New York is a city with a vibrant culture and a retail scene to match.

Stores this month are including localisation such as New York- inspired designs and products.

Many are also making use of technology, from customised fitting rooms and skincare analysis, to product displays and tech mirrors.

Personalisation is another key theme enabling customers to have bespoke products as well as beauty treatments.

This month we’ve found stores with giant holograms, Bodega style displays and suitcase walls.

Here are the best new retail stores in New York in August.

Crocs, Soho

Footwear brand Crocs has launched a new concept store in Soho.

The concept, called Icon, may be rolled out to other locations after a testing phase in New York. These stores are likely to be curated to the area they are in, with some being smaller than others.

The New York store includes design aspects of Soho, such as display counters that resemble a bodega. Customers will be able find the full Crocs range in-store, alongside a range of personalisation elements.

This includes a range of Jibbitz charms which can be used on shoes, bags and other products. Some of these charms are bespoke for the store location, such as a slice of pizza charm, while others are aimed at the premium market including materials such as Swarovski crystals and 14 carat gold. Other premium items in the store are the EXP range of products, which encompasses more unique styles.

The brand also hopes to collaborate with other brands and partners on new ranges and special events, including live streaming. Crocs recently partnered with Barbie to showcase Barbie Crocs and Jibbitz charms.

Image credit – tm:rw

Tm:rw, Times Square

A new technology space has opened in New York to bring innovation to retail.

The store is located within a historic landmark, the Candler Building, to showcase interactive retail activations to visitors and inspire the future of retail. The space is divided into a range of sections to allow customers to experience different technologies.

Technology also forms part of the store design, with HYPERVSN designing a 3D hologram that is the largest in the retail space. The store also contains a very rare transparent TV by LG, one of three in the world.

Visitors can find gaming, including the ability to test out video games, experience VR in The Playhouse, while The Studio brings a Vizio MicMe designed karaoke activation. For those looking for the best of musical and audio technology, they can visit The Sanctuary. Finally The Barber Shop contains cutting edge grooming items and technology infused mirrors.

Image credit – Dior

Dior Spa, Manhattan

Luxury brand Dior has revamped its flagship by adding Dior Spa to the top floor, to offer premium skincare services to customers.

The design of the space is the brainchild of Peter Marino who also worked on the Parisian flagship, and evokes quiet luxury with muted nudes and light woods. The store has also worked with fragrance designer Francis Kurkdijan to create a number of fragrances for the space.

Customers can make appointments to receive a skincare analysis using Dior’s latest technology, Dior Measurements. This can measure a range of skin elements, such as elasticity, hydration and collagen, to help formulate appropriate treatment recommendations. Once the skin has been analysed, there are a variety of innovative beauty treatments to select using lasers, exfoliation and even cryotherapy.

The Dior Spa additionally offers facials, including the HydraFacial which is exclusive to Dior, and the Golden Aura, which promises a more radiant complexion. Customers can opt for body treatments too, including the New Look, which promises to target cellulite.

Finally customers can explore the Dior makeup range in a special guest room, where they can test products, and additionally browse a range of beauty collections, such as Dior Prestige fragrances and L’Or de Vie skin products.

Image credit – LVMH

RIMOWA, Madison Avenue

Designer luggage brand RIMOWA has launched its largest store in the US.

The store was designed with architects Porto and combines German influences with RIMOWA’s suitcases to create a space that is minimalist and functional. The exterior is influenced by the design of the suitcases, using grooved black tiles.

The space is rounded and quiet, with cream walls and grey seating. A design of suitcases is embedded into the walls and painted the same cream as the walls, creating an interesting visual wall.

Archival pieces are available for visitors to view, showcasing the real world impacts that the suitcases have survived. There are also exclusive suitcases only available in the New York location, such as the Original Cabin Monogram. This suitcase features yellow colouring to evoke the style of New York taxi cabs, and the label on the interior features the New York store coordinates.

Image credit – Jack Stratten

Reformation, Manhattan

Arriving in the Flatiron district this month is a store from sustainable fashion brand Reformation.

The store includes environmentally friendly elements, such as bags made from reusable materials, sustainable wood hangers and renewable energy to offset the electricity the store uses.

This is matched by the sustainable efforts the brand makes with its fashion products, which include accessories made from plant materials and an effort to ensure no materials are wasted in its factories. Reformation also uses small introductions of fashion items to see which are most popular to then inform which products get produced in a larger line.

Shoppers can expect to find a variety of footwear, denim and clothing, including collections designed by celebrities. The store also makes use of technology in the changing rooms to enable customers to find other sizes and items, request that these are brought to the changing room, as well as adjust elements of the environment such as lighting.

Viberg, Nolita

Canadian footwear brand Viberg has launched its latest store in Manhattan, its first in New York.

The store uses an understated design, with white walls, light wood, leather seating and soft lighting. The atmosphere is sophisticated and is inspired by the brand’s Canadian heritage.

Customers will be able to find a series of popular styles including the Service Boot, along with a new range of shoes and minimalist trainers. Additionally, Viberg plans to offer a range of limited edition products as well as specialist fittings.