WeHoX, West Hollywood’s innovative civic program has been recognized as one of the honorees in SXSW Eco’s Place by Design Competition under Urban Strategy and Civic Engagement.
Focused on supporting projects that spark economic, social, and ecological benefits, the SXSW Eco Place by Design Competition will assemble finalists in Austin this October 10–12. Winners will be announced on the last day.
“WeHoX is proof that our city is pushing boundaries,” said Mayor Lauren Meister. “This recognition by SXSW Eco highlights our leadership in civic innovation and strengthens West Hollywood’s reputation as a forward-thinking community.”
In 2015, West Hollywood debuted the WeHoX program along with its first Innovations Annual Report, which laid out initiatives and benchmarks for strengthening the city’s innovation strategy. The report is available to the public.
Place by Design finalists span fields from urban design to community activism. In the Urban Strategy and Civic Engagement category, WeHoX sits alongside projects such as Boombox in Chicago, a micro-retail kiosk for entrepreneurs, and Drawing Lines in Austin, which explored political change through art.
Retail is experiencing a rapid transformation, influenced by evolving consumer expectations, developing technologies, and creative community partnerships. Across the country, cities and organizations are launching new approaches to help retailers adapt, expand, and reach their audiences. These retail innovation hubs are showing how short-term pop-ups, technology solutions, and shared platforms can reinvent the shopping experience.
One of the most prominent trends is the rise of pop-up and micro-retail kiosks, which deliver temporary storefronts for entrepreneurs. These spaces give small businesses, independent creators, and online brands to experiment with products in live settings without the expense of long-term leases. Projects like Boombox in Chicago have shown that transforming underutilized public spaces into micro-shops can revitalize neighborhoods while giving retailers budget-friendly, adaptable opportunities to reach customers.
Innovation in retail doesn’t stop at physical space. Many retailers are blending digital engagement with in-person experiences to deepen customer connections. From QR-enabled displays that extend stories online to livestream product launches from inside pop-up spaces, retailers are using new ways to merge the immediacy of brick-and-mortar with the reach of online platforms. This hybrid model not only expands access but also provides important data for retailers to adjust their strategies.
Retail innovation is also being driven by partnerships between businesses, local governments, and community groups. Programs that pair retail pilots with civic engagement goals—such as promoting sustainability, supporting local artisans, or revitalizing main streets—show that innovation can have both economic and social impact. By creating platforms where entrepreneurs and communities collaborate, these initiatives prove that retail can be a tool for connection and civic renewal.
As cities continue to evolve, retail innovation hubs are emerging as blueprints for the future of commerce. They provide more than just places to shop—they create spaces for storytelling, education, and cultural exchange. By supporting experimentation and reducing barriers to entry, these initiatives help retailers of all sizes adapt to changing times while keeping communities lively and strong.