Skip to content
MarketScale
‹ Back to IndustriesRetail

Creating Immersive Retail Experiences at SXSW: What’s the Future of Brand Engagement?

Brands must answer fundamental questions about their values to create retail spaces that truly connect with today's consumers

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Retail teams put it to work with Sales Enablement.

By Melissa Gonzalez · Immersive Retail ExperiencesMelissa GonzalezMg2Retail Insights
Share

Key takeaways

01

Brands must answer fundamental questions about their values to create retail spaces that truly connect with today's consumers

Get featured

Want to get featured in MarketScale Retail?

Create a free MarketScale workspace and get your company's expertise featured across our Retail coverage. No credit card, no demo required.

Request an invite

How can brands leverage theater-driven design to create immersive retail experiences that resonate with consumers? Melissa Gonzalez, Principal and Shareholder at MG2 Design and the host of Retail Refined, has illuminated this topic at SXSW (South by Southwest) 2024, highlighting the significance of engaging consumers through multiple touchpoints.

"What do you stand for? Why do you deserve my money? It was great to see so many of those themes and topics really bubble up to the top of conversations," Gonzalez said, emphasizing the need for brands to craft compelling, personalized narratives that capture the consumer’s imagination and foster a connection

What do you stand for? Why do you deserve my money?
— Melissa Gonzalez, Principal and Shareholder at MG2 Design

Your experts belong here

Every story in MarketScale Retail starts with a company putting its merchandising leads, store operations teams, and category managers on the record. Buyers are already reading this topic. The only question is whose experts they find.

Category buyers trust operators, so your merchandising leads shorten the distance between first search and first call.

Get your team featuredSee how it works15 minutes, straight to a calendar.

About the author

Melissa Gonzalez
Melissa GonzalezTop Retail Voice, Influencer, and Lead Retail Contributor, Retail Refined

Industry-recognized influencer, leader, and storyteller in Retail. Lead Retail Industry Contributor at MarketScale. Principal at MG2 Design. Host of "Retail Refined" Podcast. As a global brand and retail experience disruptor, Melissa possess strong proficiency in consumer insights, experiential design, retail technology integration, and brand innovation. During her career, she have created powerful visual narratives through physical spaces, imprinting complex concepts and ideas to consumers in genuine, tactile, and persuasive manners. She have also served as a consumer engagement trendsetter, “pop-up” industry pioneer, and entrepreneur. Melissa founded and launched a consumer experiential design firm that achieved a successful exit, driving initial client wins, monetization, and exponential revenue growth. "Melissa brings both her industry knowledge and an approachable and educational point of view to her interviewing skills. With an authentic style, she facilitates an engaging dialogue, one where listeners can walk away from with tangible insights and thought provokers!" -Jeffrey Roseman, Vice Chairman of Retail at Newmark "What sets Melissa apart is her ability to cut through the noise and provide actionable insights. Whether you’re a store owner looking to revamp your space or a tech enthusiast curious about the next big thing in retail, you’ll find tangible ideas to build on. From seasoned designers to pioneering tech gurus - ensuring that listeners are always engaged with diverse and forward-thinking perspectives. Retail Refined doesn’t just skim the surface; it dives deep into topics that matter. If staying ahead of the retail curve is important to you, start here." -Nate Frazier, Chief Operating Officer of GNC

Follow Retail Insights

Get new expert content in your inbox.

Retail: are you visible to AI?

Before they reach out, Retail buyers ask AI engines which vendors to trust. See how AI describes your company today, and where competitors show up instead.

Free workspace

You just read one Retail expert. Your company is full of them.

This article was produced through MarketScale. The same platform turns your merchandising leads, store operations teams, and category managers into the articles, video, and social content Retail buyers are searching for. Create a free workspace and see it with your own people. No credit card, no demo required.

NPS +73 · 1,000+ creators · 38+ countries

What you get, free

Your own MarketScale Studio workspace
One video edit a month, on us
AI writing, editing, and publishing tools
In-platform coaching to learn the system

More Retail Insights

Bed Bath & Beyond's rebrand to Neighborhood Intelligence signals a new playbook for distressed retail recovery

Bed Bath & Beyond's rebrand to Neighborhood Intelligence signals a new playbook for distressed retail recovery

Bed Bath & Beyond has rebranded to Neighborhood Intelligence as part of its strategic efforts to revitalize its business. The company aims to leverage data and strengthen local relevance to improve its competitive position in the retail market.

  • 01Bed Bath & Beyond has renamed itself to Neighborhood Intelligence as part of a rebranding strategy.
  • 02The rebranding emphasizes data utilization and local community relevance to drive business success.
  • 03This strategic move aims to bolster the company's position amid retail market challenges.

Aug 15, 2026

Whatnot hits $20 billion valuation as live shopping pulls retail investment away from traditional formats

Whatnot hits $20 billion valuation as live shopping pulls retail investment away from traditional formats

Whatnot has reached a $20 billion valuation, highlighting a shift in retail investment priorities from traditional formats to live shopping. This growth indicates a trend where brands, facing decreased domestic demand, are seeking innovative sales channels to maintain market relevance.

  • 01Whatnot's valuation has nearly doubled in under a year to $20 billion.
  • 02Retail brands are increasingly investing in live shopping platforms as a new sales channel.
  • 03Domestic demand is slowing, prompting brands to explore innovative ways to engage customers.

Aug 15, 2026

Bed Bath & Beyond posts Q2 revenue growth and plans rebrand to Neighborhood Intelligence as ecommerce data demands intensify

Bed Bath & Beyond posts Q2 revenue growth and plans rebrand to Neighborhood Intelligence as ecommerce data demands intensify

Bed Bath & Beyond has reported revenue growth for Q2 FY26 and is planning a rebrand to Neighborhood Intelligence in response to increasing demands for ecommerce data. The rebranding is part of a strategic shift to enhance data-driven retail operations.

  • 01Bed Bath & Beyond is rebranding to Neighborhood Intelligence as part of a strategic pivot.
  • 02The company reported revenue growth for Q2 FY26.
  • 03Ecommerce data demands are intensifying for retail operators.

Aug 15, 2026

Explore More Retail Insights

Read more expert perspectives from across Retail.

Browse Retail Hub

About the Expert

Melissa Gonzalez
Melissa Gonzalez

Top Retail Voice, Influencer, and Lead Retail Contributor

Retail Refined

Industry-recognized influencer, leader, and storyteller in Retail. Lead Retail Industry Contributor at MarketScale. Principal at MG2 Design. Host of "Retail Refined" Podcast. As a global brand and retail experience disruptor, Melissa possess strong proficiency in consumer insights, experiential design, retail technology integration, and brand innovation. During her career, she have created powerful visual narratives through physical spaces, imprinting complex concepts and ideas to consumers in genuine, tactile, and persuasive manners. She have also served as a consumer engagement trendsetter, “pop-up” industry pioneer, and entrepreneur. Melissa founded and launched a consumer experiential design firm that achieved a successful exit, driving initial client wins, monetization, and exponential revenue growth. "Melissa brings both her industry knowledge and an approachable and educational point of view to her interviewing skills. With an authentic style, she facilitates an engaging dialogue, one where listeners can walk away from with tangible insights and thought provokers!" -Jeffrey Roseman, Vice Chairman of Retail at Newmark "What sets Melissa apart is her ability to cut through the noise and provide actionable insights. Whether you’re a store owner looking to revamp your space or a tech enthusiast curious about the next big thing in retail, you’ll find tangible ideas to build on. From seasoned designers to pioneering tech gurus - ensuring that listeners are always engaged with diverse and forward-thinking perspectives. Retail Refined doesn’t just skim the surface; it dives deep into topics that matter. If staying ahead of the retail curve is important to you, start here." -Nate Frazier, Chief Operating Officer of GNC

For B2B teams

Your experts could be publishing here

Stories like this one run on content MarketScale captures from real practitioners. See how your team's expertise becomes coverage in Retail and beyond.

Book a 15-minute demo

Or call us. No forms required. We pick up. 214-945-2512