Alison Farrington

Design

The Future Laboratory discusses functional health at London Packaging Week

On 17 September 2026, The Future Laboratory’s chief creative officer Chris Sanderson took to the stage at London Packaging Week. He took part in the panel Meet the new consumer: packaging for the age of functional health, hosted by Jono Wylie, strategy director at Eatbigfish.

Technology

The Future Laboratory and Liganova partner for Memories of Truth exchange of…

The Future Laboratory and experiential design agency Liganova co-hosted Memories of Truth on 16 July, an evening of insights, panel discussions and networking held at Old Sessions House in Clerkenwell, at the heart of London’s design district.

Sports Community Hubs

Sports brands are moving past static retail to third-space wellness hubs and experiences – where community building, competitions and fitness activities are key engagement tools.

Touring Touchpoints

Brands are shifting from static or online campaigns to mobile, experience-led activations that embed themselves directly within the cultural lives of young people at college.

On-the-go Cocktail Culture

Spirits brands are leveraging travel retail to capture Gen Z’s attention. Elevated cocktail experiences in airports provide entertainment and education, with travellers trading dwell time for discovery.

Marketing & Branding

Foresight Friday: Alison Farrington, foresight content manager

Every Friday, we offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, foresight content manager Alison Farrington reflects on contrasting tech themes from a physical manifestation of AI to sci-fi hive mind and a virtual meeting parody.

The Future Laboratory presents The Synthocene Era macrotrend at Première Vision

The Future Laboratory’s co-founder and chief creative officer Christopher Sanderson presented The Synthocene Era macrotrend at the fashion industry conference, Première Vision, on 16 September 2025.

Scenario-based Airport Beauty

Beauty brands are targeting Chinese travellers in Asia with services and products that provide effective solutions which are based on an individual’s skin and the climate of their destination.

Culture-coded Retail

Digital commerce may offer consumers convenience, but a new generation of in-person retail experiences energised by cultural relevance and built on brand community is luring them back into the store.

Six Storified Retail Environments

Storified retail crosses entertainment with hospitality, offering brand experiences that immerse visitors in emotive, local and cultural moments which deliver on long-term brand connection.

Gen Z’s Mall Revival

For Gen Z, malls are more than places to shop – they have become social playgrounds where retail, food and entertainment collide to create energy, connection and discovery.