5 store concepts that launched in 2026

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Even in the age of AI, brick and mortar remains king.
While artificial intelligence is beginning to cement its place in consumers’ shopping journeys, especially as the holidays approach, the physical store still holds value. And while digital sales are on the rise, offline sales still account for around three-quarters of overall retail sales, according to research last year from EY.
But successful store experiences push beyond a transaction. They foster connection with customers and encourage discovery of new products.
Over the past year, retailers from all sectors have announced partnerships and new formats — from dollar stores shrinking their stores, to Amazon multiplying its square footage.
Below, we revisit five store concepts that debuted in 2026.
1. Target Beauty Studio
After teasing plans in March, Target officially opened its Beauty Studio concept in about 600 stores earlier this month.
The concept replaced the Ulta Beauty shop-in-shops that closed when the partnership between Target and the beauty retailer ended in August. The new space features over 1,600 products from 90 brands — two-thirds of which are new to the mass merchant and include Dyson, Sunday Riley and Boy Smells.
The Target Beauty Studio spaces will also be staffed by dedicated beauty advisers to offer product recommendations and guidance. The concept will feature minis of certain items, product testing on select SKUs and a rotating assortment of curated products such as “Editors’ Picks” and “Standouts of the Season.”
"It's an inspiring destination to discover what's new, now and next in beauty — and a powerful example of how our merchandising authority comes to life through an elevated guest experience,” Amanda Nusz, senior vice president of merchandising, essentials and beauty at Target, said in a statement.
2. The Crenshaw Rec by Foot Locker
Foot Locker and Nike teamed up this summer to introduce a new concept, The Crenshaw Rec.
The concept aims to provide a hyperlocal space, taking inspiration from neighborhood recreation centers. To that end, the concept features an equipment room, open gym, creative workspaces and a resource center that will host programming.
Alongside Nike, the concept was developed with Crenshaw High School, Nipsey Hussle’s The Marathon Brand, Los Angeles designer Gavin Mathieu and local vendors.
"The Crenshaw Rec by Foot Locker reflects our commitment to investing in the communities that have shaped our brand and continue to move sneaker culture forward," Brett O'Brien, Foot Locker’s chief marketing officer, said in a statement. "Together with Nike, Inc. and respected voices across Crenshaw, we're proud to create a destination that honors the neighborhood's rich legacy while inspiring the next generation through sport, culture, and community."
The Crenshaw concept debuted as Nike began quietly closing some of its local neighborhood stores, originally dubbed Nike Live, across the country. The stores, which were rebranded to Nike Well Collective in 2023, were shuttered in several states including California, Maryland, Illinois, Florida and Colorado.
The co-created concept from Foot Locker and Nike also comes as both retailers embark on turnarounds. Foot Locker, now under the ownership of Dick’s Sporting Goods, has been working to refresh hundreds of its stores, including reducing the number of SKUs on display and creating better presentation overall. And Nike, under the direction of Elliott Hill, has been making some progress in its turnaround, though analysts have said the retailer is “not yet out of the woods.”
3. Michaels’ experiential store
Craft and hobby retailer Michaels debuted its new experiential store model over the summer, marking an acceleration of its broader transformation efforts, according to the company.
As of August, the new format is featured in three of the retailer’s stores — Easton, Ohio; Irving, Texas; and Rogers, Arkansas — and the company plans to eventually roll out elements of the concept to all stores.
"The new format reflects our customers' desire for more inspiration and hands-on, analog experiences, while providing a space for the local community to connect, create, and celebrate,” CEO David Boone said in a statement.
In the new concept, Michaels segments the store by different “shopping worlds”: Knit & Sew Shop, Fine Arts, Floral & Greenery, Crafting & Kids, The Party Shop at Michaels, Framing & Personalization Services, Signature Moments, Seasonal & Trends and the Welcome Center. The departments feature vignettes highlighting different products and projects.
The concept advances Michaels’ efforts to expand its offerings and take share following the bankruptcies of Joann and Party City.
4. Best Buy’s Meta Lab shop-in-shop
Over the summer, Best Buy rolled out a Meta shop-in-shop concept to 50 of its stores across California, New Jersey, Ohio and more.
Through the shop-in-shops, Best Buy and Meta are “reimagining how consumers shop the next generation of personal technology,” Christa Wittenberg, vice president of global retail sales at Meta, said in a statement. “These are immersive, hands-on spaces built for real discovery — where people can experience firsthand just how stylish, fun, and personal AI glasses and VR really are. We want customers to walk in curious and leave genuinely excited about what's possible."
The spaces will be staffed by dedicated Meta sales specialists to educate shoppers on the products and capabilities. Customers are able to try on various AI glasses, experience immersive demos and interact with built-in prompts intended to show how the products can be used in everyday life.
The tie-up with Meta is part of a broader footprint shift from Best Buy that emphasizes more medium- and small-format locations. The concept also follows a partnership the retailer launched last year with Ikea to open shop-in-shops within its stores. The partnership has since expanded to offer Best Buy consultation spaces at select Ikea stores.
5. Dick’s Sporting Good’s Lids shop-in-shop
Dick’s Sporting Goods earlier this year partnered with Lids to open shop-in-shops in select stores as a way to beef up its fan merchandise assortment.
"Our athletes are increasingly looking for new ways to rep their favorite teams, their style and the latest trends," David Progar, senior vice president of Licensed at Dick's, said in a statement. "By partnering with Lids, a leader in licensed headwear, we'll be able to offer them more choices to meet their needs for sport, lifestyle and fandom."
In June, Dick’s debuted the Lids concept to nearly 50 of its stores and said at the time that it planned to expand the concept to over 100 locations by the end of the summer. The concepts feature licensed and lifestyle headwear from Lids, and the two retailers worked together on associate training and visual merchandising.
The concept adds to other initiatives Dick’s has rolled out related to its physical footprint. Over the summer, the sporting goods retailer opened a pop-up in the Hamptons, highlighting four of its private labels. It has also been expanding its House of Sport and Field House concepts, which have performed well for the retailer.

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