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31-32
Features Regulars Sound of music
Consumer electronics company Sonos has opened its first retail store in New York, featuring seven house-shaped listening rooms, each acoustically designed to replicate a home listening environment.
39 Fast food for thought
the 35 Closing gender gap
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Leader
60 Focus on: POP & Display 25-32 Project Focus
Moleskine Cafe : Fabled : Sonos NYC
Diary
11-14 News
17-18 Window shopping Inspiring window displays from around the globe.
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Top of the POPS
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Karl McKeever
This month Karl explains why he believes Leeds is flourishing as a shopping city.
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Opinion
Desire is the brand currency of the 21st century, claims George Gottl, CEO and co-founder of design consultancy UXUS.
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Estate agents: On the move
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Q&A
Ahead of the opening of Boxpark Croydon, Roger Wade tells us how the Boxpark concept came about, his aspirations for the new site and what it takes to succeed in retail.
49-58 P roducts Products and services for the retail industry.
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September ‘16
Later this autumn, Leeds’ Victoria Gate shopping centre will throw open its doors to the public for the first time. Anchored by John Lewis, the £165 million mixed-use, retail-led scheme will add to the vibrant shopping scene in the city, which just three years ago saw the opening of Trinity Leeds. Leeds has long been a top retail destination in the UK, and the opening of Trinity Leeds and Victoria Gate not only reaffirms this status but also shows that the high street is very much alive and well. This month, our columnist Karl McKeever celebrates this thriving city in the heart of Yorkshire and explains why he believes it is a true success story (page 23). We also venture to London, Italy and New York in this issue, exploring the new store design concepts for beauty brand Fabled, luxury notebook label Moleskine and consumer electronics company Sonos (pages 25-32). On top of that, we have in-depth articles on the rise of gender-neutral retail spaces (pages 35-36), developments in the fast food sector and the evolution of high street estate agents (pages 45-46). We’re pleased to announce that voting for the second annual Retail Focus Readers’ Choice Award is now open. Head over to the Retail Focus Facebook page to select your favourite window scheme from a shortlist of 12 that featured in the magazine over the past year. The winner will be announced at the VM & Display Awards in November. It’s going to be tough to call! Gemma Balmford Editor
Managing Editor
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Gemma Balmford e. gemma@retailfocus.co t. +44 (0)7908 895 906
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Lee Cullumbine e. lee@retailfocus.co t. +44 (0)845 680 7405
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Get more from Retail Focus online!
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Account Manager Adam Potter e. adam@retailfocus.co t. +44 (0)845 680 7405
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 2016.
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diary
The Restaurant Design Show ExCel, London 27-28 September 2016 The Restaurant Design Show is the UK’s largest and most comprehensive event specifically aimed at restaurant, bar and café interior designers. This new show will deliver the foremost in ideas, inspiration and creativity to food and drink establishment owners, architects, designers and other industry professionals, and caters for individuals either looking for start-up inspiration or to reinvent their establishment, or interior design professionals seeking the opportunities available in this specialist market. A comprehensive panel of speakers will also share their thoughts and advice across various theatres throughout the show. RestDesignShow
www.restaurantdesignshow.co.uk
POPAI Awards Lancaster London Hotel 4 October 2016
Kesslers Innovation Seminar Stratford, London 5 October 2016
The 10th annual POPAI Awards will celebrate the gold standard in retail marketing excellence. Hosted by comedian, presenter and actor Rufus Hound, the evening will begin with a champagne reception and networking, followed by a three-course dinner, the awards ceremony and dancing. To book a seat or table of 10, E: toni@popai.co.uk
Kesslers’ next Innovation Seminar is entitled ‘Designing tomorrow’s next retail experience’. The event will feature industry renowned guest speaker, Matt Lyons, senior design manager of Boots. The seminar will take place at Kesslers International in Stratford, commencing with lunch at 12.30pm and will conclude at 3pm, followed by drinks and networking.
popaiuki
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VM & Display Awards The Bloomsbury Big Top, London 24 November 2016 The VM & Display Awards recognise and celebrate the best in visual merchandising and retail display. The awards will return to The Bloomsbury Big Top in London, and will include the Retail Focus Readers’ Choice Award. Visit the website below for table and ticket enquiries. VMDisplayAwards
www.vmanddisplayawards.com
S E I R T N E R O F N E P O WWW.VMANDDISPLAYAWARDS.COM
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Realize your design vision
Novograf brand realization is our way of helping to bring your design vision to life in the retail environment.
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complete service from store scoping and project management through to the bespoke manufacturing and installation of surfaces for walls, doors, lifts, columns, counters and checkouts, stunning murals, signs, window graphics, ATM surrounds and frieze boards.
You have probably seen our work without knowing it. If you shop with a convenience chain, munch a sausage roll from a high street bakery, walk into a major bank, buy groceries from a national supermarket, relax in a café, stay with
To find out more, visit us at www.novograf.co.uk or email us at hello@novograf.co.uk.
news
Westfield World Trade Center opens The highly anticipated Westfield World Trade Center opened its doors to the public in August. The shopping centre is destined to be one of the world’s most visited retail destinations in Lower Manhattan and New York City. Westfield World Trade Center is one of the most diverse retail collections in the city, as well as offering restaurant concepts created by world-class chefs, arts and culture, events and entertainment, cutting-edge technology showrooms, and sponsorships and media activitations for global brands such as Ford, Pepsi and JP Morgan Chase. The 33,909 sq m shopping
centre inside the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, offers a variety of more than 100 global and local fashion, beauty, lifestyle and technology brands. At its centre is the Oculus, also designed by Calatrava. Apple and Bose deliver on the technology front, while fashion comes in the form of Boss Hugo Boss, H&M, Kate Spade, John Varvatos, L.K. Bennett, Lacoste, and Banana Republic in apparel; Under Armour in the athletic category; Sephora, Caudalie, Kiehl’s, MAC, and Dior Cosmetics in beauty; Cole Haan, Stuart Weitzman, Aldo, and Vince
Oasis opens small format store Oasis has opened the first of a number of smaller format, market-town stores in Farnham, Surrey. Set in a Grade II listed building, The Little House of Oasis store offers a wide range of styles at a lower density, displaying collections on tables and single side hung perimeter rails. Designed in collaboration with Dalziel & Pow, the 90 sq m store incorporates old and new features, with modern insertions to highlight the heritage space. A hand-painted Oasis logo hangs over the entrance and customers enter through a signature Oasis pink door.
Camuto in footwear; Breitling, London Jewelers, Links of London, and Swatch in jewellery; and Disney and Kingkow in the children’s category. ‘The World Trade Center is a symbol of hope, opportunity, progress, and perseverance,’ says William Hecht, Westfield’s chief operating officer in the United States. ‘Westfield is profoundly proud to be a part of this project and to introduce new experiences and energy to Lower Manhattan. We are incredibly excited to open our doors to our neighbours, New York and tri-state area families, visitors, and all of our community partners.’
Inside, one-of-a-kind furniture sits alongside the brand’s House of Oasis store concept, including a giant mounted duck head dressed in sunglasses and pearls, and a scattering of pink floorboards. Emphasis is placed on enjoying the whole shopping experience and taking time to browse. A window bay accommodates a large feature sofa to give customers a space to relax and enjoy a complimentary coffee or a glass of Prosecco. The Little House of Oasis store is part of an extensive, multimillion pound refit program across the country.
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news
In brief... Artist Kanye West launched 21 ‘Life of Pablo’ pop-ups across the world in August. Stores opened in a multitude of locations, from San Francisco to Chicago, Singapore to London. Appear Here provided the location for the star’s London pop-up, at its Old Street venue. The pop-up stores sold merchandise to coincide with the artist’s Saint Pablo tour.
Green light for Eccleston Place near Victoria station
Saks Fifth Avenue has announced plans to open its first ever stand-alone 1022-SHOE store in Greenwich, Connecticut. Scheduled to open doors in autumn 2016, the 1,300 sq m store will be dedicated to women’s footwear and will be located near to the existing Saks Fifth Avenue store in downtown Greenwich.
Westminster City Council has granted planning permission to property developer Grosvenor to create a new hub for retailers, designers and makers at Eccleston Place near Victoria station, London. Designed by BuckleyGrayYeoman, the scheme will see four buildings sensitively reconfigured and refurbished to provide 7,432 sq m of shops for up-and-coming designers and makers, co-working space and eateries, clustered around a carefully landscaped courtyard. ‘This is a really exciting opportunity to convert an underused space in South Belgravia into a creative hub for entrepreneurs and independent
retailers. This new place — for visitors, workers and residents — will play an important part in contributing to the diverse and creative character of the area,’ says Anna Farnes, director of London Estate Development Programme, Grosvenor Britain & Ireland. Paul White, director of BuckleyGrayYeoman, adds: ‘The Eccleston Place development draws on the surrounding Belgravia street pattern to create life and activity in a currently underused group of buildings. The development will centre around a courtyard on a new pedestrian route through the centre of the block, creating a tranquil, pleasant place populated by small businesses, start-ups, retailers, cafes, designers and makers.’
the existing 85 sq m unit, creating the maximum area for product display thereby increasing the store’s efficiencies. ‘The new concept permits a better flow through the store allowing customers to easily identify the various collections on display. It is a much more focused and pared back aesthetic that incorporates elements of the brand history through the
use of graphics, visuals and props,’ says Steven Wragg, associate at DesignLSM. The contemporary and streamlined store design showcases the colourful garments and products, making them centre stage and the main focus for the consumer. To enhance the space, DesignLSM stripped back the store’s original shell, replacing the curved walls with flat units and introduced an array of new features and finishes that included bespoke concrete wall fixtures and light timber flooring. ‘White walls with white-washed concrete panels and light oak wood flooring contrast against dark grey metalwork on the furniture, creating a much more muted and up-to-date feel to the interior. The fluid concept allows the Lacoste apparel and brand story-telling elements to stand out visually and allows the brand to expose the customer to a true Lacoste experience,’ continues Wragg. The overall design scheme is elegantly practical, displaying products beautifully, creating an enticing and effortless journey for Lacoste’s customers.
Fenwick Colchester opened on 15 September following a major £35 million redevelopment. The refurbishment will see the department store, previously known as Williams & Griffin, expand its footprint by 50 per cent to 11,150 sq m. Fenwick Colchester will house the largest number of menswear brands under one roof in the region, comprising 64 brands across fashion, accessories and formalwear.
Lacoste rolls out refreshed store format Lacoste has unveiled a redesign of its store at the Trafford Centre in Manchester, the first boutique to house the brand’s new design concept, which is set to roll out across all UK stores. Lacoste worked alongside design practice Design LSM, whose brief was to expand the brand’s retail space within
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news
In brief, continued Nespresso has announced plans to open four new boutiques across the UK by December 2016 in Bristol, Leeds, Sheffield and London. The retail expansion forms part of the brand’s vision to provide increased access to its high quality coffee in the UK, with the ambition of opening boutiques across the country so that every British customer is no more than an hour’s drive away from a boutique.
John Lewis to invest £9m in its beauty halls John Lewis has announced plans to invest £9 million into its beauty halls across several branches. This will include the introduction of new brands as part of its ambitions to supercharge its beauty business. The retailer’s shops in Cambridge, Cribbs Causeway and Bluewater will be refurbished with each shop increasing the footprint of their beauty halls by around 50 per cent. Stores in Cardiff, Stratford, Peter Jones and Cheadle have also received investments in the beauty halls. As well as introducing new brands to customers, the plans will also include the distribution of existing popular brands,
LCF students take over Diesel flagship
which will include Marc Jacobs Beauty, Tom Ford Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, M.A.C, Chanel, Jo Malone, Urban Decay and La Prairie. These brands will be available on the John Lewis website through Click & Collect, and many will also feature in the two new stores opening soon in Chelmsford (29 September) and Leeds (20 October). The investment follows the opening of John Lewis’s own &Beauty full-service spa in its Birmingham shop, and the Clarins Beauty BAR which was an international first for Clarins when it opened at John Lewis Oxford Street last year. ‘Beauty is one of the best performing categories at John Lewis and a significant
Swedish home furnishings retailer IKEA has opened a DIY pop-up restaurant in London’s Shoreditch for 15 days this month. The so-called Dining Club enables customers to host their own dinner party in a homely kitchen environment free-of-charge, under the supervision of a head chef.
footfall driver, so this investment is a reflection of our ambition in this space,’ says Ed Connolly, buying director for fashion and beauty at John Lewis. ‘We are continuing to bring new and contemporary brands to our customers across both fashion and beauty, and we have one of the widest and best beauty selections of any department store in the world.’
Diesel partnered with London College of Fashion to create a re-fit of the Covent Garden store in London. The winning design celebrated the history of Covent Garden and the flower girls that made it famous. Spread across three levels, the store housed a flower market on the ground floor, flower crown tutorials on the first floor (sponsored by Grace & Thorn), and a gentlemen’s club in the basement. Commenting on the collaboration, Diesel’s artistic director, Nicola Formichetti says: ‘I am really proud to be able to support young creatives from many different horizons through the takeover of Diesel’s London Covent Garden flagship store by the students of London College of Fashion. Supporting young talent and fostering creativity is something very dear to me and to Diesel. It is by supporting those new talents that we are helping create the creative minds of tomorrow.’ Diesel and the winning group of students worked with London design studio Tenn to realise the scheme and window concept.
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news
de Gruchy reopens following multimillion pound refit Jersey department store de Gruchy has reopened following a £15 million refurbishment. Designed by Caulder Moore in collaboration with Axis Mason architects and Bridgewater Project Management, the new-look store has a bright, modern interior with new central escalators, flooring and lighting. Commenting on the refit, John Marquis, de Gruchy store director, says: ‘Our vision to create a luxury shopping space in the heart of St Helier has come to life. In line with the overall project, the brand identity “forever inspired” has been translated through every stage of the development to encapsulate the store’s heritage, stature and authenticity of the de Gruchy that dates back to 1810. We hope that de Gruchy’s new look and the introduction of new luxury brands and services will not
only encourage new customers into our store but will also boost St Helier’s high street as a whole, bringing more people to the island.’ Through the refurbishment project new services have been introduced enhancing the store’s overall experience proposition, including the Channel Islands’ only Shavata Nail and Brow Bar, in-store blow bar, a male grooming area, a hair and beauty salon as well as private consultation areas in the beauty hall. The investment has also brought in new brands, including Darphin, Watch Station International and Sunglass Hut plus new collaborations with Tommy Hilfiger, Tom Ford, GANT, Barbour, LK Bennet and Mint Velvet. The internal and external refurbishment marks the first phase of the £15 million project.
Trailfinders Travel Centre unveils new design Lustedgreen has created a fresh new look for Trailfinders Travel Centre in Kensington. Specialising in worldwide travel, the flagship centre now boasts a much brighter and more welcoming atmosphere with a neutral palette of materials, allowing striking, large-scale images of global destinations to take centre stage. Lustedgreen alternated these wall graphics with 55in LCD monitors showing moving images of the travel company’s range of specialist holidays and services. Washed oak provides a muted warmth and is used as a constant theme throughout the space. A key feature of the new layout is the 20 client-facing desks, designed to enhance the individual customer service on which Trailfinders prides itself. The layout marks a departure from the rows of desks traditionally found in travel centres. Positioned individually and diagonally, the
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desks and seating are also separated by curved paths, creating a sense of journey and excitement. The travel centre functions as both a retail and office space, with the customer interface taking place at the front of the
store and the more telephone-based, administrative follow-up at the rear. To maintain a sense of openness, trasparency and operational cohesion, Lustedgreen deliberately chose not to create two discrete spaces.
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Shop Fitting & Store Design Visual Merchandising 2016-08-19 EuroShop 2017_Großbritannien_Allgemein_86 x 262mm_Retail Focus_4c_5185
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visual merchandising
Window shopping Inspiring window displays from around the globe
Stella McCartney In order to promote the work that Stella McCartney does with animal welfare charities, the company created a window display designed around animals. Working with retail design consultancy SFD, the Stella McCartney creative team developed and installed oversized neon cats in various styles and colours in all of its flagship stores in China. The scheme ran simultaneously in the UK, where Stella McCartney promoted awareness for Battersea Cats Home.
Printemps Louis Vuitton has transformed the windows and atrium of Printemps into a lunar fantasy. The 11 space-themed windows showcase accessories, leather goods and ready-to-wear items created exclusively for the Parisian department store. The display is designed to take the audience on a bespoke voyage into the future where luxury and lightness go hand-in-hand. Layers of terracotta-coloured sand and rock form an impressive backdrop to the Louis Vuitton Loves Printemps event, which takes place until 22 October 2016. Photography: Francis Peyrat
Nike Nike brought the furore of Brazil to life this summer with its ‘Nike Unlimited’ windows, showcasing the brand’s new Brazil-inspired footwear and apparel. Created in collaboration with Seen Displays, the windows and in-store displays feature Nike athletes in dramatic black-andwhite stills, along with high-gloss black podiums and competing chrome mannequins caught mid-move. Nike’s Brazil-inspired ‘Unlimited’ colourways create a coherent thread in both graphic elements and in a large-scale fly-knit installation.
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visual merchandising
Joseph A spiral of light bulbs in the windows at Joseph on Fulham Road acts as a portal that translates the attitude of the 1970s UK punk scene and brings it up to date through the new wave of brands, such as Vetements. Throughout the space there is an incandescent glow and a continuous daze of flickering, bulb-filled circles that branch out following the line of the raised platform. As the mannequins (from Atrezzo’s IT Girls collection) travel through the installation, they become engulfed in this sea of illumination. The scheme was created by Nathan Hicks and the Joseph VM team, and produced in collaboration with Tenn Design. Images courtesy and copyright of Joseph
Bentalls This window display at Bentalls Kingston follows one of this season’s biggest trends: Artisan. ‘For our fashion run, we have recreated the prints or embroideries as full-size back wall graphics and teamed these with some oversized props such as pencils, cotton reels and oil paints,’ says Tommy Aitchison, regional visual merchandising manager at Bentalls. The windows were produced in-house by the display team.
Clarks The AW16 (phase one) window scheme at Clarks on Regent Street showcases the women’s Tri Abby and Men’s Triken Active footwear. Developed, produced and installed in collaboration with Harlequin Design, the windows feature craters produced in cross sections to look smashed and cracked, with the shoes appearing from the centre via an illuminated pole. The back panels have rocks tying in with the smashed floor, creating the illusion of an explosion on impact. The scheme incorporates the strapline ‘Welcome to the Future’ in neon.
Aquascutum This installation at Aquascutum uses a backdrop featured in the AW16 campaign, as well as a diagonal LED with synchronised rain effect behind the tailored mannequins. The scheme was produced in collaboration with Harlequin Design.
See more window installations online:
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www.retail-focus.co.uk/vm
POP
p o t POPS e h t f o
Company: FormRoom
Client: Olivia Burton
Display title: Olivia Burton Embossing Station
Sector: Watches
Location: boutique.Goldsmith’s UK stores
The brief: To design and produce a pop-up embossing station to promote the brand’s personalised service for watches. The design had to capture the essence of the Olivia Burton brand and clearly communicate to shoppers the vintage-inspired aesthetic of the brand’s identity. The station was to be portable so that it could be used in various locations, for in-store events, and had a three week deadline from design and manufacture through to installation.
The solution: FormRoom created a refined and sleek design that would ensure the spotlight was on the craftsmanship involved with Olivia Burton’s embossing service and use of beautiful materials. The design was based on a vintage white dressing table so that it communicated Olivia Burton’s brand and product aesthetic clearly to customers. Elaborate detailing included a raised canopy that incorporated Olivia Burton branding and immersed customers in a personalised shopping experience.
www.formroom.com
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Discover A plethora of shopfittings, display, PoS, PoP, lighting, signage, visual merchandising, props, accessories and other retail services Loaded with creative concepts, innovative ideas and compelling content, the Retail Display Directory showcases over 100 specialist manufacturers and suppliers. For your free copy call us now on 01883 348911 or email directory@sdea.co.uk and quote this advert.
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2017 DATES ANNOUNCED
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WHAT’S INCLUDED? Bespoke meeting itinerary Educational seminars Live demonstrations from suppliers Networking breaks Hospitality throughout Informal gala dinner with entertainment Overnight accommodation
Complimentary places are limited. To confirm your place, head over to retailshopfittingsummit.co.uk
Organised by
For more information please contact Victoria Petch on 01992 374082 or email v.petch@forumevents.co.uk Media & Industry Partners RSDSummit #RSDSummit
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Q&A column
Karl McKeever Leeds has been a top destination for shoppers for many years, and it is easy to see why. Home to the first regional Harvey Nichols, the city offers an envious mix of luxury stores, popular chains and independent retailers. Modern, and yet teeming with historic buildings and elegant arcades, it attracts people from the surrounding areas as well as those from further afield visiting for a short break. Its success story is clearly continuing as we have seen with the launch of the Victoria Gate development. Delivered by Hammerson, a firm known for premium retail projects like the Bullring in Birmingham, this new shopping centre will feature the city’s first John Lewis store, along with designer brands such as Calvin Klein, Anthropologie and Tommy Hilfiger. The second phase will see the introduction of more shops, restaurants and leisure spaces, indicating real confidence in the city’s retail offering. Significantly, Victoria Gate follows hot on the heels of Trinity Leeds, another major retail and leisure complex that opened in 2013. During the recession, many cities saw an economic slow-down as developers backed away from large-scale projects and shoppers reduced spending. There is now a renewed confidence in the retail sector, thanks in part to former Chancellor George Osborne’s ‘Northern Powerhouse’ strategy, which aims to rebalance the economy and regenerate the north. Leeds, with its central position between Manchester and Newcastle, and excellent transport links, is well placed to capitalise on this, particularly when HS2 goes ahead. The success of new shopping centres is often dependent on how well they have responded to changes in consumer habits. Trinity Leeds, for example, offers a central click-and-collect service, which is open until 8pm and provides changing rooms so people can send parcels back without even having to take them home. At Victoria Gate, the 800-capacity car park suggests that developers are aware that customers like the convenience of driving to the shops. As well as convenience, the experiential aspect of shopping has never been more important. Impressive architecture and design, as we have seen at the newly-developed Grand Central
in Birmingham, ensure that these centres become talked-about destinations, just like the traditional high street was years ago. Now developers and retailers are clearly seeing the potential in cities like Leeds, and there are valuable opportunities for those who want to establish themselves outside the capital. Harvey Nichols certainly took a risk when it opened a store in the north of England, but it is one that paid off. As well as becoming a landmark in its own right, it no doubt helped other businesses to grow and the city went on to become a magnet for shoppers. It is perhaps interesting to note that few other high-end department stores have since followed suit. Brands can benefit from lower rents, or even wage bills, when they move out of London, however, it would seem that city planners and developers still have their work cut out for them when it comes to attracting the big players. The capital remains a big draw for tourists seeking luxury goods, and it will take time for other cities to catch up, although HS2 would certainly improve connectivity. Even without high-speed railways, some ambitious councils are making strides to close the gap between cities. In Sheffield, for example, investment in a £480 million Retail Quarter is currently underway, aiming to encourage more top fashion brands to open stores in the city centre and so compete with the likes of Leeds and Manchester. It is perhaps significant that these changes are taking place in Sheffield, which is home to Meadowhall. A re-focus on the city centre responds to the growing trend that people no longer want to drive to a large, box-like mall; instead they want to feel part of a vibrant city with all it has to offer, including outdoor cafes, festivals and independent boutiques. Leeds’ Victoria Gate, which draws on the heritage of the Victoria Quarter and is located centrally, captures the energy of the city, while being a destination in its own right. There is no doubt that Leeds, along with Manchester and Newcastle, will remain a key shopping destination for many years to come, especially if the Government’s strategy to improve areas outside London continues. Developments such as Victoria Gate and Trinity Leeds show that the high street is alive, and that retailers are now adept at blending online services with physical stores. The regeneration of our cities is not just good news for the retail sector but for the economy as a whole.
Karl McKeever is creative director of visual merchandising and brand delivery consultancy Visual Thinking.
Email Karl at karl@retailfocus.co www.visualthinking.co.uk
Why Leeds is flourishing as a shopping city
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project focus
, Moleskine Cafe Milan, Italy Design: Interbrand Opening date: July 2016 Store size: 200 sq m Photography: Michele Morosi
Italian luxury notebook brand Moleskine has entered a new chapter with the opening of its very own cafe. A contemporary reinterpretation of the idea of the café littéraire, the new format mixes elements of a cafe, art gallery, store and library. Created in collaboration with Interbrand, the 200 sq m cafe in the Brera Design District of Milan is designed to boost creativity as well as enable deep thinking and relaxation. The original idea behind the concept and development is ‘My Daily Fix of Inspiration’, which comes to life within the space and in its experiential elements. Split across two levels, the ground floor incorporates a coffee bar, communal table and exhibition space while the mezzanine
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project focus
features a sofa area for reading, working and quiet conversations. ‘The café design reflects Moleskine’s style: simple, essential lines, and a colour range based on neutral shades, which creates a relaxing environment that encourages exploration and dialogue, just like the ivory-coloured pages of their notebooks,’ says a spokesperson for Interbrand. ‘Large full-height windows illuminate the interior and create continuity with the terrace and city streets.’ The exhibition space on the ground floor will focus on the early stages of the creative process, with sketches, notes and doodles by established and emerging architects, designers, illustrators, business innovators and film directors the starting point for a series of on-site presentations. In addition, an interactive sharing wall provides opportunities for customers to connect with and draw inspiration from artists, designers and creative professionals from around the world. For the new cafe, Moleskine has
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partnered with Milan-based coffee roaster Sevengrams to offer two espresso blends and a selection of brewed coffee. The coffee beans are available for purchase in Moleskine-branded bags, which feature illustrations by a range of different authors. The Moleskine Café is a new journey into food and beverage retailing for the company, which has already gone beyond paper, stretching its reach into travel accessories, publishing, software development and consumer electronics. ‘This is an important new step in our journey to realise the full potential of Moleskine as the lifestyle brand of the creative class,’ says Arrigo Berni, CEO of
Moleskine. ‘Our vision for the Moleskine Café is exciting and unique. We will provide our guests with an innovative retail experience, bringing the socialising dimensions of food, creativity and shopping to a single space designed to reflect the distinctive, clean aesthetics of Moleskine. I believe this vision fully reflects the growing interest people show for retail formats that go beyond the sheer act of shopping and I look forward to validating this concept for global expansion.’ The Milan opening follows the success of the pilot Moleskine Café in Geneva Airport, with more sites expected to open in cities worldwide.
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project focus
Fabled Tottenham Court Walk, London Design: gpstudio Opening date: August 2016 Store size: 745 sq m The new Fabled store in London’s Tottenham Court Walk brings to life the beauty collaboration between women’s magazine Marie Claire and online supermarket Ocado. Designed by gpstudio,
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the 745 sq m ‘test and play’ store is spread across two levels and is intended to support the new premium online beauty brand. ‘[Our] conceptual idea for the flagship store was to create a storytelling journey for the consumer,’ says Gregor Jackson, partner and founder of gpstudio. The ground floor incorporates Marie
Claire-led areas such as the Fabled Edits, as well as a space dedicated to seasonal recommendations and a fragrance room, while the first floor mezzanine is entirely devoted to skincare. Digital elements throughout the store continually link the space to Fabled’s online offer, with touch-screen technology
project focus
enabling customers to learn about, and experiment with, the brand’s beauty products. The customer is chiefly guided around the store by the arrangement of furniture. A parade of brand tables and Fabled-owned monolithic tables define the customer journey, while the digital interface gives pause points and light box signage acts as beacons, to signal key product categories or service. The interior has a simple, pared-back material palette, with grey tiles, concrete, ply and exposed architectural shell to present a neutral and honest backdrop to the brands. ‘This is not a brand looking to have a roll-out on the high street and “overly designed stores”,’ says Jackson. ‘The mothership is the online offer. The number of stores will be intentionally limited, and are about test and play, events, and building customer ambassadors and customer loyalty. This is a “brand package” unlike any other beauty offer.’ Amanda Scott, managing director at Fabled, adds: ‘With over 25 years of beauty inspiration, education and advice there is huge trust and respect in the Marie Claire brand. This, coupled with Ocado’s ecommerce expertise, stands to be a great venture for both in their/our own fields of expertise.’ The store opened in August 2016 and is expected to extend to the basement in the future.
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2015-02-10 Mix.indd 1
10/02/2015 15:48:41
project focus
Sonos SoHo, New York City Design: Partners & Spade Opening date: July 2016 Store size: 390 sq m After becoming a part of so many homes around the world, it’s time we finally settled down in a place of our own, claims Sonos. The consumer electronics company, known for its wireless speaker systems, has opened its first retail store at 101 Greene Street in Manhattan’s SoHo neighbourhood. The store concept, developed in
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project focus
collaboration with Partners & Spade, is designed to create an equally inspiring sound and visual experience. ‘The whole store experience is based on the idea of being in a really comfortable and inspiring environment, listening to music you love, but hearing it in a way you never have before,’ says Dmitri Siegel, Sonos VP, global brand. The 390 sq m store is split across two levels and features seven state-of-the-art listening rooms, each acoustically designed to replicate a home listening environment, from a kitchen and study to living room. ‘The intention is to allow the music to do the talking, making it easy for everyone to experience Sonos exactly as they would at home, even though they are in the retail environment,’ says Giles Martin, Sonos sound experience leader. Each of the listening rooms is custom-built with four layers of acoustic sheet rock and a 2,000lb, steel-framed glass door to ensure sounds are contained within each 4m x 3m space. They each feature a different aesthetic to showcase how the minimalist appearance of Sonos products blends seamlessly with the interior of any home. Custom wallpaper designs adorn the interior walls of three of the Sonos listening rooms, including architectural renderings and sketches by London-based French
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illustrator Thibaud Herem; hand-painted classic patterns by New York-based decorative painter Mark Chamberlain; and a custom illustration of the Sonos store’s home in SoHo by New York cartoonist Mark Stamaty. Hand-woven rugs, bookshelves and custom furniture also contribute to the sound experience. Six of the seven house-shaped listening rooms form a row on the ground floor, while the seventh listening room is located on the lower level of the store, offering a HiFi
haven complete with a vintage Herman Miller Eames lounge chair. The downstairs listening room also displays a collection of rare cassette tapes owned by famed musician Thurston Moore, who was involved in the SoHo music scene. The store features original artwork and installations throughout the space that celebrate music culture and curation. A large hand-painted portrait of famed record producer and long-time Sonos advisor Rick Rubin hangs near the entrance to the store, giving a nod to the company’s connections to New York City music. Meanwhile, an extensive collection of New York music zines, including out-of-print titles such as Arthur, New York Rocker and East Village Eye hang prominently within the main space. At the back of the store, a ‘wall of sound’ comprising 297 Sonos speakers serves as an ode to speaker culture. The store opened in July 2016.
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gender in retail
CLOSING THE GENDER GAP Retailers are starting to question traditional gender roles, which in turn is having an impact on store design and the customer journey, finds Retail Focus. Many fashion houses are blurring the line between feminine and masculine, and several have created androgynous labels for women who wish to dress more masculine. In turn, this has seen the store design change to a more neutral model for both men and women. ‘Zara launched a gender neutral fashion line in April earlier this year called “Ungendered”. A few years back we had Kanye West wearing skirts, the rise of transgender models such as Andrej Pejic dominating the runaway, men walking on women’s runways and vice versa. ID magazine had its girl-boy issue, Selfridges had Agender and Rick Owens experimented with gender boldly within his menswear collection,’ notes Michael Sheridan, chairman and founder of brand and retail design agency Sheridan&Co. Selfridges’ Agender campaign last year saw the department store create a pop-up over three floors of its Oxford Street flagship. Produced in collaboration with designer Faye Toogood, the space housed a variety of ranges suitable for both sexes, celebrating fashion without definition, and was complemented by a full run of windows. Gender neutral shopping destinations opened at Selfridges.com and in both the Manchester and Birmingham stores. The retailer launched five unisex collections and selected an additional 40 brands to be worn by any sex. According to Linda Hewson, creative director at Selfridges, Agender wasn’t about harnessing a trend but rather tapping into a mind-set and acknowledging and responding to a cultural shift that is happening now. ‘I think gender-neutral concepts are part of a wider macro movement of consumers moving beyond stereotypes. We are progressing from traditional methods of consumer segmentation. For example, Nike launched a new concept whereby an 86-year-old nun is at the front of the campaign running an ironman, defying expectation and stereotypes,’ says Sheridan. He believes the internet has allowed consumers to become more fluid, open minded and knowledgeable. ‘They have the freedom to express themselves
Text: Lyndsey Dennis
Above: 20.20’s showroom interiors for Nissan are warmer, with softer materials, better lighting and areas to dwell and talk. more creatively and interact with a wider community. A few decades ago, young people didn’t have access to communicate with like-minded people from across the globe. It was very much the people you were living with in a town. But now, thanks to social media, young people can do that and are constantly inspired by an incredible amount of visual content.’ Children’s retail is another area where the line is blurring, removing the ‘pink’ and ‘blue’ segregation as well as such toys as dolls in the girls’ section. Early Learning Centre’s latest format, designed by strategic retail design consultancy 20.20, includes a gender neutral product presentation and focuses on themes that encourage children to play. Target, one of America’s largest supermarket chains, has created a gender neutral toy aisle for children after a disgruntled parent tweeted an image of one of the retailer’s store signs that said ‘Building Sets’ and ‘Girls’ Building Sets’. The retailer reassessed its stores and decided to move away from gender-based signs. Jim Thompson, managing director at 20.20, says areas such as traditionally male
retail environments (DIY stores, electronics shops and car showrooms) are seeing big shifts. All of these are demonstrating a change in attitude by brands and retailers over who makes the buying decisions. This is driven by more couples working full-time, sharing mortgages and finances, and having an equal say over what we buy and own. ‘Gender neutral retail relies on many factors, but we expect fashion retailers wanting to showcase a unisex product offering will shift further towards a broader lifestyle approach to VM and inspiration,’ says Thompson. ‘Many department stores have noted the rise of women shopping in menswear departments in search of a better fit or a cheaper alternative for basics like t-shirts and socks. So, if men’s and womenswear departments are split up on different floors, it is easier to tempt women onto the men’s floor than the other way around. A truly gender-neutral shopping experience is therefore much easier in stores where menswear and womenswear share a single sales floor. It literally breaks down the barriers.’
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gender in retail
In DIY and electronics, he says there is a shift to more demonstration-led retail to make products more accessible to all. ‘We’re seeing products out of the box and more VM to sell the end result, rather than just the task and tools.’ Car showrooms are moving away from the hard sell. ‘The salesman is less visible and has become more of an adviser, after customers have used online tools for their decision making. We are also seeing a big shift in location, with car showrooms appearing in shopping centres, rather than out-of-town parks. This leads to a much more gender-neutral shopping environment,’ believes Thompson. Architectural firm BuckleyGrayYeoman has completed seven stores for Fred Perry, and gender neutrality has never been a specific consideration. Rather, it is inherent to the brand’s history and identity. ‘Fred Perry, as an iconic English brand, has always had a wide appeal to both men and women, and the store designs reflect this. The merchandise is split between type – apparel and accessories are displayed separately rather than by gender – and within both apparel and accessories spaces, men’s and women’s items sit side by side, with little or no aesthetic difference between the two,’ says Claire Osborne, architect at BuckleyGrayYeoman. ‘At the recently refurbished Fred Perry Cologne store, we reorganised the plan
arrangement to create two distinctive rooms. Upon entering the store, all clothing (men’s and women’s) is visible in the front display area and accessories are to be discovered in the room to the rear. Neither gender is exhibited more prominently, and the unitised plywood display system along one wall allows for flexibility,’ explains Osborne. ‘The materials we have used are chosen because they align with the brand’s aesthetic rather than being particularly male or female. The stores always incorporate some robust materials — steel and concrete — used alongside some more refined ones; timber and metal detailing for instance. A combination of tactile concrete, parquet flooring and polished brass was particularly successful in the EmQuartier store we have recently completed in Bangkok. Thailand. This gives a balanced aesthetic, which is gender neutral and still retains a distinctively British sense of style, refinement and wit.’ The window displays of a Fred Perry store typically do not feature apparel and instead focus on an installation or the concept behind a new collection, thereby reinforcing the brand’s identity and remaining gender neutral.
Left: 20.20 helped Dutch DIY retailer Praxis move away from a traditionally male environment through the use of stories and zones. Above: At Fred Perry’s latest stores, neither gender is exhibited more prominently. Below: Selfridges’ Agender campaign celebrated fashion without definition. Bottom: Gender neutral clothing is becoming more common in such stores as UNIQLO, where there is no divide between male and female departments.
Generation Z is the hottest conversation for all marketers at the moment, but will the future of retail be shaped by this generation, which according to cmo.com uses five screens on average (a smartphone, TV, laptop, desktop and iPod/iPad)? ‘These kids grew up with the internet. They are the first generation to have same-sex parents or parents from inter-racial marriages. This naturally makes these kids more open-minded. So I would argue, although that gender is one factor, it is one part of the mosaic of a wider movement. The future of retail will push boundaries. It will be stereotype—neutral so to speak,’ concludes Sheridan.
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fast food
Fast food for thought In the fast-food market, the expectation of great service matched with quality food and a memorable experience continues to rise, finds Retail Focus. Text: Gemma Balmford
The fast food industry is currently benefitting from two trends in the UK, according to market research firm Euromonitor. Firstly, it seems that busier lifestyles are making people less willing to cook for themselves, with many attracted to fast food by its affordable prices. In addition, the quality and diversity of fast food available continues to improve, and a growing focus on health and quality is encouraging players to adapt their offer. In terms of global brand owner, McDonald’s is leading the way in the UK fast food market, accounting for 15 per cent value share in 2015, finds Euromonitor. Across the UK, McDonald’s restaurants are undergoing a transformation that will provide the foundations for current and future changes to the company’s menu and service experience. ‘The big changes focus on providing customers with more choice as to how they order and pay, adapting how the food is prepared and served, and offering new technological features to create an environment that is even more welcoming and enjoyable,’ says the company. In August last year, McDonald’s began trialling table service in 14 restaurants across England, and by the end of 2016 it is
expected to be available in more than 400 restaurants across the UK. The company is also installing self-order kiosks, where customers can browse the menu and check the nutritional information of each meal before completing their order and paying by card. ‘Investing in our customer experience is paramount,’ says Paul Pomroy, chief executive officer, McDonald’s UK. ‘Customers’ expectations remain high as tastes continue to evolve. Our response is a multimillion pound investment in the next chapter of the McDonald’s UK story.’ The fast food restaurant chain has also been moving away from the use of red and yellow in its branding (colours often associated with speed and efficiency) in favour of more natural colours, such as green (often connected to health and the environment) as more and more people look for healthier food options. ‘With our community becoming increasingly more health conscious, we are seeing a shift in what “fast food” means,’ says Ruth Carpenter at CADA Design. ‘Fast food has been redefined, focusing on healthy, high protein/low carb replacements.’ The interior design consultancy has more than 25 years experience in the
Above: KFC Newcastle, featuring the latest format by I-AM, created especially for bustling city centre locations.
hospitality sector, working alongside the likes of Itsu, Chip+Fish, Roast, Mori and Pret. In 2015, it was tasked with translating the American Potbelly Sandwich Shop brand (which started out as an antiques shop in Chicago specialising in rustic potbelly stoves) to suit the UK market. The first site opened in Westfield Stratford last summer with a vibrant yellow shopfront and light interior featuring carefully chosen antiques, playful photography and info graphics that narrate the history of the brand. ‘The expectation of great service, matched with quality food and a memorable experience continues to rise,’ notes Pete Champion, group partner and creative director at London-based design agency I-AM. ‘The gap between casual dining — going out for a midweek dinner — and fast food is closing, with elements of more premium offers contributing to the rise of the contemporary “fast casual” offer proliferating with brands like Five Guys.’ The design agency has worked closely with KFC to develop a new
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fast food Right & below: McDonalds is rolling out Samsung Galaxy tablets across its UK restaurants, with help from SOTI, in order to provide customers with the ‘Experience of the Future’.
format especially for city centre locations that reflects the brand’s updated look and feel, and forms part of its plans to expand significantly by 2020. The design sets a new standard, featuring a contemporary, friendly and informal atmosphere with bar stool seating, a new material palette, and new artwork complemented by wire-mesh chicken installations perched in the lobby. ‘Style wise, we evolved the fast food feel to a warmer, textural and fastcasual impression, with more variation in materiality (metal combined with timber and leather) and colour,’ explains Champion. ‘Overall, variety, warmth and texture was dialled up, combined with a more stripped back sensibility in order to express and reflect the honest warmth and joy of the brand’s positioning as the original and best in the world of great fried chicken.’ The quick service restaurant category is evolving all the time, with new chains launching and arriving from overseas, says Cheryl Flink, chief strategy officer for Market Force Information, which has published a study into Britain’s favourite fast food restaurants and coffee shops. According to the findings, US burger chain Five Guys, which launched in the UK three years ago, has taken the top spot from last year’s winner Nando’s, while Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) is placed third, followed by KFC. The study looks at the specific attributes that drive satisfaction, analysing factors such as speed of service, food quality and value for money. ‘The Five Guys approach is one of simplicity and honesty,’ says a spokesperson at Blacksheep, the design studio behind the UK restaurants. ‘We took this sentiment and reflected it within the design, where open kitchens dominate the spaces and the raw ingredients, stacked potato sacks and peanut oil, are often on display. A combination of seating zones and types caters to diners’ differing needs and the solid oak tables and chairs communicate and reinforce the premium offer at Five Guys.’ The UK burger bar market is now estimated to be worth £3,286 million (up 22 per cent from £2,801 million in 2011), according to market intelligence agency Mintel, with three in five Brits found to have visited a burger outlet in the three months to July 2016.
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Delivering the goods With the rise of third-party online ordering portals such as Deliveroo, Just Eat and Supper, more restaurants in the UK, from fast food chains to Michelin-starred restaurants, are exploring home delivery options. Burger King, for example, began trialling home delivery in 2015 with a national rollout expected later this year, while Pizza Express is thought to be opening 150 delivery sites over the next five years. ‘The desire to have food delivered has increased dramatically with the use of mobile phone apps enabling food to be ordered at the touch of a button,’ says Robert Rosser, creative director at retail design agency Studio Tait. ‘Companies like Just Eat and Deliveroo are almost becoming admired brands in
Below: US burger chain Five Guys has been named Britain’s favourite fast food restaurant, three years after launching in the UK.
themselves. Almost every fast food brand has embraced the digital revolution in some respect, whether individually or in partnership with a third party, and this allows companies to grow without necessarily increasing their staff numbers or seating capacity.’ But, whether dining in, taking away or ordering online for home delivery, creating consistent branding and level of service is of utmost importance, maintains Rosser. ‘This needs to be reinforced with great shopfront signage, wayfinding, advertising and digital presence,’ he says. ‘Fast food is getting faster and good digital communication has become an essential component in growing and driving success.’
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opinion
The Economy of Desire Desire is the brand currency of the 21st century, claims George Gottl, CEO and co-founder of design consultancy UXUS. Society has shifted consumption from a need-based activity, to desire driven experiences. Consumption has, in the past, been defined by acquisition and value as status symbols. The future of consumption is personal, focused on uniqueness of the experience and the emotional impact it delivers. At its highest expression, consumption is a personal sensibility, an individual journey of discovery and emotional engagement. It engages through sensorial and meaningful experiences at the intersection of commerce and culture. In the new consumption landscape, a sense of transformation and renewal have become major factors in creating value and desire for brands. The idea of creating transformative experiences, not only for marketing but also as products to be sold, is linked to the wider rise of product innovation in consumer markets. It is the transition of value from commodities to goods to services to experiences to personal transformations, where the desire for a better you becomes the product. 21st century companies must address the need that consumers desire to become better people. Through brands, social platforms and bricks-and-mortar experiences, people want to tap into the ability to lead a better life. Companies now have to look at creating and curating experiences in a similar way to how they buy and merchandise stores; those experiences today should be an equal part of the overall product offering. Today and in the future, the personality of a brand is everything. Personality is what gives brands meaning, especially in the connected world of social media. Consumers are looking for a broader definition of value in their purchase, they want something meaningful as the motivating factor to buy an experience or product. People want real products and experiences, made by real people who have a unique view on the world. Personality validates the choice and motivates customers to desire the products and services that they relate to and aspire to have. Real and authentic experiences and products generate the desire for the brand and a higher perceived value that is beyond a product’s cost. Brands must remember that consumers are looking to become better people. If they’re buying goods or services, it’s often to achieve their aspirations, so products and experiences must bring a benefit, whether emotional or practical, to the customer beyond the product or service itself. Brand value no longer comes from the status of the brand, but more importantly from the enhancement the product or service gives consumers in their lives. The shift from a ‘need’ based economy to a ‘desire’ based economy is one of the crucial distinguishing factors that companies face in the 21st century.
The challenge for businesses is to engage with customers emotionally and create benefits beyond the products and services that they offer. This means that companies need to create a halo around themselves that gives customers a feeling of being part of a greater good. That good can be a benefit for themselves, or somehow contributing to the greater good as a whole. In a connected and transformational world, companies must evolve continuously and be able to engage an audience much like influencers or personalities do, intimately. Conversations are the future for brands in the desire economy, not slogans and taglines. The customers of tomorrow take part of the development of a brand and want to contribute directly to how a brand grows. We are in the age of the ethical consumer. Personal style has replaced fashion. Substance has replaced image. The issue is no longer, does it work, but how does it feel? Do I want it verses need it? Consumption in the future will be diverse, luxurious and humble, reflecting millions of individuals and their tastes. But, the one constant for all successes will be the intangibility that reflects the integrity and individuality instilled by brands to their offering. It’s the new economy of desire.
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estate agents
ON THE MOVE
Text: Lyndsey Dennis
The human touch will continue to be important in the selling and purchasing of a home, finds Retail Focus.
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions we will make in our lives, both financially and personally. With websites such as Rightmove, Zoopla and Purple Bricks offering access to property details 24/7, high street estate agents are stepping it up a gear to attract buyers and sellers through their doors. ‘There is a ripple of change starting to happen in the design of estate agency offices. Agents across the country are looking at the way they communicate with their clients and this has reflected in totally new design concepts,’ says Janice Fairfield, marketing director at Fairfield Displays, a specialist in the sector. Fairfield believes agents are embracing new technology as a way to impress potential sellers and make the process of buying far more informative. ‘A contemporary office design will consist of new high brightness screens which can be seen even under bright sunlight in the window. The screens have live property feeds so that the information is always up to date,’ says Fairfield. ‘The new trend is to have a mixture of low level displays with the LED Pockets. These can be used to advertise the agent’s range of unique services as this will draw in people who have properties to sell.’ Fairfield says interiors are now divided up into discussion areas for presenting information and dealing with rental clients. Walls are no longer just left white; large video walls, illuminated stretched graphics and large colourful wall maps are all incorporated into a design. Just coming onto the market are large internal touch screens that work and look like a large tablet. Consultants can now pull up properties by price, drill down to floor plans, display Google maps and street views, produce extensive reports and email information straight to the customer. ‘Not very long ago, and in many places still, an estate agent premises felt exactly like an “office” that happened to be located on a high street,’ says Pete Champion, group partner and strategy director at branding and interior design agency I-AM. ‘Those who had the courage to brave the usually-closed doorway and threshold were greeted with what I call the “meerkat moment”, a sea of questioning faces each popping up above massed ranks of office desks, making one feel immediately under the spotlight and required to justify why you’re interrupting their day. The décor always felt like a dreary office, with the only hint of personality the odd super-sized agency logo on the back wall, big, brash and
Main: At Aspire Estate Agent’s in Balham, Barber Design brought the customer experience to the forefront. Above: PCAP touch screens from Fairfield Displays can be wall mounted or fitted on a stand. Below: At Strutt & Parker in South Kensington, I-AM designed hotdesking areas with a variety of seating, from bar style tables to booths with interactive map tables, providing discussion areas.
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estate agents
Inset: Crucial Projects created a lively and dynamic office interior at Robert Alan Homes in Hackney.
adding to the general sense of them-and-us intimidation. ‘A little more than a decade ago, the more enlightened agents realised that they needed to consider their spaces more as a retail experience, geared towards visitors. Thus, at the progressive end of the market we have seen a complete reinvention of the experience on approaching, entering and interacting with an agency. It’s generally much more inspiring, visitor-friendly, and pleasant with low-pressure threshold and hospitality zones, typically where after a warm and friendly welcome the initial if not fully detailed discussions with the agents can happen with a much more equal-terms dynamic,’ continues Champion. ‘The next layer of evolution has been the response to the digital era; where the very purpose of an agency as a high street premises has been challenged by the internet-enabled theoretical fact that there is no longer a real need for such a place, at a purely functional level. Interestingly and slightly contrarily, however, we have seen the estate agent premises becoming a key statement of brand presence and personality — a reassuring beacon of solidity, trust and local knowledge in an ever-more fluid landscape of choice-making. Clever agents have then embraced ways to use digital tech to complement their physical brand experiences offered by their offices, and to enhance the face-to-face reassurance and expertise they are able to deliver there,’ says Champion. I-AM has created a fun and innovative concept for Strutt & Parker’s latest store in South Kensington. As a new location, brand impact was integral. I-AM designed a street presence that exudes a blend of core traditional Strutt & Parker brand qualities combined with quirky and unexpected contemporary styling, reflecting the metropolitan location and representing the company’s partnership with Christie’s International Real Estate. ‘The key focus was on creating a sense of recognisable character and personality that would sit appropriately with the high-end heritage of the brand, yet be quirky enough to differentiate Strutt & Parker from its competitors, and raise a smile at the same time,’ says Champion. ‘We wanted to create a “visual signature” for S&P with key elements always incorporated in every site — “anchor points” of the distinctive S&P experience.’ The latest redesign in South Kensington demonstrates how progressive a high-end, ‘traditional’ estate agent can be, embracing hot desking for the agents alongside spatial principles
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more akin to a cool members club, café or lounge bar, than anything to do with an ‘office’. Staff hot desk with laptops on a variety of seating, from bar style tables to booths with interactive map tables, providing discussion areas. Playful touches include miniature models to create scenes reflecting both domestic life and S&P’s links to land and countryside. An easel in the window with a digital screen nods back to the brand’s collaboration with Christie’s International Property and the connotations of art. For Aspire Estate Agent’s flagship in Balham, Barber Design was tasked with developing a new customer facing office proposition. ‘We put a retail twist on the project, bringing customer experience to the forefront. The Aspire brand now sits as a main player amongst its competitors,’ says Doug Barber, managing director of Barber Design. The Barber team created an optimal layout with a welcoming reception desk, a relax zone and repositioned all of the sales staff to align themselves to customer flow. A new retail palette of colours, finishes and furniture was selected, and a sales office and tea and coffee making facilities introduced for customer wellbeing. Seasonal window graphics were produced to create refreshable interest, and interior graphics were developed to bring a sense of place to the location. The scheme was rolled out to a further seven stores across London. ‘A less formal style for estate agent interiors has emerged over the last few years, as clients have embraced more of a domestic setting, striking a balance between professionalism and approachability,’ says Andrew Tomlinson, creative director at design and marketing studio Crucial Projects. He says estate agents are creating more inviting environments with coffee bars and soft seating, more design statements through lighting, wall displays and finishes, and the use of technology with LED wall displays and iPad bars. ‘As we move into a predominantly digital era, transactions and communications are increasingly being handled online, so a “shopkeeper” type of approach is less important. However, the selling and purchasing of a property is and will always remain a very emotional experience and the human touch will continue to be important. So, having a visible, welcoming and approachable office to visit and carry out face-to-face communications is key,’ concludes Tomlinson.
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products
surfaces + finishes International Decorative Surfaces The Milano high gloss panel range, popular for retail shopfitting and exhibition stand building, has been enhanced with a subtle new sparkle effect called Stardust that creates a superior ‘piano gloss’ finish. Stardust enhances the lacquered high gloss surface with a subtle sparkle creating a one-of-a-kind mirror-like finish that is highly luxurious looking. Compared to other materials, such a depth of finish cannot be achieved with standard melamine or laminate, and it is more scratch resistant and cost effective than acrylic panel products. T. +44 (0)845 023 0376 E: solutions@idsurfaces.co.uk www.idsurfaces.co.uk Twitter: idsurfaces
Armourcoat Armourcoat has introduced a refreshed company website and logo to coincide wiht the launch of a major new product for exterior wall applications. PPX (Polished Plaster eXternal) is a polymer-filled limestone render system suitable for new build and renovation projects, producing stunning honed and textured finishes for external spaces. The introduction of PPX represents entry into a significant new market for the company. Armourcoat also offers a complete PPX External Wall Insulation (EWI) system to provide outstanding thermal insulation tested to stringent ETAG standards. T. +44 (0)1732 460 668 E. sales@armourcoat.co.uk www.armourcoat.com Twitter: Armourcoat
Armourcoat Decorative specialist Armourcoat will present a range of hand-applied polished plaster wall finishes and pre-cast bas relief panels at Decorex International this month. The company will also showcase the latest additions to the Signature Collection. Devised by Armourocat founder Duncan MacKellar, this exclusive range of polished plaster wall finishes reflects his unique creativity and passion. Creating rich, opulent and luxurious interiors, these artisan finishes represent the highest level of product mastery, redefining the technique and underlining Armourcoat’s lead role in the industry. T. +44 (0)1732 460 668 E. sales@armourcoat.co.uk www.armourcoat.com Twitter: Armourcoat
James Latham James Latham, the exclusive distributor of HI-MACS in the UK and Ireland, recently supplied 100 sheets of HI-MACS solid surface for the construction of Hyundai’s new Rockar dealership at Stratford. HI-MACS is an incredibly versatile material that can be worked in a similar way to wood but can be applied to many types of building projects and it is particularly well suited to retail and commercial environments. The material is characterised by its flexibility, durability and low maintenance properties, inspiring interior designers and giving them the freedom to create distinctive designs that define spaces. T. +44 (0)116 257 3415 E. marketing@lathams.co.uk www.lathamtimber.co.uk Twitter: lathamsltd
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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 Polyflor High performance wood effect sheet vinyl flooring from Polyflor’s Forest fx PUR collection was recently chosen to help create a stylish interior for pampered pets at Glamour Pooch Dog Spa and Day Care in Freckleton. The concept for this retail interior was created by Beverley Wood Design, a creative consultancy service based in Lytham St Anne’s. Forest fx PUR vinyl flooring in the Rustic Oak shade was installed by the client’s flooring contractors in the reception and dog grooming areas. The Forest fx PUR range of 14 wood effect flooring designs has been developed for use in heavy commercial environments such as retail interiors where high levels of foot traffic occur. T. +44 (0)161 767 1111 E: info@polyflor.com www.polyflor.com Twitter: Polyflorltd
Junckers Junckers has launched a new, solid hardwood floor in grey, the most sought after shade for floors in the design industry today. Vista Grey is a subtly textured floor made in solid oak, which combines pale grey with white tones to enhance and highlight the natural grain structure of the timber. Junckers’ thorough drying process and quality control guarantees a very stable floor ideal for use with underfloor heating. Like all of the brand’s floors, Vista Grey is pre-finished using the highest quality oils and lacquers for a very durable floor that is uniform in appearance. T. +44 (0)1376 534 700 E. enquiries@junckers.co.uk www.junckers.co.uk Twitter: junckersfloors
International Decorative Surfaces IDS has extended its flooring portfolio with a brand new range of luxury vinyl flooring called Malmo, offering a stylish, high performance option that is suitable for a wide variety of commercial and domestic applications. Malmo offers 10 woodgrain designs including classic oak and on-trend greys, in a matt finish that’s high performance and easy to maintenance. The range offers all 10 designs in 2.5mm design options with a 0.55mm wear layer achieving a heavy commercial classification of 33. Five of the designs are also available in a 2mm option with a 0.3mm wear layer. T. +44 (0)8457 298 298 E. info@idsurfaces.co.uk www.idsurfaces.co.uk Twitter: idsurfaces
Polyflor Commercial and residential vinyl flooring specialist Polyflor has announced the launch of Bloc PUR, a vibrant collection of solid colour sheet flooring in a broad spectrum of 16 enticing colours. Designed to provide either a subtle backdrop or a bold, modern statement in the retail, leisure and commercial sectors, UK manufactured Bloc PUR is a high performance heterogeneous sheet floorcovering with a textured matt finish. Developed after feedback from the marketplace revealed a desire for a much sought after plain decoration flooring, Bloc features an innovative, fully pigmented, homogeneous 0.7mm wear layer of pure colour. The range can be used to create tonal, complementary or harmonious interior design schemes using greys, neutrals, pastels and brights in its colour palette, whether they are used individually or combined with other designs from the range. T. +44 (0)161 767 1111 E. info@polyflor.com www.polyflor.com Twitter: Polyflorltd
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products
FLOORING Kährs Kährs Oak Sparuto has been specified at Pho Grand Central, a new Vietnamese street food eatery at Birmingham Grand Central. Kährs design-treated wood floor complements Pho’s raw, urban design and eclectic mix of materials, from steel to bamboo. All flooring was installed by Blackpool-based shopfitters and building contractors, Thompsons. Part of Kährs Da Capo Collection, Oak Sparuto joins Kährs’ dark toned colour spectrum and features a tactile brushed and handscraped finish, gives an aged, gnarly look. T. +44 (0)23 9245 3045 E: sales@kahrs.com www.kahrs.com Twitter: KahrsHardwood
Amtico New to the Signature Collection this year is Kura, one of Amtico’s elegant new additions to its Stone range. There are seven shades available, ranging from chalky taupe tones to opulent hues of amethyst and onyx. Available now for both commercial and residential clients, Kura provides an elegant aesthetic. Kura joins more than 30 new designs launched this year, which in turn form part of the 163-strong Signature Collection. Kura’s elegant ceramic-like textures vary from smooth to organic, combining and balancing to create incredibly versatile products that work together beautifully. T. +44 (0)121 745 0800 E: info@amtico.com www.amtico.com Twitter: AmticoFlooring
Gradus
Moduleo
Gradus has extended its secondary barrier carpet collection with the launch of Boulevard 7000, a high performance barrier carpet that features an attractive linear design. It is made from 100 per cent solution dyed nylon yarn and incorporates a heavy scraper fibre that provides optimum dirt removal and moisture retention properties. The Boulevard 7000 range has been designed for use in commercial office, education, healthcare and retail environments and reflects current design and colour trends. Boulevard 7000 is ideal for use in areas prone to soil and moisture damage, such as lifts and canteen areas or in areas of heavy wear, such as reception areas or corridors. It can either be used in conjunction with a primary entrance mat or in some situations can be used as stand-alone matting in entrances and access points.
GAME recently renovated its Edinburgh and Aberystwyth stores and opted for luxury vinyl flooring from Moduleo for both projects. These two locations are the first of many stores to have the Concrete stone-effect flooring from the manufacturer’s innovative Transform collection, as a result of its natural appearance, durability and unparalleled design. Moduleo’s luxury vinyl flooring responds extremely well to wear and tear, is durable, and has a slip-resistance rating of R10. It is also very low maintenance and almost effortless to clean, making it ideal for retail use.
T. +44 (0)1625 428 922 E. imail@gradusworld.com www.gradusworld.com Twitter: Gradus_World
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T. +44 (0)1332 851 500 E. salesuk@moduleo.com www.moduleo.co.uk Twitter: ModuleoUK
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Flexible strip LEDs: made to measure
Our bespoke , tailor-made flexible strip LED kits make lighting your retail display roll out easy, saving your workshop time and money.
Our LED experts will design your kit so it arrives ready to plug in and play: • We’ll help you choose the right LED strip product • Products will be cut, soldered and connected to the desired • Power supplies can be added so it is ready to plug in and play All
LEDs are manufactured in Europe to the highest quality.
Find out more about our LED solutions, contact your nearest Perspex Distribution office BLACKBURN Email: sales.blackburn@perspex.co.uk Tel: 01254 272 800
TAMWORTH Email: sales.tamworth@perspex.co.uk Tel: 01827 263 900
CHELMSFORD Email: sales.chelmsford@perspex.co.uk Tel: 01245 232 800
WEYBRIDGE Email: sales.weybridge@perspex.co.uk Tel: 01932 356 900
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products
lighting Reggiani UK Reggiani UK has supplied a variety of fittings, including the offbeat Splyt and Envios luminaires, for the refurbishment of Bute Mills, the new home for Luton-based charity Youthscape. It was purchased by the charity in 2013 and has since gone through a complete transformation. Leading architectural firm HOK was responsible for the overall project design scheme and worked closely with lighting designer Xavier Fulbright of Lumineer Studio and Stuart Gaunt, head of technical specification at Reggiani on the Bute Mills project. T. +44 (0)208 236 3000 E. reggiani@reggiani.co.uk www.reggiani.net Twitter: reggianilight
Fagerhult Fagerhult launched the Dino customisable light engine in August, designed by Stockholm-based architecture and design consultancy PetterssonRudberg. An energy efficient, LED-based light engine, Dino is available in two sizes and light outputs. Users can choose from nine different shades and covers, available in a wide range of fabrics and materials, or create their own unique design. T. +44 (0)207 403 4123 E. light@fagerhult.co.uk www.fagerhult.co.uk Twitter: FagerhultUK
Venture Lighting Venture Lighting Europe has supplied a purpose-made retrofit gear tray to help a Costco store in Birmingham reduce its energy consumption and improve the lighting of its underground car park. The company, working with lighting maintenance contractors Solent Lighting, developed a 50W LED retrofit gear tray to replace 300 150W Metal Halide lamps whilst still utilising the existing fittings to generate an estimated 70 per cent energy saving. T. +44 (0)1923 692 600 E: info@venturelighting.co.uk www.venturelightingeurope.com Twitter: VentureLighting
MEGAMAN UK MEGAMAN UK, the UK distributor of MEGAMAN’s innovative, market-leading LED lighting solutions, has announced the launch of its latest product catalogue. Available now to download at www.megamanuk.com, the catalogue contains a variety of new LED products, including MEGAMAN GU10’s and 360-degree illumination decorative lamps. In addition, the MEGAMAN range of fixtures has been extended further still, with the inclusion of new Luster-LED high bay luminaires and Zeki multi-head gimbal fixtures. The new catalogue also includes MEGAMAN’s ground-breaking U-DIM Dimmable LEDs that are compatible with a wide range of both leading and trailing-edge dimmers. Plus MEGAMAN’s new Hybrid Reflector technology, that delivers in terms of excellent optics and even higher efficacy and beam control. T. +44 (0)1707 386 000 E. marketing@megamanuk.com www.megamanuk.com Twitter: MegamanUKLtd
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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
selection NEC Display Solutions Europe NEC Display Solutions Europe has added two video wall displays, the MultiSync UN551S and MultiSync UN551VS, to its line-up of video wall solutions. The new 55in models feature the latest developments in reliability, homogeneous image playback and ease of installation. These displays are ideal for creating large digitised visual surfaces in retail environments, public areas and quick service restaurants, where dynamic viewing experiences are essential to engage audiences. T. +44 (0)870 120 1160 E: infomail@nec-displays.com www.nec-display-solutions.co.uk Twitter: NEC_Display_EU
Daikin Europe Daikin has introduced a comprehensive centralised control solution for retailers and small commercial businesses that delivers substantial savings in energy costs with improved user convenience. The new intelligent Tablet Controller provides single point access through an easy to use touchscreen tablet in-store or online through the Daikin Cloud service. This allows businesses to manage their local comfort needs cost effectively, whilst controlling energy costs through remote monitoring. T. 0845 641 9000 E. heating@daikin.co.uk www.daikin.co.uk Twitter: Daikinuk
Toshiba TEC Toshiba TEC has announced the latest additions to its mobile printing range with the first of a new generation. The B-FP3D is a compact and rugged portable three-inch printer with full colour LCD display. The most advanced product set of its kind on the market, it frees up workforces across a wide range of vertical sectors, allowing them to carry out activities faster and smarter. Whether for mobile point of sale, queue busting, issuing tickets or receipts at the roadside, or even enabling cash on delivery for logistical operations, the B-FP3D series offers cutting edge printing on the move. T. +44 (0)843 2244 944 E. info@toshibatec.co.uk www.toshibatec.co.uk Twitter: ToshibaTEC_UK
3M Commercial Graphics 3M has been selected by Spandex to showcase its graphic films at The Print Show held at the Birmingham NEC on 11-13 October 2016. The Spandex Stand, E03, includes a wrapping area that will feature film products from 3M only, including the highly versatile, non-PVC Envision Print Film 48 and Envision Print Wrap Film 480CV3, the popular 3M Wrap Film Series 1080 and 3M Wrap Film Series 1380, as well as DI-NOC Architectural Finishes from 3M. These environmentally sustainable wrap, wall and signage films from 3M allow sign makers, wrappers, shopfitters and graphics producers to experience the latest solutions for vehicle graphics, signage and architectural designs. T. +44 (0)1344 857 276 E. pwebley@mmm.com www.3M.co.uk/graphicsolutions wwwspandex.com Twitter: 3MgraphicsUK
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products
VM + DISPLAY bbrown bbrown is an expert in providing creative display materials to clients across the globe in retail, exhibitions, TV, film and events. Its stock product range includes materials such as glitter fabric, 3D illusion film, PVC, decorative 3D tiles and light enhancing panels; ideal for creating wow-factor displays. bbrown Glitter, one of the company’s most popular special finishes, is ideal for adding glamour to any environment. It’s available in two different finishes and a large range of colours to suit most requirements, including pink, gold, green, red, blue, white, black, purple, silver and bronze. T. +44 (0)3705 340 340 E: customerservices@bbrown.co.uk www.bbrown.co.uk Twitter: luvbbrown
Fairfield Displays Just launched by Fairfield Displays, Nimbus is a range of contemporary display stands. High brightness LED poster holders can be positioned vertically or at an angle on a slim upright. The display stands are available as single or double sided. To increase interest the unit has been designed to take the new Samsung 24in high brightness (1500 cdn²) screen, which can have a live feed to promote the latest offers. T. +44 (0)1252 757 824 E. info@fairfielddisplays.co.uk www.fairfielddisplays.co.uk Twitter: fdluk
Andy Thornton Andy Thornton stocks the largest selection of antique and vintage shop counters and cabinets in the UK. The antique mirrored shop display unit featured here is just a sample of the vast stock of fittings currently on display in the company’s Halifax showrooms. The piece was sourced in France and originally graced an elegant ‘Fromagerie’ boutique in the suburbs of Paris. This impressive back fitting, in a distressed white paint finish, stands over 9ft tall and is 8ft 8in wide and features three panelled mirrors with glass shelves above sliding cupboard doors and a central drawer unit. Andy Thornton welcomes retail interior designers and visual merchandisers to visit the showroom to source not only vintage shop fixtures but display props, contract furniture and decorative lighting. And for those that haven’t got the time to visit, the full range is featured on the website at www.andythornton.com. T. +44 (0)1422 376 000 E. sales@andythornton.com www.andythornton.com Twitter: andythorntonltd
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T.C. Millwork T.C. Millwork introduces SMARTWALL IN A BOX: a UL listed self-contained retail display unit that installs almost as easily as hanging a picture frame. The system’s lightweight illuminated shelves can be arranged anywhere along its powered standards without having to connect any wires, providing retailers with ultimate flexibility. Multiple units can be daisy chained together, powering a total of 40 linear feet with just one standard duplex outlet. Compared to typical retail wall systems, the associated installation costs are greatly reduced and the low voltage LED lighting will ensure more energy efficiency. T. +1 215 245 4210 E: sales@tcmillwork.com www.tcmillwork.com Twitter: TCMillwork
Retail Focus Oct 16_Layout 1 14/09/2016 09:12 Page 1
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POP & display
focus on: POP + DISPLAY Clear vision Seen Displays created this bespoke mascara feature wall for an Eyeko counter in Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge. The display was designed to drive the launch of the brand’s bespoke mascara service and highlight the range of options available to customers. Known as ‘The Lash Gamechanger’, the tailored service includes 100 different brush and formula combinations to suit individual cosmetic needs. The display would become a key focal point of the beauty concession in the store. Cleverly using existing product packaging, mirrored dibond and Eyeko’s signature blue, Seen Displays produced a mural of mascara caps and brushes, reimagining the company’s logo.
www.seendisplays.com
Designed to draw attention to merchandise, point-of-purchase displays should enrich the customer experience and influence buying decisions. This month, we discover a variety of campaigns and POP solutions, from Seen Displays’ Eyeko mascara feature wall to 4D Project’s marble effects for the Harrods Made With Love campaign.
Keep in line Kesslers’ Omnia In-Queue Merchandising System supports Boots stores nationally. The system provides the retailer with increased merchandising opportunities and improved customer flow in store. Following a successful four-store trial and 20 store concept implementation, the Omnia In-Queue Merchandising System is now being rolled-out to Boots’ national retail estate. The Omnia range of retail accessories and components effectively support Boots’ varied product lines, accommodating multiple product categories in one solution. Proven to dramatically increase impulse purchases, the versatile system transforms wasted queuing areas into high value, sales increasing retail space.
www.kesslers.com
Making a splash Hello Flamingo designed and manufactured an in-store display for UNIQLO’s collaboration with Evian to celebrate the launch of the limited edition Evian Pure Drop, a 20cl bottle of mineral water. Freestanding and shelf units were created replicating the shape of the Evian mountain logo. The clear acrylic ‘mountains’ housed shelves for the bottles to sit on and gave the impression of floating and creating the mountain outline. The displays were in store in London and Paris.
www.helloflamingo.co.uk
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POP & display
Share the love For Harrods’ Made With Love campaign, 4D Projects created displays to suit various departments throughout the store. Inspired by the quality of marble to enhance the workmanship of the product on display, 4D Projects worked with the structures of ice caves and cellular contours to draw the viewer’s eye to the product. The neutral colours and subtle textures kept the product centre stage. To achieve the concept of marble layering, the design team developed a technique to print hand-painted watercolour marble veins to multiple hand-carved layers and build up the displays.
www.4dprojects.com
Well travelled Elemental Design has created a new concept for Diptyque in Boxpark to promote the brand’s Les Voyages De Diptyque collection, including a number of suitcase displays. This is the third time that Elemental Design has refreshed the shipping container space for the brand, and it was key to transform original elements of the space so that existing components were all utilised. The existing plinths and cash desk were given a revamp with art-worked vinyl and tan leather handles, to transform them into retro travel luggage.
www.elemental.co.uk
Once you pop FENDI launched its Fendirumi pop-up at Harrods in August. Designed in collaboration with Millington Associates, the space was a world of bell jars, keeping the rotating furry FENDI characters at bay. A traditional three-wheeled Apecar made an interesting focal point and display space, alongside chrome finished framework shelving.
www.millingtonassociates.com
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Directory
Retail Supplier Directory, find the specialist retail products and services you are looking for from leading suppliers around the world. Retail Supplier 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: info@d-i-a.net W: www.d-i-a.net S. www.twitter.com/DesignsinAlumin
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
T 01892 890608 E: phil@spurcreative.co.uk W www.spurcreative.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/ spur_creative
T, +44 (0) 1788 543 331 E. mail@visualthinking.co.uk W. www.visualthinking.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/shoptactics
Design Consultancies
Aluminium Fittings
Bespoke Display
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.
Bespoke Display
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
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.
T: +44(0)113 265 0093 E: sales@concept-data.com W: www.concept-data.com S. www.twitter.com/GDProjects
Display
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. T +44 (0)20 8348 9888 E: mail@rarebasic.com W: www.rarebasic.com S: www.twitter.com/rarebasic
Display - Digital
Furniture
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) 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
Furniture
Display
Display
Display - Digital
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
Display
We are ICON. We create and deliver engaging brand and live experiences, particularly in the retail sector.
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) 20 7593 5200 E: enquiries@icon-world.com W: www.icon-world.com S: www.twitter.com/ICON_HQ
T: 01923 800666 E: info@stylographics.co.uk W: www.stylographics.com S. www.twitter.com/hellostylo
EPOS
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.
T: 01797 320636 E: sales@ded.co.uk W: www.ded.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/dedltd
Finishes
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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Graphics
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: 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
POP/POS
Interactive Displays
Permanent POS
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………
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: 01482 345067 E: sales@jcrpos.co.uk W: www.jcrpos.co.uk S. @JCR_POS
T: 0161 477 8501 E: info@ipos-design.co.uk W: www.ipos-design.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/iposdesign
T: +44 (0) 1634 292 025 E: info@crystal-display.com W: www.crystal-display.com S. www.twitter.com/CrystalDisplays
Lighting
POP/POS
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.
Custom made, 20mm deep LED Edge lit ‘Diamond’ light boxes, and 8mm deep ‘Garnet’ light panels for retail display, signage and advertising.
T: 0116 262 5933 E: sales@ledsolutions.co.uk W: www.ledsolutions.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/ LEDSolutionsUK
Literature Display Solutions
T: 0333 123 0345 E: Sales@ways2display.com W www.artillus.com Web: www.ways2display.com
POP/POS
POP UP
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.
T: 01273 585768 E: info@helloflamingo.co.uk W: www.helloflamingo.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/helloflamingo1
Retail Consultancy
Slatwall
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.
T. 01325 351 276 E. sales@microslat.com W. www.microslat.com S. www.twitter.com/MicroSlat
VM
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: +49 (0) 5752 1803 0 E: info@genesis-display.com W: www.genesis-display.com S: www.twitter.com/GenesisDisplay
VM
Panache revised logo 1
DISPLAY
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. T: +44 (0)1473 229250 E: sales@brochureholders.co.uk W: www.brochureholders.com
We specialise in Point of Sale (POS) and Point of Purchase (POP). We design, manufacture and fit retail fixtures and store displays and we’re good at it. For over 55 years Axiom has been designing and producing exciting and innovative retail displays for well known brands and retail groups. T: +44 (0)161 681 1371 E: info@axiom-displays.co.uk W: www.axiom-displays.co.uk
DISPLAY
We are a global retail agency. Visual Thinking develops strategy, skills, hearts and minds to deliver retail excellence and transform brand performance.
Since the ‘glam’ days of the 1970s, Panache Display has been a lead player in the global fashion business producing ever-changing looks to set its own trends in mannequin design and visual display - while establishing an enviable reputation for quality, as well as, creativity.
T, +44 (0) 1788 543 331 E. mail@visualthinking.co.uk W. www.visualthinking.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/shoptactics
T: +44 (0) 20 8752 2520 E: info@panachedispay.co.uk W: www.panachedisplay.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/PANACHEDISPLAY
Maintenance
POP/POS
Slatwall
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.
We are ICON. We create and deliver engaging brand and live experiences, particularly in the retail sector.
Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry.
T 01922 455523 E: info@aircontrol.co.uk W: www.aircontrol.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/AirControl123
T: +44 (0) 20 7593 5200 E: enquiries@icon-world.com W: www.icon-world.com S: www.twitter.com/ICON_HQ
T: 01273 582241 E: info@d-i-a.net W: www.d-i-a.net S. www.twitter.com/DesignsinAlumin
Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service.
VM - Training & Tools
We are a global retail agency. Visual Thinking develops strategy, skills, hearts and minds to deliver retail excellence and transform brand performance.
T, +44 (0) 1788 543 331 E. mail@visualthinking.co.uk W. www.visualthinking.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/shoptactics
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Q&A
Roger Wade is the founder and ex CEO of British street fashion brand, Boxfresh and the brains behind Boxpark, the pop-up shopping mall made of shipping containers in East London. Ahead of the opening of Boxpark Croydon, Wade tells us how the Boxpark concept came about, his aspirations for the new site and what it takes to succeed in retail. RF. How did the Boxpark concept come about? RW. I ran a streetwear company called Boxfresh, and produced a trade show booth out of a container. That was my first experience of working with containers. A friend of mine used to run a retail development in the States, and one day I woke up in the middle of the night and thought, what about a whole retail development built from containers. What does Boxpark stand for? RF. RW. An urban retail park made up of boxes. Boxpark. How has the Shoreditch site evolved since it launched in 2011? RF. RW. We learned how to run a successful retail development. In particular, we have shifted our focus to food and drink retailers. How does the new Croydon site compare in terms of size, RF. service and brand mix? RW. Croydon is twice the size of the Shoreditch site. It’s our first food and drink-only retail development. At the heart of the site is a covered 1,858 sq m event and seating space. We hope to bring the world of entertainment, and food and drink under one roof. Why did you choose Croydon as the location for the latest site, RF. and why now? RW. Croydon is the largest London borough by population. We felt the existing food and drink offering could be improved, and the local community were travelling outside the borough for good food and drinks destinations. We want the local community to start coming back to Croydon. As well as founding Boxpark, you’re also the CEO of brand RF. consultancy Brands Incorporated. What does this role involve? RW. I was a brand consultant for brands like Superdry, Religion and Lipsy, to name a few. Basically, I bought and sold brands on behalf of clients, and also developed new license categories. What makes a successful brand? RF. RW. You need to be special to your customers.
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What does it take to succeed in retail today? RF. RW. Know your customer, surround yourself with good people, keep it simple, and have lots of persistence. What’s next for Mr Boxpark? RF. RW. I think I will put my feet up for a few months before starting our next Boxpark development! The Boxpark Croydon opening festival will take place from 29-20 October 2016.
WE DO WINDOW DISPLAY PROTOTYPING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRODUCTION ROLL-OUT INSTALLATION BRITISH MADE
0207 377 1776 | info@blacks-vm.com | www.blacks-vm.com |