British brand, Dyson, have opened a purely experiential store on Oxford Street; with so much consumer shopping now happening online, perhaps we are the beginning of a complete change in the way retail products are sold?

“The first Dyson Demo branch – designed to encourage consumers to test and experience products rather than to function as a conventional store – has opened on London’s Oxford Street. There are no fixed payment tills in the site…

…Situated opposite the landmark Selfridges department store, the Dyson Demo displays the brand’s full technology range, including fans, hair dryers, lighting and vacuum cleaners.”

Opinion in the Imagine office is split as to whether or not this will have a positive affect on the exhibition industry? Will consumers continue to attend events if they can simply go down the High Street to test (play?) with the products?

Or, will having easy general access to the products (admittedly much easier if you live in London) perhaps lead to increased hype and popularity of events when a brand showcases their new products and services? The desire to be the first to own seems only to be growing after all…

See the full article from Retail Design World about Dyson’s new demo store here.