The Broadmind Business & Innovation Tracker
How industry leaders are blending AI, personalization and sustainability to redefine their consumer relationships.
From AI-enhanced shopping assistants at Amazon and Lowe's, to Hyundai's gaming-inspired electric concept car, brands like Airbnb and H&M are rewriting the playbook at the crossroads of technology, personalization and sustainability. In this issue of PSFK’s Broadmind newsletter, we uncover the innovative strategies reshaping consumer engagement across sectors, from retail's creative transformation at Warby Parker to Johnnie Walker's luxury whiskey experience.
First up, Hyundai just unveiled a futuristic EV concept designed explicitly for gamers called "INSTEROID." Picture racing-inspired styling, bold 21-inch wheels, and a dramatic gamer-influenced look—all built on their popular INSTER EV. Hyundai admits this concept isn’t currently planned for production, but it shows how serious they are about differentiating their brand with eye-catching designs aimed squarely at younger buyers.
In retail, Amazon is rolling out a new AI shopping feature called Interests. Basically, you type in exactly what you're after—something like "brewing tools for coffee lovers"—and Amazon's AI sends you personalized notifications on deals, restocks, and relevant new items. They're testing this out in the US right now during their Spring Sale, clearly banking on AI-driven personalization to keep folks engaged and shopping regularly.
Meanwhile, Lowe’s Chandu Nair has been describing the firm’s strategy around AI transformation breaking its strategy down into three areas: shopping, selling, and operations. The Senior Vice President of Data, Artificial Intelligence and Innovation at the home improvement retailer said in an interview they are tackling common customer headaches—like uncertainty around home improvement projects—with AI helpers like their new virtual assistant "Mylow." Employees aren't left out either—they're getting digital tools like "MyRedVest Companion" and computer vision strategies, making things smarter in-store.
Now let's check in quickly with Macy’s. They're hiring a VP of Enterprise Data Science, doubling down on becoming a more data-centered retailer. Their goal? Personalize their shopping experiences to boost customer loyalty and improve internal operations through smarter analytics frameworks.
On the data front, Airbnb has introduced an advanced Lifetime Value model to accurately gauge the value of properties listed on their platform. By assessing baseline performance, incremental changes, and the impact of marketing, Airbnb is now strategically focusing their expansion efforts. This is less about widespread growth, and more about precision—targeting strategic markets like Brazil and Japan.
Switching gears to furry friends: Petco saw its financials improve last quarter thanks to digital commerce initiatives and its growing veterinary offerings. They've clearly adapted to changing consumer needs through store optimization and e-commerce moves. Even so, analysts remain cautious about Petco's long-term profitability as they go head-to-head with pure online players like Chewy.
And on that topic, Chewy itself posted pretty strong Q4 results—nearly 15% sales growth thanks to its Autoship subscription popularity. Despite this robust revenue figure, industry watchers still wonder about Chewy’s future margin capabilities and whether it can keep growing active customers alongside heightened competition.
H&M is testing an innovative twist—using digital twins, or virtual replicas of real fashion models, for marketing purposes. These digital stand-ins let H&M maintain ethical control over how a model's likeness is used while opening doors to new brand collaborations and fresh revenue streams. They're hoping to launch digital twins for about 30 models this year—definitely a creative intersection between fashion, technology, and ethics.
Over in Dubai, Sephora has been marking Ramadan with culturally inspired pop-up experiences. Teaming with local favorite Ijaza Cafeteria, they're offering beauty-themed food, prize games, henna designs, and photo booths. It's a textbook example of combining global retail with local culture to create something memorable and fun.
Luxury news now—Johnnie Walker launched its very premium "Vault" offering, giving whiskey enthusiasts fully personalized, bespoke blends. Experienced Master Blender Dr. Emma Walker leads this venture, which comes priced at upwards of £50,000, in elegant Baccarat crystal decanters alongside collaborations with artists and craftsmen. It's about exclusivity and carefully designed luxury experiences—definitely aimed at the ultra-high-end market.
And wrapping things up with a retail-meets-art twist, Warby Parker transformed its Soho flagship store in New York City into an immersive art gallery featuring renowned illustrators Geoff McFetridge and Andy Rementer. Combining retail with art installations, Warby Parker is rethinking stores—they're no longer just places for a quick transaction, they're now spaces providing cultural value and deeper brand engagement.
