Our innovative research captures the complete shopper experience, from what drives their choices to what inspires them in-store & online

What ensures your retail strategy stands apart goes beyond data. WSL Insights continuously bring you retail innovation trends from around the world to inspire new thinking and growth. We help you predict where your shoppers are headed and build solutions to meet them there.

Convenience Matters:
New Retail Safari® Newsletter

Shoppers today expect ease at every step — from discovery to purchase and beyond. This month, we’re spotlighting companies that are removing friction and making the shopping journey more seamless than ever.

WSL‘s Top Innovations

Take a world tour of the retail innovations that inspire new thinking. Here’s WSL’s Hot List of the best innovations our Retail Safari^® global scouts have recently uncovered.

WSL Top Innovator featuring Nordstrom summer skincare display

Nordstrom – New York, NY

There are more summer skincare needs than just sunscreen, and Nordstrom has curated all those needs – insect repellent, anti-chafe cream, body mists, fake tan, even hats & scarves - in multiple displays throughout the store.

WSL Top Innovator featuring Indiana University birthday email

Indiana University – Email

“Who said that surprises can’t be delightful?” – The IU Alumni Association is one of the more heartfelt birthday emails received, wishing past attendees’ happy birthday with 20% off the next order of cream and crimson gear from the bookstore.

WSL Top Innovator featuring Paper Source's Father's Day display

Paper Source – New York, NY

Father’s Day can be tricky to shop for, Paper Source has made it easier by providing a curated selection of gadgets, books, and more, including self-care items and journals for father-figures to document their lives for their loved ones.

WSL Top Innovator featuring Comfrt Clothing's temporary sale and break from restocking due to tariffs message

Comfrt Clothing – Online

Tariffs are causing financial stress. Comfrt Clothing is one of the brands taking a break from restocking best-sellers, but in the meantime, they’ve put them on sale. The message is lighthearted, with a touch of comedy, crafted like a conversation between friends.

WSL Top Innovator featuring Bath & Body Works' choose your gift bundles

Bath & Body Works – Miami, FL

Bring the spa to all the moms in your life, affordably, with Bath & Body Works. Not only is everything on sale, but an additional offer of a $125 gift set for just $45 with any $40 purchase. A perfect opportunity to stock up on all their favorites.

WSL Top Innovator featuring MAC's Spring Prom bundles

MAC – Miami, FL

It’s not spring without prom! The list of things to do to get ready is long, but MAC has you covered when it comes to your makeup with artist-approved bundles, like lip & eye sets, to help you pull off your dream look at unbeatable prices.

WSL Top Innovator featuring Whole Foods' Cinco De Mayo snack display

Whole Foods – Miami, FL

Cinco de Mayo on a Monday? Who else forgot? Whole Foods has you covered with quick access to the favorites—taco supplies, chips, salsa, and Coronas—with endcaps situated across from checkout. Perfect for last-minute celebrations!

WSL Top Innovator featuring Quade Books' community book recommendation sticky note board

Quade Books – Miami, FL

Just read a book you can’t stop thinking about? Or looking for a recommendation for your next great read? Quade Books is here to help with a wall full of sticky notes that you can contribute to or receive advice on what to read next.

WSL Top Innovator featuring F1 virtual tours of the Red Bull Racing Garage via QR codes standees

Formula 1 – Miami Grand Prix

A pitlane tour is difficult to access and a privilege for a few, but Formula 1 has brought the pitlane garage to you, with access to a virtual tour of the Red Bull Racing Garage via QR codes located throughout the track fan zones.

WSL Top Innovator featuring The MET email promoting 20% discount for gift memberships

The MET – New York, NY

Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grad Season – oh my! The Metropolitan Museum of Art is offering a 20% discount for gift memberships, allowing members to share their love of unlimited access, priority access, and discounts (and the art!) with the people they love.

Retail Safari® What it is, How it works.

WSL Retail Safari^®creates a culture of innovation in your organization. It inspires new thinking, identifies new opportunities and creates new solutions, fast…

How We Help You Win

Stay Ahead – Our global scouts uncover game-changing retail trends before they go mainstream.
Customized for You – Whether you need quick inspiration or deep strategy, we tailor Retail Safari® to your goals.
Actionable Insights – Grounded in shopper research, we connect innovation to real consumer behavior.

The opportunities are endless – let’s build the future of retail together!

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Our Retail Safari® Tools

At WSL Strategic Retail, we don’t just track trends—we reveal what’s next and help you act on it. Our Retail Safari® Toolkit offers curated journeys into the world’s most innovative retail concepts, turning insights into actionable strategies to keep you ahead.

Retailer Immersions

An exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at how retailers are shaping the future. With immersive, on-location experiences, you’ll gain insider insights into strategies, store concepts, and shopper engagement tactics you won’t find anywhere else.

Retail Safari® In a Box

Call it the DIY Retail Safari®. We develop everything for you: expert-curated insights, must-see stores – and other locations, step-by-step guidance so you know what to look at, and a map so you can conduct your own in-market Retail Safari®.

Retail Safari® Virtual

This brings curated, topic-specific innovation to you virtually through an interactive presentation, designed to inspire action and drive results from you desktop. Option to include a workshop session to develop practical takeaways for your business.

Retail Safari® Live

A customized, in-person Retail Safari® built around your business needs. We take you to the most relevant, inspiring retail spaces – physical and digital, where you’ll experience cutting-edge concepts. Includes a facilitated workshop to develop practical takeaways for your business.

`Our Retail Safari^® Newsletter empowers you to anticipate the future of retail` through emerging, relevant retail concepts from around the world.

Each edition of our Retail Safari® Newsletter is curated around your interests and the challenges you want to solve. Explore standout global, physical, and digital breakthroughs in retail innovation that spark fresh thinking and inspire new ideas. Plus, access to our searchable photo library.

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Get our latest thinking on what’s next with shoppers and retail.

The Retail Safari® is a much smarter way to tour stores. We go to stores that make us think outside our walls and using the Retail Safari® guide map taught my team how to look at the elements of a store that impact shoppers. It’s a productive tool to find new ideas we can take to retailers to impact our brands in their stores.

VP Sales // Health Care Company

You used innovative tools to help us create really smart ideas to drive the Bath & Body Works business. The Retail Safari® was efficient, productive and won the respect of our team and senior management.

VP Consumer Insights // Bath & Body Works

Thank you for your leadership during our Retail Safari® last week! You did a fantastic job setting our path and keeping us focused and on track. The debrief at the end is the most important part and while we were all spent at the end of the day, you were able to get a strong list of action items out of us! We were all impressed that you were able to get us to 9 stores in one day and it didn’t feel overwhelming. Great job!

Director, Category Management // Keurig Dr. Pepper

I love your virtual safaris. It’s a way to get in touch with retail innovation in a time-effective way. I learn something new or I’m prompted to think about an initiative in a new way every time I am with you all-thank you!! Great presentation – was very value-added.

Retail Safari® Virtual Event // Attendee

Target is well-known for terrific marketing, but we also know the power of smart ideas from external sources, and that is when we call WSL Strategic Retail.