8,300 physical stores were slated to close in the US in 2017 and the trend continues in 2018. Why are conventional stores losing their value to consumers and what will the physical store of the future look like? Shopping in the physical space is moving from necessity to choice, so retailers must view their stores as a brand extension. The session will reveal that stores are evolving from being primarily a channel for distribution of products to a channel for the distribution of experiences.

[Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.]