The National Retail Federation Expo is trying to predict the shopping experience of the future. NY1’s Technology reporter Adam Balkin filed the following report.

The store of the future will be greener and more interactive, if two concept stores created at this year's National Retail Federation Expo are accurate predictions.

First, the Virgin Music store mockup represents hope for so-called “brick and mortar” retailers who are trying to desperately hold on to foot traffic in an age where just about anything is being bought online. With big touch screen displays and can't-keep-your-hands-off-them Microsoft Surface tables, the stores are simply trying to be more fun.

“We said, why would someone go to a music store of the future if they could download stuff from home?” says David Gilman of Creative Realities. “And we realized people would go to a music store to get experiences they can't get at home. One of those experiences would be live via-satellite concerts that they could only see at branches of the music store. They'll want community, to the ability to text the screen, see audience meters to see how loud people are in other cities.”

Over at the Seeing Green exhibit, technologies show retailers and consumers can be more environmentally sensitive while shopping.

“The Seeing Green Store is to bring awareness to major retailers that there are alternative operational systems and technologies that can be used to regain sustainability like allEtronic that has a paperless receipt,” says Richard Russo of Hybridia Design. “When one buys a product, they can place the product onto this scale which will tell you how many miles it traveled or if it was locally grown.”

Retailers are also looking at devices that help consumers make informed decisions before spending their shrinking budget.
For example, the EZface in-store kiosk gives women a virtual makeover so that they can see how products look on their digital portrait.

“You are taking a picture, and automatically you will see your own image. In about two minutes, you will be able to see all the range of makeup products on you in a very easy and fun way,” says Ruth Gal of EZface.

Technology reporter Adam Balkin tried out EZface, and saved money by realizing he looked fine just the way he was.