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2 0 2 1 Overview

2 0 2 1 Overview

"NEXSTO: Next Generation Store Idea Contest 2021"

theme

Let's think about the new normal of stores for the next era



Recruitment details

Ideas for next-generation stores you'll want to use in the near future.
Ideas include stores that incorporate digital technology to provide new experiences (for example, new shopping experiences or dining methods made possible by the addition of ICT technology), and new, comfortable stores with a sustainability theme (for example, emphasizing Environmental Consideration or being conscious of connections between people).
*The type and type of store is not important. Please submit your proposals based on your own ideas.
* Ideas for the entire store or just a part of it are acceptable.
*Please also refer to the judging criteria and messages from the judges.


Judging Criteria

1. Innovation Is it something that is not bound by preconceived notions in the industry?
2. Feasibility Is it possible to achieve the idea "one step into the future (2022/2023)"?
3. Customer attraction: Is it attractive enough to make users want to visit a physical store?
4. Possibilities Does the idea or perspective suggest there is significant room for growth?


1. Innovation Is it something that is not bound by preconceived notions in the industry?
2.Feasibility Is it something that can be realized in the next step into the future (2022/23)?
3. Attracting customers Is it attractive enough to make users want to visit a physical store?
4. Possibilities Does the idea/perspective suggest there is a lot of room for growth?

Prize Money

Grand Prize: 1 piece, 500,000 yen
Special Jury Award: 5 entries, 100,000 yen each


schedule

Recruitment period: July 21, 2021 to October 18, 2021
First screening: October 21st to November 4th, 2021 (Document screening)
Final Judging: November 26, 2021 (Face-to-face presentation)
Awards Ceremony December 8, 2021

2 0 2 1 Summary

2 0 2 1 Summary

90 / 98

48%

"DX Digital Technology" Idea

"Non-digital" ideas

52%

This was the first time that "NEXSTO - Next Generation Store Idea Contest" was held.
The judges for the contest included some of Japan's leading business owners, leading designers, and IT company executives. They sought ideas under the theme, "Let's imagine the new normal stores for the next era," in order to create the next generation of stores from an unprecedented platform in which anyone can participate.

Of the 188 total submissions, about 50% were digital works (ideas) that used digital/technology to express next-generation stores. On the other hand, about 50% were non-digital works (ideas) that expressed next-generation stores from a new perspective or with a different concept without using new technology, which was an unexpected split (the organizers had expected there to be more digital works).

In the final stages of choosing the grand prize winner, the judges were split between digital and non-digital works, and in the end, the non-digital idea "Secret Restaurant" was selected as the grand prize winner, as it expressed a next-generation store from a completely new perspective and gave a sense of its great potential. Are digital/technological elements essential for the next-generation stores that general users want? This was an opportunity to make us think again.

After the results were announced, we are working with the business owners to bring some of the winning designs to fruition. The fact that we are now able to take on the challenge of creating next-generation stores with unprecedented new schemes, which is the true aim of this contest, makes us realize once again the significance of holding the contest.

Last year was the first year for the "NEXSTO - Next Generation Store Idea Contest." The judges included Japan's leading business owners, leading designers, and IT company executives, and the contest solicited a wide range of ideas under the theme of "Let's think about the new normal stores of the next era," in order to create the next generation of stores from an unprecedented platform that anyone can participate in.

Of the 188 total submissions, about 50% were digital works (ideas) that used digital/technology to express next-generation stores. On the other hand, about 50% were non-digital works (ideas) that expressed next-generation stores from a new perspective or with a different concept without using new technology, which was an unexpected split (the organizers had expected there to be more digital works).

In the final stages of choosing the grand prize winner, the judges were split between digital and non-digital works, and in the end, the non-digital idea "Secret Restaurant" was selected as the grand prize winner, as it expressed a next-generation store from a completely new perspective and gave a sense of its great potential. Are digital/technological elements essential for the next-generation stores that general users want? This was an opportunity to make us think again.

After the results were announced, we are working with the business owners to bring some of the winning designs to fruition. The fact that we are now able to take on the challenge of creating next-generation stores with unprecedented new schemes, which is the true aim of this contest, makes us realize once again the significance of holding the contest.

Judges (titles omitted):

Judges (titles omitted):

*All judges' affiliations are as of 2021.

Haruhiko Ito

Co., Ltd.
United Arrows

GLR Headquarters General Manager

Atsushi Kibe

Cainz Corporation

Store Construction Department Design Planning Group
Group Manager

Tadashi Tokiyama

Royal Holdings
Co., Ltd.

Director of Design and Construction Department

Minako Yazaki

Adastria Co., Ltd.

Store Design Department Manager

Zenichi Yawata

Co., Ltd.
Tokyu Sports Oasis

Executive Managing Officer / General Manager of Digital Transformation Promotion Division

Seiichiro Hatase

Baycrews Co., Ltd.

SHOP DESIGN Div
SHOP DESIGN Sec.

Kazuhito Terada

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

Commercial Facilities Headquarters Commercial Facilities Sales Division 1
Sales Planning Group Leader

Takao Katsuta

LINE-INC.

CEO/Creative Director

Norito Takahashi

Jamo associates

CEO/Interior Designer

Yuki Ejiri

Bitkey Inc.

Representative Director CEO

Taisuke Uegakiuchi

TANSEISHA Co., Ltd.

Design Center
Principal
Creative Director

Akihiro Suzuki

TANSEISHA Co., Ltd.

Cross Media Innovation Headquarters
Spatial Media Marketing Division
Head of Spatial Media Produce
Chief Producer

Award Results

Award Results

*All affiliations of winners and finalists are as of 2021.

Grand Prize

Title

Himitani Restaurant

Award Winners

Hideki Matsuoka / Freelance

【concept】
Until now, restaurants have been a service that was established by bundling together the functions of ingredients, chefs, recipes, cooking, location, staff, and customers in one place. That is why location and turnover are important, and for that reason, high rent burdens were ignored, and instead, the biggest proposition was to streamline operations. From the traditional restaurant model that was created on the premise that people would gather, it will be important to design stores that have evolved into cloud kitchens that also use delivery services. Regarding retail stores, product design will change to a direction where the food itself can be Spatial Production in an enjoyable way. It is also necessary to utilize technology such as food tech and add new food concepts. From now on, food spaces will become like "markets" where various contents gather, and they need to become places that incorporate various purposes that are not tied to the land. By connecting with the space, "eating out" will become "eating out" and "eating out" will move closer to "eating out" by approaching Live. We would like to aim for a world where each role, place, and business type can coexist by interpreting the context of eating out, eating out, eating in, and eating in.

【concept】
Until now, restaurants have been a service that was established by bundling together the functions of ingredients, chefs, recipes, cooking, location, staff, and customers in one place. That is why location and turnover are important, and for that reason, high rent burdens were ignored, and instead, the biggest proposition was to streamline operations. From the traditional restaurant model that was created on the premise that people would gather, it will be important to design stores that have evolved into cloud kitchens that also use delivery services. Regarding retail stores, product design will change to a direction where the food itself can be Spatial Production in an enjoyable way. It is also necessary to utilize technology such as food tech and add new food concepts. From now on, food spaces will become like "markets" where various contents gather, and they need to become places that incorporate various purposes that are not tied to the land. By connecting with the space, "eating out" will become "eating out" and "eating out" will move closer to "eating out" by approaching Live. We would like to aim for a world where each role, place, and business type can coexist by interpreting the context of eating out, eating out, eating in, and eating in.

Special Jury Award

Title

A store that makes you want to "#TryItOn"

Award Winners

Ryutaro Fujiwara / TRYANGLE DESIGN

【concept】
The strength of a store is that customers can "pick up the actual products and try them on." And trying on clothes is the first step to enjoying fashion. However, existing stores have some inconveniences and dissatisfaction, making it difficult to actively enjoy trying on clothes. So, in order to turn the strength of a store into something fun, we decided to "update the 'try-on experience'" and use not only design but also e-commerce and apps to solve the inconvenience and dissatisfaction, creating a world where trying on clothes is fun and commonplace (the new normal).

【concept】
The strength of a store is that customers can "pick up the actual products and try them on." And trying on clothes is the first step to enjoying fashion. However, existing stores have some inconveniences and dissatisfaction, making it difficult to actively enjoy trying on clothes. So, in order to turn the strength of a store into something fun, we decided to "update the 'try-on experience'" and use not only design but also e-commerce and apps to solve the inconvenience and dissatisfaction, creating a world where trying on clothes is fun and commonplace (the new normal).

→Interview with the winner

Title

AMEBACHAIR- A proposal for a changeable rest area to be installed in a store's common area -

Award Winners

Masahiro Kazuki / SIA First Class Architect Office

【concept】
A waiting room that can tell you about your health condition through adjustable furniture installed in a commercial facility. I hear that in today's modern times, people who commute by train every day wake up in the morning, get changed, and leave the house within 30 minutes to an hour. In other words, in today's world, people are often so busy with work that they tend to neglect health management. So, we thought it would be possible to create an attractive place to rest, while also linking a waiting room equipped with adjustable furniture that can tell you your body composition (your health condition, such as your pulse, weight, and body fat) with a smartphone app, so that you can manage your health while waiting on the train during your commute.

【concept】
A waiting room that can tell you about your health condition through adjustable furniture installed in a commercial facility. I hear that in today's modern times, people who commute by train every day wake up in the morning, get changed, and leave the house within 30 minutes to an hour. In other words, in today's world, people are often so busy with work that they tend to neglect health management. So, we thought it would be possible to create an attractive place to rest, while also linking a waiting room equipped with adjustable furniture that can tell you your body composition (your health condition, such as your pulse, weight, and body fat) with a smartphone app, so that you can manage your health while waiting on the train during your commute.

Title

BRICOLAGE

Award Winners

Yosuke Tsukamoto and Haruki Nakayama / ambiguite design

【concept】
"BRICOLAGE Space". The COVID-19 pandemic has increased our communication options, and virtual space has become a common method of communication. Although it is attractive to be able to eliminate physical distance and connect with people all over the world at any time, I also felt a strong stress from not being able to experience it physically. I was impressed by how happy people looked when they met face-to-face for the first time in a long time after the lockdown was lifted. As long as humans are human, there is nothing that can beat the joy of experiencing something real in a real space. Rather than relying too easily on digital technology, we aim to create an exciting space that appeals to emotions and senses, where you can feel the human touch created by a certain irrationality that cannot be expressed in numbers.

【concept】
"BRICOLAGE Space". The COVID-19 pandemic has increased our communication options, and virtual space has become a common method of communication. Although it is attractive to be able to eliminate physical distance and connect with people all over the world at any time, I also felt a strong stress from not being able to experience it physically. I was impressed by how happy people looked when they met face-to-face for the first time in a long time after the lockdown was lifted. As long as humans are human, there is nothing that can beat the joy of experiencing something real in a real space. Rather than relying too easily on digital technology, we aim to create an exciting space that appeals to emotions and senses, where you can feel the human touch created by a certain irrationality that cannot be expressed in numbers.

Title

After-nine Shopping

Award Winners

Nomura Moeka / Tohoku University of Art and Design

【concept】
Shortened business hours are likely to continue for a while. It is unclear when the spread of the virus, which is an obstacle to maintaining stores, will end. Therefore, we propose a new way of shopping for the next generation in collaboration with a fashion online shopping site. Life-size Video of models wearing clothes are projected onto the wall shutters of closed stores after 9pm, and information that cannot be conveyed on a small screen alone is transmitted. The images projected are videos, and you can see things like skirts fluttering in the wind and the silhouette of clothes as you walk. It avoids the risk of people gathering in one place indoors, serves as a street light at night, and since people are projected, it may be expected to deter crime. If a fee is paid to the stores that rent the walls and shutters used as screens for the projection, it may help the stores to continue operating for a long time, even if it is a small amount.

【concept】
Shortened business hours are likely to continue for a while. It is unclear when the spread of the virus, which is an obstacle to maintaining stores, will end. Therefore, we propose a new way of shopping for the next generation in collaboration with a fashion online shopping site. Life-size Video of models wearing clothes are projected onto the wall shutters of closed stores after 9pm, and information that cannot be conveyed on a small screen alone is transmitted. The images projected are videos, and you can see things like skirts fluttering in the wind and the silhouette of clothes as you walk. It avoids the risk of people gathering in one place indoors, serves as a street light at night, and since people are projected, it may be expected to deter crime. If a fee is paid to the stores that rent the walls and shutters used as screens for the projection, it may help the stores to continue operating for a long time, even if it is a small amount.

Title

Dorayaki design cafe

Award Winners

Kazutoshi Miura / miuka design

【concept】
We are branding our store, which "makes people all over the world smile", from Japan to the world, by combining "Japanese sweets", "technology" and "social contribution". We feel that the next generation of stores need not only to be high-tech, futuristic stores, but also to be fully branded, including software, customers, employees, and the company's contribution to society. In this context, we are thinking from Japan to the world, and we are developing our cafe business with the traditional Japanese sweet "dorayaki" as our main product. For those who "want to eat it but can't", we will make and sell dorayaki with ingredients that are suitable for food allergies, vegans, and halal. The work of "baking" the dorayaki will be handled by a robot, reducing the work of staff, and furthermore, we will use AI to predict customer trends, preventing unnecessary preparation and food waste due to over-making. We will provide a working environment where not only able-bodied people but also people with disabilities can play an active role, and we will also build a system to donate a portion of sales to social contribution activities, so that the act of buying will lead to social contribution. The next generation of store development is proposed with the desire to provide a place where customers, employees, and society can all smile.

【concept】
We are branding our store, which "makes people all over the world smile", from Japan to the world, by combining "Japanese sweets", "technology" and "social contribution". We feel that the next generation of stores need not only to be high-tech, futuristic stores, but also to be fully branded, including software, customers, employees, and the company's contribution to society. In this context, we are thinking from Japan to the world, and we are developing our cafe business with the traditional Japanese sweet "dorayaki" as our main product. For those who "want to eat it but can't", we will make and sell dorayaki with ingredients that are suitable for food allergies, vegans, and halal. The work of "baking" the dorayaki will be handled by a robot, reducing the work of staff, and furthermore, we will use AI to predict customer trends, preventing unnecessary preparation and food waste due to over-making. We will provide a working environment where not only able-bodied people but also people with disabilities can play an active role, and we will also build a system to donate a portion of sales to social contribution activities, so that the act of buying will lead to social contribution. The next generation of store development is proposed with the desire to provide a place where customers, employees, and society can all smile.

Finalists/Final Selections

Title

Phytotherapy AI Drink Stand

Award Winners

Chiaki Tanaka

【concept】
A botanical therapy drink stand for the mind and body of modern people. Because a comfortable mind, body, earth, and future are born from the accumulation of the present. AI measures the botanical therapy drink necessary for the state of mind and body. Measure the state of mind and body at the store. In addition, declare and select subjective symptoms and troubles that concern you. Your own original recipe for blended juice, soup, etc. is automatically issued like a prescription. A new juice stand where organic herbs, spices, distilled water, aromas, etc. are freshly blended on the spot and served immediately. You can check what is in your drink by attaching a sticker with the blend recipe to the cup. At the same time, those who have registered for the app can automatically record the recipe and the state of their mind and body for that day. It is also possible to indirectly evaluate what changes will occur in the mind and body! A cutting-edge drink stand where you can easily and objectively choose authentic drinks that are good for your mind and body using AI functions.

【concept】
A botanical therapy drink stand for the mind and body of modern people. Because a comfortable mind, body, earth, and future are born from the accumulation of the present. AI measures the botanical therapy drink necessary for the state of mind and body. Measure the state of mind and body at the store. In addition, declare and select subjective symptoms and troubles that concern you. Your own original recipe for blended juice, soup, etc. is automatically issued like a prescription. A new juice stand where organic herbs, spices, distilled water, aromas, etc. are freshly blended on the spot and served immediately. You can check what is in your drink by attaching a sticker with the blend recipe to the cup. At the same time, those who have registered for the app can automatically record the recipe and the state of their mind and body for that day. It is also possible to indirectly evaluate what changes will occur in the mind and body! A cutting-edge drink stand where you can easily and objectively choose authentic drinks that are good for your mind and body using AI functions.

Title

Small stores, big shopping

Award Winners

Honda Ko / HAFEN

【concept】
We considered real stores that fit the post-COVID lifestyle and the diversification of pre-COVID lifestyles. We thought it would be preferable to have a store that makes more use of outdoor spaces, that addresses the problem of store business hours due to diversification, and that addresses the need for discrete shopping to avoid crowding. Regular "window shopping" is "limited in location and cannot be purchased," but products can be reviewed outdoors regardless of time, and this creates a rich urban space. Therefore, we came up with window shopping that allows "purchases and reviews anywhere" 24 hours a day. The window shopping format is separated into a store where purchases can be made using digital technology, and we considered real stores that can be installed all over the city. This "small store" will be a "real store" that integrates advertising, product reviews, and purchases, and in addition, it will also be a device that optimizes the urban environment, providing a comfortable urban space and becoming a place where people can stay. "Small stores" placed in the city will enrich the urban environment, create a place for people to stay, and accelerate shopping.

【concept】
We considered real stores that fit the post-COVID lifestyle and the diversification of pre-COVID lifestyles. We thought it would be preferable to have a store that makes more use of outdoor spaces, that addresses the problem of store business hours due to diversification, and that addresses the need for discrete shopping to avoid crowding. Regular "window shopping" is "limited in location and cannot be purchased," but products can be reviewed outdoors regardless of time, and this creates a rich urban space. Therefore, we came up with window shopping that allows "purchases and reviews anywhere" 24 hours a day. The window shopping format is separated into a store where purchases can be made using digital technology, and we considered real stores that can be installed all over the city. This "small store" will be a "real store" that integrates advertising, product reviews, and purchases, and in addition, it will also be a device that optimizes the urban environment, providing a comfortable urban space and becoming a place where people can stay. "Small stores" placed in the city will enrich the urban environment, create a place for people to stay, and accelerate shopping.

Title

Craftsman's Hand

Award Winners

Kitagawa Shu

【concept】
There is a reason for the price of handmade items - Craftsman's Hand is a select shop where you can experience the story of how things are created. Handmade items have many stories before they are completed. Knowing the story increases the joy of using them and allows you to notice their value that is different from industrial products. The true value of handmade items is communicated through a new presentation of the maker's skills and thoughts using ICT technology. Advances in production technology have made it possible to produce high-quality items at low prices, resulting in the homogenization of items. In today's world, people are increasingly comparing items online to process a huge number of options, and they purchase items by comparing only the surface, such as their functionality, without getting to know each item in depth. Among them, handmade items are positioned as "high quality but expensive luxury items," and demand from both end users and sellers is decreasing, so this is a base for communicating the maker's thoughts and traditional techniques.

【concept】
There is a reason for the price of handmade items - Craftsman's Hand is a select shop where you can experience the story of how things are created. Handmade items have many stories before they are completed. Knowing the story increases the joy of using them and allows you to notice their value that is different from industrial products. The true value of handmade items is communicated through a new presentation of the maker's skills and thoughts using ICT technology. Advances in production technology have made it possible to produce high-quality items at low prices, resulting in the homogenization of items. In today's world, people are increasingly comparing items online to process a huge number of options, and they purchase items by comparing only the surface, such as their functionality, without getting to know each item in depth. Among them, handmade items are positioned as "high quality but expensive luxury items," and demand from both end users and sellers is decreasing, so this is a base for communicating the maker's thoughts and traditional techniques.

Title

The third market: neither a brick-and-mortar store nor an e-commerce site, but a fashion online shopping mall

Award Winners

Shiho Kitamura

【concept】
Fashion online shopping malls began with the spread of smartphones and have accelerated due to COVID-19. However, just like in the past, there is still a segment of the population that believes that "selecting clothes online is risky and against it." No matter how much you try to improve your online services, attracting this segment of the population will remain unchanged, and we believe that this is a challenge that brands and online fashion malls that only sell clothes online must overcome. There are three key points. The first is that when trying on clothes, people choose them while thinking about how they will be worn together. The second is that we focused on the logistics of managing inventory. The third is the possibility of apparel store clerks working remotely. Based on these three points, we propose a third new market that offers a better experience in purchasing clothes than either physical stores or e-commerce.

【concept】
Fashion online shopping malls began with the spread of smartphones and have accelerated due to COVID-19. However, just like in the past, there is still a segment of the population that believes that "selecting clothes online is risky and against it." No matter how much you try to improve your online services, attracting this segment of the population will remain unchanged, and we believe that this is a challenge that brands and online fashion malls that only sell clothes online must overcome. There are three key points. The first is that when trying on clothes, people choose them while thinking about how they will be worn together. The second is that we focused on the logistics of managing inventory. The third is the possibility of apparel store clerks working remotely. Based on these three points, we propose a third new market that offers a better experience in purchasing clothes than either physical stores or e-commerce.

Title

Sento: A new, expanded public bathhouse for the digital age

Award Winners

Azumi Higuchi / Graduate School of Waseda University

【concept】
"Thousands of experiences through bathing." Sento have functioned as a place where users of all ages and backgrounds can chat and communicate with each other, relax, share milk, etc. In other words, they are not just "actions" but places filled with "experiences." However, as times have changed and homes have become equipped with bathrooms, they have begun to decline. Therefore, we propose to revive the sento, which remains a part of daily life, as an entertainment space by combining it with virtual space.

【concept】
"Thousands of experiences through bathing." Sento have functioned as a place where users of all ages and backgrounds can chat and communicate with each other, relax, share milk, etc. In other words, they are not just "actions" but places filled with "experiences." However, as times have changed and homes have become equipped with bathrooms, they have begun to decline. Therefore, we propose to revive the sento, which remains a part of daily life, as an entertainment space by combining it with virtual space.