Smartech, known for its experience-led stores that bring together some of the world’s most innovative products for visitors to try out in-person, celebrated its 6th anniversary last night, 12th October, on Selfridges LG floor.
A major commitment by the Founders of Smartech has always been to give a platform for incredible new innovators in the tech, gaming and design world – to startups and entrepreneurs that might not otherwise get their brand or product to market so quickly. For the 6th anniversary event, Smartech has partnered with SWU – Spend With Ukraine, to help support the Ukrainian economy by promoting world-class Ukrainian tech brands, founders, products and services worldwide, helping them find new customers.
Also for its 6th Anniversary and beyond, Smartech has partnered with O0 Design a collective of Ukrainian companies selling globally, sprouting entrepreneurship, strong engineering culture, authentic design and pushing UA businesses onto the global scene. From tech unicorns to artisan brands, they produce value and back the economy. Getting their products and services directly out into the international market helps support Ukraine in many ways. Some of the exhibitors Smartech are championing are: AJAX Systems, Petcube, Esper Bionics, LaMetric, Have A Rest, Effa.* (see more in notes at bottom of release).
Ten new exclusives were launched across the four concept stores: Smartech, The Bike Shop, Playhouse and The Track – now Selfridges’s biggest concession at a total of 700 sqm.
A first-in-the-world experience within a retail space was ARHT Media Inc.’s projection of its CEO Larry O’Reilly making his keynote speech via HoloPresence during the event. People can now come to life with their own HoloPresence within the Smartech store – as a hologram display – ARHT leading the way of delving into the role of technology within today’s society and the movement of innovation into hologram.
Additionally, Smartech brought in over ten new and exclusive launches from the likes of the truly immersive HTC Vive Flow VR goggles, setting a new bar in the Virtual Reality platform – Pininfarina TCCT simulator, redefining the racing experience landscape – Segway KickScooter GT2P presents itself as the new alternative sports equipment – with Smartech its worldwide exclusive retailer (see partnering brands listed below).
With a goal of creating an interactive shopping experience, Smartech believes the next generation of retail is all about discovery. Originally founded in 2016, Smartech was created to give guests a space to try the latest products out-of-the-box and in person. Guests can discover things they’ve never seen before and shop from a wide variety of categories from audio and visual to health, home, kids, lifestyle, outdoor and more.
Smartech’s growth continues across Europe with a brand new Paris location that will open its doors in Printemps this October. The 150 sqm store will be located on the ground floor, next to Louboutin and Dior, and is the only technology concession in the entire department store. ”We’re so pleased to expand our Smartech Printemps footprint with a 2x larger flagship experience, as we continue to open our experiential concept stores across the world,” says Nathalie Bernce, CEO of Smartech.
Smartech currently has 4 concept stores across 11 locations, including in London, Berlin, Paris, Milan, Rome and Kuwait, with a growth plan of 10 new locations across key markets globally in the upcoming years.
