Retail Focus February 2017

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retail focus

FEBRUARY 2017 : £6.75 #84

FEBRUARY 2017/issue 84

retail focus WWW.RETAIL-FOCUS.CO.UK

VM & Display Show : Sign & Digital UK : Lululemon : Primark Amsterdam : Pret Verde : Sports Retail : Showrooms : St james’s Market : VM Props : Q&A with Fabio Fusi, Furla

Sweat, stretch, connect Lululemon strengthens UK presence with Regent Street flagship

VM & Display Show 2017 : Sign & Digital UK : Window Shopping : Primark Amsterdam : Pret Verde : Sports Retail : Showrooms : St James’s Market : VM Props : Q&A with Fabio Fusi, Furla


Retail Maximising the in store experience, the precision engineered, contemporary Linear Light horizontal lighting systems by Hacel provide stylish and versatile ambient and accent lighting solutions. Specified in black, Linear Light blends seamlessly with the dark ceiling to reflect the multifunctional retail architecture.

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contents

CONTENTS Sweat, stretch, connect

28-30

The new Lululemon flagship store on London’s Regent Street is designed to bring a sense of calm as soon as you walk through the door.

& Display Show/ 11 VM Sign & Digital UK

41 Sports retail 7

Leader

28-38 Project Focus

Lululemon Regent Street : Primark Amsterdam : Pret Verde

49

Opinion

Top of the POPS

Peter Cooper, director of asset management UK retail at Hammerson, explores the growth of the sharing economy.

27

Karl McKeever

53-54 In and Around...

Is Mike Ashley of Sports Direct in line to be the next Mr Selfridge, asks Karl this month.

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Diary

12-18 News 21-23 W indow shopping Inspiring window displays from around the globe.

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www.retail-focus.co.uk

68 Focus on Props

45 Showrooms

St James’s Market. A highend commercial, retail and public destination in the heart of London’s West End.

57-66 Products Products and services for the retail industry.

74

Q&A

Fabio Fusi, creative director at Furla, discusses milestones, men’s collections and expansion plans.


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leader

welcome February ‘17 The global sportswear market is performing well and is expected to grow by five per cent in 2017, according to research from Euromonitor. As consumer interest in health and fitness continues to rise, specialist brands such as Nike, adidas and Under Armour are recognising the value in opening their own stores, with a focus on experience over product. In this issue, we look at how these brands are flipping the traditional retail model with stores that centre on community and experience (pages 41-43). Athletic apparel brand Lululemon is successfully establishing itself as a global sports brand powerhouse, thanks in part to its strong focus on community. The new flagship store on London’s Regent Street (pages 28-30) is described as a place to stretch, sweat, connect and enjoy the latest collections, combining retail with a Neat Nutrition cafe and fitness space. Designed in collaboration with Dalziel & Pow, the store is currently the brand’s largest in Europe and second in the world only to the New York flagship, which opened in 2015. Keeping with the sports theme, this month columnist Karl McKeever considers Sports Direct’s recently announced plans to become the ‘Selfridges of Sport’ (page 27). To realise this ambition, the retailer, which is famous for selling high volumes of sports goods at low prices, must start by embracing the kind of retail standards that shoppers expect at stores like Selfridges, argues Karl. Also in this issue, we look at how an increasing number of brands are opening showrooms as a way of connecting with their customer base more closely (pages 45-46), and how St James’s Market in the heart of London’s West End is transforming into a high-end commercial, retail and public destination (pages 53-54). Gemma Balmford Editor

Managing Editor

Editor

Gemma Balmford e. gemma@retailfocus.co t. +44 (0)7908 895 906

Lyndsey Dennis e. lyndsey@retailfocus.co t. +44 (0)7500 138 810

Display Sales

Production & Web

Lee Cullumbine e. lee@retailfocus.co t. +44 (0)845 680 7405

Terry Clark e. terry@retailfocus.co t. +44 (0)845 680 7405

Get more from Retail Focus online!

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Account Manager Adam Potter e. adam@retailfocus.co t. +44 (0)845 680 7405

Industry associations

Search Retail Focus For subscription enquiries please email: subscriptions@retailfocus.co Retail Focus is published 12 times a year by Retail Focus Promotions Ltd, Yeomans, Bassetts Lane, Woodham Walter, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6RZ. system or transmitted in any form without permission. Please address all enquiries to the editor at the above address. The opinions expressed in Retail Focus are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the information contained in these pages. We will assume permission to publish any unsolicited material unless otherwise stated. ©Retail Focus Promotions Ltd 2017.

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diary

DIARY

GlobalShop Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas 28-30 March 2017 For 25 years GlobalShop has served the industry as a vital platform for growth, education and innovation. The show provides networking opportunities with 10,500-plus industry professionals across five pavilions, providing fresh ideas and solutions to optimise your retail environment. GlobalShop will host insightful educational sessions led by the industry’s thought leaders. Jacques Panis, president of Shinola, will keynote the 2017 event, The keynote session is being produced in partnership with Women’s Wear Daily (WWD). Your GlobalShop 2017 badge also allows access to the Digital Signage Expo (DSE) in Las Vegas in March. GlobalShopShow

www.globalshop.org

EuroShop Messe Düsseldorf, Germany 5-9 March 2017 EuroShop will be celebrating 50 years in 2017. Launched in 1966, EuroShop is a creative hub bursting with new ideas specifically for retail. Some 2,500 exhibitors from more than 50 countries will present their products for the global retail sector. Due to high demand for exhibition space, an extra hall will be occupied bringing the total to 17 halls. Euroshop

www.euroshop-tradefair.com

WWD Retail 20/20 – The New Store Experience London 25 April 2017 Given the convergence of physical and digital retail, WWD is expanding the footprint of its one-day forum in London. The event will explore new ways to attract and engage consumers and inspire their loyalty across channels. It will highlight innovations that can transform shopping for fashion, footwear and beauty. wwd summits.wwd.com/event/retail2020-london/

Retail Design Expo Olympia London 8-9 May 2017 Co-located with RBTE and Retail Digital Signage Expo, Retail Design Expo returns to Olympia with the addition of the VM Christmas Market and Awards. The show is an annual source of innovation and inspiration in retail design, marketing, visual merchandising and shopfitting from around the world, and includes two days of conferences. RtlDesignExpo

www.retaildesignexpo.com

www.retail-focus.co.uk /Events keep up-to-date with the latest events in your industry

Photo: Messe Dusseldorf / ctillmann

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Show highlights include:

DISCOVER THE LATEST APPLICATIONS, IDEAS & ADVICE

• Meet with 180+ leading manufacturers and suppliers • Thousands of cutting edge products and services, including display solutions, interior & exterior signage, lighting and promotional items • NEW! Sign Trade Services Pavilion featuring sign making tools, fixings & fittings • Live demonstrations of skills and equipment • Exclusive product launches and show offers • Free seminars in the Business Theatre and the NEW! Creative Theatre • Networking opportunities to make new business contacts

Source: Independent visitor research by Zing Insights, May 2016

Pre-register now for free entry at www.signanddigitaluk.com SDUK17-A4-Ad-visitorvs2.indd 1

06/02/2017 12:19


previews

VM & DISPLAY SHOW Bringing together the visual merchandising and display industry The VM & Display Show returns to the Business Design Centre in Islington this April, providing plenty of visual merchandising inspiration. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet with an array of industry experts who can help make displays a reality, from concept to installation. The VM & Display Show is the only UK exhibition dedicated to this creative industry, bringing together everything from mannequins, print and props to POP, lighting and fabrics. The show will also include its regular Underground Network and Designer Network feature areas, and will welcome around 15 new first time exhibitors.

When and where Business Design Centre, Islington 5-6 April 2017

www.vmanddisplayshow.com VMDisplayShow #VMDS2017

SIGN & DIGITAL UK

A celebration of signmaking, display solutions and digital printing Sign & Digital UK will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in March, and will launch a new Creative Theatre for the 2017 event. Visitors can discover the latest products and services from hundreds of leading suppliers. As well as advice from exhibitors, there are free seminars and the chance to see live demonstrations of equipment and skills. The Creative Theatre will explore this year’s show theme of ‘Applications, Ideas and Advice’, and will play host to an extensive programme of free daily seminars, including case studies, content and learning developed specifically for professionals in the graphics, branding and display industries. The seminar sessions will run on all three days of the show and will include topics on the future of digital advertising and signage, interior wall décor, future materials and colour management.

When and where Halls 17-18, NEC Birmingham 28-30 March 2017

www.signuk.com Signanddigital #SDUK

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news

NEWS Cadbury takes to the road with Crème Egg Hunter Lodge Following on from the Cadbury Crème Egg Cafe last year, the chocolate giant is touring the UK with its Cadbury Crème Egg Hunting Lodge, stopping off in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds and Edinburgh. The lodge is open for a limited time only, offering an immersive haven for Crème Egg lovers. It will serve a range of Crème Egg-inspired treats among an impressive wall-to-ceiling display of Crème Egg hunting paraphernalia. The lodge will give lovers of the brand the chance to hone their hunting skills, ensuring visitors leave as expert Crème Egg hunters ready for the season ahead. The lodge will include a takeaway area that is specifically designed for fans that are short on time, with an offering of Crème Egg S’mores to-go. Those with more time will be able to enjoy the cosy outdoor area, complete with a bush-craft menu, offering four inspiring ways to enjoy the chocolate treat. 100 per cent of proceeds generated at the Crème Egg Hunting Lodge will be donated to the Prince’s Trust Charity.

Plans unveiled for Peninsula Place in Greenwich Real estate developer Knight Dragon has unveiled plans for a new £1 billion landmark at the heart of Greenwich Peninsula, designed by international architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava. Peninsula Place will total 130,064 sq m of space, including a new tube and bus station, shops, bars, restaurants, theatre, cinema and wellbeing hub. Above this will rise three towers of workspace, apartments and hotels, all connected to the Thames by a new land bridge. Peninsula Place is part of the Peninsula Central neighbourhood, sitting next to The O2. The retail offering at Peninsula Place will include around 80 shops and a number of restaurants and bars, housed in The Galleria (pictured). ‘My ambition is for Greenwich Peninsula to be a unique cultural destination for Londoners and visitors to this global city. Calatrava’s contribution will help ensure that the UK’s biggest regeneration project fulfils its potential to become just that,’ says Sammy Lee, director at Knight Dragon.

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news

Habitat opens first stand-alone Mini store Interiors brand Habitat has launched its first new format stand-alone Mini Habitat in Leeds. Customers are encouraged to interact with products in the 18,580 sq m store as well as explore habitat.co.uk on integrated digital screens and iPads. Habitat staff are on hand to talk customers through products and highlight product options online that can be ordered for home delivery.

Habitat is looking to trial regional touch point stores across the UK to help support its multichannel growth strategy. Investment in smaller footprint stand-alone and store-instore formats — as seen in its recent Sainsbury’s Mini Habitat stores in Solihull and London — is aimed to further both online and offline brand awareness with new audiences as well as increase online shopper confidence.

IKEA unveils plans for sustainable Greenwich store Home furnishing retailer IKEA has revealed plans for its new store in Greenwich. The space will feature fresh design elements including a roof pavillion, biodiverse roof garden, community garden and multifunctional spaces, and will be designed with the local community and customer in mind. IKEA Greenwich aims to offer managed

events and programmes for a variety of audiences. The roof will also offer recreational space for its co-workers. ‘This is an exciting development for IKEA that has the customer, the local community and the environment at its heart. We want to create a unique and exciting space that will act as a place to meet, learn, share and shop – enhancing

the ways we engage with our customers, the local community and stakeholders. The new IKEA Greenwich will be an innovation hub for home furnishings and sustainable retail,’ says Richard Rands, IKEA UK deputy property manager. ‘IKEA has a vision to create a better life for the many people. Our new IKEA Greenwich store will create a unique and meaningful customer experience. As a business IKEA is dedicated to sustainability across all aspects of the business. The Greenwich store is designed and will be built to ensure energy and resource efficiency, including the use of solar panels, rainwater harvesting and energy saving and generating technology. The store will meet a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ Certification Rating. ‘IKEA actively encourages its co-workers and customers to use public transport where possible and will invest in the local area to increase accessibility to the store,’ adds Rands. Work has begun on IKEA Sheffield, the retailer’s most sustainable store to date, which will aim to achieve 100 per cent renewable energy.

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news

In brief... Hermes Investment Management, co-owner of centre:mk, has announced plans for a £60 million investment in the shopping and leisure destination. Over the next three years, the grade two-listed building will undergo a series of enhancements focused on re-imagining the iconic principles that led to the creation of one of the UK’s most dominant UK regional shopping centres.

Axel Arigato brings flagship store experience to online customers Designer trainers brand Axel Arigato is using first-person shopping technology to provide its online shoppers with a live, interactive virtual tour of the company’s Soho flagship. This technology, by GoInStore, allows the website visitor to interact with the store sales advisors, delivering a true first person experience from the comfort of their home. GoInStore’s cloud-based retail technology transports online customers from around the world to Axel Arigato’s Soho shop, to be served in store in real-time without having to be present. ‘Our new shop opened in 2016 and, right away, we knew we had to differentiate

the customer experience from other retail destinations. We explored different ways to engage with customers, such as hosting live events, holding art exhibitions in the store and now connecting virtually by using GoInStore’s pioneering technology to help set us apart as an innovative retail destination. This is just the start; we are also looking forward to promoting our brand internationally through the partnership with GoInStore from our debut UK customer base,’ says Albin Johansson, co-founder of Axel Arigato. ‘The type of technology in play here is the future of retail and it is already changing the way that buyers shop.’

Cultural hub launches in London’s Bankside Following significant investment and redevelopment by Network Rail, the Old Union Yard Arches in the heart of Bankside are open for business. The newest cultural stop on the Low Line complements the other Network Rail development recently launched as the foodie hub at Flat Iron Square along the route. The Low Line is an ambitious long-term project, pioneered by Bankside partners including Better Bankside, Network Rail and Southwark Council, to open up a world-class walking route along the base of the rail viaducts. The Old Union Yard Arches, consisting of 10 double-height railway arches, will be part of the north/south Low Line, linking together the neighbourhoods between London Bridge and Waterloo, Blackfriars and Elephant and Castle. Developed by Network Rail, the redeveloped Union Yard Arches will host a range of culture, and food and drink opportunities, helping to

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Lingerie retailer Bravissimo has announced plans to open a new flagship at St David’s Shopping Centre in Cardiff. Designed by Four By Two, the 369 sq m store will be set across two floors and located on the upper level on the Grand Arcade, in close proximity to John Lewis. Ambiente Tapas has opened a 278 sq m flagship restaurant in the Fruit Market in Hull. £300,000 was invested to convert a former fruit and veg warehouse and create 160 covers, including an outdoor seating area on Humber Street with views of Hull Marina. Plans were unveiled in November for an £80 million rejuvenation of the city’s waterside, led by Wykeland Group and Beal Homes in partnership with Hull City Council ahead of Hull’s year as UK City of Culture in 2017. Opening on 24 October 2017, the £440 million Westgate Oxford development has unveiled 13 new retail brands and two restaurants that have signed up. Welcoming a strong mix of brands to the 74,300 sq m shopping and leisure destination, retailers taking up space include Mint Velvet, Smashbox, Gant, The Body Shop, T2, Hotel Chocolat, Guess, JD Sports, Trotters, Accessorize, Lush, Aveda and local Oxford retailer Burrows+Hare. French raincoat retailer K-Way will open its first standalone store in the UK with a flagship in central London, located on Henrietta Street in Covent Garden.

open new connections along the route and reinforce Bankside’s unique and special character.

Fashion house Roksanda has opened a new space in the Selfridges Accessories Emporium on Oxford Street, London. In collaboration with set designer Gary Card, Seen Displays produced a display concept that communicated the effortless elegance of the Roksanda girl.



news

New signings announced for Chester Northgate development House of Fraser has committed to space at the new Chester Northgate redevelopment in Chester city centre. Chester Northgate is a 46,451 sq m redevelopment, located in the North West quarter of the city centre, being spearheaded by Cheshire West and Chester Council. The regeneration will provide 70 stores, cafes and restaurants, as well as a new cultural centre, 70 homes,

Dreams rolls out next generation store format Dreams is rolling out a new store format, which it has piloted in Warrington. The aim of these stores is to offer a softer, more welcoming store environment while ensuring Dreams customers choose the right mattress for the best night’s sleep, and to showcase its bedroom furniture and bed frames. The retailer has been working with Design4Retail for the last two years on the new format. The refreshed store design takes customers on a step-by-step journey, making it as simple as possible for them to understand the Dreams offer and the ease with which they can make intuitive and easy buying decisions. Storytelling is an integral part of the store, with brand and product messaging used to highlight product ranges and reaffirm the brands as having a UK-based factory where product is made. A friendly and informative graphic style is combined with more lifestyle imagery, illustrations and added tone of voice.

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4* Crowne Plaza hotel and conference centre, six-screen Picturehouse cinema and the city’s largest car park. House of Fraser signed an agreement to anchor the development. The department store plans to open a new 9,290 sq m store, offering customers an exceptional shopping environment as well as attracting desirable brands and

fashion labels to the region. The new store is being designed to a high specification and will accommodate a multichannel, modern experience-led retail offering, which will include the creation of a rooftop restaurant with views over Chester’s historic racecourse and the Welsh hills.


VINTAGE STYLE RETAIL DISPLAY

THE NEW VINTAGE STYLE CATALOGUE FROM ANDY THORNTON IS OUT NOW

Send for your copy Call: 01422 376000 Email: marketing@andythornton.com andythornton.com

See us at EuroShop Hall 18, PAVD02

AT-Vintage-Catalogue-A1Retail-Euroshop.indd 1

11/01/2017 15:03


international news

international

NEWS Abercrombie & Fitch unveils new store concept American fashion brand Abercrombie & Fitch has launched a new store concept for the first time in more than 15 years. Designed by MJ Sagan Architecture and located at the Polaris Fashion Mall in Columbus, Ohio, the store has a look and feel that is in line with the brand’s new evolution. The 450 sq m boutique is the first of seven that will be built this year and provides the customer with a new vision of the brand.

Manolo Blahnik launches The Art of Shoes touring exhibition Luxury shoe brand Manolo Blahnik has launched ‘Manolo Blahnik: The Art of Shoes’, a touring residency offering an intimate retrospective spanning 45 years of work. With more than 300,000 unique styles in the infamous private archive, Blahnik and curator Dr. Cristina Carrillo de Albornoz have hand selected 212 shoes and 80 original drawings as a personal reflection of the designer’s work, capturing his essence through his passions and inspirations: architecture, art, botany, literature, cinema, the 18th Century, Italy, Russia, Spain and many other cultural influences that fascinate him. The exhibition is divided into six sections examining the constant themes which he returns to throughout his career. The Art of Shoes will visit various prestigious locations that have meaning to the designer, his work and life, starting at the Palazzo Morando in Milan.

Paris welcomes first RIMOWA flagship store German luggage brand RIMOWA has opened its first flagship store, located at 73 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris. It is the retailer’s largest store and will present its entire range of high-end luggage. The five-storey interior has been designed by atelier oï and features a scheme that brings to life the atmosphere of the golden age of commercial aviation through the iconic aluminium of RIMOWA suitcases, as well as a replica fuselage of the first metallic plane, the Junckers F.13. The space also includes a 600 sq m exhibition space, a projection room devoted to the film of the Junckers F.13 project by RIMOWA, a customer service centre, repair shop and a special area devoted to the new RIMOWA Electronic Tag, which launched in 2016.

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genesis-display.com

VISIT US AT EUROSHOP 05. - 09. MARCH 2017 HALL 11 / D38

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16.12.16 13:29



visual merchandising

visual merchandising

Inspiring window displays from around the globe

Fendi The ‘Hypnotic Garden’ windows at Fendi reference the exotic florals of Japanese ancient wallpapers, and the vibrant and rolling graphic typified in the SS17 resort collection. The windows have been transformed into gardens, with graphic branches, fur pompom flowers and rough concrete walls. The scheme has been installed in Fendi stores across the globe, including Paris, London, Sydney and Ginza.

Saks Fifth Avenue Saks Fifth Avenue and United Airlines unveiled a United Polaris-themed takeover of the windows on Fifth Avenue, New York City in January. Entitled ‘Now Arriving’, the 14 storefront windows display a replica of a United Airlines plane. The six central windows feature a recreation of the United Polaris experience, including actual United Polaris seats, which debut on flights in February, and the cabin’s custom Saks Fifth Avenue bedding suite.

See more window schemes at

www.retail-focus.co.uk/vm

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visual merchandising

visual merchandising

Barneys Barneys New York collaborated with The British Fashion Council (BFC) to create a window campaign that celebrates British fashion’s creativity, innovation and individuality. The windows see established British brands merchandised alongside collections from young designers.

Christian Louboutin To celebrate the new year, Christian Louboutin has transported a classic Parisian passage to its flagship stores in London and Paris. Traditional features such as checkerboard flooring and globe wall lights are offset by clean archways, detailed with Louboutin’s renowned red trim. Brass and mirror-faceted plinths appear to defy gravity, holding the designer’s new collection. Filling the gap between the arches, the designs come to life through moving illustrations shown on oversized screens. The scheme was created in collaboration with UK-based StudioXAG.

Bally High gloss geometric plinths and chequered tiling set on a back drop of bright walls and floors make a bold statement that spring is on the way, in the windows at Bally. Inspired by the colour palette and composition of the SS17 press presentation in Milan, the modular scheme was created in collaboration with Millington Associates and is versatile and changeable.

See more window schemes at

www.retail-focus.co.uk/vm

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vis


ng

visual merchandising

visual merchandising

Lululemon The launch windows in Lululemon Regent Street, London showcase the collaboration between the activewear brand and Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design. Entitled ‘Into the Wilderness’, the display is designed to reflect the Lululemon customer, who lives their life in motion, celebrating grace and strength through dynamic and powerful movement. Lululemon teamed up with Prop Studios to create the scheme, which is inspired by brutalist architecture and the ‘perfect imperfections’ of nature. A layered formation of hand-cut batons sweep across the space, with bespoke, expressive mannequins suspended to showcase the vibrancy and beauty of frozen dynamic movement.

Selfridges Through the Material World project, Selfridges is examining sustainable textile development, with a focus on social, local and global production stories. The department store is celebrating eight bright young designers, who are using materials like plastic, leather, cotton and wool in brilliant, surprising and stylish ways. ‘We are a shop selling “stuff”, so let’s take a closer look at the very materiality that makes it,’ says Linda Hewson, creative director at Selfridges. ‘The project will explore current problems and their impact, as well as presenting solutions and ideas, with honesty and humour, in a retail environment.’ Material World is Selfridges’ first creative project for 2017 and runs until the end of March.

Le Bon Marché Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota has taken over high-end department store Le Bon Marché in Paris, including a run of 10 windows. The exhibition, entitled ‘Where are we going’, features boats woven from white yarn, inviting visitors to sail towards a fresh start. Some 150 boats from around the world, from all cultures and of all sizes, figuratively sail across the space at Le Bon Marché, with hollowed out metal hulls, seemingly drawn with a pencil, suspended under the store’s central glass roofs. On the ground floor, Shiota has created a large wave that visitors can walk through, called ‘Memory of the Ocean.’

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pop

TOP pops of the

Company The Attic Room

Client CREED

Display Title Fragrance Hall Retail Build

Sector Fragrance

Location House of Fraser, Belfast

The Brief CREED wanted to create a visually impactful build, positioned centrally within the newly refurbished fragrance hall in House of Fraser, Belfast. The Attic Room designed, developed, manufactured and installed this illuminated glass and chrome finished retail space.

The solution In-house design and development teams worked closely with CREED to meet the brief before passing it onto The Attic Room’s experienced project manager who ensured the critical path was adhered to. Clear and concise budget and timeline management ran smoothly throughout the duration of the project with the client kept informed of all critical dates. The final result was a beautiful build met on time and in budget with minimal disruption as installation took place overnight, with an ongoing relationship to build more CREED retail sites moving forward into 2017.

www.theattic-room.co.uk

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column

Karl McKeever

Is Mike Ashley in line to be the next Mr Selfridge? For anyone who has visited a Sports Direct store, famous for selling high volumes of goods at low prices, it might come as something of a surprise to see that owner Mike Ashley is planning to transform the brand into the ‘Selfridges of sport’. Following the firm’s sale of Dunlop at the end of last year, retail analysts have suggested that it will shed more of its existing brands, while investing heavily in its luxury retailer, Flannels. It is, of course, easy to see why a move into the premium market looks so attractive. As well as being able to tap into the spending power of middle and high-income earners, retailers can also foster the kind of loyalty associated with top-end brands like Chanel, Rolex and Mercedes. But, achieving those upmarket credentials is no easy task and, at the moment, it is questionable whether Sports Direct could deliver the in-store experience that third party brands might demand. In last month’s column, I talked about the store experiences being created by Adidas and Nike that I witnessed during my recent visit to New York. Both seem to be a world away from what Sports Direct, a stockist of both, is offering. As they grow, many discount operators eventually decide to add value by moving away from ‘low end’ practices such as stocking poor quality products and not paying attention to shop layout. It is a transition that has been successfully undertaken by Aldi and Lidl in recent years, as both have increased their market share by appealing to the masses and become credible alternatives to the other major supermarkets, while still pushing low prices. This shows that, over time, real change can happen as long as it is considered, supported and properly embedded in the company structure. After all, just a decade ago, it would have seemed impossible that the traditional Sainsbury’s shopper would consider switching to Aldi. It would therefore not take a great leap of faith to imagine the changes that could be implemented at Sports Direct if it wanted to reach a new market. Mike Ashley is often vilified in the press, but he is a successful and determined businessman. There is no reason why any retailer shouldn’t aim to become ‘better’ and, with hard Karl McKeever is founder and managing director of visual merchandising and brand delivery consultancy Visual Thinking.

Email Karl at karl@retailfocus.co karlmckeever www.visualthinking.co.uk

work and focus, positive change is possible. To realise its ambitions, Sports Direct must start by embracing the kind of retail standards that shoppers expect at stores like Selfridges. If it genuinely seeks to foster credibility and trust for any new brand proposition moving forward, it must mirror this. From a visual merchandising perspective, there are some obvious steps that Sports Direct must take to attract new shoppers. Guerilla promotions, like the neon hand-written signs with the words ‘everything reduced’, might be eye-catching but they can also be off-putting for shoppers who prefer a softer approach. Among the budget brands, the battle is turning to a message of quality as well as low prices. Far from a balancing act; it’s an opportunity — one that the likes of easyJet, arguably the modern pioneer of low-cost, has managed to ‘own’ in recent years. By not only transforming its business model and updating its brand identity, it has also reinvigorated hearts and minds within the business to deliver real success. Knee-jerk changes can alienate existing shoppers, while failing to win over new ones, so this process needs to be managed effectively, ensuring that store teams are engaged and closely aligned with the retailer’s objectives. If Sports Direct does want to become the ‘Selfridges of sport’ then investment, beyond just store design, will be needed. The same is true of any retailer seeking to redefine and relaunch. There are many mature but under-pressure retailers out there who may be contemplating similar plans. But, in the current climate, simply ploughing investment into another costly ‘store of the future’ concept that makes headlines but not a visible difference to the bottomline, is nonsensical to me. Perhaps, refreshingly, it will to Mike Ashley too. In the past year, Sports Direct has suffered high staff turnover — not just at its Derbyshire headquarters but also among store managers, amid concerns about working conditions. Coupled with a focus on ‘lean teams’, it becomes clear that this is not sustainable, and investment in knowledge and skills is needed to effect real change. Regardless of what comes next, the time is surely now right for Sports Direct to define its proposition so that it can introduce consistent change across its stores. A key part of this will be ensuring that store teams have a thorough understanding of what good looks like and how they can achieve retail excellence in store every day. The kind of in-store best practice that comes as second nature to supplier brands such as Nike, Adidas, and not to mention other mainstream retailers, have taken the decision to adopt a ‘premium’ proposition. Supporters of Newcastle United may often be frustrated by his reluctance to spend big on the pitch, but as an astute businessman, Mike Ashley undoubtedly knows that spending right is more important. In practical terms in store, that surely means Sports Direct and other retailers like them, start by getting the basics right before rushing towards the promise of a more exciting future.

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project focus

Lululemon Regent Street, London Design: Dalziel & Pow Opening date: January 2017 Store size: 590 sq m What started as a humble yoga studio in Vancouver, Canada in 1998 has grown to become a global brand with more than 380 stores worldwide. Athletic apparel company Lululemon opened its first European store in London’s Covent Garden in 2014 and, three years later, has opened a two-storey flagship space on Regent Street. At 590 sq m, the new store is the brand’s largest in Europe and second in the world only to the New York flagship which opened in 2015. It replaces Gant (which has relocated to 184-186 Regent Street) and is designed to offer a ‘retail space with a difference’, helping visitors to escape from the buzz of the city and find stillness,

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happiness and fun. The overall aesthetic of the store has a classic and refined feel. ‘Bringing a sense of calm as soon as you walk in the door, the colour palette transports you from the bustling streets outside to a haven of cool clean greys and marbles with hints of decadent bronze,’ says a spokesperson for Lululemon, which collaborated with Dalziel & Pow on the store design concept. ‘With the colours, it was essential to feel premium but to allow the products to stand out, so it was important for [the] design to be clean, warm and neutral.’ A number of design elements have been tailor-made for the space and are unique to the UK, from the concierge desk welcoming guests into the store and relaxing cafe area, to the technology behind the digital movement installation and the interactive dressing room. At the entrance to the store is a mannequin display, showcasing the latest Lululemon collections. For the store opening,


project focus

the area was used to exhibit the limited-edition collaboration with the MA Fashion Course at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. The ground floor houses the concierge desk as well as fitting rooms, a cash desk with large digital screens showcasing product stories and store ambassador films, and a digital movement installation which aims to provide a ‘playful and poetic’ interactive experience. Located towards the rear of the space, the life-size screen detects movement from the yoga mat positioned in front and transforms the user’s poses into dynamic and evanescent sculptures of colour. ‘Once still, the particles are drawn towards you, filling your silhouette, flowing around your body and creating a unique piece of artwork from the energy within,’ explains the spokesperson. A new central staircase leads visitors to the first floor ‘community space’, which is curated to create a relaxed atmosphere and sense of belonging. The space houses the first

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cafe from Neat Nutrition, the all-natural protein brand found by Lululemon ambassadors and former international swimmers, Lee Forster and Charlie Turner, as well as a yoga area providing complimentary classes, and an interactive fitting room, which allows customers to see the reflective features on the clothing (laser beams highlight the reflective elements in the surrounding mirrors). The store opened in January 2017 and is described as a place to stretch, sweat, connect and enjoy the latest collections.

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Primark

Amsterdam, The Netherlands Design: HMKM Opening date: December 2016 Store size: 8,270 sq m In the heart of Amsterdam on Damrak sits a new 8,270 sq m Primark store that celebrates the distinctive architectural heritage and dynamic contemporary spirit of the city. Spread across seven floors, the store interior blends tradition with bold modern statements to create a youthful, engaging experience that echoes the fashion retailer’s own brand qualities. Designed by London-based HMKM, the visual language of the store is inspired by the tall, gable-fronted houses which line the city’s waterways, with their combinations of rich embellishment, warm domestic spaces and honest, functional detail. In parallel, Amsterdam’s enduringly open, welcoming, tolerant attitude led HMKM to interpret the space as an ‘open house’, responsive to new ideas and woven into the city’s intricate fabric. The store’s interior and graphic languages are closely intertwined throughout, from the giant fret-cut city map which anchors the ground floor’s trend space to the line-illustrated panels that overlay the walls on the womenswear levels, in traditional shades of ochre, clay and aqua blues. A dramatic cross-tile floor pattern, based on similar patterns used widely across the city’s public and private spaces, defines key circulation routes throughout, and flips on its side to create a six-storeyhigh tile-patterned wall that soars through the building’s central atrium. In keeping with the bustle and activity of the old docks, the ground floor features broad entrances and high ceilings, allowing the interior to be flooded with natural light. ‘Industrial frames, exposed columns and graphic lighting grids underline the sense of raw materiality, played off against shimmering polycarbonate accents, fragmented graphic panels and angled glass fins, which reflect the subtle refractions of the city’s canals,’ explains HMKM. It’s a sensation that is mirrored on the floor below, where the menswear department is immersed in deep underwater tones. The central section of the store is devoted to womenswear and takes its

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The store interior blends tradition with bold modern statements to create a youthful, engaging experience.

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inspiration from the domestic feel of the canal houses’s living quarters. Here, warmer tones of ochre, mustard and coral emerge on graphic wall panelling, while floor finishes lighten from deep greys to subtle neutral tones. On the upper levels, which house homewares, childrenswear and lingerie, the floor plate expands and sightlines open up, offering panoramic views across the city’s skyline. The material palette also shifts towards a more utilitarian sensibility, with sterling-board wall cladding, planes of timber-strip flooring, and ceiling rafts formed from exposed insulation panels. ‘The end result is a store which celebrates context, with a unique architectural language which respects its location whilst staying true to the demands of a fast-paced 21st century fashion retailer,’ says HMKM.

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Pret Verde Victoria, London

Design: David Collins Studio Opening date: November 2016 Store size: 250 sq m

Sandwich chain Pret A Manger has opened a new concept store in the Victoria Verde development, where the company has relocated its London-based headquarters. Named after its location, Pret Verde sits on the ground floor of the building and is designed in collaboration with David Collins Studio, which is responsible for the current store design globally. At 250 sq m, the Pret Verde store takes its starting point from the brand’s ‘natural and honest’ approach. David Collins Studio has created a design that encompasses the brand’s iconic and familiar aesthetic, while incorporating subtle references to 1950’s

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project focus

The series of seating elements in store are chosen to reflect the ethos of, and brand itself.

designer Mathieu Mategot through the use of perforated metal, and to contemporary industrial design through the use of blonde wood veneers and plywood. The space is divided into three separate zones; each in cohesion with the overall aesthetic through the use of the signature wood, metal and decorative finishes, including exposed white-washed brickwork and the application of the signature Pret A Manger burgundy. The first zone is realised in metals and allows for quick service for those buying food and coffee to go. The second zone, which is demarcated by differing materials including woods and white textured tiles, features high stools and poseur tables, allowing customers to check their smartphones and tablets. Meanwhile, the third zone offers richly coloured upholstered chairs and oak tables for those visitors wishing to stay longer.

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Here, perforated screens create a sense of privacy between seating groups, set against timber strip panelled walls. The series of seating elements in store are chosen to reflect the ethos of, and brand itself. The star banquette, for example, takes it inspiration from the brand’s logo in its side profile, and uses blonde oak and red leather upholstery, while the dining chairs in brushed steel are upholstered in green leather seating or finished in perforated blonde moulded plywood. The lighting design includes wall lights featuring the brand’s star motif and decorative fittings that use sheets of perforated metal to gently diffuse light within the space. In the evening, the refrigerators are concealed with decorative perforated timber access doors to create a calmer ambience.


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sports retail

Changing the game As the sportswear market continues to perform well, specialist brands are raising their game and competing with authentic, personalised and immersive in-store retail experiences, finds Retail Focus. At the opening of Nike Soho in New York last November, Heidi O’Neill, Nike’s president of global direct to consumer, claimed that the brand was leading the transformation of sports retail. The 5,110 sq m store, which is spread across five floors, is inspired by the lifestyle of modern sport and places emphasis on community and experience, with a personalisation studio and a number of trial spaces, including a Nike+ basketball trial zone that spans a half court. ‘With Nike Soho we can realise the promise of personalised performance,’ says O’Neill. ‘Whether you’re training for a marathon, shooting hoops or doing drills on our in-store court, or if you love sneakers, Nike Soho will help you raise your game, because it’s more than a store, it’s a personal sport experience.’

Above : The Nike+ Running Trial Zone at Nike Soho allows consumers to test out shoes on a treadmill with screen options for Central Park and the West Side Highway.

Text: Gemma Balmford

For Nike+ members, the store offers premium services that streamline and enhance the shopping and membership experience, including the ability to book one-to-one appointments, easy returns, 30-day product trials and access to programming via the Nike+, Nike+ Run Club, Nike+ Training Club and Nike+ SNKRS apps. ‘Experience is the new social currency and sportswear brands are at the forefront of understanding the value of this, using experiential marketing to forge stronger relationships with consumers and increase long-term brand loyalty,’ says Bernadette Kissane, apparel and footwear analyst at market research firm, Euromonitor. A month after the launch of Nike Soho, Adidas opened its own high-profile store in New York, promising a ‘consumer-powered brand experience to athletes craving a more tailored, personal and creative connection to sport’. The Fifth Avenue flagship is the brand’s largest store worldwide, offering real-time fitness consultations, healthy juices and snacks, a concierge desk and personalised shopping experiences such as the Run Genie gait analysis tool. ‘adidas NYC will constantly challenge the status quo and what consumers expect when they go to a store,’ claims Mark King, adidas group North America president. ‘We’re giving consumers an experience that’s really authentic to them.’

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sports retail Below: The Nike+ Basketball Trial Zone at Nike Soho spans nearly an entire half court and enables customers to shoot hoops, test basketball shoes and do custom drills with the guidance of in-store certified store athletes.

Right (clockwise from top left): Under Armour’s new Boston Brand House is an interactive retail space; Lululemon opened a new flagship store on Regent Street in January, designed by Dalziel & Pow, adidas opened its largest store worldwide in 2016, on New York’s Fifth Avenue.

Inspired by high school stadiums, the store features a tunnel entrance, stands for live-game viewing on big screens, locker rooms instead of dressing rooms, and track and field areas where consumers can test and experience products. In Boston’s Back Bay, Under Armour is also raising its game with the opening of Boston Brand House, a 1,765 sq m interactive retail space featuring digital displays, a readiness/skill test experience and a wall map that follows a run path from the perspective of the brand’s Connected Fitness running community. The global performance brand is also expected to open a flagship store in New York City by the end of 2018 at the former FAO Schwarz toy store on Fifth Avenue. ‘The leading sports brands have been pioneers in creating innovative in-store retail experiences,’ observes Samantha Dover, retail analyst at market research company, Mintel. ‘As young people increasingly prioritise experiences over things, the sports goods retailers have been quick to align themselves, unveiling store

concepts that are built around consumer lifestyles and the rising interest in health and wellness. Such brands are using exercise classes, health-focused cafes, immersive digital experiences and in-store brand ambassadors to engage with shoppers on a level that goes beyond pure product selling.’ In the UK, New Balance recently opened a flagship store on London’s Oxford Street while Under Armour is reportedly in talks to takeover French Connection’s Oxford Street flagship for its first standalone UK store. And, around the corner on Regent Street, Canadian athletic apparel brand Lululemon has just launched its largest European store with several design elements tailor-made for the space and unique to the UK (see page 28). ‘Lululemon is elegantly championing the balancing act of connecting with customers on the grassroots level while also establishing itself as a global sports brand powerhouse, thanks to integrating community-focused initiatives while also carving out tourist-luring flagships,’ notes Stefanie Dorfer, retail editor

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sports retail

‘We’re giving consumers an experience that’s really authentic to them.’ Mark King, adidas

at innovation research and advisory firm, Stylus. ‘[The] London flagship represents a very interesting example of a hybridised store experience (courtesy of it’s retail, health cafe and fitness spaces) that appears to have the capacity to simultaneously function as both a local-centric, community-relevant venue as well as a tourist magnet. Features such as the unusually open floor space that doubles as a yoga studio, the concierge desk dispensing local advice and the overtly centralised cafe with it’s deliciously tactile long bar, effectively offer a route into the London wellness scene that’s potentially as exciting for locals as it is international visitors.’ Besides looking for growth outside traditional distribution channels, specialist brands are also focusing on opening their own stores to give them greater control over storytelling and the entire customer experience, as well as tapping into new and existing communities, believes Dorfer. ‘Nike, Lululemon, Under Armour and Adidas are flipping the traditional sports retail model and focusing on experience over product in their flagships.’

‘Sportswear brands have recognised the value in opening flagship stores for their impact on brand awareness and the marketing opportunities they present,’ agrees Amelia Falco, design director at Gensler, which has worked with the likes of NBA and The North Face. ‘They also realise that opening their own stores allows them to completely control the look and feel of their brand, and the customer experience.’ According to Euromonitor, the global sportswear market is expected to grow by five per cent in 2017, predominantly fuelled by on-going demand for both sports-inspired and performance apparel. ‘Sportswear is one of the most innovative industries, both in terms of product development but also the retail space,’ says Kissane. ‘Leading behemoths will continue to expand their own store network, exploring the impact of experience retail on bottom line returns. Additionally, it is likely we will continue to see localised approaches to marketing, with an emphasis on building lifestyle brands and developing communities.’

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showrooms

JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY As well as bridging the gap between online and offline, showrooms provide inspirational spaces for face-to-face consultation and multisensory exploration of what a retailer has to offer, finds Retail Focus. Text: Lyndsey Dennis

Multisensory brand experiences seduce people through the doors, and many retailers are using showrooms as a way of connecting with their customer base more closely. Not only do they provide a memorable in-store experience, they also open up the brand and provide insight, a deeper background and more personal touch. Online homeware and furniture retailer MADE.COM launched six years ago with the aim of making great design accessible to everyone, later opening physical showrooms in the UK, Paris, Germany and Amsterdam, as well as a series of pop-ups. ‘The primary function of our showrooms is to allow customers to see, feel, try and take away fabric samples if required. However, as the showroom spaces are designed to act as a bridge between the online and the offline, it is also possible to place orders online at the showroom on our bank of Macs. Each showroom also contains NFC-enabled tablets, which allow our customers to tap on products that they like and build up a wishlist. This wish list can then be emailed to themselves to purchase at home,’ says Rebecca Ruddle, head of showrooms at MADE.COM. Hillarys Blinds has chosen a showroom concept for its first

stand-alone store, located in Bristol. ‘Research has shown there is still a proportion of customers who want to see and touch the products before they buy, in a traditional retail environment,’ says Ollie Patterson, marketing manager at Mynt Design, which designed the space. ‘The showroom allows customers to do just this, supported by an experienced store team to provide advice and make in-home appointments for an advisor to measure. Hillarys’ website, brochures and showroom will all sync seamlessly for a reassuring customer journey.’ Patterson believes the showroom format will form the basis for many future retail concepts. ‘This concept, coupled with relevant, intelligent digital tech, will be more advantageous to certain sectors, such as automotive obviously, but also homeware environments and/or for stores where demonstrations need to take place. ‘In the future, brands will want to create more functional, reactive and flexible environments as, in my opinion, product personalisation and personalised brand storytelling will play a huge role in the future of retail. The ability to touch and feel product is the one main thing which online doesn’t offer. With the whole world becoming more social, I think stores will start to become more social in terms of a relaxed sales process and easy-to-update in-store brand storytelling — intelligent store formats and digital will play a vital part in this,’ conitnues Patterson. For the Hansgrohe Water Studio in Clerkenwell, the brief for branding and interior design agency I-AM was to create a living,

Above: The primary function of MADE.COM’s showrooms is to allow customers to see, feel, try and take away fabric samples. Left: Designed by Callison RTKL, Interceramic’s design showroom in Dallas provides a full service experience for customers to interact with the product, view installations and work with experts to create custom interior spaces.

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agile, usable experience to showcase Hansgrohe/AXOR products and performance through expertise, advice, heritage, and to bring to life the reason for its position of authority in the marketplace: ‘Design, Innovation and Engineering’. It provides architects and designers with not only a valuable resource, but also a venue for project development sessions and A&D community events. I-AM expressed Hansgrohe’s passion for water and harnessing its power in people’s lives, and to “make the invisible visible”, revealing in an experiential way the leading innovation and engineering that is the company’s DNA. Features include a digitally projected, 4D-mapped waterfall artwork that forms the backdrop to the ‘working water’ fittings showcase. Pete Champion, group partner and strategy director at I-AM, believes retail spaces have to become more experiential, shifting away from being transactional spaces to inspirational venues for face-to-face consultation and multisensory exploration of what a brand or retailer has to offer — after all, this is what the term ‘showrooming’ alludes to. ‘Consumers still fundamentally buy with the heart rather than the head, which means despite the convenience of internet shopping — a wonderful tool for transactions — they will always be drawn to retail spaces that seduce them through a multisensory brand experience conceived from a deep understanding of what makes them tick.’ Over in Dallas, Texas, Interceramic’s design showroom provides a full service experience for customers to interact with the product, view installations and work with industry experts to create custom interior spaces. CallisonRTKL created ‘works of art’ from the company’s tile selection that allows the customer to think creatively. The industrial feel and clean lines reference an artist’s gallery. ‘The showroom was designed to inspire customers, to allow them to interact with the product and to be a part of a design community,’ says Kyle Jeffrey, vice president of CallisonRTKL. ‘Rather than focusing on value, as they had in the past, Interceramic’s new showroom is designed around a lifestyle. The new design offers a comfortable, creative, studio-like atmosphere.’ A library wall encourages customer interaction with both the product and the showroom specialist, and large layout tables create a design workstation that showcase Interceramic’s entire tile line. ‘We framed zones to take the customer through all the product lines and categories. A central chef’s kitchen with two large islands is located on the sales floors. It is multifunctional, both a

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Left: In 2016, designer Tom Dixon opened two showrooms in America, following successful spaces in London and Japan. Above: Loaf Shack includes a variety of fun and interactive elements, ranging from an ice cream parlour to old school chill-out aras and The Snugville Mattress Testing Area. Below from left to right: Hillarys Blinds has chosen a showroom concept for its first stand-alone store, located in Bristol. At The Hansgrohe Water Studio, I-AM created a brand experience that integrates moving, working water as well as more abstract, artistic features.

continuing education hub for the design industry and a community event space,’ explains Jeffrey. ‘The future of retail is experiential, not transactional. With the “works of art” display, pop-up zone and community spaces, this unconventional tile showroom is also a place to interact, discover and engage with Interceramic’s products in a personal and memorable way.’ Online to showroom In 2016, designer Tom Dixon opened two showrooms in America, following successful spaces in London and Japan. Tom Dixon x Curve in Los Angeles saw the designer collaborate with multicity fashion boutique CURVE alongside real estate developer The Runyon Group to create a more engaging and active way of showcasing products. The Shop New York allows Dixon to showcase his newest innovations and host a basement workshop for interior designers, full of material samples, prototypes and decorative items. In 2015, online furniture and accessories retailer Loaf launched the Loaf Shack showroom in Battersea, followed by a Notting Hill showroom last year. Fun and interactive elements include an ice cream parlour, old school chill-out areas and The Snugville Mattress Testing Area. The website, brochure and Loaf Shack all sync seamlessly for an enriched customer journey. For founder Charlie Marshall, ‘Loaf’s move to bricks and clicks is all about reaffirming our brand and giving customers a fantastic experience.’


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opinion

Sharing’s Caring Peter Cooper, director of asset management UK Retail at Hammerson, explores the growth of the sharing economy.

Dixon Carphone’s CEO, Seb James, recently revealed a new retail model that looks to ‘redefine the industry’, based around the growing sharing economy. Rather than selling a product, customers at Dixons Carphone sign up to a monthly membership fee in a move aimed at retaining customer loyalty and adapting to the changing attitudes towards ownership. Our own research, published in conjunction with Verdict, revealed that this ‘redefined retail’ is likely to become more and more prevalent as the shopping habits of millennials (those born between 1982–2004) impact the industry. With more than half of millennials (53 per cent) having used a sharing economy business in the past year, it is clear that attitudes towards ownership amongst this group are vastly different to previous generations. Home ownership, for example, has long been considered a fundamental milestone of adulthood in the UK, yet our research showed not only that over half of millennials (54 per cent) never expect to own a home in the absence of some form of parental or other financial assistance, but nearly a quarter (23.8 per cent) don’t perceive this to be an issue. For a generation that finds holidaying in a stranger’s home perfectly acceptable, and for whom physical collections of music, photography and film are a relic of the past, the necessity of owning certain products other than for heritage reasons is fast becoming questionable and even redundant. This could be down to the pace of change in today’s world — why buy something which is likely to suffer fading appeal and performance within months as upgrades arrive? Even signing up to a two-year phone

contract these days is likely to invite resentment from the millennial generation. Who wants to sit through a laborious booking process with a travel agent when a quick email direct to the owner can bag you a luxurious villa for two weeks over the summer? A desire to cut costs where possible, combined with the need for instant gratification and for the latest trend means that, if anything, ownership of certain product categories can be a hindrance for this group. Social media has been another factor fuelling this ‘unlearn’. Platforms like Instagram allow us ordinary folk a supposed glimpse into the professional and personal lives of glamorous celebrities — what they wear, what and where they eat, where they go. Surprisingly, large numbers of people want to align with the stars and replicate the lifestyles. Less surprisingly, forward-thinking brands are tapping into this seam of sales potential by closely following celebrity engagement, turning around fashion lines immediately to rush an affordable version of the designer styles seen on the red carpet into stores and online. But, the sharing economy has the potential to take this further. By offering designer clothes, handbags and accessories for rent, there is the potential to open up the luxury market to millennials who are more than happy to lease the otherwise unattainable, enabling access to a vast range of options while reducing cost, complication and clutter in the process. The sharing economy also promotes the use of physical retail space to research brand expansion. With some agents now solely specialising in providing short-term space for rent, start-ups, pureplay online brands and niche retailers

have the opportunity to try new markets in new locations, creating meaningful customer relationships. Our own pop-up environment at Bullring’s LinkStreet in Birmingham was designed purely for this purpose and we’ve seen London-based names such as Cereal Killer Café and online retailers such as Made.com take space for anything from a matter of weeks to a few months as they look to capitalise on the growing Birmingham market. PwC research published in 2016 for the European Commission shows that the sharing economy in the UK is the fastest growing in Europe, with a total of £7.4 billion transactions in 2015. With this in mind, the retail industry has an opportunity to be at the forefront of this growth, and forward-thinking initiatives like that of Dixons Carphone are leading the way, with their announcement showing an early indication of how seriously the retail industry is taking the sharing economy. BMW’s Drive Now, already highly visible on nearly every street in Berlin, is another example directed at the same principle. Locking in loyalty through constant upgrades and instant flexibility is one fascinating direction of travel for the retail sector.

www.hammerson.com

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@retailfocus

VKF Renzel Tel.: 01527 878311 • sales@vkf-renzel.co.uk • www.vkf-renzel.co.uk Anzeige_Sep2016.indd 1

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15.09.16 12:37


st james’s market

ST JAMES’S MARKET

Text: Lyndsey Dennis

St James’s Market brings together world-class modern architecture with preserved historic façades in the heart of London’s West End. For decades, Lower Regent Street — now named Regent Street St James’s — and the surrounding roads that form the heart of St James’s have been the poor relative of Regent Street and Piccadilly, but not anymore. In partnership with Oxford Properties, The Crown Estate is developing St James’s Market, which will introduce more than 24,154 sq m of contemporary offices, shops and restaurants centred around a new public square. As part of The Crown Estate’s long-term investment strategy across Regent Street and St James’s, this landmark £400 million redevelopment includes the refurbishment of two historic blocks — 14-20 Regent Street and 52-56 Haymarket — alongside newly developed space, right in the heart of the West End. The design, by Make Architects, is sympathetic with the surrounding architecture and will retain the heritage façade of the Regent Street block as well as echo the materials and scale of the neighbouring buildings using a mixture of solid and curved stone, characteristic of the St James’s Conservation area. Already the development has extended St James’s towards Haymarket to reclaim the site of the historical market, restore the link to the Royal Opera Arcade to the south, and expand the unique character of the

shopping and leisure destination. ‘We have embarked upon a £500 million investment programme across our St James’s portfolio, which includes Jermyn Street, Regent Street St James’s and around half the buildings in the area. Our vision is to secure the area’s long-term future through enhancing its reputation as a destination for high-quality shopping and dining, protecting its niche in the West End, and preserving its world class heritage,’ says Anthea Harries, portfolio manager for St James’s. ‘With St James’s Market we have created 19,509 sq m of new, modern office accommodation, six flagship stores for best-inclass lifestyle and fashion brands, and seven new restaurants, all set within over half an acre of revitalised public space.’ St James’s Market has attracted a number of international retail and restaurant occupiers. ‘Our retail mix is broad in the new St James’s Market development, bringing what we hope is an exciting range for both locals and visitors alike. To date, new openings are Jigsaw’s St James’s Emporium, Assos, Paul & Shark and Smeg due to open in the coming months. Restaurants already trading are Aquavit from New York; a new concept, Veneta, from the Salt Yard group; Anzu, a Japanese concept brasserie and the latest to open, Ole & Steen bakery from Denmark. The Urban Tea

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st james’s market

History

Rooms will open this spring along with two more restaurant offerings,’ continues Harries. Away from the landmark St James’s Market project, Aquascutum will launch a new, expanded menswear flagship store on Jermyn Street, while outerwear brand Arc’teryx Equipment has taken the final two retail units at the Eagle Place development, already home to globally renowned brands such as Joseph Cheaney & Sons, La Martina’s, Tiger of Sweden, Barbour International, Osprey, Sunspel, and royal warrant holder Grosvenor Shirts. Specialist high-end cycle and accessory retailer The Bike Rooms has opened its first London flagship store in Regent Street St James’s. In terms of target audience, Harries believes the area will attract discerning, stylish consumers who appreciate the brands and environment. ‘Younger consumers, both men and women, are being drawn into the area by our world class international restaurants and newer retail brands. With the opening of six flagship retail stores and seven restaurants, we feel the development offers visitors a unique blend that can satisfy an eclectic mix of consumer tastes, whilst all building upon St James’s trademarks of quality, craftsmanship and bespoke customer service. ‘More widely across St James’s, over the last 18 months we have implemented a strategy to bring in contemporary brands such as Tiger of Sweden, Norwegian Rain and Sunspel to sit beside established heritage brands in St James’s. Pop-up stores like Wonderland and the arrival of Dover Street Market, and opening up space to designers like Lou Dalton and COTTWEILER during LFWM have also meant we have been able to raise the area’s profile with the fashion conscious crowd.’ St James’s Market is now a distinctive, recognisable place — somewhere to work, shop, dine, socialise and relax. The scheme has given the area a new identity that reconnects it to both its historical context and the future of St James’s as a high-end commercial, retail and public destination.

Top : Jigsaw’s St James’s Emporium, designed by Dalziel & Pow. Right : Cycling brand ASSOS of Switzerland opened its first international concept store in November at St James’s Market, designed by Ab Rogers.

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During the 17th century several new developments and large mansions were established to the west of the old City of London, where aristocrats and the wealthy could be close to the royal palaces. One of those developments was the new suburb of St James’s. As the name suggests, St James’s Market was originally the provisions market serving the houses of St James’s. Today, a new development is returning the site to its former identity, by serving the local population of St James’s with amenity space and a public square.


news

Did you know we stock the largest range of LED Decorative Filament Bulbs in the UK

Download the new brochure from our website For more details, visit us at

.co.uk

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LOOSE LAY VINYL FLOOR TILES

NEW The Expona SimpLay collection of loose lay vinyl tiles and planks offers 38 authentic reproductions of beautiful natural and abstract materials presented in an adhesive-free heavy commercial product, designed to reduce installation time.

Find out more at www.polyflor.com/exponasimplay Order your free brochure and samples from the Polyflor website or by calling 0161 767 2551

2506 Grey Country Oak Free of charge samples

POLYFLOR LTD. PO BOX 3 RADCLIFFE NEW RD WHITEFIELD MANCHESTER M45 7NR TEL: 0161 767 1122 FAX: 0161 767 1128 E-MAIL: INFO@POLYFLOR.COM WWW.POLYFLOR.COM


products

FLOORING Karndean Designflooring Karndean Designflooring is introducing its sophisticated Kaleidoscope Floorstyle tool for architects, interior designers and flooring contractors looking to create a bespoke floor design. karndean.com/kaleidoscopefloorstyle is a user-friendly interactive specification tool and features all six geometric Kaleidoscope designs — Apex, Cubix, Pyramid, Tripoint, Pennon and Hexa — with more than 100 colourways to choose from in its established wood and stone designs. Empowering architects and interior designers at the point of specification, users can select from various commercial spaces including office, restaurant and retail, and try out different laying patterns, angles and colourways to create their Kaleidoscope floor design. ‘Kaleidoscope has taken the design community to the next level and enabled specifiers to create a unique floor design with shapes and patterns at the forefront,’ says Matthew Speck, commercial sales director of Karndean Designflooring. ‘Kaleidoscope Floorstyle allows the design community to take control and visualise their bespoke designs in an easy to use online tool. There’s no limit on the number of design combinations, and with 100 colourways to choose from designers can push the boundaries to create a statement floor.’ Once Kaleidoscope designs have been created, users can save their favourite combinations and add free samples to their basket on karndean.com. There is also a CAD service, allowing users to transfer designs to an external CAD or 3D modelling program. Kaleidoscope by Karndean Designflooring contains popular shapes and patterns, such as hexagons, chevrons and cubes to name but a few, that can be cut in several colour combinations across Karndean’s established wood and stone designs. Kaleidoscope also introduces block colourways, giving designers the ability to specify bright colours against wood and stone for added visual interest in commercial spaces. T. +44 (0)1386 820 104 E. commercial@karndean.co.uk www.karndean.com Twitter: KarndeanComm

Junckers

Polyflor

Junckers is launching two new grey solid hardwood floors, Twilight Grey and Oyster Grey. Made in beech, the new floors are pre-finished with grey colouring and finished in UltraMatt Lacquer. Twilight Grey is a deep, darker shade of grey that lends a contemporary look to an interior and its particularly effective when used alongside other strong, dark colours. Oyster Grey is a lighter, more subtle shade with a hint of grey to enhance the natural grain structure of the wood. Solid beech is one of the most hardwearing timber species and ideal for flooring. The two new grey floors are available in Junckers’ Harmony grade with some colour and structural grade variation, 14mm or 22mm thick and 129mm wide boards.

Polyflor has launched Silentflor PUR, a collection of heavy commercial sheet vinyl flooring with acoustic properties, available in a variety of high design wood, concrete and abstract effects. Silentflor is a robust, beautifully designed collection that achieves 19dB impact sound reduction and has been expertly created for a wide range of commercial interiors, such as installations in the healthcare, office, education, residential, retail and leisure sectors. Made in the UK, this flooring range includes 36 designs in a 3.7mm gauge and 0.65mm wear layer sheet format.

T. +44 (0)1376 534 700 E. enquiries@junckers.co.uk www.junckers.co.uk Twitter: junckersfloors

T. +44 (0)161 767 1111 E: info@polyflor.com www.polyflor.com Twitter: Polyflorltd

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RETAIL

Clements Retail specialise in building exceptional retail environments and have a history of working with the UK’s top retailers, such as Aelia Duty Free and Christian Louboutin.

Clements POS are dedicated in creating exceptional Point of Sale, Point of Purchase and Permanent Merchandising solutions for UK’s premium FMCG brands, such as: KraftHeinz, Innocent and Samsung.

TURNING DESIGN CONCEPTS INTO A GLORIOUS REALITY Clements are a well-established, two-fold design, manufacture and installation company with a proven track record in creating award-winning environments, point-of-purchase, permanent merchandise solutions and in-store furniture.

T: 44(0)116 235 5000 W: www.clementsretail.com E: sarah@clementsretail.com


products

SURFACES & FINISHES Armourcoat Decorative specialist Armourcoat presented its wide range of wall finishes for the first time at the Surface Design Show earlier this month. The exclusive range includes the Duncan MacKellar Signature Polished Plaster Collection. Devised by Armourcoat founder and creative director, Duncan MacKellar, the Signature finishes reflect his unique creativity and passion, with an expert understanding of decorative plaster techniques. The collection is inspired by an Italian heritage and MacKellar’s artistic interpretation of natural forms and surface effects. T. +44 (0)1732 460 668 E: sales@armourcoat.co.uk www.armourcoat.com Twitter: Armourcoat

nora flooring systems nora systems offers a diverse range of environmentally friendly floor coverings. Rubber flooring is fast becoming one of the first choices for resilient flooring, with strong eco credentials, low maintenance and a long lifecycle. It is widely recognised as the best long-term solution for contract flooring projects. Options range from timeless classic designs like the norament pastille flooring, to the world’s first certified environmentally compatible floor construction system — nora system blue, right through to the new rapid installation system, nora nTx. T. +44 (0)1788 513 160 E. info-uk@nora.com www.nora.com/uk Twitter: noraflooring

James Latham

Fila UK

James Latham’s new showroom at the Business Design Centre in Islington has given the company a permanent presence in the Capital and is already proving to be a major success with the architect and design community. Showcasing an enormous range of exclusive and semi-exclusive materials, the facility has been created to inspire architects and designers, provide expert advice and enable them to keep abreast of the latest trends and developments in surface solutions.

Surface care specialist, Fila focused on its growing support division — FILA PROJECT DIVISION — at the Surface Design Show earlier this month. Set up to provide continual assistance to manufacturers, planners, contractors and builders, the division offers services spanning from advice on daily cleaning regimes to extraordinary maintenance. FILA PROJECT DIVISION delivers a turnkey service for site management. Working alongside clients, Fila treatment specialists assist in identifying the best solutions for cleaning, protection and maintenance of any surface. Support spans from feasibility study to analysis of materials through laboratory tests, and from on-site technical assistance, to management of ordinary and extraordinary maintenance. Recent UK projects include the Devonshire Club (pictured), London’s most glamorous Private Members destination, and Cumbrian Homes’ exclusive Carleton Manor Park development.

T. +44 (0)116 257 3415 E. marketing@lathams.co.uk www.lathamtimber.co.uk Twitter: lathamsltd

T. +44 (0)1584 877 286 E. filauk@filasolutions.com www.filasolutions.com Twitter: Filasurfacecare

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products

DESIGN DETAILS Doro Tape (UK) Every so often a new product comes along that can honestly be called a ‘game changer’. The Aslan SE75 is a brand new self-adhesive mirror effect film. Its highly reflective finish is so good, when applied to a smooth surface, it gives a near perfect mirror finish. If you think that’s good, then imagine a self-adhesive film with that mirror effect on both sides, which is completely scratch resistant and can be plotter cut to any shape required and there you have the new Aslan SE75. The applications in any environment are endless and the design possibilities huge. Contact Doro Tape for samples. T. +44 (0)1858 431 642 E. sales@dorotape.co.uk www.dorotape.co.uk Twitter: doro_tape

Spectral Lighting Taking centre stage at Spectral Lighting’s Surface Design Show stand this month was the Iris L, a larger variation on the popular IRIS LED luminaire. IRIS has a striking and memorable design and is made with dual-sided LED Boards, bringing the benefits of highly efficient LED lighting to its visually stunning aesthetic. The unobtrusive circular construction draws the eye through, enhancing exposed ceilings and the geometry of any backdrop. Iris can be specified in wall mounted, recessed ceiling mounted or ceiling surface mounted versions. T. +44 (0)1279 450 882 E. enquiries@spectral-lighting.co.uk www.spectral-lighting.co.uk Twitter: SpectralByRIDI

The Sign Group The hotly anticipated full range of vintage filament bulbs from WeLoveLeds IS finally available. With 31 styles to choose from and 28 of them LED, you won’t find a larger range of quality vintage filament bulbs anywhere. The company has been developing the range for more than one year, and can’t wait to show off the beautiful designs. To compliment the bulbs, WeLoveLeds also keeps lampholders, fabric cable and hundreds of other accessories in stock, all available for next day delivery. Visit www.weloveleds.co.uk to see how they can help. T. +44 (0)113 252 4706 E. leds@thesigngroup.co.uk www.weloveleds.co.uk Twitter: weloveleds

Armourcoat Armourcoat has introduced a new decorative wall finish based on natural granite stone, destined to be an instant classic effect. The Granite polished plaster finish recreates the timeless beauty and long lasting qualities of granite, a classic choice offering a natural stone option. This rugged hand-applied finish, created from a natrual material composed of hydrated lime and crushed marble, presents a rough-hewn surface full of texture and interest. An array of global projects for an impressive list of international blue chip clients in the residential, hospitality and boutique retail sectors have established Armourcoat as a leading supplier of high quality surface finishes. T. +44 (0)1732 460 668 E: sales@armourcoat.co.uk www.armourcoat.com Twitter: Armourcoat

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@retailfocus

Advert 86mm wide x 127mm deep

Dragon Display Systems

Designed and Manufactured in the UK

Manufacturers of flexible wall and centreshop hanging and shelving systems, particularly for clothingrelated trades: fashion, lingerie, outdoor, sportswear & urban.

www.dragondisplay.co.uk Display Systems Ltd

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Tel 01952 290055 • Fax: 01952 290056 • sales@dragondisplay.co.uk

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products

DESIGN DETAILS BÄRO Retail Lighting Striking design, state-of-the-art technology, high light and product quality — these are the key features of the ID luminaire series from BÄRO with its LED spotlights, recessed and suspended luminaires. The new system combines the demands of attractively designed retail and display lighting showcasing the products with the unique BÄRO range of LED light colours. The luminaires are geared to the professional illumination of retail architecture, the presentation of shopping experiences and also to the needs of exhibitions and galleries. T. +44 (0)845 519 2154 E. info@baro.co.uk www.baero.com

3M 3M has launched 153 new on-trend patterns in its popular range of DI-NOC Architectural Finishes, a durable and cost effective solution for creating aesthetically pleasing environments without the expense of replacing fixtures or fittings. The range now includes more than 800 patterns and effects, for almost every conceivable design requirement. The self-adhesive DI-NOC Architectural Finishes can be used to express corporate styles, modernise appearances and optimise interior and exterior assets for refurbishment and new construction. T. +44 (0)1344 858 000 E. pwebley@mmm.com www.3M.co.uk/ innovativefinishes Twitter: 3M_Architecture

Soraa

British Gypsum

Soraa, a leader in GaN on GaN LED technology, is honored to now illuminate the showcases at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford with its LED Optical Light Engines. The museum partnered with Absolute Action to find a solution to its lighting dilemma, and chose Soraa VIVID LED Optical Light Engines to incorporate within the new fibre optic projector which they used to illuminate the priceless art and artefacts. Absolute Action selected Soraa’s light engines for their compatibility with the current fibre optic products system in the showcases, their energy efficiency and exceptional colour and whiteness rendering. T. +44 (0)1992 535 053 E. international@soraa.com www.soraa.com Twitter: Soraainc

British Gypsum has rolled out its innovative Gyproc Habito wall solution to the retail sector, to help create durable and robust commercial spaces, while improving design flexibility. With a reinforced core, Gyproc Habito is five times stronger than standard plasterboard, making it ideal for high traffic retail spaces. It is installed like standard plasterboard, but reduces the need for pre-planned, pre-installed pattressing, meaning interiors can be redesigned time and time again — perfect for showcasing seasonal promotions. Gyproc Habito can support 15kg of weight with a single no. 10 wood screw. This can transform an entire wall into a working element of the retail environment and provides the freedom and flexibility to update spaces, as fixtures and fittings can be easily moved or installed. T. +44 (0)115 945 1000 E. elcustomerservices@bpb.com www.british-gypsum.com Twitter: britishgypsum

Photo credit: Dan Paton www.danpaton.net

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TM

The World’s 1st Combined Bluetooth Printer and Cash Drawer Star is known worldwide as the most dominant printer manufacturer for mPOS with connectivity at all levels, so it is only natural for Star to create the world’s 1st Bluetooth all-in-one mPOS printer and cash drawer. mPOP delivers outstanding connectivity and design, plus intuitive functionality and simple integration with your chosen mobile, software and card payment system. Welcome to a new era for mPOS. Welcome to mPOP.

Stylish, functional cash drawer Reliable 100mm/second print speed Classic Bluetooth Connectivity Compact, mobile POS design Effective cable management with one power source for mPOP and two mobile devices

NEW

Tablet and phone not included

Use with YOUR choice of mobile device

Device stand

Plug and play Star scanner

Star Micronics EMEA, Star House, Peregrine Business Park, Gomm Road, High Wycombe, Bucks. HP13 7DL, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1494 471111 • Fax: +44 (0) 1494 473333 • Email: Sales@Star-EMEA.com • www.Star-EMEA.com


products

TECHNOLOGY Mitubishi Electric Mitsubishi Electric has launched a new line-up of wall-mounted air conditioning units with a sophisticated, streamlined design and a comprehensive range of features to make stylish, energy efficient air conditioning available for countless small businesses. The M Series MSZ-LN range is the first product in the company’s UK line up to utilise R32 refrigerant — which has a low global warming potential (GWP). Mitsubishi Electric will also launch further R32 air conditioning solutions throughout the coming year. T. +44 (0)1707 282 880 E: air.conditioning@meuk.mee.com www.timeforr32.co.uk/pr1 Twitter: meuk_les

eyevis UK eyevis UK has launched its high quality LED video walls into the retail sector market to meet the demand for ultra-high resolution and extremely bright video walls. The eyevis ePANEL product range is the first to offer high precision LED modules for seamless indoor video walls, making it the ideal solution for the retail market. All ePANEL products are designed to be used indoors, where high resolution video walls with small pixel pitch are in high demand. The modules are ideally suited for applications that require a pin-sharp, seamless and high-quality display of videos and images as in retail applications and TV studios. T. +44 (0)1282 606 525 E. enquiry@eyevis.co.uk www.eyevis.co.uk Twitter: EyevisUKLtd

Hanwha Techwin

NEC Display Solutions Europe

Hanwha Techwin continues to expand its Samsung Wisenet P series with the introduction of the IP network PNP-9200RH 4K PTZ dome which has built-in IR illumination. With outstanding 4K (8 megapixel) picture clarity, the H.265 Samsung Wisenet PNP-9200RH dome features 20x optical zoom lens and IR viewable length up to 199m enabling users to closely monitor activity or far away objects. The ability to monitor is enhanced with the help of endless 360° pan rotation and 190° tilt control, as well as advanced Auto Tracking for smooth, anti-vibration monitoring.

NEC Display Solutions Europe launched the P and V Series, a range of professional MultiSync large format displays for digital signage as well as presentation use. The new displays support the NEC Open Modular intelligence (OMi) platform, enabling the creation of tailor-made solutions for signage. Scalable computing power such as Raspberry Pi compute modules or Open Pluggable Specification (OPS) Slot-in PCs can be seamlessly embedded into the displays to create a fully integrated solution. The P and V Series line-ups each consist of three models, ranging in size from 40in to 55in (P404, P484, P554 and V404, V484, V554). With an elegant and slimline design, both new Series of displays allow for an unobtrusive integration. They are suitable for installations in retail, leisure and museum environments, for corporate signage solutions, passenger information, quick service restaurants and all other public spaces.

T. +44 (0)1932 578 100 E. htesecurity@hanwha.com www.hanwha-security.eu Twitter: HanwhaTechEU

T. +44 (0)870 120 1160 E. infomail@nec-displays.com www.nec-display-solutions.co.uk Twitter: NEC_Display_EU

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products

VM & DISPLAY arken POP arken POP is a UK specialist in the design and manufacture of a wide range of top quality poster display products, made to order at the company’s Newmarket factory. Displaying updateable poster messages and images externally can be a challenge but arken’s illuminated ‘Superlite’ and non-illuminated ‘Poster Case’ products are ideal solutions. Robust, weather-proof and stylish, both products can be customised to suit whichever image size or colour is required. There is no minimum order quantity. Call today for a quotation. T. +44 (0)1638 565 656 E: info@arken-pop.com www.arken-pop.com Twitter: arkenPOP

GENESIS MANNEQUINS GENESIS will present eight new ranges at EuroShop in Hall 11 Stand D38. The company will use the opportunity to show its array of creativity in mannequin design, finishes and the use of special effects. Since the very beginning, GENESIS has been standing for creativity, passion, sustainability and precision. With its keen understanding, the company identifies global trends and continuously develops new concepts, ranges and designs. With experience and competence, GENESIS offers sophisticated, functional and aesthetic products to international brands, combined with useful services. T. +49 (0) 5752 1803-0 E: info@genesis-display.com www.genesis-display.com Twitter: GenesisDisplay

HL Display HL Display is building on the success of its Slimline shelf edge communication system with the launch of Slimline Ultra — a reliable, robust and durable pricing solution for both electronic and paper shelf labels. Slimline Ultra is a premium, sleek attachment solution for retailers investing in electronic shelf labels. Like the original Slimline, it brings a modern look to displays while ensuring that products and prices always match up, and can hold large numbers of price labels in a restricted area. A range of accessories are available in addition to ESL and paper ticket holders, meeting the full range of price and product communication and promotion needs. Two label holder angles are possible, so not only are prices on lower shelves angled so they are clearly visible to customers, all of the labels on a fixture are also angled exactly the same to provide a neat, consistent look. T. +44 (0)1279 412 345 E: mandy.webb@hl-display.com www.hl-display.com Twitter: HL_Display_UK

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DIA Systems DIA Systems’ single slotted section has been utilised in collaboration with Advance International to create Lynx. This fully insulated, adjustable powered delivery system is fully compatible with a variety of standard shelving systems. Manufactured to BS EN60570:2003, the system can be retro fitted into DIA Systems’ FMR002 and can be used with Advance’s Ara range of undershelf LED lighting. Neither specialised powder coating nor the additional cost of masking specific areas on the brackets is required. The system requires no unsightly cable or connectors, Visit DIA at EuroShop — Hall 13 Stand D90. T. +44 (0)1273 582 241 E: sales@diasystems.co.uk www.diagroup.co.uk Twitter: DIA_Systems



props

focus on PROPS

Props add interest, fun and value to the storytelling in windows and displays. From wire animals to giant orchids, feast your eyes on a selection of props from recent visual merchandising and display schemes.

Touch of gold As part of Harrods’ Brighter Futures January campaign, French fragrance and cosmetics brand Guerlain took its campaign imagery and transferred the design to its window. Millington Associates hand sculpted a black orchid, vac forming then flocking, then added fine gold glitter to the flock and a gold leaf edge. Set against a scenically painted gold wall, the orchid was hand painted to pick up the light like sunrays.

www.millingtonassociates.com

Festive cheer Hyundai Department Store called on Prop Studios to design the childhood vision of a classical Christmas at its South Korean department store. Childhood memories were conjured through indoor and outdoor installations and packaging used throughout the store. Hyundai wanted to feel the warmth of a traditional Christmas with a hint of children’s mischievous humour. Prop Studios brought these memories to life through a series of installations, including Christmas trees, wreaths, a fireplace with Santa stuck in the chimney, an oversized Santa’s letter, Santa’s workshop machinery and a traditional red post box swirling to life with Santa’s letters.

www.propstudios.co.uk

Forbidden fruit make-it london has created props for The Watch Gallery’s new space in the Selfridges Wonder Room on London’s Oxford Street. The props include poly carved silver birch style trees with a faux apple and leaf, and another sculpture of a snake with two-tone spray paintwork and a pearlescent gloss finish. Both feature a faux marble and gold leaf base. The concept is loosely based around the Garden of Eden, designed by make-it london’s collaborator, Atelier Five studio.

www.make-it.london

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props

Aladdin’s cave WBC now offers an eclectic collection of props as another arm to its expanding range of merchandising solutions. Featuring one-of-a-kind vintage items sourced from antique fairs, flea markets and clearance specialists from all over the country, WBC props create a whole host of possibilities, whether it be central floor displays, merchandising hot spots or inviting windows. Its London-based The Retail School, held within the WBC showroom and led by renowned VM industry experts, is growing in popularity. The WBC showroom is available by appointment only; email gerry@wbc.co.uk to arrange your visit.

Animal instinct PLANarama worked with the Debenhams creative team to produce powder-coated animals for its Jasper Conran kids ranges. Using different guage wires, PLANarama manipulated it to produce the structures of rabbits, flamingoes and giraffes, each one in two different sizes. A base coat was powder-coated on each animal then over the top PLANarama added in accent colours for ears, noses and legs. The team also produced specific colour-coated clusters of balloons, which sat above the mannequins as though they were holding them.

www.wbc.co.uk

www.planarama.com

Setting sail Bringing the new Moana film to life across the London, Paris and Dublin Disney stores, Propability created scenes of Moana arriving to shore in her catamaran. Sculpts were created of the Moana character as well as the catamarans created from MDF with canvas painted sails. The boats have a raised and reinforced area for the Moana sculpts to be added in on site. Sculpted and painted breaking waves towards the front of the boats created a 3D sea effect, with crates constructed from MDF scenically painted to hold product. The final touches were coconuts and shells added to dress the scene.

www.propability.co.uk

Mirror, mirror, on the wall For House of Fraser’s Christmas windows on Oxford Street in London, JUSTSO highlighted the key essence of the department store’s festive advert, which featured a choreographed rendition of You Don’t Own Me by Australian artist Grace. JUSTSO created a selection of edgy mirrored trees, which were used alongside Rootstein mannequins and digital elements.

www.justso.eu

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directory

DIREcTORIES

www.retail-focus.co.uk/directory Visit the Retail Focus online directory at www.retail-focus.co.uk to discover a comprehensive list of the UK’s leading retail suppliers. Each listing contains indepth company information together with inspirational images, video footage and informative press material. You can also link through to company websites and connect with suppliers through Twitter and Facebook. The Retail Supplier Directory is divided into a number of categories, such as design agencies, point-of-purchase, lighting, props and surfaces, to make the site easy to navigate. To feature in the online directory, contact Terry Clark on 0845 6807405 or email terry@retailfocus.co

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directory

Aluminium Fittings

Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry. Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service. T: 01273 582241 E: sales@diasystems.co.uk W: www.diagroup.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/DesignsinAlumin

Aluminium Fittings

Bespoke Display

Bespoke Display

Design Consultancies

Axis design, develop, manufacture and install bespoke retail display solutions. We’ve worked with the biggest names on the high street, but approach every project in the same way, with the maximum thought for your brand, products and sales environment.

Spur Creative Workshop deliver unique visual merchandising solutions for retail brands. Boasting a wealth of experience in high quality prop making we create display concepts for window staging, POS and brand awareness campaigns.

We are a global retail agency. Visual Thinking develops strategy, skills, hearts and minds to deliver retail excellence and transform brand performance.

T, 020 3260 3888 E. info@axiseurope.com W.www.axiseurope.com/retail S. www.twitter.com/AxisEuropePlc

Bespoke Display

T 01892 890608 E: phil@spurcreative.co.uk W www.spurcreative.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/ spur_creative

Bespoke Display

T, +44 (0) 1788 543 331 E. mail@visualthinking.co.uk W. www.visualthinking.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/shoptactics

Design Consultancies

MicroSlat is a strong versatile 25mm fine pitched aluminium slatwall system. With a bespoke range of components it can be used to build unique and interesting displays or add value to existing designs.

Original suppliers of display fabrics, textiles, PVC and polycarbonates for retail displays and exhibition stands since 1934 Backgrounds have been our background since backgrounds began and B Brown have more than 400 in stock.

Walker Bros (Elland) Ltd is an Engineering Manufacturing company specialising in sheet metalwork and plastic fabrication. We supply precision metal and plastic products, components and light fabrications to a broad range of industries and markets throughout the UK and Europe.

IGNITION is an independent creative company Our multi-disciplined team work together to deliver exceptional retail and commercial environments, global exhibitions and brands.

T. 01325 351 276 E. sales@microslat.com W. www.microslat.com S. www.twitter.com/MicroSlat

T, 08705 340 340 E. customerservices@bbrown.co.uk W. www.bbrown.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/luvbbrown

T: 0 01422 310767 E: sales@wbelland.com W: www.wbelland.com

T, +44 (0) 1179 725168 E. victoria@ignitiondg.com W. www.ignitiondg.com

Audio Visual Integration

Anna Valley looks to help guide clients with their audio visual decision making by offering high end impartial advice and help manoeuvre them through the current “minefield” of different technology and services available to them. This process then enables them to have a clear vision of what they are actually striving to achieve within the budget available to them and then provides a full range of services in the delivery of that vision.

Bespoke Display

Hello Flamingo is a creative company for the retail and event sector, specialising in window displays, in store solution, POP ups, project management, design, manufacture and installation for bespoke projects at our fully equipped manufacturing workshop.

Brochure Holders

Design Consultancies

Brochure Holders International Limited is part of the global Taymar group recognised as a leading manufacturer of premium quality injection moulded leaflet holders and display solutions. Committed to on-going product development the Taymar group offers one of the world’s largest collections of ‘clear view’ wall, floor and counter standing brochure displays.

We are TWO Visual, the retail agency specialising in visual merchandising. Led by brand directors Jeanette Cheetham and Brendan Gordon we provide everything retailers need to make their brands visually dynamic, whilst improving team and commercial performance.

T: +44 (0)1473 229250 E: sales@brochureholders.co.uk W: www.brochureholders.com

T, +44 (0) 1858 414275 E. hello@twovisual.co.uk W. www. twovisual.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/TWO_Visual

T: +44 (0)208 941 1000 E: nick.shaw@annavalley.co.uk W: www.annavalley.co.uk/avintegration

T: 01273 585768 E: info@helloflamingo.co.uk W: www.helloflamingo.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/helloflamingo1

Balloons & Bunting

Bespoke Display

Climate Control

Display

No.1 Advertising Balloon Service: • Printed Latex and Foil Balloons • Helium Gas delivery and collection • Flags, Bunting and Banners • Promotional Sashes and T-shirts • Multi-store distribution nationwide

KSF provides retail merchandising display solutions to retailers, brands and trade customers from CONCEPT to COMPLETION via our global supply chain (China/UK/East EU) to deliver LOWER total cost of ownership. YOU’VE TRIED THE REST; NOW PUT US TO THE TEST.

Air Control & Development Ltd are Daikin, Mitsubishi and Toshiba accredited contractors, specialising in providing quality air conditioning, ventilation and overdoor heater installations, service & maintenance within the retail sector.

arken are a UK design and manufacturing facility creating bespoke poster display solutions. As well as our bespoke offer, we provide off the shelf products such as poster frames, light boxes, poster hanging systems, pavement signs, forecourt signs, all available in a range of colours and sizes.

T, 01494 774376 E. sales@b-loony.com W. www.b-loony.com

T: +44 (0)8450 944 699 E: ben.wang@ksf-global.com W: www.ksf-global.com S: www.twitter.com/KSFGlobal

T 01922 455523 E: info@aircontrol.co.uk W: www.aircontrol.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/AirControl123

T: +44 (0)1638 565656 E: info@arken-pop.com W: www.arken-pop.com

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directory

Display

Display

Display - DIGITAL

FURNITURE

Are you looking to increase your product sales, re-brand or launch a new product? If you’re not already talking to us, you should. Our group offer an unprecedented level of experience coupled with a comprehensive range of products and services. Our aim is to make your products sell and your service the best on the market.

Internationally acclaimed, award winning unique magnetic wall system offers instant flexibility & creative choice to architects, interiors & store designers. Since launching the magnIQ system in 2006 the response has been quite phenomenal. To date the system has won 13 prestigious awards and is now internationally recognised justifying the many years Rare Basic spent on research and development.

Crystal Display Systems is already a leading UK designer, distributor and value added reseller of flat panel display solutions. We have a vast array of media players, interactive displays, videowalls and shelf edge displays. Our knowledge and expertise has also led to us being one of the European leaders in transparent LCD.

Spur Creative Workshop deliver unique visual merchandising solutions for retail brands. Boasting a wealth of experience in high quality prop making we create display concepts for window staging, POS and brand awareness campaigns.

T: +44(0)113 265 0093 E: sales@concept-data.com W: www.concept-data.com S. www.twitter.com/GDProjects

T +44 (0)20 8348 9888 E: mail@rarebasic.com W: www.rarebasic.com S: www.twitter.com/rarebasic

T: +44 (0) 1634 292 025 E: info@crystal-display.com W: www.crystal-display.com S. www.twitter.com/CrystalDisplays

T 01892 890608 E: phil@spurcreative.co.uk W www.spurcreative.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/ spur_creative

Display

Display

Display - DIGITAL

FURNITURE

GDP display, manufactures, delivers and installs world-class retail environments, store fixtures, displays and visual merchandising equipment. GDP is truly Global, through its activities in many parts of the world. We have supplied high-end displays and furniture to successful retail brands throughout Europe, North America, South Africa and South East Asia.

Spur Creative Workshop deliver unique visual merchandising solutions for retail brands. Boasting a wealth of experience in high quality prop making we create display concepts for window staging, POS and brand awareness campaigns.

We provide total end to end solutions encompassing all aspects of designing, implementing, managing and supporting multi-faceted marketing technology concepts and Digital Screen Media networks.

We create bespoke tailored solutions for retail, interiors, exhibitions, museums and 3D and we know one size does not fit all. Our teams are always ready for the challenges, big or small.

T: +44 (0)1582 433 771 E: info@gdprojects.eu W: www.gdprojects.eu S. www.twitter.com/GDProjects

T 01892 890608 E: phil@spurcreative.co.uk W www.spurcreative.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/ spur_creative

T, +44 (0)845 481 8020 E. info@screenmediatechnology.com W.screenmediatechnology.com S. www.twitter.com/ScreenMediaTech

T: 01923 800666 E: info@stylographics.co.uk W: www.stylographics.com S. www.twitter.com/hellostylo

Display

We are ICON. We create and deliver engaging brand and live experiences, particularly in the retail sector.

T: +44 (0) 20 7593 5200 E: enquiries@icon-world.com W: www.icon-world.com S: www.twitter.com/ICON_HQ

Display

EPOS

GRAPHICS

Providing Scotland’s signage, exhibition displays, digitally printed wallpapers, LED flex faces, light boxes and window graphics. Located in the centre of Scotland we are ideally situated to cover your requirements throughout Scotland. We can offer huge savings with an excellent, professional and prompt service

Offering an extensive range of EPOS hardware from world class suppliers such as Star Micronics, Honeywell and Posiflex, DED offer the complete EPOS hardware solution alongside a unique rewritable loyalty system.

Graphica Display print, produce and install retail graphics including till point graphics, window graphics, LED lightboxes, cut & printed vinyl and much more. Nationwide & Euorpean delivery and installation.

T: 0131 337 1237 E: info@specializedsigns.co.uk W: www.specializedsigns.co.uk FB: Specialized-Signs

T: 01797 320636 E: sales@ded.co.uk W: www.ded.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/dedltd

Display

Display

Impulse POP specialises in Point of Purchase display systems for the Retail sector. We offer many years of experience in all aspects of retail design, with in house manufacture - including quick turnaround prototypes, or overseas manufacture, delivery, installation and retail merchandising.

Woodwood Group –Tx Frame UK are a specialist in tension fabric display systems and LED light boxes. We are able to deliver the highest quality service with a friendly but professional approach to ensure you receive the spectacular results you deserve.

Armourcoat is the world’s foremost supplier of polished plasters, sculptural effects and innovative surface finishes.

T, 01767 682756 E. sales@impulsepop.co.uk W.www.impulsepop.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/impulsepop

T, 01376 295 016 E. sales@txframe.co.uk W. www.txframe.co.uk

T. +44 (0)1732 460 668 E. sales@armourcoat.co.uk W. www.armourcoat.com S. www.twitter.com/Armourcoat

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Finishes

T: 0845 3730073 E: info@graphicadisplay.co.uk W:www.graphicadisplay.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/graphicatweet

GRAPHICS

We create bespoke tailored solutions for retail, interiors, exhibitions, museums and 3D and we know one size does not fit all. Our teams are always ready for the challenges, big or small.

T: 01923 800666 E: info@stylographics.co.uk W: www.stylographics.com S. www.twitter.com/hellostylo


directory

interactive displays

pop

Crystal Display Systems is already a leading UK designer, distributor and value added reseller of flat panel display solutions. We have a vast array of media players, interactive displays, videowalls and shelf edge displays. Our knowledge and expertise has also led to us being one of the European leaders in transparent LCD.

> In house design and manufacture of permanent displays > Powder coated steel, stainless steel, plastics and print used in any combination > Rapid prototyping and batch manufacture > Confidentiality assured > Let us help you improve your product sales` Find out why our customers keep returning for more………

T: +44 (0) 1634 292 025 E: info@crystal-display.com W: www.crystal-display.com S. www.twitter.com/CrystalDisplays

LIGHTING

LED Solutions are a specialist LED lighting supplier who can offer you a wide variety of bespoke lighting solutions for the sign, shop fitting and display industries.

T: 0116 262 5933 E: sales@ledsolutions.co.uk W: www.ledsolutions.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/ LEDSolutionsUK

T: 01482 345067 E: sales@jcrpos.co.uk W: www.jcrpos.co.uk S. @JCR_POS

pop/pos

Harrison Products provide one the largest ranges of POS and Display componentry in the UK. We are able to supply off the shelf and customised products to suit your project. We pride ourselves on our industry leading service and super quick delivery options.

T: +44 (0)1451 830083 E: sales@harrisonproducts.net W harrisonproducts.net

pop/pos

We are IPOS. A creative design agency whose extensive and impressive client list speaks volumes for the professional services we offer. We design, produce and install all aspects of our client’s POS. From instore graphics, window vinyls and 3D bespoke window displays to full multi location campaign roll outs.

T: 0161 477 8501 E: info@ipos-design.co.uk W: www.ipos-design.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/iposdesign

Hello Flamingo is a creative company for the retail and event sector, specialising in window displays, in store solution, POP ups, project management, design, manufacture and installation for bespoke projects at our fully equipped manufacturing workshop.

GENESIS MANNEQUINS design and produce high-class and trend-lead shop window mannequins, busts and displays for the international fashion industry. Additionally we offer style, trend and product consultation as well as a comprehensive after-sales service.

T: 01273 585768 E: info@helloflamingo.co.uk W: www.helloflamingo.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/helloflamingo1

Retail Consultancy

Brochure Holders International Limited is part of the global Taymar group recognised as a leading manufacturer of premium quality injection moulded leaflet holders and display solutions. Committed to on-going product development the Taymar group offers one of the world’s largest collections of ‘clear view’ wall, floor and counter standing brochure displays.

Providing Scotland’s signage, exhibition displays, digitally printed wallpapers, LED flex faces, light boxes and window graphics. Located in the centre of Scotland we are ideally situated to cover your requirements throughout Scotland. We can offer huge savings with an excellent, professional and prompt service

We are a global retail agency. Visual Thinking develops strategy, skills, hearts and minds to deliver retail excellence and transform brand performance.

Maintenance

Air Control & Development Ltd are Daikin, Mitsubishi and Toshiba accredited contractors, specialising in providing quality air conditioning, ventilation and overdoor heater installations, service & maintenance within the retail sector.

T 01922 455523 E: info@aircontrol.co.uk W: www.aircontrol.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/AirControl123

pop/pos

We are ICON. We create and deliver engaging brand and live experiences, particularly in the retail sector.

T: +44 (0) 20 7593 5200 E: enquiries@icon-world.com W: www.icon-world.com S: www.twitter.com/ICON_HQ

T. 01325 351 276 E. sales@microslat.com W. www.microslat.com S. www.twitter.com/MicroSlat

vm

pop/pos

T: 0131 337 1237 E: info@specializedsigns.co.uk W: www.specializedsigns.co.uk FB: Specialized-Signs

MicroSlat is a strong versatile 25mm fine pitched aluminium slatwall system. With a bespoke range of components it can be used to build unique and interesting displays or add value to existing designs.

pop up

Literature Display

T: +44 (0)1473 229250 E: sales@brochureholders.co.uk W: www.brochureholders.com

slatwall

T, +44 (0) 1788 543 331 E. mail@visualthinking.co.uk W. www.visualthinking.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/shoptactics

T: +49 (0) 5752 1803 0 E: info@genesis-display.com W: www.genesis-display.com S: www.twitter.com/GenesisDisplay

vm

We are ICON. We create and deliver engaging brand and live experiences, particularly in the retail sector.

T: +44 (0) 20 7593 5200 E: enquiries@icon-world.com W: www.icon-world.com S: www.twitter.com/ICON_HQ

slatwall

VM TOOLS AND TRAINING

Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry.

We are a global retail agency. Visual Thinking develops strategy, skills, hearts and minds to deliver retail excellence and transform brand performance.

Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service. T: 01273 582241 E: sales@diasystems.co.uk W: www.diagroup.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/DesignsinAlumin

T, +44 (0) 1788 543 331 E. mail@visualthinking.co.uk W. www.visualthinking.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/shoptactics

73


Q&A

Fabio Fusi Fabio Fusi has forged an impressive career in the luxury leathergoods and accessories sector, having collaborated with the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, Etro and Salvatore Ferragamo before taking up the role of creative director at Furla in 2010. Here, he talks exclusively to Retail Focus about Furla’s 90th anniversary celebrations, the new Brompton Road flagship store, and what’s next for the brand.

RF. Furla celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. How will you mark the occasion? FF. Celebrating our 90th anniversary is a really important milestone for the brand, and marks a period of reflection whilst looking to the future. To honour the anniversary, Furla will unveil an exciting 90th Anniversary capsule collection with nine limited edition Metropolis bags; one for each decade, inspired by the era. RF. What is the key to the brand’s success? FF. I feel part of the key to the brand’s success is Furla’s ability to stay true to its core values of fine quality and timeless style, whilst offering new and exciting collections each season that push boundaries. Our ‘hero’ product, the Metropolis bag, is a great example of this; it has a classic shape and is perfectly proportioned, however is available in an array of colours, prints and sizes. Each season it is refreshed and given a unique twist. For SS17 we have the Metropolis Jungle, which is a key statement piece in the collection. RF. Who is the Furla customer? FF. The Furla customer has a dynamic lifestyle, is curious and loves to travel. Our customer is confident and feels just as comfortable wearing a simple piece day-to-day, as they are playing with colour, print and ways in which to transform their look. RF. Y ou’ve just opened a new store on Brompton Road. Why is it important for Furla to strengthen its presence in the UK? FF. The UK is one of our most important markets in terms of our customers and ever growing following. London in particular is a hub of creativity and one of the most exciting places in the world at the forefront of fashion and style, so it’s important for us to continue to build on our presence here and connect with the local customer.

FF. I worked very closely with our in-house design team to ensure that the layout, fittings, fixtures and overall atmosphere perfectly embodies the brand, whilst putting the customer first and providing a space to complement the product. RF. How does the size of the store compare to other locations? FF. The Brompton Road store is now the new flagship UK store, and is larger than the store we currently have on Regent Street. Brompton Road houses our first UK men’s shop-in-shop, offering a full men’s collection from bags, shoes and accessories. There is also a dedicated shoe area, allowing customers space to view and try on product in a relaxed, comfortable environment. RF. How would you describe the in-store experience? FF. The customer is always first. Every element in the store is designed to ensure they have an enjoyable experience, with the product always at the forefront. We are able to showcase just a vast product offering but still allow space for the customer to move around freely, and have a luxury experience. Every element from the lighting to the scent in store is there to enhance the customer’s time browsing and shopping, creating a haven away from the fast-pace of everyday London life. RF. Will you be opening any further stores this year? FF. Yes, for 2017 Furla will continue its ambitious expansion plan. Furla is currently present in more than 100 countries and we will continue to open new stores in the most important markets.

RF. Why did you chose Knightsbridge for the latest opening? RF. What’s next for the brand? FF. Knightsbridge is a world-renowned shopping destination, home to some of the capital’s most prestigious retailers and well-informed shoppers. It’s the perfect fit for Furla and to strengthen the brand’s UK presence and visibility in such an important market. RF. How involved did you get in the store design concept?

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FF. Continuing to build on what the brand has created over the past 90 years; innovative designs with classic style and premium quality. I’ve already started working on AW18 collections, so am excited to unveil what Furla has in store in the near future, whilst continuing to pay homage to the brand’s rich history.



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For more details, visit us at

www.neonplus.co.uk NeonPlus® conforms to:

EN 60598-2-1:1989 / used in conjunction with EN 60598-1:2015 EN 62031:2008 + A2:2014 LED / EN 62471:2008 / EN 62262:2002


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