THE WESTFIELD OF THE FUTURE

Westfield has described the concept as a “hyper-connected micro-city, driven by social interaction and creating its own community”.

The retail giant has turned its focus to attracting the next generation of consumers in an era of stalling bricks and mortar. The concept shows a network of waterways that will flow throughout the centre, along with the likes of a “betterment zone”, which will offer visitors mindfulness workshops. These waterways won’t only offer an alternative route around the centre but access to water sports for customers.

Walkways will fuse with artificial intelligence. The concept shows customers walking along digital pathways, while drones fly above delivering purchases. Eye scanners recalling information on entry about a visitor’s previous purchases will offer personalised short cuts around the centre. Smart loos will offer a health diagnosis and detect the user’s hydration levels and nutritional needs.

The mall of the future will also feature reading rooms, which offer shoppers access to every book ever written, and farms will provide consumers the opportunity to pick their own produce.

The concept caters to the next generation, reflecting the growth of the sharing economy for post- millennials, and provides the opportunity to rent clothes.

The announcement comes as Westfield London prepares to mark its 10^th anniversary this October.

The retail giant’s 2028 concept was created with help of a panel of experts including an experimental physiologist, a futurologist and a fashion technology innovator.