News

Covent Garden’s historic market building has turned into a neon wonderland

Chila Burman’s latest large scale neon art installation themed around love and identity and inspired by Chila’s Hindu Punjabi heritage, will feature vast light sculptures and uplifting messages, and take over Covent Garden’s Market Building from August until October

Designed to bring joy, positivity and a sense of magic to the public, visitors are welcomed with the message “do you see words in rainbows” emblazoned in neon purple across the iconic entrance of the Market Building, and Burman’s signature exuberant colours have transformed the inside of the Market Building into a bright spectacle. Symbolic neon sculptures of peacocks, tigers, flowers, snakes and bulls, plus positive words and collages in incredible kaleidoscopic colours, inspired by Burman’s Hindu Punjabi heritage and her bold vision, illuminate the space, transforming it into London’s biggest immersive art installation. RF

John Lewis ‘anyday’ homeware concept lights up St Davids

The St David’s Partnership, owners of St David’s in Cardiff, has announced the launch of John Lewis’ new pop-up showroom experience, ANYDAY.

Only the second of its kind in the UK, the store showcases ANYDAY, the new own brand range from John Lewis, with an aspiration to remodel and transform consumer perceptions around the affordability of stylish homewares. The 4,277 sq ft unit, situated on the Lower Grand Arcade, adjacent to Disney, Sports Direct, and Lego, will be in place until midOctober.

The move to create a temporary showroom comes after considerable success with the ‘Test & Learn’ exhibition spaces, launched by John Lewis Cardiff to feature their new ANYDAY own brand earlier this summer in the Lower Mall at St. David’s. John Lewis is looking to build the profile of its ‘home’ assortment range, with the increasing importance of creating liveable and workable spaces at home featuring stylish and affordable designs.

Rituals Cosmetics to make regional debut in centre:mk

Rituals Cosmetics is to open a new store at centre:mk Milton Keynes marking its debut in the region. Located on Silbury Arcade opposite the new H Beauty flagship, the 2,571 sq ft store will open later this year.

Kevin Duffy, centre:mk’s Centre Director, said: “We work continuously to enhance our offer with best-in-class brands such as Rituals as we anticipate and satisfy the evolving needs of guests. Personal wellbeing and beauty are key areas, so Rituals is a great addition that, along with other recent openings at centre:mk, creates an offer unrivalled anywhere in the region.”

Rituals was founded in 2000 by Raymond Cloosterman, a former Unilver employee with the aim of transform their customers’ every day experiences to create relaxing and meaningful moments. The first Rituals store opened in Amsterdam and has since expanded worldwide to 27 countries with approximately 800 stores. Having opened the first store in the UK in Covent Garden in 2016, Rituals now boasts 36 stores across the country. RF

Crep Collection Club & Vanilla make bricks and mortar debuts at Bluewater

Landsec has announced the launch of two new retail concepts at Bluewater in Kent. Crep Collection Club, the trend-led sneaker specialists, have opened their first standalone store, whilst accessible fashion concept brand Vanilla has launched its debut space at the destination, following the success of its established online and concession presence. Rob Hardie, Portfolio Director for co-owner and asset manager of Bluewater, Landsec, commented: “The launches of bricks and mortar debuts for Crep Collection Club and Vanilla adds a point of difference for Bluewater’s retail offer. Bluewater continues to attract emerging and independent brands alongside well-established international names. These openings join a number of other brands who recently selected Bluewater and reinforces our position as one of Europe’s leading retail and leisure destinations.” RF

Creative Design & Display Connections

The organisers behind the Creative Retail Awards have launched the inaugural Creative Design & Display Connections (CDDC) meet the buyer event. To be held in February 2022 at Bounce Old Street in London, the event consists of 14 pre-matched one-to-one meetings between buyers and suppliers over the course of the day. With Supplier entry from just £1,750 + VAT, the event could provide the highest ever ROI for companies at this difficult trading period. Approved delegates receive free entry plus two complimentary tickets to the world renowned Creative Retail Awards taking place in October.

Visit www.cddconnections.com

Creative Retail Awards CONFIRMED FOR 14tH OCTOBER 2021 - ON SALE NOW

The Creative Retail Awards are truly unique in their blend of celebration, networking and entertainment.

After an exciting process of reviewing a record amount of entries, the shortlist for the third Creative Retail Awards has been revealed. The Awards recognise and reward innovation and excellence in retail design and experience from around the world.

The winners and highly commended entries will be announced at a unique awards ceremony to be held at Proud Embankment on 14th October 2021. Bringing together the whole industry, the Creative Retail Awards is a night that blends networking with an informal party atmosphere celebrating the diversity in our industry.

The night will offer plenty of networking opportunities to meet with retailers, suppliers and designers. Enjoy a champagne reception, live music, entertainment, DJ and more, celebrating into the small hours. RF

www.creativeretailawards.com

Burlington Arcade Launches Thomas Goode & Co Boutique

Burlington Arcade, the historic retail destination in London’s Mayfair, has announced that luxury homeware house Thomas Goode & Co have relocated to the iconic London shopping destination.

Johnny Sandelson, executive chairman of Thomas Goode & Co says, ‘Burlington Arcade provides us with the opportunity to display our luxury wares to an ever wider audience. The ethos and spirit of the Arcade very much mirrors our own history. We have also decided to house our priceless archive on the premises, and we welcome tourists and shoppers to see first hand our tableware which has served Royal and noble families from not only Britain, but also including Europe, India, the Middle East, and Russia. Among the plates on show include items manufactured for Queen Victoria, Catherine the Great, to more modern designs by Giovanni Versace.’

Liverpool ONE unveils upsized Hamleys store and Lego activation

Grosvenor Britain & Ireland has announced the opening of a new upsized Hamleys store at Liverpool ONE, following a recent interactive LEGO ‘Pop & Play’ event. Both launches form part of the destination’s ongoing programme of unique, familyfriendly experiences.

Following a successful year of trading, Hamleys has recommitted to Liverpool ONE with a more expansive store at 35 South John Street. The iconic British toy emporium is set to open an immersive 3,000 sq ft store which houses an array of games, puzzles, arts and crafts, as well as the retailer’s own exclusive collections.

Liverpool ONE has recently hosted an activation from LEGO as part of the popular brand’s free ‘Pop & Play’ tour which is visiting five UK cities this summer. Complementing LEGO’s permanent store on South John Street, the ‘Pop & Play’ event comprised four interactive play areas offering creative activities for the whole family, including cupcake decorating and a scavenger hunt. RF

SHAFTESBURY ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF FIRST UK STORE FOR THIRD MAN RECORDS

Shaftesbury and Jack White announce the opening of the first ever Third Man Records store outside the USA. The independent record label was founded by Jack White, lead singer and guitarist of the White Stripes, in Detroit, Michigan in 2001, and will open at 1 Marshall Street in the heart of London’s Carnaby. The 1,164 sq ft store will open on Saturday 25th September. The London store will be the third member of the Third Man physical retail spaces that include buildings in Nashville, Tennessee and Detroit, Michigan.

The store will be a multi-functional space, consisting of a two-level retail space, an intimate live music venue named “The Blue Basement,” and be the European headquarters for Third Man Records. The store will feature the quirks, details and idiosyncrasies Third Man have become renowned around the world for. These include a Third Man Records token-operated lucky dip book machine designed by the Toronto-based artist Craig Small. Titled the “Literarium,” it is only the second of its kind in the world. The store will also feature a Third Man Records token-operated recording booth where artists and the public can record their own material straight to vinyl.

www.retail-focus.co.uk/news

GYM+COFFEE MOVES INto VICTORIA SQUARE

Gym+Coffee has launched its Northern Ireland debut in Victoria Square Belfast, owned by German Commerz Real’s real estate fund Hausinvest. The new 2,300 sq ft Gym+Coffee clubhouse concept launch forms part of the brand’s continued expansion and marks the 8th clubhouse store following the Manchester and London openings. The Belfast debut will create 15 jobs for the local community, and the brand continues to look to the future as it plans to double its staff across the company’s HQ and retail stores.

Tihara Smith brings a taste of the Caribbean to Seven Dials

Shaftesbury has announced the opening of a debut pop-up store in Seven Dials for Tihara Smith, the lifestyle brand named winner of its retail incubator initiative Start Up with Seven Dials.

The 579 sq ft Tihara Smith store at 37 Neal Street has been curated as a tropical oasis in the heart of the West End, stocking the brand’s range of vibrant stationery, accessories, handmade raffia designs, gifts and prints. All of the brand’s products are designed and crafted in London, inspired by the founder’s Caribbean roots. RF

Astley Clarke selects Seven Dials for its UK flagship store

Luxury British jewellery brand, Astley Clarke, has selected Seven Dials’ Monmouth Street for their debut UK flagship store, Shaftesbury has announced today. Set to retail their full collection of jewellery together with engraving and locket personalisation, Astley Clarke Seven Dials will open in Autumn 2021.

Spanning just over 900 sq ft at 31 Monmouth Street, Astley Clarke’s first bricks and mortar home will stock the fine and demifine elevated jewellery that has become synonymous with the brand. Founded in 2006 by Bec Astley Clarke MBE and headquartered in London, the brand began its journey as an online-only retailer. RF