Lowe’s goes sci-fi at SXSW

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe’s is teaming up with the SciFutures, an organization that works with more than 100 science fiction writers, at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin to envision what customers want, Marketing magazine reports. Since 2013, the retailer has shared market research data with the team of writers, who in turn create comic books showcasing new products and their possible uses. The partnership has helped Lowe’s to lead the way in futuristic solutions, including its much-heralded Holoroom and the OSHbot customer service robots piloted at select Orchard Supply Hardware stores.