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Features Regulars Raising the game
Designed by Dalziel & Pow, the new Jigsaw Duke St. Emporium in London aims to reestablish the brand in the minds of existing, lapsed and potential customers.
shelf 23 VM & Display Show review 45 Electronic labels
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Clerkenwell Design Week review
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Leader
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19-20 W indow shopping Inspiring window displays from around the globe.
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Top of the POPS Karl McKeever For this year’s World Cup event, brands will not have to look far for promotional inspiration, claims Karl.
40 John Lewis at 150
Focus on: Fixtures & Fittings 31-38 Project Focus
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Jigsaw Duke St. Emporium: Karen Millen: Matchesfashion.com
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Opinion
iBeacon technology has a bright future in retail but only if implemented correctly, argues Mark Aubin, cofounder of Just Desire.
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Q&A
As British homewares retailer Habitat prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, managing director Clare Askem talks us through the evolution of the brand.
49-57 P roducts Products and services for the retail industry.
www.retail-focus.co.uk
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June ‘14 The UK travel retail sector is continuing to enjoy steady growth, it would seem, with National Rail recently announcing a rise in like-for-like retail sales from January to March 2014 (page 16). Indeed, railway stations are becoming retail destinations in their own right, with tens of millions of people a year visiting terminals to shop, eat and drink, in addition to those who travel by train. Airport retail is also taking off with Heathrow Airport recently unveiling its new Terminal 2, following a £2.5 billion redevelopment (page 14). Among the 33 retailers at the terminal is the first ever John Lewis airport shop. Incidentally, the high street retailer is also expected to launch a new ‘Click & Commute’ format at London’s St Pancras station in the Autumn. We’ll be taking a closer look at the travel retail industry in the next issue. Back to this month and we invite Emily Choo, senior designer at HMKM, to share her thoughts on the fifth edition of Clerkenwell Design Week, which took place over three days in May (page 10). We also look back on this year’s VM & Display Show, which took place from 29 April to 1 May at London’s Business Design Centre (page 23-24). This year marks the 150th anniversary of John Lewis and to celebrate, the department store chain has lifted the lid on its history with a commemorative book and an interactive exhibition at its Oxford Street flagship. Take a look at some of the key events in the retailer’s history in our feature on pages 40-41. British homewares retailer, Habitat also celebrates a significant birthday in 2014 and so we take the opportunity to speak to the company’s managing director, Clare Askem about the evolution of the brand (page 66). Happy birthday John Lewis and Habitat!
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Digital Revolution Barbican, London 3 July - 14 September 2014 The forthcoming Digital Revolution exhibition at the Barbican Centre brings together, for the first time, a range of artists, filmmakers, architects, designers, musicians and game developers, all pushing the boundaries of their fields using digital media. The exhibition also looks at the dynamic developments in the areas of creative coding and DIY culture, and exciting creative possibilities offered by augmented reality, artificial intelligence, wearable technology and 3D printing. It comprises immersive and interactive art works alongside exhibition based displays.
ISAM, 2011. Amon Tobin. Image courtesy of Calder Wilson
Venice Biennale Venice, Italy 7 June - 23 November 2014 The 14th International Architecture Exhibition, entitled Fundamentals, is directed by Rem Koolhaas and organised by la Biennale di Venezia, chaired by Paolo Baratta. The event comprises three interlocking exhibitions – Absorbing Modernity 1914-2014, Elements of Architecture and Monditalia.
la_Biennale www.labiennale.org
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BarbicanCentre www.barbican.org.uk
New Designers 2014 Bread & Butter Berlin Business Design Centre, London Airport Berlin-Tempelhof 25-28 June 2014 (Part one) 8-10 July 2014 02-05 July 2014 (Part two) New Designers has launched more than 100,000 students into the professional world since it began 29 years ago. Taking place over two weeks, the event is divided into two parts, covering a host of creative disciplines, including textiles, fashion, furniture and visual communications.
Bread & Butter is the international tradeshow for selected brands. Under the maxim ‘fun & profit’, the event unites inspiration and business. This summer from 8-10 July, Bread & Butter invites visitors to celebrate vibrant fun and business under the motto ‘Carnaval do Brasil’.
NewDesigners www.newdesigners.com
www.breadandbutter.com
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review
CDW 2014: A festival of inspiration Emily Choo, senior designer at HMKM, looks back on the fifth edition of Clerkenwell Design Week. This year’s Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW), which took place from 20-22 May, ceremoniously splashed bright fuchsia throughout the creative hub of London – ubiquitous flag banners, window decals and freestanding signs beckoned festival goers into 62 showrooms, four curated venues, to street installations, events, and partnering restaurants and cafes. Upon grasping the centimetre-thick official guide, it’s clear that we’re spoilt with opportunities for inspiration. Product launches, cocktails, guest speakers and interactive workshops are all part of the fun, as the showrooms jostle for prime platform to show us the best of what they’re doing. Participating in each of the three days, I got a good taste for what the UK and international creative community is plating up for the year ahead. It’s after hours that seem to really make this festival, and at its heart, the Design Factory was alive with activity and positive energy. DJ’s spun music out to enthusiastic crowds, where everyone had a drink or Smartphone (or both!) in hand. Four floors of the historic Farmiloe Building caught light from a towering atrium installation, which championed Jaguar’s and Foscarini’s new totemic LED lamps. Contemporary design products and furniture rested strikingly against exposed brickwork and raw concrete. Across exhibitors, such as Pinch and James UK, there was an abundance of timber, a sense of lightness, and favour of simple, poetic forms. In particular, impassioned craftsmanship and a human quality to design came through in the care of detailing beautiful finishes. Meanwhile, The Lighting Factory on the third floor bathed visitors in the warm glow of hundreds of lamps; original Anglepoise cast a proud and classic silhouette against
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Artemide’s more contemporary, glowing, sculptural forms nearby. Mornings welcomed the quieter side of CDW, perfect for exploring the other design hubs, like Additions and Detail. The Edra/ Campana Brothers exhibition deep within the Crypt of St John’s Square was a dramatic setting for innovative furniture design, where materiality and new methods of construction pushed each installation into the realms of art and sculpture. Similarly, beneath the magnificent, vaulted ceiling of the Crypt on the Green, lay a smorgasbord of interior design accessories, textiles, furnishings and decorative pieces, often crafted by the person greeting you at the stall. In further celebration of the artisan, a micro-exhibition called The Makings of Luxury, showcased how makers’ skills and expert execution of original ideas remain relevant to luxury retail, where craftsmanship and exclusivity hold important currency. Daytime visits to the showrooms of Poltrona Frau and Knoll were a chance to appreciate their exquisite and latest collections, free from the throngs of designers and emptied glasses covering every precious horizontal surface at ‘invitation only’ launch parties. But, beyond the global luxury brands, I found that CDW successfully welcomed visitors of many walks of life to connect at a local level with the neighbourhood’s rich tradition of craft. It encouraged interaction with the humble but highly skilled creative community, which keeps this tradition alive. Overall, I was glad to see, and hear in the passion of the exhibitors, such strong and growing sentiment for direct contact with people who know their craft. The positive support of authenticity and highly specialised skills reinforces that the human element is still much sought after in the design industry, and at least for the moment, it’s strengthened rather than surpassed by innovations in technology.
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news
Paul Nulty Lighting Design makes waves at John Lewis Paul Nulty Lighting Design (PNLD) has created an installation for the new £15 million John Lewis store in York using industrial fluorescent lamps. The installation, called Breaking Wave, consists of fluorescent lamps suspended from the soffit to create a lighting showpiece over the ground floor staircase. The lighting sculpture uses small modular elements in a dynamic composition to encourage a flow of movement up and down the stairway, and to draw customers to the back of the store. It was developed using the energy efficient Philips Master TL-D Xtreme fluorescent T8 lamp, which is said to maintain 40,000 hours of life and 105 lumens per watt, making it as efficient as its LED equivalent. Karen Smart, lighting designer at PNLD, comments: ‘People are drawn to the brightest part of any room and this sculpture is at the rear of the store so it makes the retail space permeable and invites people to venture through the store. The challenge was coordinating the installation of so many individual suspended elements. The length of detail we went to ensures that none of the technical components detract from the illuminated sculpture. Now visitors have a real, engaged sense of shape but it doesn’t take the eye away from what is around them.’ PNLD also designed the lighting on the walls around the staircase to highlight the installation.
Homebase opens in-store coffee shops Homebase has partnered with Compass Instore to open up to 30 coffee shops in Homebase stores across the country. The modern, colourful spaces will feature paint-dipped furniture and oversized soft chairs, located beside a consultation area offering customers home decoration advice. Graham Heald, retail and distribution director at Homebase, comments: ‘We are extremely pleased to announce that we have partnered with Compass Instore. At the heart of our decision was their understanding of our future plans, design ideas that will help build upon these, operational expertise and specialist knowledge of consumers’ favourite food and drink.’ The first coffee shop opened in Worcester in May as part of a complete redesign of the Homebase store on Elgar Retail Park. The move forms part of a redevelopment programme that includes investment in stores and services that are designed to offer home and garden inspiration to customers.
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In brief... Warehouse club operator, Costco Wholesale has opened its first unit in mainland Europe, in Seville, Spain, designed by global architecture, urbanism and design practice Broadway Malyan. The Practice is currently leading the design of three further Costco sites, which are set to open in the UK in 2014-2015. Stradivarius, part of the Inditex group, has announced plans to open its first UK store, at Westfield Stratford City. The retailer, which has particular appeal for women aged 20 to 35, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Portview has completed the fit-out of cupcake retailer Hummingbird Bakery’s new store in Richmond. The refurbishment included stripping out the old premises over two floors, rebuilding internal walls as well as redesigning and installing a new layout, seating, electrics, air conditioning, ventilation and decoration. Retail POS agency, MJD has moved its design and management team to new headquarters in Corby, Northamptonshire. The move is the latest phase of the company’s ambitious business growth strategy. Real estate services firm, Cushman & Wakefield has advised international footwear brand Clarks on two new stores in Istanbul, Turkey. Clarks has agreed to take one store at the Mall of Istanbul and the other at Özdilek Park.
Heathrow Terminal 2 reopens following refurbishment Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 2 has reopened following a £2.5 billion redevelopment. The new Terminal 2, named ‘The Queen’s Terminal’, has a number of world firsts, including an airport debut for British high street retailer John Lewis and a new restaurant from chef Heston Blumenthal, called The Perfectionists’ Café. In total there will be 33 retailers at the new terminal, including British brands such as Cath Kidston and Ted Baker, and luxury fashion houses such as Mulberry and Burberry. This will be complemented by 17 food and drink outlets, including a Fuller’s pub and The Gorgeous Kitchen – a restaurant created by four local female chefs. Heathrow Terminal 2 marks the latest phase of an £11 billion private sector investment that has transformed the airport for passengers. This investment includes the construction of Terminal 2A and B, Terminal 5 A, B and C, a new control tower, and the
Cash use at record low as customers embrace digital shopping
Customers are using less cash than ever as retailers make it easier and more convenient to shop and pay, according to new data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The Payments Survey 2013 reveals that the availability of contactless cards, handy express stores and self-service tills, as well as online sales have contributed to the increased use of debit cards to 50 per cent of retail sales value in 2013, up by 11 per cent over the last five years. ‘As everyday use of digital technology increases, customers are becoming accustomed to using the latest developments in ways to pay,’ says the report. ‘However, cash remains the dominant method of payment, with 53 per cent of transactions still made in cash, although this has declined by three per cent over the last year and 10 per cent over the last five years.’ The survey shows that banks are still levying high charges on retailers handling card payments. Credit and charge cards account for only nine per cent of transactions but almost half (48.7 per cent) of costs. At the same time, cash accounts for 53 per cent of transactions but nine per cent of costs. Meanwhile, debit cards account for 32 per cent of transactions but 37 per cent of costs. ‘Cash use down 14 per cent in the last five years is a milestone in the development of our digital economy,’ says Helen Dickinson,
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refurbishment of Terminals 3 and 4. John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow development director and chief executive designate, comments: ‘Terminal 2 is the culmination of an £11 billion investment programme that has transformed Heathrow for passengers. Opening a new terminal is one of the most complex challenges that any airport can undertake. Our measure of success is not everything running perfectly on day one – there will inevitably be things we can improve. Our real measure of success is whether Terminal 2 comes to be rated by passengers as one of the world’s best airport terminals for years to come.’ Design highlights at the newly refurbished terminal include a 70m Slipstream sculpture created by British artist Richard Wilson that dominates the main entrance gallery. To maximise natural light, the terminal has a 50,000 sq m wave roof, skylights, 10m-high floor-to-ceiling windows, and sophisticated lighting control systems.
director general of the British Retail Consortium. ‘It shows that customers are embracing digital shopping whether online or on the high street, and retailers are adapting and evolving to meet the demand with excellent services. However, it is important to note that cash still remains dominant in the overall number of transactions.’ Commenting on the findings, Martin Smethurst, managing director of retail at Wincor Nixdorf, says: ‘British Retail Consortium figures may point towards a cashless society, but in reality cash payments still remain popular with 7.2 million UK adults making all of their day-to-day purchases by cash. Despite a slight decline to 53 per cent of UK payments, cash is still king. ‘Considerable investment was made into automated taxi payments during the 2012 Olympics, but it’s certainly taking time for cashless payments to be adopted by the mainstream market,’ continues Smethurst. ‘Retailers can keep ahead of competitors by ensuring their systems are ready for these other forms of payment which are predicted to rise. Mobile payments are likely to become more important to the customer experience within the next few years, as more consumers consider more convenient ways to pay on the move. Retailers need to ensure they are ready.’
news
Rakuten opens first Rakuten Cafe Internet services company Rakuten has opened its first Rakuten Cafe in Tokyo, designed to bring together online and offline commerce. The cafe incorporates a number of Rakuten’s internet services, with customers able to shop online, buy menu items influenced by Rakuten Ichiba, its Japanese marketplace, and use Kobo devices for eReading. Located in Japan’s youth and fashion hub of Shibuya, the cafe is an offline extension of Rakuten’s expansive suite of internet services. Designed by award-winning art director, Kashiwa Sato, Rakuten cafe’s design marries modern and traditional
Japanese aesthetics, defined by straight lines, natural materials and understated sophistication. Kobo eReaders are located throughout the space for customers to use, in addition to complementary use of power sockets and mobile phone chargers. A concierge is also on duty at all times to answer any questions customers might have about Rakuten services. The new cafe concept aims to introduce new audiences to Rakuten’s services and to offer an additional marketing channel for Rakuten Ichiba merchants.
Welcome to Yorkshire opens Tour de France pop-up shop Welcome to Yorkshire, the official destination management organisation for Yorkshire, has opened a pop-up shop in Meadowhall Shopping Centre to celebrate the county’s involvement in the opening stages of the 101st Tour de France. The retail space offers official Tour de France merchandise, including t-shirts, caps, tote bags and the new limited edition cycling jersey. The shop is decked out in yellow, green, white, and red polka dots to reflect the team cycling jerseys, and features images of previous races. ‘The Tour de France arriving in Sheffield is one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities so we are understandably excited to be working in partnership with Welcome to Yorkshire on this project, along with a host of other activities taking place in the lead up,’ says Meadowhall’s events and retail promotions manager, Alex Caley. Yorkshire hosts the first two stages of the Tour de France from 5-6 July 2014.
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Retail spend soars at railway stations Footfall data from recently installed sensor technology reveals that tens of millions of people a year are visiting Britain’s railway stations to shop, eat and drink, in addition to those who travel by rail. The findings coincide with Network Rail’s latest quarterly retail sale figures, which show a 5.6 per cent growth in like-for-like sales from January to March 2014. The trading figures were compiled from the sales results of retailers operating from more than 46,400 sq m of retail space across 16 of Britain’s biggest and busiest stations owned and operated by Network Rail. Top performing stations include King’s Cross (+23.3 per cent), followed by Cannon Street (+21.3 per cent) and Manchester Piccadilly (+8.4 per cent) when compared to the same period last year. Commenting on the findings, Hamish Kiernan, commercial director of retail, Network Rail, says: ‘These are great results for our retailers and we are delighted that our stations are continuing to give them an edge over the high street. We know that the growing appetite for rail travel and convenience of our locations are key drivers of this trend, and we will continue to capitalise on this by creating “must-visit” retail destinations across our portfolio of stations. Income from retail is a vital funding stream for Network Rail and strong results will allow us to deliver even greater value for Britain.’ The footfall data enables Network Rail and its retail partners to better understand the flow of people through the station and areas of busiest or least activity.
Currys & PC World launches new SMART zones Electrical retailing and services company Currys & PC World has launched new SMART Tech zones in five of its biggest stores to give consumers a new hands-on experience. The areas are divided by four category pillars - Smart Home, Smart Health, Smart Watches and Smart Gadgets - enabling consumers to test innovative and cutting-edge products in one dedicated retail space. Customers to the stores are immersed in brand new products from some of the leading names in innovation technology, including Heatmiser, Jawbone, NetGear and Sphero . ‘Our new SMART Tech offering aims to create a fresh and inspiring in-store experience for customers that showcases major advancements in connected consumer technology,’ says Dixons Retail UK & Ireland CEO, Katie Bickerstaffe. ‘We know that our customers are looking for convenience and have an ever-growing need for connected products that they can access remotely, as well as the latest gadgets, and these innovative zones offer just that.’ A new, dedicated space is also visible on the Currys & PC World websites.
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Unite designs new Bangladeshi street-style cafe experience London-based creative consultancy, Unite has designed the interior for a new tearoom concept in St Ives, Cambridge. Chai Kai is a new food concept that aims to bring the culture of Bangladeshi teahouses to the UK consumer. The design brief was to reinterpret the style of a Bangladeshi teahouse into a contemporary environment that wouldn’t feel out of place on the UK high street. The materials and colour palette is ‘honest and industrial’, taking its cue from the basic, readily available raw materials that are commonly used in Bangladeshi teahouses, such as corrugated iron, brick, wood and steel mesh. A bespoke bar at the front of the cafe provides a destination for quick service and takeaway items. Low-level industrial lighting leads the customer through the rest of the space to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Signature design elements include a hand-painted logo mural, which welcomes customers into the café, and an evolving poster canvas that acts as a draw to the back of the space. Here, a corrugated wall is regularly updated with layer-upon-layer of original Bollywood posters to add to the authentic feel. Unite was also tasked with creating a brand identity that was modern, warm and relevant to a UK audience while showing a clear link back to the honesty and heritage of its Bangladeshi roots. A second site is expected to open in Birmingham in the near future.
Selfridges London to undergo £300 million transformation Department store Selfridges has announced plans to spend £300 million on making its London store ‘the world’s largest and most comprehensive destination for accessories’. At the core of the project is the expansion of the current luxury handbag department, which will double in size to more than 4,645 sq m across the ground floor. Combined with The Wonder Room (the store’s home for fine jewellery and watches), women’s and men’s accessories and both The Shoe Galleries and Men’s Shoes, Selfridges London will become one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive destinations for accessories for men and women across more than 9,290 sq m. Commenting on the transformation, group chairman W.Galen Weston says: ‘In the last 10 years Selfridges has grown from strength to strength and this significant investment in the redevelopment of our Oxford Street store is part of our commitment across all our businesses to provide leading luxury shopping experiences for our customers around the world’. Work on the £300 million redevelopment is due to start at the end of June 2014 and is expected to complete within five years.
Retail concepts. Window designs. Instore environments. Prototyping. Prop sourcing. Global production. Logistics. Distribution. Installation.
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facebook.com/harlequindesignlondon +44(0)20 7253 6238 Harlequin Design (London) Ltd. 4th Floor 26/27 Great Sutton Street, London EC1V 0DS
03/06/2014 12:43
visual merchandising
Window Liberty London To mark Tate Modern’s current exhibition, Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs, Liberty London has decorated its shopfront window displays with installations referencing Matisse’s recognisable coloured paper cut-out technique. The department store collaborated with paper artist and stylist, Studio Boo, on the scheme.
shopping Inspiring window displays from around the globe
Joseph An interactive lace tunnel spans the width of the window at Joseph’s flagship 77 Fulham Road store. Created in collaboration with Harlequin Design, the installation celebrates the intricate needlework of organza lace and broderie anglaise. Throughout the month of May, the Joseph standalone stores replicated the tunnel’s lace pattern in the window displays; the same white graphic print framed the windows, leaving negative spaces to showcase the mannequins, styled in key broderie anglaise and organza looks.
Bentalls Kingston department store Bentalls hits the Miami Beach in its latest window scheme.
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visual merchandising
Printemps This summer, Paris department store Printemps celebrates the 250th anniversary of French fine crystal brand Baccarat with dedicated window displays, an in-store pop-up and an exclusive collection of products.
Christian Louboutin This giant spider at Christian Louboutin on London’s Mount Street features a beautiful clear perspex ball fitted with three neon shoe lasts that echo the make up of a filament bulb. The eight legs are formed using gold di-bond and industrial fixings plated in chrome and brass, combined with playful product placement on the feet. The scheme was created in collaboration with StudioXAG.
Le Bon Marché Work by Italian furnishings company, Poltrona Frau and French designer, Vincent Darré currently occupies the windows at Paris department store Le Bon Marché along with an exhibition space under the glass roof on the second floor. As part of the display, retro televisions broadcast a short film entitled ‘The eye eclipses the moon’, which traces the history of Poltrona Frau’s Lyra chair and its Dadaist encounters with mythical muses Arielle Dombasle and Catherine Baba. The exhibition also showcases the animal-themed wallpaper designed exclusively for Maison Darré by Valérie Lemercier.
Hackett
Coach This spring window display, designed by Coach’s creative team in New York, combines the brand’s traditional ‘C’ logo with bold colours, resulting in a strong graphic statement. Approximately 5,000 fabric flowers of varying sizes were used to create the large logos for the campaign roll-out across Europe, which was completed in collaboration with Elemental Design. See more window installations from London and Paris on the blog:
www.retail-focus.co.uk/blog 20
Hackett London’s second ‘Rising Stars’ project sees galleries and artists local to Hackett stores worldwide being given the opportunity to feature their artwork in the store windows. For the Regent Street, Sloane Street, Westfield White City and Jermyn Street stores, Hackett teamed up with the Limoncello Gallery, based in East London’s Kingsland Road. The artworks are a mix of both painting and sculpture.
The Visual Merchandising and Display Show is 25 years young next April. We’ll be marking the event with the usual pizazz and a renewed vigour. Come and join the party.
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show review
In pictures: VM + Display
Show 2014 Highlights from the 24th annual VM & Display Show In April the UK’s visual merchandising coterie gathered in London at the Business Design Centre for the annual VM & Display Show. Across the three-day event, retailers, brands, designers and students meandered through the main hall of the venue in search of new display products, ideas and trends. This year, mannequins in various shapes, sizes and forms stood side-by-side with giant props, bold graphics and interactive technologies. Universal Display showcased its new range of sleek, graceful female mannequins called Concept, along with VMBeacon, a new product from sister company Iconeme that enables mannequins to transmit information to shoppers about the items on display via their smartphone. Planet Aspects presented the Ophelia mannequin range from ABC Mannequins in an eye-catching bespoke gradient finish while GDP attracted a lot of interest with its Pandora eco-mannequin, made from natural plant fibres and bio-resins.
Across the exhibition the standard of work was particularly high with the majority of suppliers clearly committing a great deal of time, creativity and attention to detail to their stands. DZD once again impressed visitors with its colourful canopy of rag garland while Matt Wingfield Studio’s jumbo boombox built from reused materials was music to the eyes. Stylographics also inspired visitors with its own life-size tube train cabin made entirely out of re-board, complete with tube maps and tube lighting in the company’s brand colours. Alongside the main exhibition, students from Hertford Regional College took part in a Graduate Challenge Showcase with the opportunity to win a work placement at London department store, Harrods. Samantha Smith won the competition, which was themed on Brazil, with her ‘Miss Me’ denim brand display. For more highlights from the show, visit www.retail-focus.co.uk/blog
Above clockwise: New mannequin ranges at Universal Display; Lucky Fox welcomed visitors as they entered the exhibition; Inspirational wigs on the Arty Wigs stand; Cute canine display at Replica; Samantha Smith, winner of the Graduate Challenge Showcase.
Photography: Melvyn Vincent Photography / Retail Focus
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show review
Left Anticlockwise: The Blacks VM stand was inspired by the painted Abstract African patterns from Ndebele; Colourful canopy of rag garland at DZD; Stylo tube train; Shadows by New John Nissen at Panache; Fine textures & materials at Sarah Feather Design.
Bottom from left: Movement on the Minki Balinki stand; GDP showcased its Pandora ecomannequins; Matt Wingfield Studio’s jumbo boombox; Creative use of materials & movement at Artefact.
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POP
p o t POPS e h t f o
Company: MadAboutDesign
Client: Christian Dior
Display title: Kingdom of Colours
Sector: Health & Beauty
Locations: Selfridges
The brief: As part of the Selfridges Beauty Project, Dior tasked MadAboutDesign with creating a ‘Kingdom of Colours’ in a 26 sq m area located in the accessories department of the London store. The limited width of the site meant that space planning was a fundamental part of the design, as well as working closely with Selfridges to adhere to its store guidelines.
The result: MadAboutDesign created all elements of the site, which houses Dior’s latest makeup products, including consultation tables and a nail bar. Curved acrylic shields embellished with products from the range and Dior house pattern hang either side on high acrylic screens to reinforce a strong brand identity. The high pillar sitting at the end of the site and the 3m-high canopy are finished with pink LED lights to add a colourful glow to the black and white units. The site was relocated to Selfridges in Manchester Exchange Square for the second phase of the event.
www.themadpeople.com
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INTRODUCING
Lego by FITCH London
INNOVATION AND INSPIRATION IN RETAIL DESIGN, VISUAL MERCHANDISING AND BRANDING UNDER ONE ROOF…AT LAST! To be part of the exciting new leading event for the £5billion retail design and VM industry, crafted for you by the show’s Steering Group of leading industry figures call us TODAY. We have managed to take more space at London’s Olympia due to exceptional take up of space but this too is now becoming scarce so do not delay!
Contact Annie Swift, Nick Field or Rachel Scott on 020 8874 2728 or email info@retaildesignexpo.com to enquire about stand space or sponsorship opportunities for key attractions such as the VM and Windows Masterclass, The Student Retail Design Awards, The Student VM Awards, the Balcony Restaurant, The Designers Tea, Juice and Coffee Bar, and more besides!
The Retail Shopfitting & Display Summit will provide you with a platform to enhance your company and share the long-term vision of the retail shopfitting business by setting tomorrow’s standards today, and to prepare for future developments, innovations and technology. Network with fellow experts within this industry, listen to case studies, meet and discuss ideas with retail shopfitting service providers, hear personal experiences and find solutions to issues facing this ever changing industry.
For further information or to book your place contact: Delegate: Paige Aitken Supplier: Courtney Brown 01992 374100 rds@forumevents.co.uk www.forumevents.co.uk @Retail_Summit
Media Partner
9th - 10th February 2015 Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted
Q&A column
Karl McKeever Will there be a prize for the retail world cup? Brazil is the home of carnivals and sunshine, as well as the most successful team in World Cup history, so brands will not have to look far for promotional inspiration for this year’s mega football event. For most Brazilians, winning a World Cup on home soil would be the dream of a lifetime, and it’s not just those associated with the game that could make it big. The Brazilian Institute of Tourism forecasts that visitors to the event will spend more than $11 billion (£6.6 billion) in the country, more than 20 times the earnings of South Africa during the last World Cup. However, a local poll released in May by Ibope, showed that two-thirds of shopping mall owners are planning for a ‘significant’ drop in traffic during the event as soccer fans keep glued to their TVs and take advantage of extra public holidays that will restrict shopping centre hours. So, for companies from national airlines to hotels to retailers, the World Cup can be bad for business. We experienced something similar ourselves during the London 2012 Olympics. London stores that were ‘decked out’ in their finest, were eerily quiet during the games, failing to take advantage of the increase in visitor traffic unless they were located near to a major venue. So, to what extent will people watch the football or go shopping? In part, this depends on team performance. An early exit for a national side will see any investment made in related retail products or marketing spend under threat. Everything from T-shirts to souvenirs being a risky investment if the national side goes out early. FIFA estimates that it will collect around $4 biilion from Brazil 2014, with around a third of this to come from sponsorship and marketing, an increase on the 2010 World Cup, where it raised $3.7 billion. The rest will come from retail partnerships. FIFA has agreed an exclusive World Cup retail licensing deal with Globo Marcas for the development of an online store and retail outlets, product range and point of sale installations. This will see a range of Official Fan Shops, a stadium superstore concept, airport stores and city centre kiosks opened across Brazil. There will also be a dedicated online store for both Brazilian and International customers, offering fans in 125 countries an opportunity to purchase
goods for all FIFA Competitions. Except for a few of the biggest brands that can claim a strong football association (think TV’s, beer, and junk food etc.), making money during the World Cup is a tricky business. Can any alternative promotional message compete with the marketing billions that accompany the event? The World Cup is a four-week frenzy when brands fight for consumers’ attention, so achieving cut-through during the event is a difficult task for any marketer, regardless of brand or sector. So what should UK retailers do to compete effectively at this time? PM David Cameron made a call for an extension to pub opening hours during the World Cup to allow fans to watch late kick-offs. Guidance has also been issued to employers to provide increased working time flexibility, or the ability to watch games in the workplace, showing that this really is a significant world event to many people. Fundamentally, retailers must decide whether to ‘take part or to stay well away’. This is no time for a vague, halfhearted promotional response. Getting it right can make all difference in this short but highly lucrative period. If products can be powerfully associated and promoted for the event (but not using official FIFA branding, publicity or materials without official status) this could be a good way to make big money with great sales opportunities. However, even for stores that are not traditionally considered as ‘football brands’ there are opportunities to cash in. Some of our biggest high street clothing brands and department stores have introduced ranges featuring patriotic designs of red and white, and with ‘England’ messages. The most commercially astute brands being careful to avoid direct football references, hedging their bets as to how well the national team actually fares on the pitch to prevent piles of unsold stock. From bras to books to bikini waxing, it is time to celebrate all things Brazilian! However, the ‘no football here’ message can play out well with some shoppers. Launching targeted messages to consumers who are not remotely interested in football can pay dividends, creating ‘no football zones’ to woo shoppers in and tempt them with alternative offers and the chance to escape the World Cup. Retailers who benefit most, will be those that understand how to target and deliver a compelling and engaging message to their customers. In that, the World Cup is like any major retail calendar event. Success will come down to good planning, effective activation and great execution in store. Time will tell who wins on the pitch, but FIFA and the major sponsors will already be counting on their success. Karl McKeever is creative director of visual merchandising and brand delivery consultancy Visual Thinking.
Email Karl at karl@retailfocus.co www.visualthinking.co.uk
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project focus
Jigsaw Duke Street, London
Photography: Andrew Townsend
Design: Dalziel & Pow Opening date: April 2014 Store size: 550 sq m
Despite its modest scale, the new Jigsaw Duke St. Emporium in London really delivers as a flagship for the brand, claims David Dalziel of design consultancy Dalziel & Pow. Located just a stone’s throw from Oxford Street in a refurbished Queen Anne building, the concept store features a multibrand shop-in-shop from The Shop at Bluebird (the group’s fashion and lifestyle boutique on King’s Road), a full representation of Jigsaw’s women’s, men’s and junior ranges, and a cafe operated by Fernandez and Wells, alongside art installations created by emerging artists. Jigsaw briefed Dalziel & Pow to create a flagship destination that would reestablish the brand in the minds of existing, lapsed and potential customers. The challenge was to respond to the characterful shell while creating something individual to Jigsaw. ‘The store had to be more than the sum of its parts,’ says Jigsaw chief executive, Peter Ruis. ‘We had been looking for a flagship location for some time and were delighted to find such a unique and radical site,’ explains Ruis. ‘We love the idea of bringing some of the innovation that is happening in the East of London back to the West End.’
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project focus
Spread across the ground floor and basement level of the building, the space embraces the existing brick-lined architecture, offset against a textural monochrome box where the character of the brand is expressed through found furniture and commissioned artwork. Other design highlights include the moulded concrete counters with routed graphics and the feature lighting, which adds to the distinctive look and feel of the store. ‘By embracing the given architectural shell and almost emphasising the complexity of the spaces, we have created a journey through the store that highlights the depth and variety of the offer,’ notes Dalziel. ‘The total experience adds up to more than just a shop, more than merely transactional space, but something that can change brand perception; something energetic and compelling but commercial too.’
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project focus
Karen Millen Brompton Road, London Design: Brinkworth Opening date: April 2014 Store size: 740 sq m The new Karen Millen flagship store on London’s Brompton Road is designed to represent the accessible luxury fashion label’s ‘emerging lighter and more relaxed aesthetic’. Over the past few seasons, the brand has undergone a significant transformation in order to create a new visual language. Working with photographer David Bailey and fashion visionary Katy England, the company has created seasonal campaigns that aim to challenge perceptions of the Karen Millen brand and make people who already know it take another look, in turn sparking attention on an international scale. And as the company continues to expand globally, it is taking a bespoke approach to give each store environment a unique identity. With this next evolution of design, a premium palette of natural materials in matt finishes and muted tones will remain the constant across the stores. ‘The new concept represents the current, more relevant, creative expressions of the brand, with a lighter and more flexible aesthetic,’ says a spokesperson for design studio, Brinkworth which has worked with Karen Millen for more than two decades on its store design concepts.
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The 740 sq m Knightsbridge site is a large, raw space with exposed beams, columns and concrete floors on three levels that allows the brand to change the environment seasonally to reflect the collection. ‘The design stands almost like a beautiful installation within its shell, creating different areas of interest throughout the store,’ explains Brinkworth. In addition to showcasing the entire Karen Millen range, the store houses an experiential space on the lower ground floor, which presents the brand’s atelier concepts, customisation projects, collaborations and special events. The brand is also set to open a new flagship in New York this month on Fifth Avenue, which is designed to accentuate the scale and architecture of the building, located close to the Rockefeller Centre. With around 70 per cent of sales coming from international markets, Karen Millen continues to focus on global expansion, with further openings planned in Canada, Norway, India and Taipei for 2014.
project focus
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project focus
Matchesfashion.com Wimbledon Village, London
Photography: Ed Reeve
Design: MRA Architecture & Interior Design Lighting design: Paul Nulty Lighting Design Opening date: April 2014 Store size: 320 sq m
Luxury designer fashion retailer Matchesfashion.com has consolidated its four boutiques in Wimbledon in a single, dynamic, interactive space that showcases its edit of new and established international labels as well as serves as a physical touchpoint for its wider online offer. The company, which has 14 London stores in total and an international website, collaborated with MRA Architecture & Interior Design to create a modern, luxury shopping environment that would bring together the physical and online sides of the business. Located in the heart of Wimbledon Village, the 320 sq m flagship is spread across two floors and has a simple palette of materials, including terrazzo and toned timber veneer, which blend to create a neutral backdrop against the diverse range of apparel. The ground floor focuses on contemporary denim, footwear and accessories, while the first floor showcases international womenswear and menswear collections. MRA interpreted the ‘Matchesfashion.com edit’ as a form
of collage. ‘We felt that the way Matchesfashion.com bring their unique selection of fashion into the lives of their customer could be seen as a series of projections, through social and print media, from the internet to in-store,’ explains MRA director, Anshu Srivastava. ‘These ideas led us to the work of artists such as Donald Judd and Christopher Bruno. We explored sculptural projections in the design of the staircase, mid-floor pieces and the folded perimeter walls. ‘In minimalist sculptural constructions, materiality becomes all important; the craftsmanship, attention to detail and simple palette of materials that typifies Judd’s work, for example, also became central themes of the new Matchesfashion.com concept,’ continues Srivastava. Mid-floor furniture on the ground level consists of generous and versatile display tables with pop colour elements, while twin hanging rails - one solid and the other in wireframe form punctuate the spaces between. Towards the back of the store is a terrazzo stone staircase,
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project focus
featuring aged brass details and lined with asymmetrically facetted birch veneer that connects the lower and upper levels. Above the stairs is a striking, seven metre-long skylight that allows natural light to flood the space. In contrast to the ground floor, the first floor is fully carpeted to enhance the sense of comfort and relaxation. Womenswear and menswear collections are displayed on continuous perimeter rails with a sculptural folded backdrop and Carrera marble plinths. Meanwhile, accessories are presented in finely finished display cases, which are cantilevered from the veneered stair balustrade. The upper level also houses a lounge area, where customers can explore the full Matchesfashion.com edit online with iPads. The space features original 1960s Gio Ponti furniture and a Sciolari chandelier. Digital touchpoints throughout the space have been designed to be part of the store aesthetic, bringing together the digital and physical platforms of the business.
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M a n t a : L E D Single Point
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John Lewis
150
John Lewis will be the anchor tenant of the Grand Central development at Birmingham New Street Station when it opens in 2015.
years of
John Lewis British department store chain, John Lewis celebrates 150 years of ‘a better way of doing business’
On 2 May 1864 Mr John Lewis opened a small drapers shop at 132 Oxford Street in London. A century and a half later, the eponymous retailer has grown to become the £4 billion international business it is today. To celebrate this extraordinary milestone, the department store chain has lifted the lid on its history with a commemorative book and an interactive exhibition at its Oxford Street flagship. Launched in May 2014 and open until the end of August, the ‘Stories of a Shopkeeper’ exhibition explores John Lewis’ unique heritage from humble draper’s shop to iconic British brand. Created in collaboration with Lumsden Design, the 260 sq m display is split into eight distinct zones, focusing on key chronological points on the John Lewis timeline. From an engaging recreation of the original draper’s shop to a colourful design zone that celebrates the work of designers, artists and brands associated with the retailer, the exhibition uses film, graphics, sound and scents alongside artefacts to tell the story of one man’s vision of running a better business and how this still remains inspirational 150 years later.
Adapting to changing consumer shopping habits has enabled
John Lewis to survive and thrive. By Christmas 2013, there were 30 John Lewis department stores, 10 branches of John Lewis ‘at home’, and johnlewis.com. In June 2014, the retailer opened its first airport shop at Heathrow’s newly refurbished Terminal 2 and in the autumn it plans to launch its first ‘Click & Commute’ shop at London’s St Pancras station, which, if successful, could be rolled out to other transport hubs and high street locations. In addition, the retailer offers a popular click-and-collect service and recently added the my John Lewis loyalty scheme to its armoury. ‘The Partnership’s founder, John Spedan Lewis, was a radical entrepreneur and so adopting a novel approach to business and retail innovation is not new to us, it’s a fundamental part of our DNA,’ says John Lewis managing director, Andy Street. ‘Our 150 year anniversary not only gives us the chance to reflect on our history, but to look forward at how we shape the next 150 years.’ Customers trust John Lewis for its quality, consistency, honesty and good service, and the company is increasingly a source of fascination and inspiration to retailers and politicians alike. As noted in the commemorative book, ‘A Very British Revolution: 150 Years of John Lewis’, perhaps we should compare the John Lewis Partnership to the bumble-bee, which, according to the laws of physics, cannot possibly fly. But fly it does - and very well, too. Happy Birthday John Lewis.
1864
1937
The John Lewis Partnership today
John Lewis opens a small drapers shop at 132 Oxford Street, London at the age of 28.
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1906
John Lewis buys control of Peter Jones on Sloane Square, London, for £22,500.
1928
The death of John Lewis leaves John Spedan Lewis as owner of both stores.
1929
John Spedan Lewis forms the John Lewis Partnership.
The Partnership acquires Waitrose, a chain of 10 grocery shops.
1955
John Spedan Lewis retires as chairman. He is succeeded by Bernard Miller.
1972
Bernard Miller retires as chairman and is succeeded by Peter Lewis, nephew of John Spedan Lewis.
1992
Waitrose opens its 100th food shop.
John Lewis
Evolution of John Lewis branding
Early 1920s
Late 1920s
1932
Top: John Lewis opened its first airport shop in June 2014, at Heathrow’s newly refurbished Terminal 2. Bottom: ‘Stories of a Shopkeeper’ exhibition at John Lewis Oxford Street, London. 1954
1957
1960
1989
2001
1993
Peter Lewis retires as chairman and is succeeded by Stuart Hampson.
2000
John Lewis launches its own website, selling a limited number of goods.
2007
John Lewis airs its first Christmas advert. Sir Stuart Hampson retires as chairman and is succeeded by Charlie Mayfield.
2009
John Lewis opens its first ‘at home’ store, in Poole, Dorset.
2012
John Lewis opens its first flexible format shop, in Exeter, Devon.
2013
The first little Waitrose at John Lewis opens, in Watford and Waitrose opens its 300th shop, in Elensburgh, near Glasgow. John Lewis launches its membership reward programme, called my John Lewis.
2014
John Lewis opens its first airport shop at Heathrow Terminal 2.
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opinion
iBeacon potential versus reality iBeacon technology has a bright future in retail but only if implemented correctly, argues Mark Aubin, cofounder of Just Desire. Over the last year I’ve been tracking the exponential rise in column inches devoted to the potential of iBeacon/ Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and how it will change the face of retailing. Unfortunately, the coverage devoted to the successful implementation of live customer programmes does not correlate. Very few live examples are in place four years after the inception of BLE. Indeed, the only live UK experience is in a shopping centre, and over in the US, there are only three live trials openly being promoted. This is not to say the future is not beacons. Having worked for many years at CSR, where the BLE protocol was developed, I know more than most about the potential for the technology and the huge opportunities offered. The concept around retail beacon technology was always intended to enhance the shopping experience and a brand’s relationship with shoppers. Unfortunately, early marketing of beacons has targeted basic concepts to do the job of a simple flyer or shelf-edge promotion, with most promoting the idea of customer discounts or a free gift in store. These campaigns will die alongside the beacons if this is all we can dream up, as the protocols are not at all well suited to these promotional ideas. Moreover, it’s not for a lack of interest from brands, with most major retailers and brands investigating the technology. Nor is it a lack of promotional or campaign ideas. So, the question hangs heavy, why is the retail industry not ablaze with successful customer trials? If implemented correctly, this technology offers the opportunity to create a paradigm shift in one-to-one marketing, allowing shoppers to be in control and feel like a valued part of the relationship experience. A paradigm shift is not simple and needs work from brands to incorporate BLE into full multichannel campaigns, linking TV, radio, outdoor and in-store. If done correctly, BLE platforms could truly change the way the world shops. The basic tenet of beacons is they allow an intimate one-to-one conversation with shoppers who want to converse with you. Messaging must be desired and be designed to support and enhance the shopper journey, and not disrupt it. Successful programmes will be those that speed up the shopping journey or enhance it through memory jogging, product inspiration or
building on customer loyalty with a unique programme tailored to every one of a brand’s customers. Importantly, many of the off-the-shelf beacon propositions available from a range of providers underplay the relative complexity of an installation. They focus on the funky design and the exciting promotions that can be pushed to customers. Very few promote the nuts and bolts of a great installation with little focus on the app integration, data collection, monitoring software and network optimisation required to build a truly customer centric experience. It would be like buying a new car with no understanding of a need for petrol, insurance, car tax and a basic knowledge of how to drive in order to get it home. Furthermore, little thought is placed on giving shoppers a real reason to have their Saturday afternoon shopping interrupted. Engaging campaigns as part of a loyalty scheme must be in place as shoppers must agree to sign up to the conversation. Therefore, brand owners and retailers must capitalise on their branded mobile app and use beacons as part of an overall mobile digital campaign, not build a point of sale deal closer. For me, the point when we start to see more column inches devoted to successful customer programmes is the point that brands truly integrate BLE protocols into their current mobile App environments. When the technology is truly at the heart of the mobile contact strategy. I see too often technology teams who are reticent about mobile app integration and scared of disrupting the app development roadmap with BLE. I believe strongly that the winning application over the coming months will be from the brand who completely integrates BLE into their app. I know this technology works but until brand owners and heads of digital see beacons as an opportunity to have a private conversation to enhance a customer’s shopping life we will continue to read more about potential than reality.
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electronic shelf labels
The price is
right? Electronic shelf labelling (ESL) is not a new technology, but it is yet to be widely adopted in the UK. This is possibly because the high costs of implementation have been too much for retailers to justify investment. However, with prices coming down and new developments in the technology, things could be about to change. ESLs enable retailers to adjust pricing information quickly and efficiently from a central server. This is a huge benefit when you consider that Tesco, for example, manually changes between five and 10 million shelf edge labels every week. Time that Tesco chief information officer, Mike McNamara says could be better spent serving customers. Another benefit of the technology, notes McNamara, is that it provides even more confidence that the price on the shelf edge is correct. ‘When we are changing 10 million labels, mistakes can happen,’ he says. ‘With electronic labels, prices are changed instantly. That means that the price on the shelf will always be the same as the price at the till.’ Tesco is already using ESLs in some of its other markets, including Hungary, and is currently trialling the technology in its Letchworth Express store in Hertfordshire and its Enfield Superstore. Niclas Qvist, head of marketing and partner management at Pricer, believes that once Tesco begins rolling out ESLs the UK market will follow suit. Earlier this year, Pricer announced that it had been working with French retailer,
UK retailers have been slow to adopt electronic shelf labels but with the proliferation of dynamic pricing this could be about to change, discovers Retail Focus. Carrefour to improve the customer shopping experience at its store in Villeneuve la Garenne, France. The company developed an integrated solution using geolocalisation, mobile shopping and graphic SmartTAG electronic shelf labels. The mobile app, produced specially for Carrefour, is called ‘C-où’ and allows customers to create shopping lists, search products, get promotions and find recipe ideas. It also features geolocalisation; once a customer is inside the store, the app helps them find any product and optimises their shopping route through indoor navigation. In addition, the store has been equipped throughout with more than 55,000 Pricer NFC-enabled ESLs, which not only offer centralised price automation but allow customers to access more information about a product. Customers can even ‘like’ a product with their smartphone and the label will display the total number of ‘likes’.
‘NFC capability is opening a whole new world of functionality based on personal hardware (such as smartphones), as opposed to heavy investment into specialty hardware at store level,’ claims Qvist.
Real-time pricing Last year, DIY chain B&Q revealed that it was looking into variable pricing based on the model used by hotels and airlines. The system would allow prices to be changed depending on the time and day of the week, and the customer’s profile. Dynamic pricing, or real-time pricing, is a practice that has been used in the travel and leisure industries for some years and one that is moving closer to becoming the norm in retail, believes Vol Pigrukh, CEO and cofounder of Profitero, the global provider of online insights for retailers
Right: Tesco is trialling electronic shelf labels at its Letchworth Express store and its Enfield Superstore.
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electronic shelf labels Below: Displaydata offers three ranges of electronic shelf labels.
and brands. ‘The growth of smartphones and tablets has brought about increased price transparency for shoppers, largely driven by Amazon,’ says Pigrukh. ‘With the continued rise in online shopping and price transparency, developing accurate pricing and demand forecasting strategies is of critical importance for retailers,’ continues Pigrukh. ‘Profitero data reveals that Amazon.com makes up to 2.5 million price changes every day, therefore, it’s key for both bricksand-mortar and online retailers to stay price competitive.’ However, Pigrukh goes on to warn that price changes must be aligned across the online channel and in-store operation: ‘Otherwise, you have a situation where online and stores are operating in silos, which clearly doesn’t result in a good customer experience.’ Displaydata, a global provider of dynamic digital display solutions, argues that bricks-and-mortar retailers have long been at a disadvantage relative to their online counterparts due to their limited ability to update in-store pricing in real-time to reflect current competitive decisions but ESLs can remove this barrier. The company has recently partnered with 360pi, a specialist in retail price and product intelligence, to give physical stores the ability to employ dynamic pricing. ‘We help retailers to execute their in-store price and promotional changes
Bottom: Pricer has developed an integrated solution for Carrefour using indoor navigation, mobile shopping and SmartTAG graphic labels.
‘With electronic la instantly. That meabels, prices are changed shelf will always bns that the price on the e the same as the p at the till’ rice
Mike McNamara, Te
sco more efficiently and effectively,’ states Glenn Haertel, SVP sales Americas at Displaydata. ‘Our fully graphic paperwhite ESLs are able to display price as well as richer product information, including QR codes and customer reviews, giving shoppers the same buying experience in-store as they would have online.’ Increasing the frequency of price changes is in the future for all bricks-andmortar stores; it is just a question of how to execute it, claim Roy Horgan, CEO at Market Hub, and Stephen Millard, CEO at Eccomplished. ‘Since it is clear that dynamic pricing has altered the centre of gravity in retailing, every retailer will be forced to respond with the use of new technology,’ says Horgan. Robert Browne, partner at KPMG in the UK, agrees that in the near future, product popularity, inventory levels, time and location and many other criteria will drive prices, and believes that companies will use electronic price tags to facilitate implementation.
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products
vm + display Seen Displays Creative retail agency Seen Displays has unveiled a new website to showcase it’s unique offering. Providing everything from campaign styling and art direction, to VM display design and build, the success of Seen Displays is testament to its original approach. Rather than focusing on one element of a campaign, the company achieves brand consistency from start to finish, whether directing campaign imagery, or delivering in store displays. It is this holistic approach, combined with creative thinking, unique strategy and seamless execution, that ensures consumers understand, recognise and enjoy a brand wherever it is seen. T. +44 (0)20 7749 2632 E. info@seendisplays.com www.seendisplays.com Twitter: SeenDisplays
WOW Business At the cutting edge of VM, The WOW Business supplies some of the UK’s leading brands with bespoke VM solutions, props and window displays. The company counts Liberty London, Harrods, Jack Wills, Barbour, Jigsaw & Costa Coffee among its list of clients. Bespoke Christmas schemes are a speciality, including bespoke branded decorations. If you can imagine it, The WOW Business can make it! T. +44 (0)800 069 9012 E. enquiries@the-wow-business.co.uk www.the-wow-business.co.uk
Artefact Artefact celebrated its 25th birthday at the VM and display show this year. Over that time the company has worked with the UK’s leading retailers to improve the life of display managers, designers and VM professionals. Artefact provides friendly and competent project support, while delivering top-end creative solutions for every challenge, working with clients from initial concept through to production and installation. The company works with many different materials, including wood, metal, fibre glass, acrylic, polystyrene and is happy to work on elaborate one-offs or multiple roll outs. T. +44 (0)1892 724 861 E. info@artefactuk.com www.artefactuk.com
Iconeme Iconeme, a new technology and design company, has launched the VMBeacon, a product that enables store mannequins to transmit information to shoppers about the clothes on display. This is the first time that beacon technology has been designed specifically for visual merchandising, enabling retailers to communicate and engage with customers via their smartphones as they browse items on display in shop windows and in store. The Iconeme app delivers a rich visual experience that bridges the gap between the on and offline world. T. +44 (0)20 8206 5010 E. info@iconeme.com www.iconeme.com Twitter: Iconeme
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highgloss glossacrylic acrylic high
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Tel: 01482 440680 Fax: 01482 440680 Tel: 01482 440680 Fax: 01482 440680 info@parapan.co.uk www.parapan.co.uk info@parapan.co.uk www.parapan.co.uk
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products
POP + Display Movetech UK Movetech UK’s Small Carousel range comprises versatile and reliable mains-powered display turntables, ideal for creating compact window and counter displays. The Small Carousel range includes the popular Mini Carousel, the B25 range and B200 range. All are well suited to generating simple, full circular platform displays. They can also be combined with other movements in the range or, for instance, imaginative lighting effects, to create something really special that stops customers in their tracks. Ceiling mounted and battery powered units are also available. T. +44 (0)1204 537 680 E. display@movetechuk.com www.movetechuk.com/smallcarousels.html Twitter: MovetechUK
Eurostand Display The new iPad Duo and iPad Quad have been specifically created by the Eurostand internal product design team and allow for a much needed cable management system to give continuous use from your iPad. As the name suggests, the iPad Quad offers four information stations, letting your display reach a number of visitors at any one time. Also living up to its name, the iPad Duo lets two people use the iPad display at the same time. Both are perfect for events, showrooms, visitor’s centres and offices. T. +44 (0)1277 350 925 E. enquiries@ipad-displaystands.co.uk www.eurostanddisplay.com
arken P-O-P arken has extended its LED light box offer with the Finelite LED light box. The LED poster display has a slim design that illuminates the graphic insert to make it vibrant for maximum impact. The product is made from naturally anodised aluminium and features a non-reflective PFS front sheet. It also uses LED strips to create even illumination across the whole fascia. T. +44 (0)1638 565 656 E.info@arken-pop.com www.arken-pop.com
Andy Thornton Andy Thornton offers a range of retail display tables in a variety of materials and finishes. Used like these Industrial cast iron pedestal tables in distressed finishes with variable heights, they are perfect for displaying fashion items and giftware. The tables are part of the company’s rapidly expanding ‘Urban Vintage’ collection of visual merchandising display equipment, which includes shelving units, carts, trolleys, cabinets, drawers and garment rails. Andy Thornton also supplies vintage-style lighting, original shop fittings and decorative metal tiles for cladding ceilings & walls. T. +44 (0)1422 376 000 E. marketing@andythornton.com www.andythornton.com Twitter: andythorntonltd
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products
materials + finishes Armourcoat Armourcoat’s modular decorative panel system, ArmourFX, has been specified for use on the new Jaguar Land Rover ‘In Residence’ global exhibition stand programme. Designed by global creative business Imagination, the Jaguar Land Rover stand includes more than 100 custom ArmourFX panels in a concrete coloured polished plaster finish. The prefinished panels offer a rapid installation with ease of handling, and also ensure the panels are quickly demounted at the end of the event. T. +44 (0)1732 467 993 E. sales@armourcoat.co.uk www.armourcoat.com Twitter: Armourcoat
Armourcoat Armourcoat has launched the Duncan MacKellar Signature Collection of polished plaster wall finishes. Devised by Armourcoat founder and creative director, Duncan MacKellar, the Signature Collection comprises four polished plaster finishes; Biellese, Calabresi, Nebrodi, Volsini – inspired by an Italian heritage and MacKellar’s artistic interpretation of natural forms and surface effects. The launch comes as Armourcoat celebrates its 30 year anniversary. T. +44 (0)1732 467 993 E. sales@armourcoat.co.uk www.armourcoat.com Twitter: Armourcoat
Formica Astley, one of the UK’s leading creative signage manufacturers, chose VIVIX exterior facade panels by Formica Group for the building frontage of the Morrisons Kiddicare stores in Nottingham, Merry Hill, Thurrock, Aintree and Rotherham. ‘Working with the project manager and procurement teams from Kiddicare, we researched a range of materials that would fulfil the brief and achieve the desired look,’ says Paul Allan, sales manager at Astley. ‘A material which looked like wood and had a real “feel me” appearance was specified for the facade of the building.’ With a decorative surface on both sides, VIVIX panels offer opportunities to play with colour and shape. T. +44 (0)191 259 3100 E. samples.uk@formica.com www.formica.com Twitter: FormicaGroupEU
52
Polyflor A diverse range of flooring products from Polyflor, the UK’s commercial and residential vinyl flooring specialist, have been installed in the new headquarters of fashion house, SRG Apparel, in Whitefield, Manchester. More than 750 sq m of Polyflor products were specified by Jenkins Design of Bury, and installed by Bramhall Flooring, including Expona Control, Expona Design, 2000PUR, Polysafe Arena and Modena PUR. All Polyflor flooring is 100 per cent recyclable via the Recofloor recycling scheme and contains up to an average of 40 per cent recycled content. T. +44 (0)161 767 1111 E.info@polyflor.com www.polyflor.com Twitter: Polyflorltd
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products
selection 3M Spandex, trade supplier to the sign making and display industry, has been announced as master distributor for 3M Architectural Markets, specialising in innovative surface finishes that transform interior and exterior spaces. Spandex customers now have access to a large stock of Fasara Glass Finishes and DI-NOC Architectural Finishes at bespoke prices and available for next day delivery. Both products are ideal for refreshing retail spaces without the need for planning approval, with minimal disruption and for as little as 10 per cent of the cost of a full refurbishment. T. +44 (0)845 606 388 E. innovativefinishes@mmm.com www.3M.co.uk/innovativefinishes Twitter: 3MGraphicsUK
GE Lighting GE Lighting has launched the GE LED T8 range of LED tubes as a straightforward solution for retailers and commercial building owners looking to upgrade their lighting systems. Designed for easy retrofitting into standard T8 fluorescent luminaires with electromagnetic ballasts, the LED tubes offer up to 60 per cent energy savings and a quick return on investment. Capable of operating in broad ambient temperature ranges, the GE LED T8 tubes have a narrower and more targeted beam angle to reduce light loss. They also benefit from zero flicker and stroboscopic effect making them ‘kind’ on the eyes. T. +44 (0)800 169 8290 www.gelighting.com Twitter: GELightingEU
Rockfon Cinema chain Cineworld has specified Rockfon ceiling products for sites across the country. Chosen for their superior acoustic control, Rockfon Color-all tiles in charcoal colour are fitted in the auditoriums to enhance the atmospheric surround sound the cinema chain is proud of offering its customers. In addition 500 sq m of Rockfon Artic ceilings tiles are installed in the foyer of each new cinema complex to create a welcoming, contemporary look. T. +44 (0)800 389 0314 E. info@rockfon.co.uk www.rockfon.co.uk
JS Air Curtains JS Air Curtains is offering a 45 minute webinar that will provide online training to consultants, contractors and facilities managers on air curtain system design, selection, controls and potential applications. The live online session will take place at 10:30am on 19 June and will enable attendees to better understand the potential for energy savings and improved comfort that air curtains offer. The webinar will include advice on how an air curtain can be used across public, industrial and cold storage applications, mounting options for both performance and aesthetic design, and how best to control an air curtain to achieve a building’s environmental and energy objectives. T. +44 (0)1903 858 656 E. sales@jsaircurtains.com www.jsaircurtains.com Twitter: JSAirCurtains
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fixtures & fittings
focus on: Fixtures + fittings Shelf service Peerless Designs is soon to add the VIRTUA illuminated shelving system to its UK product range. First shown at EuroShop in February, the display system is designed to offer an effective and discreet form of lowvoltage, high-efficiency LED under-shelf lighting. Available for both glass and timber shelves, VIRTUA is suitable for retail, showroom, museum and gallery interiors.
www.peerlessdesigns.com
The choice of fixtures and furniture in a retail space will generally depend on the brand and the range of merchandise. An effective display system will reflect the brand image, attract customer attention, emphasise the product and ultimately increase sales. From Samsung’s new Experience stores to Andy Thornton’s original Victorian jewellers shop display cabinets, we check out a selection of retail display projects and products set to make an impact.
Experience design The new Samsung Experience stores in the UK and Ireland enable customers to try out products before they buy, and stock the brand’s full range of mobiles, tablets, laptops and wearables. The concept stores, designed in collaboration with Cheil, are fitted out by CDS Group Services and feature new-to-market large wall tiles, leather touch wall features, interactive touch walls and smart home zones. The fit-out also includes accessory wall units, a concierge desk, wall infill units and window display floor boxes. The stores are operated in partnership with Carphone Warehouse (which is currently in the process of merging with Dixons Retail).
www.cheil.com www.cdsgroup.uk.com
Fit for a princess Middle Eastern lingerie retailer, Nayomi worked with retail interiors company, Visplay to create bespoke merchandise displays for its new flagship store in Mall of Arabia, Jeddah. Visplay’s Xero 4 system provides a flexible solution for use with a wide range of products and is embedded in the rear wall panels. The merchandise system is installed alongside Visplay’s Mono 8 single point support system. The Nayomi Princess Palace was designed in collaboration with Kinnersley Kent Design.
www.kkd.co.uk www.visplay.com
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fixtures & fittings
News Slash Geometrical, clear cut and elegant in shape, Slash from ALU is a free-standing or wall-mounted display system that allows the product to stand out. The system is available in a range of materials and finishes, and accessories can be attached and removed as required. Slash is used by a number of retailers, including River Island in the UK and New Balance in the US.
www.alu.com
Art Deco inspiration The redesigned N.Peal store in London’s Burlington Arcade acknowledges the luxury cashmere brand’s Art Deco origins. Created in collaboration with Amos and Amos, the design incorporates traditional geometric patterns, intricate metalworking and Art Deco-inspired colours. Bringing the designs to life, Datum Contracts manufactured and installed bespoke display cabinets, shelving and tables in timber and polished brass, along with individual pieces of joinery. Photography: Marcus Peel Photography
www.amosandamos.co.uk www.datumcontracts.co.uk
Victorian Charm Andy Thornton, a UK supplier of architectural salvage, has taken delivery of two original Victorian jewellers shop display cabinets. The full-height, glazed cabinets in quality Brazilian mahogany date from the late 19th century and are almost identical in design. Measuring 2.9m long and 1.7m long, the cabinets feature glass end panels, plate glass shelves on steel brackets and mirrored back panels.
www.andythornton.com
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Opening a new store ? We can supply all your needs in just one delivery... saving you money! Vist our online shop with over a thousand products available and in stock or call our Sales Team today
• Distribution • Shop fittings • Bespoke design • Display systems • Mannequins • Point of sale • Printed bags • Printed hangers
Call now 0844 8009 305 www.theretailfactory.co.uk
The Retail Factory provide a unique...
source · store · deliver “Our team of warehouse professionals will accurately pack the items you require for delivery, getting you everything you need, when you need it and where you need it.”
source · Consolidating your order process
· · · · ·
Store opening and closure service... We can now offer retailers a way to consolidate and simplify the process of new store set-up, the refurbishment of existing stores and the closure of any unwanted locations. Our service removes the organisational and logistical burden during a new store opening, significantly decreasing the stress, hassle and cost involved, allowing you to shift your focus onto the more crucial issues relating to establishing a successful retail environment. We will source all the products you need for your store openings, supplying everything you require from our retail, stationary and back office range of over 40,000 products. We organise the delivery of the items centrally into our 25,000 square foot warehouse, to be stored ready for dispatch to your locations, on the dates you specify. Before dispatch, all the items needed for a particular store are picked and packed onto pallets for delivery to you simultaneously, significantly reducing onsite traffic and the confusion that can be caused by multiple drops from several different suppliers.
Save hassle of dealing with multiple suppliers Significant cost savings Reduce your financial outlay on the project One point of contact for all matters relating to your order Invoicing and administration streamlined
store · · · ·
Central storage point for all your items Delivered direct to our warehouse and stored until needed Deliveries unpacked, checked and inventoried Picked and packed on a store by store basis
deliver · Delivering on demand · No ordering in bulk · Distributing to stores, only when required · Fewer deliveries
store closures · · · · ·
Help in the event of store closure Organise pick up, sorting and secure storage of equipment Recycling and disposal of unwanted and damaged items Collect directly and transport to our warehouse Undamaged items inventoried, repacked and stored
Talk to us today call 0844 8009 305 or email enquiries@theretailfactory.co.uk
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
Bespoke Display
Bespoke Display
Design Consultancies
RGB Products 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
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.
We provide a bespoke manufacturing service for Point of Purchase and Exhibition Display products. Using our CNC Router and other machinery, we can prototype and produce your merchandising displays and products.
H Squared Limited are display specialists in creating brand presence at the point of purchase. Through a holistic approach to the development of display... strategic led creative design and cost effective manufacture, supply and installation, H Squared are able to offer clients an experience to nurture an idea as well as the capability to realise and deliver these ideas.
T, 020 3260 3888 E. info@axiseurope.com W.www.axiseurope.com/retail S. www.twitter.com/AxisEuropePlc
T, 01403 783670 E. sales@rgbproducts.co.uk W. www.rgbproducts.co.uk
T: 01530 814200 E: studio@hsquared.co.uk W: www.hsquaredltd.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/HSquaredLtd
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.
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.
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 01892 890608 E: phil@spurcreative.co.uk W www.spurcreative.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/ spur_creative
T, +44 (0) 1179 725168 E. victoria@ignitiondg.com W. www.ignitiondg.com
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: 0 01422 310767 E: sales@wbelland.com W: www.wbelland.com
Balloons & Bunting
Bespoke Display
H Squared Limited are display specialists in creating brand presence at the point of purchase. Through a holistic approach to the development of display... strategic led creative design and cost effective manufacture, supply and installation, H Squared are able to offer clients an experience to nurture an idea as well as the capability to realise and deliver these ideas. T: 01530 814200 E: studio@hsquared.co.uk W: www.hsquaredltd.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/HSquaredLtd
Bespoke Display
Bespoke Display
Bespoke Display
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: 0 01422 310767 E: sales@wbelland.com W: www.wbelland.com
CNC Routing
Design Consultancies
Display
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.
T, 020 3260 3888 E. info@axiseurope.com W.www.axiseurope.com/retail S. www.twitter.com/AxisEuropePlc
Display
RGB Products 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.
We provide a bespoke manufacturing service for Point of Purchase and Exhibition Display products. Using our CNC Router and other machinery, we can prototype and produce your merchandising displays and products.
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, 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, 01403 783670 E. sales@rgbproducts.co.uk W. www.rgbproducts.co.uk
T: 0845 3730073 E: info@graphicadisplay.co.uk W:www.graphicadisplay.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/graphicatweet
63
Directory
Display
Display
Display - Digital
Furniture
Are you looking to increase your product sales, re-brand or launch a new product? If you’re not already talking to us, you should. Our group offer an unprecedented level of experience coupled with a comprehensive range of products and services. Our aim is to make your products sell and your service the best on the market.
Impulse are a retail display design and manufacturer, offering our own UK facilities and overseas supply chain if time allows.
Crystal Display Systems is already a leading UK designer, distributor and value added reseller of flat panel display solutions. We have a vast array of media players, interactive displays, videowalls and shelf edge displays. Our knowledge and expertise has also led to us being one of the European leaders in transparent LCD.
Spur Creative Workshop deliver unique visual merchandising solutions for retail brands. Boasting a wealth of experience in high quality prop making we create display concepts for window staging, POS and brand awareness campaigns.
T: +44(0)113 265 0093 E: sales@concept-data.com W: www.concept-data.com S. www.twitter.com/GDProjects
T, 01767 682756 E. sales@impulsepop.co.uk W.www.impulsepop.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/impulsepop
T: +44 (0) 1634 292 025 E: info@crystal-display.com W: www.crystal-display.com S. www.twitter.com/CrystalDisplays
T 01892 890608 E: phil@spurcreative.co.uk W www.spurcreative.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/ spur_creative
Display
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
Display
GDP designs, 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. T: +44 (0)1582 433 771 E: info@gdprojects.eu W: www.gdprojects.eu S. www.twitter.com/GDProjects
Display
We are IPOS. A creative design agency whose extensive and impressive client list speaks volumes for the professional services we offer. We design, produce and install all aspects of our client’s POS. From instore graphics, window vinyls and 3D bespoke window displays to full multi location campaign roll outs. T: 0161 477 8501 E: info@ipos-design.co.uk W: www.ipos-design.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/iposdesign
64
Display
Display - Digital
Furniture
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.
Impulse are a retail display design and manufacturer, offering our own UK facilities and overseas supply chain if time allows.
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 01892 890608 E: phil@spurcreative.co.uk W www.spurcreative.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/ spur_creative
T, 01767 682756 E. sales@impulsepop.co.uk W.www.impulsepop.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/impulsepop
T: 01923 800666 E: info@stylographics.co.uk W: www.stylographics.com S. www.twitter.com/hellostylo
Display
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
Display
Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry.
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
Armourcoat is the world’s foremost supplier of polished plasters, sculptural effects and innovative surface finishes.
Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service. T: 0 01422 310767 E: sales@wbelland.com W: www.wbelland.com
T. +44 (0)1732 460 668 E. sales@armourcoat.co.uk W. www.armourcoat.com S. www.twitter.com/Armourcoat
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
Interactive Displays
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. T: +44 (0) 1634 292 025 E: info@crystal-display.com W: www.crystal-display.com S. www.twitter.com/CrystalDisplays
Integrated Marketing
POP/POS
H Squared Limited are display specialists in creating brand presence at the point of purchase. Through a holistic approach to the development of display... strategic led creative design and cost effective manufacture, supply and installation, H Squared are able to offer clients an experience to nurture an idea as well as the capability to realise and deliver these ideas. T: 01530 814200 E: studio@hsquared.co.uk W: www.hsquaredltd.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/HSquaredLtd
POP/POS
POP/POS
Slatwall
From small, lightweight point-of-sale display turntables for short term use, to larger turntables designed for durability and reliability over many years, Movetech UK has a turntable to meet your needs.
Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry.
T: 01204 537680 E: display@movetechuk.com W:www.movetechuk.com S. www.twitter.com/movetechuk
T: 01273 582241 E: info@d-i-a.net W: www.d-i-a.net S. www.twitter.com/DesignsinAlumin
POP/POS
Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service.
Slatwall
BWP Group is an integrated communications agency that specialises in retail destination marketing. We drive footfall to shopping centres and retail brands across Europe, through a combination of marketing and brand consultancy, PR, experiential, events, social media and digital communications.
Impulse are a retail display design and manufacturer, offering our own UK facilities and overseas supply chain if time allows.
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.
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, 01628 625 900 E. hello@bwpgroup.com W. www.bwpgroup.com S. www.twitter.com/BWP_Group
T, 01767 682756 E. sales@impulsepop.co.uk W.www.impulsepop.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/impulsepop
T 01892 890608 E: phil@spurcreative.co.uk W www.spurcreative.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/ spur_creative
T. 01325 351 276 E. sales@microslat.com W. www.microslat.com S. www.twitter.com/MicroSlat
POP Install
Logistics
At Chequers, we provide a specialist fragile transportation and logistics solution, dedicated primarily to the retail visual merchandising, POP/POS display and shopfitting sectors.
T, 01757 707077 E. sales@chequerstransport.com W. www.chequerstransport.com
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.
We are the leading retail implementation agency with unrivalled expertise in Installation, Retail Audits, Merchandising and Field Marketing. If you think your campaigns might benefit from a complete service, you should talk to us.
T: 0161 477 8501 E: info@ipos-design.co.uk W: www.ipos-design.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/iposdesign
T: 0161 486 7878 E: instore@momentuminstore.com W: www.momentuminstore.com S: www.twitter.com/momentuminstore
Lighting
POP/POS
POP Install
Atrium, established 36 years ago, is the UK’s longest standing independent architectural lighting supplier. Flos, Ilti Luce, LTS and Modular have granted us full exclusivity for the UK and the Republic of Ireland. We specialise in the supply of high quality design-led technical and decorative luminaires to the commercial project market.
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.
Our aim is simple: To provide GOLD STANDARD Installation and Merchandising of Display Equipment at competitive prices.
T: +44 (0)20 7681 9933 E: sales@atrium.ltd.uk W: www.atrium.ltd.uk S. www.twitter.com/Atrium_ltd
T: +44 (0)8450 944 699 E: ben.wang@ksf-global.com W: www.ksf-global.com S: www.twitter.com/KSFGlobal
T: 0161 941 2239 E: mike.kirchin@plan2install.co.uk W: www.plan2install.co.uk
Slatwall
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: 0 01422 310767 E: sales@wbelland.com W: www.wbelland.com
Suspension System
Suspension systems - Simple installation, high carrying weights, automatic height locking device and progressive adjustment, compatible with existing covering and panelling.
T: 020 8446 0161 E: sales@walterlogan.com W: www.walterlogan.com
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Q&A
As British homewares retailer Habitat prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, managing director Clare Askem talks us through the evolution of the iconic brand. RF. Firstly, happy 50th birthday to Habitat. How is the company marking this milestone anniversary? CA. We are marking the 50th anniversary with a special collection called Design Reunion that will launch in September 2014. For this project we have worked with six designers from Habitat’s past to create pieces across textiles, furniture and lighting that will form part of our AW14 collection. Designers include Tord Boontje, Simon Pengelley, Sarah Campbell, Claire Norcross, Aaron Probyn and Shin Azumi. We’re thrilled to be working with these established designers who have been part of the Habitat story and it’s been fascinating to see how they have developed new designs working with our in-house team to meet one of our commercial briefs. We will also be launching a special exhibition that will explore the inspiration behind these pieces for London Design Festival, hosted in our Platform exhibition space above our King’s Road store. The graphic design artist, James Joyce has also created a special 50th identity, which we will be rolling out across all stores this year and will be used to create a limited edition bag for customers. RF. How has Habitat evolved in that time? CA. Habitat has had a revolutionary influence on British interiors. Habitat was responsible for bringing the concept of ‘lifestyle’ shopping to the UK, bringing influences and products from around the world and presenting them to the far less worldly 1960’s British shopper. Habitat’s founding mantra was that ‘useful can be beautiful and beautiful can be affordable’. Sadly, in the 90’s and ‘00’s the business seemed to lose its way and moved away from some of the founding principles that made the brand so strong, and ultimately the business needed financial restructuring. Learning from mistakes is an important lesson and three years later we’re rebuilding a stronger brand built on affordable, great design that is more accessible than it has been before through Habitat, Homebase and Argos stores. For as much as Habitat has evolved over the years, at the heart of brand one thing has always remained constant and that is innovative, good quality design and well-made product. RF. What does Habitat stand for today? CA. Habitat today stands for what Habitat has always stood for: affordable, enduring, fun, well designed products. We believe that everyone should have a piece of furniture in their home that makes them smile and that good quality design should be available for everyone. We are not a ‘play it safe’ brand – we will design product that we believe in and it might not be to everyone’s taste but that is what Habitat has always been about. Habitat was conceived to set new directions, not to
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follow existing trends and that spirit is still very much central to our in-house design team. We’ve spent three years rebuilding our collections back to the point where we can now shout about them and our creative director, Polly Dickens has ensured that we have a consistent design handwriting throughout. RF. You played a key role in the acquisition of Habitat by Home Retail. What drew you to the brand? CA. I had always been a huge fan of Habitat – it was a big part of my life growing up and it was sad to see the business deteriorate the way it did. When the opportunity arose in 2011 to acquire the brand, which many people had written off as ‘dead’, I could see that the fundamental principles of the brand were as relevant today as they had been in 1964 and, with the help of the expertise of Home Retail Group, we could reinvigorate Habitat and bring it back to life. All the creative elements were there – the in-house design team, the buying and product development expertise, the talented craftsman working for suppliers around the world and a brand that customers loved and wanted back in their lives. I wanted to take Habitat back to the Habitat that I had loved – the affordable, fun, well designed Habitat. RF. What plans do you have for the company moving forward? CA. We will be expanding the Mini Habitat format within Homebase and looking to have 100 of these stores open across the UK by the end of 2015. We are also expanding our presence within Argos with more of our range being added to their site and catalogue from July. These plans, in addition to the plans we have for Habitat.co.uk mean that our products should be really accessible to our customers wherever they live and however they want to shop. We will obviously continue to develop and evolve our ranges. And we hope that our new brand campaign will really resonate with customers and get them to reengage with the brand, whether that is in store, online or through our social channels.
Read the interview in full at: www.retail-focus.co.uk
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