floor and ceiling to create some hot spots or experiential locations within the retail space and also with a connection to the community, trying to evoke a presence with flooring using local materials so the consumers understand the space they are in.”
Our Nordstrom Local project in Brooklyn, NY, was featured in an issue of VMSD edited by Editor-in-Chief Carly Hagedon.
“‘The design of this Nordstrom Local store has an intentional balance of warmth and modernity, reflecting the ease that the concept brings to the customer’s life – all while delivering an elevated experience,’ says Melissa Gonzalez, Principal at Seattle-based architecture and design firm, MG2.”
MG2 Principal Melissa Gonzalez joined a Retail TouchPoints panel of experts to discuss how mall models should be evolving to effectively capture the attention of younger generations like Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
“Gonzalez: The most forward-thinking developers create a holistic journey for visitors, ensuring that the transition between experiences and shopping feels natural and enticing. Merchandising plays a critical role here; the layout and tenant mix must be thoughtfully curated to align with consumer preferences and behaviors.”
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