Renault and Future Stores collaboration brings digital and social media led automotive retail to heart of London

French car manufacturer Renault has partnered with Future Stores to bring automotive retailing to Oxford Street, London, as it unveiled the new Renault 5 E-Tech electric to the UK market through a social media led live experience.

A first for both Renault and Future Stores, the space on Oxford Street was transformed into ‘Maison 5’, showcasing the new pure electric supermini through a blend of French flair and London cool. All with the help of brand experience agency Avantgarde.

The activation saw: street footfall of 700k people; social engagement above 6% off the back of the activation; average customer satisfaction of almost 90%.

Olympic medallist Tom Daley and celebrity chef Matthew Ryle also dropped in alongside presenters Greg James and Jonny Smith to talk about all things diving, knitting, French cuisine and of course Renault Five. 

Visitors to Maison 5, which ran from 22nd to 30th March, were met by three sparkling versions of the motor to interact with. While Future Stores’ wall of 400 m2 of high d efinition Micro LED displays featured specially curated content highlighting the cult auto’s key features; all visible to the half a million people who walk past the store on a weekly basis.   

Kate Hardcastle, Director of Future Stores, says: “In a world where catching people’s attention is becoming more and more challenging, we’ve designed a concept that does just that on Europe’s busiest shopping street.  Like us, the Renault 5 E-Tech electric is all about innovation, taking the best of the past and imagining it for the future – and that’s why it’s been the perfect partner for Future Stores."

“Our unique ability to bring a brand to life through electrifyingly exciting ‘retailtainment’ complimented by Renaults social media activation, means the Renault 5 E-Tech reached a new highly-engaged audience – the perfect platform to launch a great new concept."

David Isherwood, Marketing Director at Renault UK, says: “The Renault 5 is a pop icon, exuding its own unique sense of energy and fun wherever it goes, and we’re keen to share that with as many people as we can. What better place to bring a cultural icon to next than to the centre of popular culture itself and Future Stores helps us do just that.”

Real-time insight was provided by the Future Stores team sharing footfall moving past the store, entering, and showing their journey around the space, with demographic insights including a full age break down of visitors.

Celebrity presenters and influencers – including Jack Scarlett from the Fully Charged Show and Electroheads, plus Red Bull Racing’s ‘Talking Bull’ podcast host Nicola Hume – were also on hand to engage with visitors. The Renault also brought a mix of Gallic charm, talks, music, and merchandise to showcase the car's desirability and affordability.

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Social engagement will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which will open for entries in April, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.