Wednesday October 7

SENSE ABILITY: THE UNTAPPED ADVANTAGE HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

Retail spaces are full of sensory stimulation and a lot of it is unintentional. It has been this way for a long time, but that does not mean it has to stay that way. Meg Lefeld, Director at ZenGenius, has spent her career in the world of visual merchandising. When a traumatic brain injury in 2022 changed the way she experienced the retail spaces she had always loved, she started asking a question she couldn't shake: why? That question led her to start researching how the brain processes sensory information and a deeper look at the sensory demands retail places on every shopper, whether they realize it or not. In this general session, Meg will share what she has learned, what she is still learning and why it matters to everyone who contributes to retail environments. Through emerging research, real-world examples and practical strategies, attendees will discover how thoughtful sensory design can reduce unnecessary cognitive load, improve the customer experience and become a competitive advantage. Fair warning: you'll never walk into a store the same way again.

Takeaways:

• Discover how sensory stimulation impacts the shopping experience

• Learn how neurodivergent experiences differ in store

• Understand the importance of designing with all customers in mind