Asia remains one of the most exciting markets for retailers, especially for fashion and high end electronics.

Some stores this month have focused on dramatic retail designs, such as striking exterior elements, interior art and sculptures, and garden spaces.

Other retailers are focused on services, offering bespoke products, limited edition events and collaborations, curated collections and digital technology.

We’ve found giant animatronics, stores with no staff, and a digital art screen connecting two countries.

Here is all the best new retail in Asia to inspire you this month.

House of H&M, Shanghai, China

Fashion brand H&M is returning to Shanghai with a revamped store and new concept.

The store, called House of H&M, has a dramatic red exterior, reflecting the Chinese aesthetic. Customers can find a number of interesting new areas in the store, including a flower store, coffee products, H&M&SPACE for premium lines and fashion exhibitions.

H&M is also introducing its first livestream studio to showcase influencers and celebrities. After browsing, visitors can relax at the H&M&Cafe. Coffee can also be ordered for takeaway at an external window, and ordered online via WeChat.

In order to cater to online audiences, the brand also launched the new store on the Douyin app.

Image credit – Apple

Apple, Tokyo, Japan

Another returning store this month is from Apple, who have reopened in Ginza.

The store uses Japanese influenced design with wood panelling and has been designed to be 100% renewable, with locally sourced materials used in construction. The glass is adaptive to help adjust the temperature and light in the store during the day.

Customers can browse and purchase the full range of Apple stock, including the latest iPhones, Apple Watches, AirPods and other accessories. The store is also offering a limited edition Apple Gift Card.

Other services on offer at the store include personalised shopping sessions, where an Apple Specialist can help customers select items. 

Image credit – FamilyMart

Famima, Tokyo, Japan

Japanese convenience store brand FamilyMart has launched a new standalone store for its clothing range.

The clothing range, called Convenience Wear, has been available in small sections in stores for a few years, but this is the first store from the brand dedicated to the range. The range was designed by Hiromichi Ochiai to create good quality and desirable fashion products.

Customers can find 150 different items including sweaters and t-shirts, and the popular socks, branded in FamilyMart colours. Each item is displayed in a cleverly designed stand. The back of the stand resembles the box the product is packaged in, so customers can easily find the product they are looking for. Typically FamilyMart seals the items in plastic, but some selected products are sold outside of packaging, encouraging customers to feel the items first.

The rest of the store is minimalist, black, white and grey, with the only colour from the display shelves and products. The store is one of FamilyMart’s digital stores, with no staff or tills, so customers can pay on their phones.

Image credit – Monclos

Monclos, Seoul, South Korea

Arriving in Seoul this month is a new flagship from beauty brand Monclos.

The store is designed to be an oasis of tranquility with the location in a quiet side street, and complements the surroundings, with vines on the exterior. Inside, the store features an industrial aesthetic juxtaposed with illustrations of the brand’s characters, and a mini-garden.

On arriving at the store, the customer will discover three spaces for different Monclos products, including home fragrance, hair and body and gifts. The products are displayed in a way that resembles a living space.

The home fragrance area has an ever-changing backdrop from the mini-garden and provides details on the scent notes, associating them with more of the Monclos brand characters.

Other services available to customers include the ability to personalise products by choosing key rings, including hand creams.

Haus Nowhere, Seoul, South Korea

Another new store launching in Seoul is Haus Nowhere, from IICombined, the parent company of Gentle Monster. The brand has also recently launched a new Gentle Monster store in Tokyo.

The Seoul space comprises a large brutalist structure, with several of the animatronics and sculptures that visitors have come to expect from stores from the brand. Visitors are greeted by a chainmail-covered animatronic dog and can find the Painted Giants on a second floor. An art installation called More Is More, that has an animatronic old man with a collection of bin bags, was created by Max Siedentopf.

The store combines all the brands from IICombined in one immersive space. Tamburins has launched a new fragrance collection called Sunshine, which customers can purchase alongside its Puppy perfume. There is also a photo experience to try out called Sunshine AI Twin Look, which provides outfits that match the collection.

Other products available include sunglasses from Gentle Monster, hats from Atiissu, and the Nuflaat tableware range. Visitors can also visit the Nudake Teahouse, and try a collection of unique desserts, such as one shaped like a lobster tail that combines shrimp and lobster with chocolate cream.

MoMA Bookstore, Seoul, South Korea

The New York Museum of Modern Art has launched its first MoMA Bookstore in Dosan Park this month.

The store is in partnership with Hyundai Card and will include a special digital wall. Customers can find over 200 different books on a variety of collections, including photography, art, design, and MoMA exhibition catalogues.

The museum sees the space as a cultural hub for art enthusiasts who are able to purchase specialist art books. Alongside the books are a collection of lifestyle products, hand curated by the MoMA Design Store. These include iconic New York products like New Era caps, as well as varsity sweaters.

The Hyundai Card digital wall allows a connection between Seoul and New York, by displaying digital art in Seoul that is being displayed in MoMA New York.