Store of the Future: best stores in H1 2025

In the first half of 2025, we’ve visited over 350 stores in 20 global markets, enabled by our industry-leading networks. We shared many of the best stores in our Q1 and Q2 reports. In this article, we share five best-in-class store highlights.

1. Tesco, Cheshunt, UK

Although we did not have to go too far to see this store, Tesco Cheshunt stands out as it has emerged as the market for the retailer’s future direction for its larger stores.

Tesco Extra in Cheshunt underwent an eight-week refurbishment in summer 2024.  The upgrade introduced a refreshed produce section, a new Pet Hub and a zone dedicated to health and wellness.

New signage has been adopted, while there is an increased presence of digital retail media.

Read our Store visit: Tesco Cheshunt report and our global large store trends 2025 report for more on the store’s importance in the UK and how it echoes our global trends.

2. Lidl, Versailles-Chantiers, France

Elsewhere in Europe, Lidl has opened a two-storey, 654 sq. m store, half the size of a standard store, outside Versailles-Chantiers train station.

The layout is atypical of Lidl stores. Instead, it has a defined walkway, with just two aisles. The store is around 25 metres long and 10 metres wide. Fresh produce and bakery greet shoppers on entry. Meanwhile, the ambient grocery is in the basement, suiting secondary shopper missions.

Given the limited space and likely shopper missions, Lidl has curated its range to include between 700 and 800 products. Private label accounts for around 90% the range in this food-only compact concept.

Learn more about the retailer in our Strategic outlook for Lidl report and more about the French market in our France country presentation.

3. Loblaw (T&T), Seattle, USA

Meanwhile, Loblaw has opened its first grocery store in the US with the launch of T&T Supermarket, an Asian foods format, in Seattle.

It provides an Asian-market inspired store design; specialist produce range and a vibrant variety of fresh and live seafood. There are community-focused cultural events, representative marketing, bilingual signage and the promotion of the Google Translate service.

For more insight, read our exclusive store visit report, Delivering a winning ethnic offer.

4. Coles Local Camberwell, Melbourne, Australia

Coles Local Camberwell in Australia is a store that caters to local shoppers' needs, and, at around 1,400 sq. m, is about half the size of a standard Coles supermarket.

The store is trialling new technology and improving the layout to focus on shoppers’ missions for food-to-go and food-for-later. Self-service coffee and shakes, experiential elements, such as food-making demos and sampling, and products to support local businesses are some of the highlights.

Watch the video showcasing this store, which won IGD’s store of the month award in June 2025. For more insight on the retailer and market, check out our strategic outlook for Coles report and the Australia country presentation.

5. Lotte Mart Express in FairPrice Xtra, Vivocity, Singapore

In Singapore, FairPrice Xtra hypermarket opened, in collaboration with South Korean retailer Lotte Shopping, a convenience-sized Lotte Mart Express store-in-store concept within its Vivocity store.

The store taps into the growing influence of Korean culture and cuisine across Asia, due to the popularity of K-pop and K-drama in the region. It carries a range of Lotte private label products and national brands from Korea.

A food counter serving Korean street food, a self-cook ramyeon station, and a photo booth with props are among the store’s notable features.

Read more about the Singapore market in our Singapore country presentation report.