Surfing at RECon 2106: The Next Big Wave in Retail?
The out-of-ocean surfing revolution has begun, thanks to American Wave Machines with authentic indoor and outdoor surfing experiences. With a proven pay-for-surf model that pairs well with retail, including apparel, sporting goods and dining, surf parks are poised for development around the world, attracting a wide audience from kids to adults, including amateurs on boogie boards to top professional surfers. According to recent Associated Press reports, retail executives confirm the growing trend toward entertainment attractions. "Shopping centers and the physical retail experience is becoming much more experiential," said Tom McGee, president and CEO of the International Council of Shopping Centers. "People want to have experiences when they go out. They want that kind of all-in aspect. They want the aesthetics and the look to be something that is engaging and appealing to them." “In today’s economy where consumers are valuing a premium experience over mat...