6. b8ta
The gadget store, which sells such items as wifi security cameras and high-tech skateboards, has nine b8ta-branded flagship locations, a built by b8ta concept—the first global store for Netgear in San Jose, Calif.—and 70 shops in Lowe’s. It’s also partnering with Macy’s to expand its retail-as-a-service model across all market @ Macy’s locations, and b8ta has other plans to grow in the U.S., a spokesperson confirmed. It’s another retailer to keep an eye on, Solanki says. The brand believes in physical retail so much that, earlier this year, it even launched Built by b8ta, a store-as-a-service solution which aims to keep costs down for retailers who need physical stores that range in size from small-format to flagship. Solanki says the b8ta stores are very experiential: “It’s really fascinating,” she says. “People are in there for hours.”