A team of New York students has scooped the prestigious Retail Futures Challenge award at the World Retail Congress in Paris for the second year running.
The worldwide competition saw a shortlist of entrants competing from five of the major fashion, design and technology colleges around the world. The four New Yorkers from the Fashion Institute of Technology, beat compelling entries from rival teams from London, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Ancona in Italy in the competition which is now in its 7th year.
They winners were asked to present their vision for Samsung Life Store which could meet all the demands of today’s consumers who expect to be able to shop via physical stores, online, mobile, or social media. The designs also needed to demonstrate how technology can make people’s home lives more comfortable, productive and entertaining.
The winning team – Paula Cushman, Cassandra Napoli, Victoria Kulesza and Alison Rebozo - presented their blueprint to over 1,000 retail executives who are gathered in Paris for the 8th annual Congress. Their vision for the Smart Apartment, which looks and feels like a ‘dream home, would be integrated entirely with Samsung’s best products, and feature three main living areas aimed at young professional couples.
The judging panel included retail industry experts:
- Gerald Reitmayar, head of retail Europe, Samsung
- Robert Thiemann, founder and editor-in-chief, Frame
- Bernie Brokkes, CEO, Myer Holdings Ltd
- Nora Fehlbaum, CEO, Vitra
- Alexander Salzer, COO, Liganova – the BrandRetail Company
Ian McGarrigle, Chairman of the World Retail Congress said: “Once again the standard of entries from these young students has been fantastic and their ideas for creating a shop of the future are groundbreaking. The competition has grown to become one of the high points of the Congress and it is inspiring to see these future leaders of retailing setting out their ideas in front of an audience of retail professionals.”
Source: i2i Events Group
