Robots, Data and Immersive Experiences Reinventing Retail

Automating and Optimizing: Machines Serving Retail

RobotDynalink made a strong impression with its service, cleaning, and reception robots. Founded in January, the company has big ambitions: generating ad revenues through service robots, cutting labor costs with self-driving cleaning robots, and offering AI-driven interactive reception services. Adaptable to different environments, these machines represent a pragmatic vision of automation.

In another field, Dream Energy is powering e-mobility with a network of ultra-fast superchargers fueled by its own hydroelectric dams. Ready-to-use stations are installed in retail parking lots, designed to be simple to use (credit card payment, no app required) and easy for property owners, who also receive a share of the revenues. With 25 stations already active and 100 expected within a year, the company is betting on the rapid growth of the electric vehicle market.

Re-enchanting the Customer Experience: From Design to Immersive Worlds

For Pierre & Maurice, an architecture and design agency, mixed uses and emotions are the keys to the future of retail. The agency transforms commercial assets to integrate healthcare, F&B, leisure, and services — as seen in the “Open Park” project near Reims, designed to encourage return visits.

CED, known under the PP brand, takes a more immersive approach. From themed exhibitions (jungles, dinosaurs, oceans) to giant floral installations and Jules Verne-inspired decors, this family-owned company from Nantes designs and delivers immersive concepts for shopping centers, retail parks, and cities. Their strength lies in managing the project from concept to installation, covering everything from two-week festivals to six-month immersive setups with rotating themes. Their conviction: in today’s digital era, physical retail must rely on emotion and lived experiences — something no screen can replicate.

On the event side, Propuls Connect boasts over 700 annual activations across 200 malls. Their specialty: bringing licensed immersive experiences such as Koh-Lanta, Fort Boyard, or Stranger Things into shopping centers — free for visitors but highly effective at driving foot traffic and extending visitor stay duration.

Connecting with Demand: Artificial Intelligence and Granular Data

All Inbox is democratizing marketing tools once reserved for experts. Its platform combines SMS, email, social media, and AI-driven automations. Operating in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg, it also attracts small businesses and leisure parks thanks to its ease of use and no-contract policy.

On the data side, Yourban monitors real demand in over 600,000 cities by analyzing Google searches. The tool helps identify emerging trends and adapt offerings before markets surge. Shopping centers, brands, and municipalities alike can fine-tune their location strategies or programming decisions.

Going to the Customer: Mobility and Event Design

Finally, Geome provides an original solution for mobile retail with the X-Trail. This hybrid structure — part rigid, part inflatable — is mounted on a trailer and transforms into a ready-to-use mobile pop-up store without complex setup. Already used for brand roadshows (automotive, fashion, cosmetics), the X-Trail can be rented in the Paris region or purchased for use across Europe. Fully customizable with interchangeable fabrics and facades, it allows brands to meet their audience right where they are.

In a Nutshell

From cost optimization to enhanced customer experiences and anticipation of consumer trends, the Hidden Gems of Siec 2025 all share a common goal: transforming retail spaces into vibrant, attractive, and resilient places for the future.