Retail Focus April 2017.

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April 2017 : £6.75 #86

April 2017/issue 86

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EuroShop Highlights : Window Shopping : Hermès : TechnoGym : La Perla : Shopping Centres : In & Around King’s Cross : Retail Design Expo Preview : Shopfittings : Q&A with Dmitri Siegel, Sonos

Stairway to heaven Hermès opens Munich flagship

EuroShop Highlights : Window Shopping : TechnoGym : La Perla : Shopping Centres In & Around King’s Cross : Retail Design Expo Preview : Shopfittings : Q&A with Dmitri Siegel, Sonos

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contents

CONTENTS Stairway to heaven

26-28

Possibly the most striking design element of the new Hermès store in Munich is the sweeping central staircase, which spirals over the three levels and is topped by a luminous halo-like ceiling.

the 45 Reimagining shopping centre

on 68 Focus Shopfittings

Design 39 EuroShop highlights 53 Retail Expo 2017

7 8

Leader Diary

10-16 News 18-20 W indow shopping

26-36 Project Focus

Hermès Munich : TechnoGym Milan : La Perla Milan

49

In and Around...

King’s Cross. A neighbourhood with an ambition to redefine the physical shopping environment.

Inspiring window displays from around the globe.

22 25

Top of the POPS Karl McKeever

51

Opinion

How do we go beyond storytelling to get to a place where the store is the story, asks Lauren Adams of Gensler’s New York office.

Could VM fall out of fashion, asks Karl this month.

www.retail-focus.co.uk

56-67 Products Products and services for the retail industry.

74

Q&A Dmitri Siegel, executive creative director at Sonos, tells us what’s next for the consumer electronics brand.

Europe’s leading annual event for innovation and inspiration in RETAIL DESIGN, MARKETING, VISUAL MERCHANDISING, ARCHITECTURE & SHOPFITTING Your unique opportunity to: • Be seen as a leader in the industry • Engage with the retail design and marketing industry • Meet with senior decision makers • Generate qualified targeted leads • Promote awareness for your company • Launch new products and services

“There are a lot of people here. There has been a good mixture of brands and retailers. We’ve seen Asda, John Lewis, Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Bobby Brown, Calvin Klein and Hasbro - a good mix of multinational, and big global brands.”

Scott Morris, Managing Director, DisplayPlan

Don’t wait. Secure the stand you want.

Call Michelle on +44 (0) 208 874 2728 or email michelle@retaildesignexpo.com New fe

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welcome April ‘17 With Salone del Mobile - aka the Milan Furniture Fair - taking place earlier this month, we venture to Italy to check out the new store design concepts for fitness equipment specialist, TechnoGym and lingerie and beachwear brand, La Perla. TechnoGym launched its first ever fully interactive concept store on Via Durini in April to coincide with the design fair and now has its sights set firmly on London (pages 30-32). Meanwhile, La Perla launched its new, larger boutique on Via Montenapoleone in February during Milan Fashion Week to showcase its new Fall/Winter ‘17 ready-to-wear collection, inspired by the British Garden (pages 35-36).

Staying in Europe, our cover story this month is the beautiful new Hermès flagship store in Munich, which marks a significant milestone in the history of the French luxury fashion house. Designed by Paris-based Rena Dumas Architecture Intérieure (RDAI), the 640 sq m building aims to surprise loyal customers and enchant new ones (pages 26-28).

In March, Düsseldorf in Germany once again played host to EuroShop, which celebrated its 50th anniversary with a record number of exhibitors and visitors.

You can see some of our highlights of the world’s leading retail trade fair on pages 39-40.

No sooner have we digested the discussions, ideas and solutions from EuroShop than we are preparing for Retail Design Expo in London. The two-day event in May will be packed with the latest trends, companies and ideas in retail design, marketing, branding, visual merchandising, architecture and shopfitting.

Hopefully we’ll see you there!

Gemma Balmford Editor

Managing Editor

Editor

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

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

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

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diary

DIARY

Retail Design Expo Olympia London 8-9 May 2017 Co-located with Retail Business Technology Expo (RBTE) and Retail Digital Signage Expo (RDSE), Retail Design Expo (RDE) returns to Olympia London with the addition of the VM Christmas Market and Awards, which are new for 2017. RDE is an annual source of innovation and inspiration in retail design, marketing, visual merchandising and shopfitting from around the world, and includes two days of free conferences and workshops including more than 75 speakers. Some of the UK’s leading design consultancies and architects will congregate in the Designer Pavilion in the heart of the show, including Household, Edge and Quadrant Design.

RtlDesignExpo

www.retaildesignexpo.com

Retail Business Technology Expo

Olympia London 8-9 May 2017

FESPA 2017 Hamburg, Germany 8-12 May 2017

Clerkenwell Design Week Clerkenwell, London 23-25 May 2017

RBTE is the ideal event for those looking for products and services that will help them increase productivity, reduce costs, attract more customers, improve the customer experience, enhance security and sell more. The show will include a comprehensive two-day seminar, as well as the RBTE Innovation Awards & Trail sponsored by Aptos.

FESPA offers one complete event solution for the wide format printing community, from commercial printing to wide format and signage. The show features 700 exhibitors showcasing ideas to enhance your business performance and profitability. A programme of high-quality educational content will run across the five-day event.

Clerkenwell Design Week returns to London on 23-25 May 2017 with a host of showrooms, features, installations and live events to whet your design appetite. Installations include a 7.5m high tower called The Beacon, supported by Perspex, Festival events will take place across Clerkenwell and registration is free.

rbtexpo www.retailbusinesstechnologyexpo.com

www.fespa2017.com

FESPA

CDWfestival www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com

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

Photo: Messe Dusseldorf / ctillmann

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news

NEWS Heinz celebrates 50 years of baked beans with pop-up Heinz has opened a pop-up in the Selfridges Foodhall in London to celebrate 50 years of baked beans production. The Beanz Meanz Heinz pop-up bar is open for four weeks and will serve a variety of dishes to customers.

‘Every day, two million people sit down to enjoy Heinz Beanz, whether that’s on toast, with a jacket potato or served alongside other dinner favourites. We wanted to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the advertising slogan ‘Beanz Meanz Heinz’ by offering up some modern twists that people can enjoy not only at our pop-up bar but also re-create within the comfort of their own home,’ says Francesca Mattiussi, senior brand manager at Heinz Beanz.

To honour the tagline’s creator, Heinz has also produced 50 collectable cans for super fans. The can features a collage of contrasting Heinz keystone logo designs, as well as details of the slogan’s origins. Each can is numbered between one and 50 and has been personally signed by Maurice Drake.

Benefit tours The All Pink Charity Shop San Francisco-based cosmetics brand Benefit has launched The All Pink Charity Shop, packed full of pink items donated from celebrities, brands, vloggers and the general public. The pop-up is currently touring the UK. The store started its journey on Neal Street in Seven Dials, London (pictured), followed by South William Street in Dublin and Market Street, Manchester.

The pop-up finishes at St Enoch Shopping Centre in Glasgow.

All money raised will be going to the brand’s Bold is Beautiful project, which aims to empower women and girls everywhere by ‘raising a brow’. All profits from brow waxes at Benefit’s Brow Bars will go towards the project.

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news

Sweaty Betty announces flagship for Carnaby Street Fitness brand Sweaty Betty has announced plans to open its first European flagship at 1 Carnaby Street in London. The prominent 204 sq m store is located at the south entrance to Carnaby Street and is the result of the brand upscaling from its existing store on Beak Street, where it has been a resident since 2002.

The shop is arranged over ground and basement floors, allowing the brand to expand and offer the full clothing, accessories and equipment collections, as well as housing a studio space for exclusive wellness events, giving a wider customer experience.

Sweaty Betty joins other recent additions including Urban Decay, G.H. Bass and Estee Edit, who have all chosen Carnaby for their first global or UK flagship stores.

New brands sign up for Tunsgate Quarter development at Queensberry Queensberry in Guildford has signed lifestyle store The White Company, cosmetics brand Bobbi Brown, and laid-back furniture company Loaf to its prestigious Tunsgate Quarter development.

The new signings will join The Ivy Collection restaurant and luxury home furnishings from OKA, which will anchor the 7,432 sq m scheme.

Designed by architectural firm Lyons+Sleeman+Hoare, Tunsgate Quarter reflects Queensberry’s vision to create an expanded retail hub, embracing

complementary retailers adjacent to the scheme, the High Street and Guildford Castle.

Once complete in October, Tunsgate Quarter will comprise 26 units (18 retail units and eight restaurants), and will connect the High Street with Castle Street.

The scheme will feature a striking new atrium at its heart and two new levels to the rear of the scheme, offering al fresco dining and views over Guildford Castle and its gardens.

H&M announces plans to open largest UK store at Westfield Stratford H&M is opening a new Westfield Stratford store on 21 April. The retailer is relocating from its current location and expanding its offering to become the largest store in the UK and IE portfoliio, and one of the largest H&Ms in the world.

Situated over three floors and covering 5,074 sq m of sales space, Westfield Stratford City will offer fashion-forward collections across ladieswear, menswear, Divided and kidswear. The store will also be home to the brand’s homeware and beauty ranges.

‘H&M is delighted to be expanding in Westfield Stratford. The new store will become our largest in the UK and IE, as well as a global flagship store. Westfield Stratford gives the brand an exciting opportunity to showcase our entire fashion offering to both new and existing customers,’ says Carlos Duarte, H&M’s country manager UK & IE.

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news

Research reveals how supermarkets control our speed of walking A study by Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) has found that supermarkets can control our walking speed when shopping by changing the pattern or markings on the floor. The study demonstrates that retail managers can persuade customers to walk at the ideal pace, either quicker or slower, on their shopping trip, by altering lines and patterns.

‘Managing the flow of customers can be a challenge for retailers. When customers rush through the store, they miss interesting products and buy less.

Spending too much time in front of the shelves can lead to annoying congestion in the aisles, which also leads to declining sales,’ says Bram Van den Bergh, who led the research. ‘It has been known for some time that walking speed plays an important role in shoppers’ purchasing decisions.

But until now it was unclear what retail

Westfield Stratford welcomes Rituals Cosmetics

managers could do to influence the pace of their customers. This research was set up to find out how they might achieve this.’

The research reveals that closely spaced, horizontal lines on the floor slow the pace at which shoppers walk down an aisle, encouraging them to browse. Widen the gaps between the lines and shoppers move more quickly. Marks on the floor alter the perception of the length of the aisle with more frequent lines making shoppers believe that the end is farther away so they instinctively slow down. If the lines are further apart, shoppers speed up because they think the end is nearer.

You can read the full report at discovery.rsm.nl

Sandbox opens new technology experience in East London

Rituals Cosmetics will launch its latest premium boutique at Westfield Stratford this month. The store will offer a unique lifestyle shopping experience to the local community, providing consumers with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the brand’s mantra; ‘transforming daily routines into meaningful rituals’.

Offering herbal teas upon entering the boutique, with the option to experience the products via complementary hand and arm massages combined with seasonal activities, Rituals provides numerous initiatives to encourage consumers to take time out of their day for some invaluable ‘me time’.

‘We are thrilled to be strengthening our Westfield partnership with the launch of our latest boutique in Westfield Stratford, continuing our ongoing expansion plans within London. East London is an exciting new addition to Rituals’ standalone boutiques, targeting a new customer and helping to drive Rituals Cosmetics as a premium lifestyle and beauty brand,’ says Penny Grivea, UK managing director of Rituals Cosmetics.

FITCH appoints new global CEO

Sandbox, a new retail format for emerging technology, has opened its doors at the Truman Brewery in Shoreditch, London.

‘We want to humanise technology,’ said Alexander Cohen, co-founder of Sandbox, at the launch party in March.

The premise of Sandbox is to provide a showcase of emerging technology that is continually refreshed on a monthly, quarterly and half-yearly basis, depending on the subscription that each company who exhibits selects.

‘Because we don’t benefit from sales, our team are in a fantastic position to

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be honest and open about products.

Staff are on hand to inform and, where applicable, educate visitors on the products and services they encounter or express an interest in trying out,’ says Cohen.

Sandbox enables consumers to demo and play with tech through showcasing. Sandbox has provided an environment where consumers are free to play and test to their heart’s content a carefully selected range of the very best technology on offer.

David Blair has been promoted to global CEO of branding and retail consultancy, FITCH. Previously regional CEO for the EMEIA region, Blair has taken over responsibility for the business from Simon Bolton, CEO of Group XP, the brand experience collective. FITCH is one of Group XP’s founding agencies, with 15 studios in nine countries.

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international

NEWS Bikini Berlin unveils origami installation Visual artist Mademoiselle Maurice has designed a vibrantly coloured installation at Bikini Berlin concept shopping mall in Berlin, Germany. Entitled ‘When the sky meets the earth!’, the 140 sq m installation consists of 5,700 colourful origami models attached to 140 ropes as well as 4,000 wooden sticks.

While the ceiling installation mainly comprises countless flying cubes in rainbow colours, origami birds can be admired on the floor of the mall and

form one big, vibrant flock. At the edge of the ceiling installation are five white origami birds signed by the artist. The general public can also become part of the artwork by folding their own origami

birds using a short how-to video and then integrating them into the floor installation, ensuring that it grows continuously.

The installation will be in place until 30 April 2017.

Lord & Taylor launches The Dress Address

Whistles opens Hong Kong flagship Contemporary British fashion brand Whistles has opened a new store on the first floor of Pacific Place in Hong Kong.

Designed in-house, the 93 sq m flagship space incorporates a decadent mix of textures and fabrics, and celebrates British design. Polished brass wall fixtures, handmade terrazzo stone and marble tables and plinths sit on a modern concrete floor.

Soft furnishings include an electric blue felt modular sofa, which dominates the blush carpeted accessory area against a contemporary, black polished wall backdrop.

Meanwhile, enormous tropical plants in heavy concrete containers give the store a modern bohemian feel.

Opened in partnership with Rue Madame Fashion Group (RMFG), the new store is the latest move in Whistles’ international retail expansion. Further flagship stores are set to open in Zurich, Switzerland and the Red Sea Mall in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in May 2017.

US luxury department store Lord & Taylor has opened a 2,790 sq m dress destination at its Fifth Avenue flagship in New York. The newly updated space on the fifth floor is devoted entirely to dress shopping for all occasions and includes a rotating pop-up shop, concierge and The Gallery, a dedicated area for designer dresses.

A series of custom screen walls help zone the floor into various atmospheres that accommodate a diverse range of dresses for every occasion. The space boasts more than 35 luxurious fitting rooms, including call buttons, selfie sticks and illuminated mirrors that feature adjustable mood settings for day, home, office and night.

The rotating pop-up shop launched in March with one-of-a-kind vintage designer dresses curated by Cameron Silver, co-founder of Decades, and the next instalment will be titled Paper Crown, designed by Lauren Conrad.

Set in a private alcove, The Gallery is an elevated shopping experience with its own branding, exclusive packaging, complimentary alterations, luxurious robes and other elements appealing to new and existing clientele.

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international news

Cuesta Blanca opens flagship store in Argentina Cuesta Blanca has opened its latest flagship store on Santa Fe Ave in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The brand is well known for creating luxurious and unique environments that seduce, attract and entertain consumers, with this latest store designed by Botner-Pecina Architects.

A former cinema, the store facade includes a mixture of materials such as brass, glass, black metal screening and gold LED lighting which ‘bond’ together through a very intricate pattern, creating what feels like a veil to the entire store.

The interior of the store is organised into four different levels, overlooking from all angles and connected by stairs and a lift. The walls are veneered with bronze mirrors to reflect and reinforce the verticality through all floors and create a sense of theatre. Black ceilings and gold LED lighting are abundant throughout.

The lighting scheme was carefully designed to create an ambience of warmth and improve the visualisation of the goods, enhance their colours and shapes, and make them stand out.

Big illuminated graphics present brand campaigns on the perimeter walls, as well as a video wall. These elements are reflected on the mirrored ceiling like a runway.

Photography: Gustavo Sosa Pinilla

Kuwait welcomes first Savanna store Children’s designer clothing brand Savanna has opened its first ever store, located in The Avenues Mall in Kuwait, with an interior that is designed to engage the whole family through key signifiers, such as interactive elements and playful animal characters.

Savanna collaborated with UK-based TRC and D4R on the store design concept, which takes cues from the African Savanna. Bold geometric shapes and bright colours are carried through each step of the store, creating a welcoming and interactive space.

A number of 3D animal characters, including a majestic red lion wearing a gold crown and glasses, and a blue monkey wearing a baseball cap and oversized sunglasses, play a role in in-store navigation and create potential photographic moments for children and parents. Elsewhere, geometric snakes with shoelace tongues form part of the display in the footwear section, accentuating the playfulness of the overall store concept. A gold and white colour palette, synonymous with luxury, has been used throughout.

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Wolf & Badger arrives in New York Online marketplace Wolf & Badger has unveiled its first US store, located on Grand Street, Soho in New York. The multichannel retailer is renowned for discovering and nurturing emerging talent.

The 220 sq m, multipurpose space has been designed to be an unforgettable retail destination and experience to complement its online marketplace.

The store will introduce New York consumers to a highly curated selection of global independent brands, which will be available for purchase in store and online on a three-month rotating basis. The main and lower levels house men’s and women’s fashion and accessories, footwear, jewellery and homewares. Limited edition pieces made exclusively for the Wolf & Badger US flagship will also be available. The entry space exhibits groundbreaking concepts in technology and design.

The upper floor is a dedicated space in which key designer jewellery collections are on display. A ‘meet the maker’ event area is also available for designers to host personal events and private appointments.

The

Retail Exchange Launches May 2017

Introducing The Retail Exchange, a new podcast series that throws the spotlight on key issues affecting the world of instore.

Stores of the Future

In our first episode, broadcaster and journalist Declan Curry sits down with leading industry thinkers to discuss why there is still much work to do and what could, or should, change in the way that retailers approach retail transformation as the industry continues to shift radically and at speed.

Hosted by Declan Curry

In association with

Back to the Future?

Join the Debate: @retailfocus #RetailExchange

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visual merchandising

INSPIRING WINDOW DISPLAYS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

enwick of F Bond Street To celebrate International Women’s Day, Fenwick of Bond Street partnered with Lights of Soho art gallery to exhibit the work of five female artists in a one-off neon exhibition, called ‘Women in Neon’.

Endeavouring to grow neon art beyond its Soho origin, Lights of Soho worked with Millington Associates to illuminate Fenwick of Bond Street with neon art bespoke window displays and a pop-up exhibition.

Bloomingdale’s For spring 2017, US department store Bloomingdale’s is celebrating the ‘art of fashion’ with a series of events and paint-splattered visual displays. Each Lexington Avenue window in New York highlights a women’s spring fashion trend, accompanied by hints of art from giant paintbrushes to paint splattered mannequins. New York-based artist, Eddy Bogaert has also supplied artwork for two of the windows, which comes to life with the help of 3D glasses that are available to passers-by.

See more window schemes at

www.retail-focus.co.uk/vm

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visual merchandising Coach The Coach Fashion Week windows in London, Paris and Japan depict an aspirational dramatic and immersive design, inspired by the spring 17 Coach runway show. ‘[The windows] capture a cinematic highly romanticised point of view, featuring All American 50’s rusted pretty Sedans, with contrasted modern high gloss and chromed scaffolds, sitting in a field of wildflowers and roses, with romantic inscriptions on the windshield spelling “Love me Tender”, glowing in warm shades of pinks, a nod to Elvis, Coach’s season muse,’ explains Samar Younes, design director, global visual creative at Coach.

The design tells the story of a group of girls and boys, hanging out near an abandoned parking lot, listening to Elvis, dressed in the subverted mashup of the Spring 17 Coach Collection, inspired by Beatniks, Rebels and Rockabillies.

Christian Louboutin Luxury footwear brand Christian Louboutin launched its spring 2017 collection across the globe with a space-age window scheme. Created in collaboration with StudioXAG, the windows feature chromefinish UFO pods surrounded by jewel-tone cabochon lights. Footwear and accessories are displayed atop a red rocket trail, while an illuminated shard extends from a heap of glittering moon rock. Galactic starfilled backdrops feature Louboutin’s take on a glamorous astronaut, with the new collection floating in zero-gravity nearby.

In the Paris flagship windows, a UFO pod is blown-up to use the entire window.

Joseph The latest window display at Joseph 77 Fulham Road is inspired by the Jil Sander SS17 show collection, specifically the pleated pieces in soft blush pink tones.

The scheme reflects the colours and textures of the Antelope Navajo canyon in the Arizona desert, where the water and sand carve flowing shapes into the rocks of the narrow passageways of the natural landscape. Created in collaboration with Millington Associates, the idea was to transform the space into a contemporary desert canyon with a 3D textured handcarved back wall and free-standing organic shapes, which are dissected by an artificial pink coloured stream.

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visual merchandising

Karen Millen The White Shirt window scheme brings to life Karen Millen’s new capsule collection of reimagined white shirts, featuring ruffles, volume, pleats and pussy-bows. Designed in collaboration with Seen Displays, the display uses a mix of textures and materials to complement the collection, including corrugated plastic, concrete breeze-blocks, paper and fabric.

Hermes London-based artist and designer Fotis Evans has created a series of window installations for Hermès on Madison Avenue in New York to showcase the ready-to-wear SS17 collections, accessories, footwear and homeware. The windows depict a new sculptural furniture world of cabinets and dressers that follow reimagined dadaist and surrealist techniques, such as bulletism, collage and fumage. The displays feature aged and stained materials such as bricks, concrete, brass beams, rusted steal, travertine and blackened iron, which are applied in an alternative furniture world context, visually challenging the laws of physics.

Mirrored stainless steel details are used to interact with the products on display and reflect parts of the infinite movements on the streets of Madison Avenue, echoing the juxtaposition of ‘two distant realities’.

Topshop Topshop on Oxford Street launched into spring with a colourful ‘neon mess’ of graphic icons created by illustrator Maison Stella. The graphic shapes included flamingos, lips, stars, eyes and flowers, and were brought to life using CNC-cut acrylic with LED lights, all suspended on a metal armature backdrop. The fashion retailer collaborated with Blacks Visual to produce and install the display.

See more window schemes at www.retail-focus.co.uk/vm

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Karl McKeever

Could VM fall out of fashion?

If spring counts as the season of optimism and a time to refresh, then Gucci’s latest collection by its creative maestro Alessandro Michele is a zinging shot of bright, bold, playful fashion that will surely lift our mood. By continuing to buck the usual neutrals that have clothed our stores in recent times, Gucci continues to lead the way.

Michele is often likened to the women he champions: daring, curiously compelling, and with a streak of mystery and eccentricity.

Since taking the role in 2014, he has been credited with the brand’s full-blooded return to form after a period of stagnation that followed the departure of Tom Ford in 2004. He is nothing if not a trailblazer and under his tenure, the brand has become known for its riots of clashing colours and patterns, all demanding attention.

But, most importantly of all, Michele’s creative vision has transformed the commercial performance of the company, which saw its revenue jump by 21 per cent in the last quarter of 2016, underlining the importance innovative ideas play in generating strong sales.

As well as overhauling clothing collections, Gucci has also given its stores a makeover, although interestingly, this has been achieved without expensive refits. Instead, it has harnessed the ‘soft power’ of VM, implementing new schemes and finishes on top of existing architecture to deliver a fresh and presumably cost-effective retail transformation.

With its daring design aesthetic, Gucci has become hugely popular in the Far East, particularly in Hong Kong, and on a recent visit I witnessed first-hand the brand’s powerful narrative. Young fashion lovers have been quick to embrace statement pieces from the latest range in a way that you do not see in the more conservative European and US markets. It has not gone unnoticed by other leading brands either — Prada’s remerchandised stores now look remarkably similar to Gucci’s.

And, as we all know, where designer fashion leads, it is only a matter of time before high street stores follow. In the coming months, we will no doubt see Gucci’s take on Chinoiserie patterns, ruffles and bold florals find their way into Mango and Topshop’s latest collections, albeit in more wearable styles.

Karl McKeever is founder and managing director of visual merchandising and brand delivery consultancy Visual Thinking.

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

It might be relatively straightforward to incorporate design elements into clothing but it is more difficult when it comes to store environment. For a long time now, retailers have relied on neutral, minimalist spaces with limited product colours and when they have struggled to re-evaluate their approach to visual merchandising, they often resort to simplifying the range. The result is that VM becomes almost mechanical and easy to implement, with little expertise and knowledge within the store teams.

This is the opposite of Gucci’s design narrative, which thrives on being brave and playful in its use of colour and pattern. However, rolling out similar concepts on the high street could be risky and you have to question whether some VM teams out there would be ready for such a challenge.

Creating more colourful stores adds another level of complexity when it comes to the coordination and presentation of this season’s must-have look. It further reinforces the need for retailers to make continued investment in refreshing and developing in-house VM capabilities across its store teams. This will become all the more apparent if a brand simply tries to shoe-horn a radical new collection into the existing layout without considering the way in which contrasting prints and silhouettes could look too busy for the average shopper.

Retailers who have been content to play it safe in recent years may well find the influence of Gucci pushes them to be more experimental. You only have to look at the way the brand’s social media presence has grown in recent years to see how unafraid it is of reaching out to that younger, affluent audience. Its Instagram page, for instance, emulates the style and humour of a streetwear brand, making it more culturally relevant to a new generation.

Although some brands are not brave enough to fully embrace the ‘Gucci factor’, or may simply consider it a seasonal novelty, VM training in how to successfully push the boundaries would be beneficial. Clashing products work in the right environment, but only if carefully displayed so teams could adopt a ‘boutique’ approach to layout or replace side-hanging racks with front-faced ones to showcase products more effectively. It’s worth noting that for high-volume stores this may create problems with stock density so a balance must be struck.

Under Michele, Gucci has demonstrated the commercial value of disrupting tried-and-tested narratives, whether it is through challenging our notions of gender or rejecting the idea that collections ‘tell a story’ each season. I have little doubt that his influence will quickly filter down and have as big an impact on the high street as it has on the catwalk, injecting a renewed sense of energy, vibrancy and playfulness into what fashionistas will be wearing in the months ahead. How well the look will be executed in store on a busy Saturday afternoon, however, remains to be seen.

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Hermès Munich, Germany Design: RDAI Opening date: March 2017 Store size: 640 sq m Photography: Christian Kain

Some 30 years after Hermès opened its first store in Germany, in Munich, the French luxury fashion house has unveiled a new site on the prestigious Maximilianstrasse.

Designed by Paris-based Rena Dumas Architecture Intérieure (RDAI) — the firm behind many of the Hermès stores worldwide — the 640 sq m flagship is located in the historic Münzarkaden (‘Mint Arcades’) and houses all of the brand’s 16 product categories across three floors.

The ground floor is home to men’s ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories; women’s silk; perfumes, and fashion jewellery, and features numerous signature touches from the brand’s architectural code, inspired by the Paris flagship on Rue de Faubourg Saint-Honoré, such as the Grecques light fittings on the ceiling with their moulded glass globes. The mosaic flooring also incorporates the Hermès ex-libris motif in white and linen tones, dotted with amber cabochons in moulded glass.

A frame constructed from rhythmical

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rectangles of sanded wood delicately presents a selection of suspended silk items that visitors can walk around and gaze at closely.

Possibly the most striking feature of the store is the sweeping central staircase, which spirals over the three levels and is topped by a luminous halo-like ceiling. At first glance, it gives the illusion of having been sculpted from a single block of terrazzo with its inclusion of mirrors, mother of pearl, and amber-coloured stones. The underside is decorated with a trompe-l’œil terrazzo, developed in collaboration with a German artisan. The staircase is surrounded by lofty rods made from cherry wood, while the handrail is a nod to Hermès’ rich equestrian heritage, with its form inspired by the shape of a stirrup.

The lower ground floor is dedicated to the Hermès home universe: furniture and lighting; textiles, fabrics and wallpapers; objects and accessories; and tableware, with the space specifically conceived to allow displays to be easily modified.

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‘Our desire is to surprise our loyal customers and enchant new ones.’

Meanwhile, the upper level is home to women’s fashion and shoes; leather goods, fine jewellery and watches; as well as a VIP lounge, which can be enclosed from the rest of the store using sliding curtains made from opaque woven stainless steel.

On the floor, RDAI has installed a honeycoloured oak parquet with inserts of carpet to conjure up a feeling of intimacy.

On the two upper levels, the collections are clearly defined by partitions in the form of shelving units made from bronzepatinated metal. These elements were conceived so as not to obstruct the view.

Instead, the boutique is typified by great openness with, at times, the actual structure of the building apparent.

The store’s overall colour palette was inspired by the building’s exterior of ochre-hued stone with brass accents. The result is a warm, welcoming atmosphere, with tones close to those of the quintessential natural Hermès leather.

‘The opening of our new store in Munich is a significant milestone in the history of Hermès, and heralds the start of an exciting new adventure,’ says Hermès CEO, Axel Dumas. ‘From our new home in the 19th century Münzarkaden, our desire is to surprise our loyal customers and enchant new ones, as they discover the world of Hermès in beautiful objects crafted by skilled hands that have been pursuing our house’s quest for creativity and excellence with passion since 1837.’

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TechnoGym Milan, Italy

Design: Antonio Citterio Opening date: April 2017 Store size: 750 sq m

Fitness equipment specialist, TechnoGym launched its first ever fully interactive concept store this month in Milan, to coincide with Salone del Mobile, the world’s most significant design fair. Designed in collaboration with Italian architect Antonio Citterio, the 750 sq m space is arranged across three floors and combines a contemporary aesthetic with functionality.

‘We launched our wellness concept 25 years ago and have since exported it to the best clubs, hotels, corporations, medical centres and private residence in more than 100 countries,’ says Nerio Alessandri, TechnoGym’s founder and president. ‘Now in Milan, we’ve created the first experiential store, which will set the

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standard for wellness, not only in Italy but across the globe.’

More than just a retail outlet, the space is designed to cater for an increasing demand for the best fitness products and services.

‘We thought right from the start that it would be short-sighted to design this space as a simple store,’ says Citterio of the project. ‘It is a place where you can find an entire range of services, which makes it possible to capture the essence of the products without necessarily having to set up a complete gym environment at home.

To design each of the wellness areas in the space, we were inspired by the Italian tradition of the 1930s, where environments

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‘It is a place where you can find an entire range of services.’

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were dominated by a single material and where surfaces and lighting combine to form a flexible, but highly recognisable background designed to enhance the products on display.’

Each area of the store explores and highlights key elements of health, well-being and fitness.

The ground floor houses the latest sophisticated products by TechnoGym, including the indoor cycling turbo trainer, MyCycling, and the SkillRow rowing machine, which was unveiled during the Milan Furniture Fair. It also features a unique interactive wall which enables visitors to take part in ability tests in order to assess physical performance. Here, instructors will be on hand to compile specially tailored fitness programmes for individual needs and goals.

The basement is a dedicated space for customers to try out the machines on offer, while the first floor focuses on education, offering classes, training sessions, workshops and product demonstrations.

The wellness company is now seeking premises in London to recreate the concept.

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La Perla Milan, Italy

Design: Baciocchi Associati Studio Opening date: February 2017 Store size: 240 sq m Italian lingerie and beachwear brand, La Perla has relocated its boutique on Milan’s fashionable Via Montenapoleone to larger premises as part of its global expansion plans. Spread across two floors, the new 240 sq m store is double the size of the previous location and is designed by Baciocchi Associati Studio (the architectural firm behind all La Perla boutiques that have opened since the brand was acquired in 2013 by Pacific Global Management).

Using the brand’s heritage as inspiration, the design concept echoes exquisite Italian craftsmanship. The entrance to the store is decorated with golden metal trims and the La Perla

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logo, which are all set against a light blue background.

The ground floor is illuminated by pure white marble floors, which contrast sharply with the sapphire blue carpets adorned with metallic herringbone trims; a detail that is also evident on the dark blue aluminium ceiling.

The walls are covered in powder blue panels and golden mesh accents, inspired by the weave of fine silk tulle — a symbolic fabric representing La Perla style.

The juxtaposition of blue and white repeats on the stunning white marble staircase and on the soft, sinuous velvet-covered seats.

The refined feel of the space is emphasised by the central pillar and private suite decorated with diamondshaped mirrors, showcasing traditional Italian architecture.

The first floor, meanwhile, is divided into four rooms, which are decorated with display niches and gilded mirrors. The colour palette varies in each space, from shades of lilac and amethysts to bold purple in the VIP suite.

The store opened in February to coincide with Milan Fashion Week and the new Fall/Winter ‘17 ready-to-wear collection, inspired by the British Garden.

The La Perla boutique on Via Bocca di Leone in Rome has also doubled in size to accommodate the brand’s new readyto-wear collection, reflecting its new and expanded offering developed by creative director, Julia Haart.

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show review

EuroShop 2017:

Highlights Text: Gemma Balmford

EuroShop celebrated its 50 year anniversary in March with a record number of exhibitors and visitors, confirming its position as the world’s leading retail trade fair.

What does it mean to be a retailer and work in the retail industry, and what’s coming next? These were some of the questions raised at EuroShop in March. The triennial event, which this year celebrated its 50th anniversary, welcomed more than 2,300 exhibitors and 113,000 visitors from across the globe, all looking for new inspiration, products and ideas in store design, visual merchandising, POS marketing, lighting and technology.

Spread across a record 18 exhibition halls (more than 127,000 sq m!), the latest instalment of the show covered seven ‘experience dimensions’, from shopfitting and store design to food technology and energy management, and offered a free supporting programme of conferences and forums, addressing the challenges and opportunities in retail both today and in the future.

Here are just some of the highlights from EuroShop 2017.

Top: Bonaveri showcased its new Tribe mannequin collection in the Visual Merchandising hall.

Above: Reggiani collaborated with Dalziel & Pow to create its Light + Shade-themed stand.

Below: Schweitzer shared its visions, technical innovations and new solutions in ‘The Circle’ (Photography: Interstore Design/Daniel Horn)

Shopfitting & Store Design Ansorg, Vitra and Vizona jointly presented ‘The Village’ at EuroShop, an immersive plaza-like setting featuring five fictional stores, each designed to address some of the current challenges facing the retail industry. Conceived by architect and designer Joanna Laajisto, The Village incorporated a fashion store, a cosmetics shop, a consumer electronics store, a car showroom and a grocery store, which each centred around a new Vitra shopfitting system, with tailored lighting concepts by Ansorg. The health and beauty store, for example, was designed to inspire and engage all the senses, while the automotive concept was about efficiency and space management. In a digital age, The Village showcased how bricks-and-mortar stores can promote a sense of togetherness and offer a shopping experience with an emotional factor.

‘As with all good design, it was the eye for authenticity that drove [The Village’s] success,’ recalls James Breaks, associate director of design at the rpa:group, which had a stand in the Designer Village. ‘Vizona seamlessly incorporated their latest products across a beautifully realised Aesop-like cosmetics brand named “Sepio”. With a wry stylistic nod to a large tech goods retailer, “Eden” demonstrated the power of dynamic lighting across acres of tablets and phones. More importantly, the staff provided a tireless demonstration of everything from heat-mapped store demographics and customer flow, to advances in interactive fitting rooms. It was a sincerely relevant and collaborative experience throughout.’

In the same hall, the Schwitzke Group presented ‘The Open Retail Trail’, displaying its own vision of the future with real and low-tech experiences. The walk-through incorporated a number of interactive rooms from ‘house of brands’ and ‘storytelling’ to ‘luxury design’ and ‘global delivery’, encouraging visitors to contemplate the discussions around today’s retail environment and the importance of the consumer experience. Visitors to the stand were also captivated by the work of sand artist, Uwe Bürkle.

After the ‘General Store’ concept in 2011 and the ‘Department Store’ in 2014, Schweitzer decided not to use a retail format as inspiration for its latest booth. Instead, the design and shopfitting firm focused on the future of commerce, sharing its visions, technical innovations and new solutions in ‘The Circle’. The enclosed stand, designed by Interstore, incorporated various service-oriented fictional brands, including the Rosa bakery, The Butcher and Sac à Légumes, showcasing how retail could look in the future.

Nearby was the expanded Designer Village, a dedicated space for architecture firms and design studios with a retail focus. UK firms with stands included Dalziel & Pow, FITCH, and rpa:group.

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show review

Visual Merchandising As always, the visual merchandising hall provided a true feast for the eyes.

Hans Boodt Mannequins unveiled a new Premium label, designed for high-fashion clients, which stood alongside the company’s established Collection label mannequins.

Meanwhile, Bonaveri used the show to launch its new Tribe mannequin collection, which is designed to portray the free spirit of modern youth culture through its androgynous faces and spontaneous poses.

Window France invited visitors behind the scenes of its DNA Factory, a new service where clients can imagine, conceive and direct the creation of their future mannequin collections using a 3D image capture facility. ‘You invest much effort, time and money to ensure that your clothing collections and your store design incorporate a maximum of your brand’s personal DNA. So why not apply this same logic to your mannequins?’ says the company.

Several mannequin manufacturers showcased existing collections with new finishes and materials, while there were plenty of models supporting the ongoing athleisure trend from the likes of CNL, Window France and Genesis.

Lighting From the latest IoT-enabled fixtures to new lighting control technology, halls 9 and 10 offered wide-ranging advice and solutions in retail lighting.

Philips Lighting took visitors on a tour of its latest innovations down the ‘Street of Dreams’. The company, together with Tarkett, showcased their new Luminous vinyl flooring, which is embedded with LED technology, enabling retailers to interact with customers and guide them through any store or building. It also presented the latest advancements of its indoor positioning system.

Reggiani collaborated with design consultancy Dalziel & Pow to create its ‘Light + Shade’ themed stand, which highlighted the effect of contrasted light and shadow on the personal interaction between consumers and product. The light area was designed to show how an environment can feel bright and alive while the dark area conveyed a feeling of exclusivity. The company used the event to showcase new additions to its Yori family.

Top: Schweitzer’s stand incorporated various service-oriented fictional brands. (Photography: Interstore Design/Daniel Horn) Above: Ansorg, Vitra and Vizona jointly presented ‘The Village’. an immersive plaza-like setting featuring five fictional stores.

Below left: Robots in various forms were present throughout the technology hall.

Below: Genesis Mannequins showcased 12 collections on its 700 sq m stand, including Athleisure.

Technology ‘Each year, the tech area at the event gets ever more interesting,’ enthused Retail Focus columnist, Karl McKeever. ‘At this year’s show, the crossover between design and display features had become even more prominent, as new technology continues to open the door to new possibilities. The latest in 3D printing, digital glass, virtual reality and cloud-based services all offered a glimpse into how we might be shopping in the future.’

Robots in various forms were present throughout the technology halls, welcoming visitors and demonstrating their potential to help improve processes, management and the customer experience.

‘There is clearly plenty of enthusiasm for technology to be “pushed” out into store – whether shoppers are ready for it, or not,’ notes McKeever. ‘With that in mind, it will be intriguing to see where we stand in three years time, and what retailers have picked up, and put down. With the UK’s impending departure from the EU, it’s hard not to think that there will be even more change in store by the time EuroShop 2020 comes around.’

The next EuroShop will take place from 16-20 February 2020, in Dusseldorf, Germany.

For more highlights, including interviews and award winners, visit www.retail-focus.co.uk

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shopping centres

REIMAGINING THE SHOPPING CENTRE

Increasing the variety of food, drink and leisure options has become a key part of the extended customer experience at shopping centres, finds Retail Focus.

Text: Lyndsey Dennis

Today’s shopping centres, and those of the future, are more than just about shopping. They offer a complete day and evening out, from restaurants, bars and cinemas to events spaces and experiences. Cue a host of refurbishments and leisure expansions for day and night use.

Hammerson’s Victoria Gate in Leeds, which opened in October, has been awarded Best Shopping Centre at the MIPIM Awards.

Designed by architect Acme, the development is a 21st century interpretation of the traditional Victorian retail arcades found in Leeds. The destination is adjacent to Hammerson’s Victoria Quarter arcade and forms part of the new 53,400 sq m Victoria Leeds shopping destination. Altogether, the development accommodates around 42,000 sq m of retail and leisure space, including a casino, 30 stores, restaurants, cafes and leisure space. Global restaurant chain D&D has announced plans to open two rooftop restaurants at the shopping centre; a Japanese restaurant and Manhattan-style bar and grill called East 59th.

To mark its 20th anniversary, White Rose in Leeds is introducing a major 6,038 sq m leisure-led indoor and outdoor entertainment extension. The scheme includes an 11-screen state-of-the-art Cineworld IMAX cinema, six restaurants, a bespoke play area and outdoor live events space.

Similarly, Bluewater in Kent is enhancing its Plaza area, introducing four new screens at the Showcase Cinema de Lux, three restaurants and two leisure spaces. Commenting on the plans, Russell Loveland, portfolio director at Land Securities, co-owner and asset manager of Bluewater, says: ‘Evolving Bluewater’s offer to provide a day-out experience for guests unavailable elsewhere

Above: White Rose in Leeds has announced plans to introduce a major 6,038 sq m leisure-led indoor and outdoor entertainment extension.

in the South East is our priority. The upsizing of Showcase, the creation of three further restaurants, and the addition of two new exciting leisure concepts means we will continue to offer something different on every visit.

Ranging in size from 232 sq m to 353 sq m, the three restaurant units are being targeted at operators that add to the Plaza’s existing offer, which is focused on entertainment dining. Land Securities and leading agents Shelley Sandzer are already in detailed discussions with several brands.

Edinburgh St James is also increasing its leisure mix. Designed

by Allan Murray Architects, the new 157,935 sq m scheme will replace the current 1970s shopping centre with 78,967 sq m of retail space, a luxury hotel, up to 150 new homes, 30 restaurants and a multiscreen cinema, all due for completion in 2020.

TH Real Estate, the developers, refer to Edinburgh St James as ‘a world-class example of city-enhancing placemaking.’ Martin Perry, director of development at TH Real Estate, says: ‘A landmark

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shopping centres

development within a celebrated European city, Edinburgh St James provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a place where shoppers, residents and visitors can indulge and relax.’

Work has commenced on an £8 million refurbishment at Queensgate in Peterborough. Designed by architectural studio Benoy, the changes will include new lighting, doors, redesigned cladding, ceilings and internal finishes to create a bright, more modern and contemporary look.

To enhance the customer experience, seating areas will be upgraded throughout the scheme that complement the design and structure of the centre. Subject to planning approval, The Cumbergate entrance will also be upgraded to create an improved welcome hall. Feature walls incorporating the history of Peterborough and local imagery will be introduced, highlighting Queensgate’s strong community links.

‘Shopping centres and retail stores of the future will have to appeal to an increasingly knowledgeable shopper, offering experiences above and beyond your standard bricks and mortar store,’ says Claire Yeadon, asset manager at Lendlease. ‘Retailers and retail schemes will be further pushed to innovate how they can offer more personalised services to appeal to the local catchment, and compete with the convenience of online shopping and use of digital technology. Welcoming environments with a wide range of leisure uses will also make visits to shopping centres more of an experience and day out.’

Over the next three years, centre:mk in Milton Keynes will receive a £60 million investment. The refurbishment, in conjunction with architects Rawls and Leslie Jones Architecture, will create a more refreshing, exciting and modern look and feel; in turn a more enjoyable day out.

‘Gone are the days where a trip to a shopping centre meant just a trip to the shops. They now represent compelling retail and leisure destinations in their own right and places for people to connect and relax,’ says Ed Sellick on behalf of centre:mk’s joint owners, Hermes Investment Management and AustralianSuper. ‘As brands and retailers continue to embrace new models of retail and the “experiential economy”, and with consumers fuelled by social media and driven by a want for new and authentic experiences,

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increasing the variety of food and drink options has become a key part of the extended customer experience.’

Planning permission was granted in March for the expansion of Royal Victoria Place in Tunbridge Wells. Designed by Haskoll, the redevelopment will see an additional 16,065 sq m of new commercial space comprising 2,040 sq m of new F&B space featuring several restaurants; 11,209 sq m of extra retail floor space with major stores for key fashion brands; and an eight-screen, state-of-the-art, 1,000-seat digital cinema. The work is scheduled for completion in 2020.

Also on the agenda this year is an extension of Westfield London, The Lexicon Bracknell in September, Westgate Oxford in Autumn, Meadowhall Sheffield refurbishment finishing in December, and an expansion of intu Watford, due to complete in 2018.

Sam Robinson, head of brand and customer engagement at Milligan, the firm responsible for the transformation of The Mailbox in Birmingham, says shopping centres are having to adapt to the changes brought about by today’s need for speed and instant gratification that has come to be expected. She says this demand — particularly amongst millennials — is shaping the future of the retail industry.

‘Rather than simply being a place where goods are displayed, shopping centres are having to adapt to these changes by investing in creating memorable experiences for visitors. F&B and leisure venues, such as restaurants, cinemas and bars, play a huge role in this because these are elements that can never be fully digitised. They can certainly be enhanced by technology, but never completely replaced,’ says Robinson. ‘Multisensory elements can also significantly enrich and personalise a shopper’s experience.’

The expansion of Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne, Australia is a seamless celebration of engineering and architecture.

Designed by CallisonRTKL alongside architectural practice, The Buchan Group, the project’s centerpiece is a dramatic gridshell glass roof, which soars above what is thought to be the largest enclosed shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere. The expansion accommodates upwards of 100 new retailers and a roster of leisure and food operators.

‘The majority of our current work is looking at existing shopping centres and reimagining the way in which they engage with their customers — the focus of that being the dining and leisure experience,’ says Ken Christian, LEED GA, CallisonRTKL director.

‘We’re already starting to see the social or community element of shopping come to the fore; places where people can meet and mix with like-minded friends or acquaintances. Easy to see the value

Top from left: Work has commenced on an £8 million refurbishment programme at Queensgate shopping centre in Peterborough; The redevelopment of Royal Victoria Place in Tunbridge Wells will see an additional 16,065 sq m of new commercial space, including major stores, restaurants and cinema; The new Edinburgh St James scheme will replace the current 1970s shopping centre with 78,967 sq m of retail space, a luxury hotel, new homes, 30 restaurants and a multiscreen cinema; Designed by CallisonRTKL, the expansion of Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne, Australia is a seamless celebration of engineering and architecture.

© Aaron Pocock. Courtesy of CallisonRTKL, Inc.

shopping centres

this has to a larger community or neighbourhood.’

Christian believes we can expect to see much more flexible formats in the future; places where pop-ups and brand showcases can move in and out easily to cater to events like fashion shows or product launches.

‘Food is only growing in its importance to retail and shopping centres, largely because it serves as an easily shared cultural currency for all of us. We all eat; we all like to eat with friends; we all like to share a pleasant dining experience. But this isn’t about convenience or speed, so the traditional models are out; it’s more focused on quality and the overall dining experience, so expect to see demo kitchens, local start-up chefs and seasonal ingredients define the sector.

‘The days of the out-of-town, single-use shopping centre are well and truly over and in its place are more complex, denser districts that include residential, civic/cultural and other uses,’ concludes Christian.

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king’s cross

King’s Cross The location, the connections, the canal-side setting, the rich and varied heritage, and exciting cultural scene make King’s Cross an exciting place to live, work and shop in London.

Once an underused industrial wasteland, London’s King’s Cross is now being transformed into a vibrant mixed-use destination.

By 2020 the area will comprise more than 740,000 sq m of offices, residential, retail and leisure properties, including 46,000 sq m of shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and other leisure facilities.

‘With a combined investment in the region of £5 billion, the renovation of King’s Cross and St Pancras International stations, with their magnificent Gothic architecture and new international connections delivering hundreds of millions of visitors every year; together with our masterplan and regeneration of King’s Cross, is redefining and reinventing the area for new generations,’ says Craig White, project director at Argent (Property Development) Services.

At the retail heart of the burgeoning neighbourhood is Coal Drops Yard, a new shopping development that is expected to open in October 2018. Built in the 1850s to receive and sort coal as it arrived from the north of England by train, the grand Victorian brick viaducts are being reimagined by Heatherwick Studio as a dynamic retail destination featuring up to 65 unique retail units.

‘The heavenly thing about working with these existing structures has been taking their quirks and treating them like godsends that can add richness and texture, and true variety to the public space and retail,’ says Thomas Heatherwick. ‘There will be a huge range of differently sized and configured spaces, with the emphasis on discovery rather than conformity. Visitors will always find something interesting to see and it should be equally stimulating for retailers to respond to the aspects of the original buildings that we have retained and the contemporary elements that have been added.’

The cobbled streets and brick arches will be accessible from all areas of King’s Cross and from the towpath of Regent’s Canal and Gasholder Park.

‘King’s Cross has an ambition to redefine the physical shopping environment,’ explains White. ‘Led by the premise that digital is global and physical is local, we are focusing on brands that can express their stories by responding to the place, dynamic store design, visual merchandising innovation, and using art and culture to create engaging spaces; when you combine all of these influences together across King’s Cross, and in particular in Coal Drops Yard, the result is an utterly compelling, welcoming and inclusive retail destination.

‘Right now, King’s Cross is at that tipping point, moving from the food scene onwards to retail, with a raft of new concept stores due to open in 2017,’ adds White. ‘Over the next five years we will see the arrival of the real, functioning intersection between online and physical sales in the shops and other spaces at King’s Cross.’

Text: Gemma Balmford

Retail neighbourhoods King’s Boulevard A vibrant shopping street with a focus on fashion and lifestyle.

Nike opened its first neighbourhood concept store on the Boulevard in 2016.

King’s Cross Station The brighter, more spacious concourse at King’s Cross Station opened in 2012 following a £500 million refurbishment.

St Pancras international A shopping and leisure destination in its own right, hosting retailers such as LK Bennett, Thomas Pink and Cath Kidston.

Canalside With Granary Square at its core, Canalside is the social heart of King’s Cross. Waitrose has a large store off Granary Square with a wine bar and cookery school.

Coal Drops Yard Designed by Heatherwick Studio, Coal Drops Yard will be the retail heart of King’s Cross when it opens in October 2018.

Cubitt Park West With the green space of Lewis Cubitt Park, this part of King’s Cross has a neighbourhood feel, with local pubs, bistros, shops and day-to-day amenities.

Cubitt Park East Home to smaller independents and well-known and trusted brands.

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Make the store the story How do we go beyond storytelling to get to a place where the store is the story, asks Lauren Adams, director of strategy and experience design at Gensler’s New York office.

Storytelling, as designer Stefan Sagmeister pointed out in his infamous 2014 screed ‘You Are Not a Storyteller!’, can be a fraught and overused term, especially when applied to moving product off the shelves. Modern consumers are savvy, sophisticated, and can detect inauthenticity a mile away. They crave more than just stuff or stories about stuff. And when social media platforms like Instagram connect them directly with artisans, designers and makers, bricks-and-mortar stores must offer a compelling experience to get shoppers off their couches. Despite the recent craze for storytelling as the go-to method for connecting emotionally with customers, many brands miss the mark when it comes to creating strong narratives through the retail environment.

Everyone, everything, everywhere, all the time.

For years, we’ve been telling our clients that retailers are no longer just competing with other retailers — they’re competing with anything a person might do in their precious free time: spending an afternoon at a museum, scoring tickets to Hamilton, seeing live music, or eating a great meal.

To be successful, the store of the future will offer enough flexibility and opportunity for all these things: a sense of theatre, food and beverage-driven hospitality, and, maybe most crucially, a place to be social.

Our recent research into experience and shopping is reinforcing that belief.

We’re uncovering that the lines between work, life and play are even blurrier than we thought, as people go shopping in the lobby boutique at The Ace Hotel and have meetings with clients in the food

hall at Eataly. We call this phenomenon ‘Everyone, Everything, Everywhere, All The Time,’ and there are numerous implications for retailers. The bad news is, the bar for cutting through the noise keeps getting set higher and higher. But, the good news is that retailers who anticipate and embrace the idea of their store as a platform for multiple experiences and community building can engage audiences in more meaningful ways.

So, what’s storytelling 2.0?

Show, don’t tell In 2015, Cadillac was looking for a way to re-establish its position as an iconic brand, redefine the meaning of luxury, and connect with new audiences in the creative class. In a bold move, it relocated its global headquarters to New York’s SoHo, and took a 1,115 sq m retail space on the ground floor — not as a dealership or showroom — but to create a physical manifestation of Cadillac’s commitment to fashion, art, design, and culture. In this permanent space, Cadillac tells its brand story through the company it keeps, by making space for a wide range of partnerships with influencers such as the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Visionaire, and local coffee and food purveyors. This highly programmable space mixes a public café and lounge area, a ‘runway’ for displaying cars and fashion shows, gallery space, retail space and an outdoor terrace area. The environment is flexible and open, and uses integrated technology to quickly transform, so it can be a performance space one night and host a 60-person dinner party the next.

Be more like Facebook In a recent blog post announcing the opening of MR Bazaar, the pop-up shop of the fashion/editorial blog Man Repeller, founder and editor Leandra Medine said: ‘My gut has been saying physical space for like a year… A physical place for us to meet and drink coffee (or tequila, whatever) and wear matching shirts....and just talk and talk and talk until our tongues fall out of our mouths.’ The store, which has taken up residence in Canal St. Market in downtown Manhattan, is really a front for a social club; a place where editors and readers of the blog could come together to have the kinds of real and emotionally connected conversations that regularly take place in the comments section. The merchandise — Man Repeller swag, their eponymous shoe collection, and home décor by partner brands — is almost beside the point. By offering a packed programme of day and evening events, a place to charge cell phones, drink coffee, and a library curated

by Housing Works, MR Bazaar makes the Man Repeller brand stronger and more compelling by expanding beyond the story of the founder to include the stories and voices of its readers.

These are just two examples of brands that are successfully telling their stories by creating a space where customers can go to socialise, be entertained, be inspired, and learn things. They may or may not walk out with a shopping bag, but they’ll leave feeling more engaged and emotionally connected to the brand and to each other. You can’t tell a better story than that.

www.gensler.com 51

Tel: 01462 672000 | www.assigns.co.uk

Tel: 01462 510009 | www.peerlessdesigns.com

Visit us on stand F75 at Retail Design Expo, 8-9 May 2017 THE ESSENTIAL EVENT FOR RETAIL DESIGN, VM & MARKETING

show preview Show features VM Christmas Market Meet suppliers of Christmas decorations, props, furnishings, fabrics, garlands, greenery, trees, lighting and exterior decorations, both off-the-shelf and made-to-order.

Text: Lyndsey Dennis

RDE 2017: NEW APPROACHES, NEW THINKING With the third Retail Design Expo on the horizon, we take a look at what to expect from the event.

Returning to London Olympia next month, Retail Design Expo takes place alongside Retail Business Technology Expo (RBTE) and Retail Digital Signage Expo (RDSE) and provides innovation and inspiration in retail design, marketing, branding, visual merchandising, architecture and shopfitting.

In addition to 270-plus exhibitors — including newcomers George Thomas Joinery and Shopfit, Greenlite Group and Grounded — a free conference and workshop programme runs throughout the show, including more than 75 speakers exploring retail design, branding, shopper marketing and visual merchandising. These will be spread across two Retail Design & Branding Conferences, sponsored by Quinine; the Shopper Marketing Conference, in association with POPAI, and the VM Conference & Workshop area.

Topics will include a panel discussion on the Store of The Future; Shopper Marketing For Millenials; Gaining A 360 Understanding of Customer Feelings, Motivations and Emotions; and Topshop’s Creative Approach To Christmas.

Introduced in 2016, the Innovation Trail & Awards will also return this year. Sponsored by design group 20.20, a panel of experts will highlight a number of key products and award a winner at the show.

The Retail Design Student Awards are designed to celebrate, encourage and promote the future stars of retail design. All shortlisted work will be displayed at the show and winners will be announced on the first day of the conference.

New for 2017 are the VM Christmas Awards and VM Christmas Market. The awards recognise the very best examples of Christmas 2016 visual merchandising. Shortlisted retailers include Hamleys, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, Pringle of Scotland, M&S, Diptyque and Penhaligon’s.

The VM Christmas Market will have its own designated area at the front of the show and feature suppliers of Christmas decorations, props, furnishings, fabrics, garlands, trees, lighting and exterior decorations, both off-the-shelf and made-to-order. The conference programme will also feature sessions specifically about how to make the most of Christmas displays.

Some of the UK’s leading design consultancies and architects will congregate in the Designer Pavilion, which is located at the heart of the show. Firms will include Household, Edge and Quadrant Design.

For more information and to register for RDE 2017, visit www.retaildesignexpo.com

VM Christmas Awards The newly launched VM Christmas Awards are intended to recognise excellence in Christmas VM displays, whether in windows or in-store. All shortlisted entries will be displayed at Retail Design Expo and the winners will be announced at a lunchtime ceremony on Tuesday 9 May. Designer Pavilion This is where retail design consultancies and architects come together. The Designer Pavilion hosts companies in the centre of the floor, with many other leading designers exhibiting elsewhere in the hall.

The Designer Coffee Shop sponsored by Office Twelve Sponsored by retail design agency Office Twelve, the Designer Coffee Shop is located on the exhibition floor and is the perfect place to relax with friends, colleagues, clients and suppliers.

The Retail Design and VM Visitor Lounge sponsored by Kesslers The Visitor Lounge is situated on the first floor gallery area of Retail Design Expo and is exclusively for retailers, brands, visual merchandisers, architects and shopfitters. A great place to relax and meet up with colleagues and contacts, and take advantage of the free wi-fi.

The Champagne Bar and Big Party sponsored by SMP Group Courtesy of SMP Group, meet up with new and existing contacts over drinks. The Big Party starts at 4.30pm on Monday 8 May and includes complimentary bubbly.

Innovation Trail & Awards sponsored by 20.20 Your opportunity to experience RDE’s very best solutions, products and services that are shaping the way the retail industry will evolve — all in a dedicated area of the show.

Retail Design Student Awards sponsored by ITAB This ever-popular scheme is designed to celebrate, encourage and promote the future stars of retail design. For 2017, students are competing for internships at leading retailers and design consultancies, including Adidas, Majestic Wine, Pret a Manger, MWorldwide, 20.20, FITCH, Start JG, Graven Images and Innovare Design. All shortlisted work will be displayed at the show and the winners will be announced on the first day of the conference.

Trends Experts Trend expert Stylus is on hand to provide design and marketing insights for businesses looking for inspiration, cutting-edge innovation and best-practice case studies.

The Callow Lighting Workshop Adam Hamilton-Fletcher, senior partner at leading lighting company Callow, will be running cutting-edge workshops in the Henley Suite just off the Olympia Grand Gallery. The free workshops take place at 11am on both days of the show and run for 45 minutes.

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show preview

Seminar highlights Monday 8 May 10.20-10.50 Keynote: IS SHOPPING IN SHOPS DEAD? (Theatre 1)

Tom Nathan, general manager, Brent Cross Shopping Centre 11.05-11.35 Designing Tomorrow’s Next Retail Experience (Theatre 2)

Charles Kessler, director, Kesslers and Matt Lyons, Boots 11.50-12.25

Panel discussion: The Store of the Future (Theatre 2)

Saisangeeth Daswani, trend analyst, Stylus; Jon Tollit, principal, Gensler; Andy Turnbull, creative director, The Honest Brand; Richard Ash, ceo & founder, Green Room Design 14.45-15.15 Shopper Marketing for Millennials – Challenges and Opportunities (SHOPPER MARKETING CONFERENCE IN

ASSOCIATION WITH POPAI)

Victoria Buchanon, trends analyst, Future Laboratory; Kate Shepherd, director of strategy & insight, Checkland Kindleysides; Michael Freedman, senior shopper insight manager, IGD; Sarah Johns, associate analyst, GlobalData

Above: Sian Roberts, head of creative visual at Topshop, will present Topshop’s Creative Approach To Christmas as part of the VM Conference programme

14.55-15.40 Panel discussion: How Can Shopfitters Best Work With Designers? (Theatre 2)

Jon Tollit, principal, Gensler; Simon Clarke, director, Lumsden Design; Richard Lennox, manaing director, ITAB; Hakan Aydin, manager of architecture & shopfitting, Tom Tailor (Germany) 15.55-16.25 Launching A New Costa Coffee Store Design (Theatre 1)

Deb Caldow, head of innovation, Costa Coffee; Michael Fern, director, Edge Tuesday 9 May 10.30-11.00 Keynote: Gaining A 360 Understanding of Customer Feelings, Motivations and Emotions (Shopper Marketing Conference in association with POPAI))

Gawain Morrison, ceo & co-founder, Sensum 11.15-11.45

Innovation in VM ((VM Conference & Workshop)

Mark Stevens, director of creative, Debenhams 12.15-13.00

Panel discussion: Sustainable Retail Design (Theatre 1)

Ed Suttie, director of research, BRE; Richard Quartermaine, environmental manager, Hammerson; Iain Trent, engineering director, Land Securities; Alan Pegram, president, SDEA 15.15-15.45 Topshop’s Creative Approach To Christmas – A 13 Months A Year Live Project (VM Conference & WORKSHOP)

Sian Roberts, head of creative visual, Topshop 15.15-16.00

Panel discussion: Future of Retail Design (Theatre 2)

Deborah Dawton, CEO of Design Business Association; Martin Illingworth, director of store development, Harrods; Alan Taylor, head of retail design, B&Q; Ian Johnston, founder, Quinine Design 16.00-16.30 How do you measure the success of VM and prove that it works in terms of practical measurement and performance indicators (VM Conference & WORKSHOP)

Karl McKeever, managing director, Visual Thinking

54

When and where Olympia London Monday 8 May 2017

9.30am-5pm

Tuesday 9 May 2017

9.30am-5pm

www.retaildesignexpo.com RtlDesignExpo #RDE2017

@retailfocus

STAND NO.

H-50

WE HAVE SOMETHING TO SHOW YOU

MAKING GOOD THINGS HAPPEN

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products

RETAIL DESIGN EXPO Tarkett - Stand T30 Tarkett will be showcasing its newest LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) collections at this year’s Retail Design Expo, including a preview of the company’s inspiring iD Mixonomi range, alongside the recently launched LVT range iD Inspiration 55-70.

Both collections are integral parts of Tarkett’s intuitive and innovative ‘Floor is the new Playground’ concept, devised to open up new perspectives and make the floor a canvas for creativity in crafting a unique space. iD Mixonomi offers architects and designers unparalleled opportunities to push the boundaries with LVT. Within the collection a palette of 33 colours has been developed by international colour expert agency, Peclers. Equally compelling are the innovative patterns and shapes in the iD Mixonomi collection, presenting designers with an irresistible opportunity to experiment with the art of mixing and matching to create one-of-a-kind designs, perfect for unique customer experiences in shops and stores.

To further inspire creative expression, Tarkett is also showcasing the iD Inspiration 55-70: a collection that offers both a strong design aesthetic and outstanding functionality. The extensive combination of format, design and surface structure offers endless possibilities.

More information on iD Mixonomi and iD Inspiration 55-70, along with other product ranges for the retail sector, will be available at Tarkett’s stand, including full details on the functional benefits of the collections including low VOC’s — contributing to better indoor air quality; manufactured using phthalate free technology; and TOPCLEAN XP PUR reinforcement —­ a tough, hardwearing surface that reduces the need for water, energy and chemical detergents for the life of the product.

T. +44 (0)1622 854 000 E: ukretail@tarkett.com www.professionals.tarkett.co.uk Twitter: TarkettUK

Megaman - Stand S7

ICON - Stand P10

Megaman’s experienced team will be on hand at RDE to discuss how lighting can be utilised to help influence customer behaviour and buying habits. Featuring on the stand will be Megaman’s popular Perfect White LED range as well the company’s line of high quality fixtures for retail environments. The team will be on hand to discuss details of the Megaman Zeki adjustable multi-head gimbal fixtures, which are specifically designed for retail and commercial display lighting.

ICON is a trusted provider with more than 50 years of experience in the retail industry, delivering high impact graphics, bespoke 3D builds and campaign activations for global designer and high street brands. Its client portfolio includes Louboutin, Thomas Pink, Burberry, Vertu, Penhaligon’s, H&M and Arcadia. The company’s philosophy is to amplify the customer experience and create visually engaging retail environments. Building on its core services of high impact graphics and 3D builds, the company combines digital technology and traditional retail branding to create a customised offering through amp (+). amp (+) combines its meshh technology, which delivers data analytics and any type of digital content to any mobile device via a hyperlocal Wi-Fi connection without the need for mobile data or internet connection, and Icon’s smart lightboxes that display stunning multi-layered animated graphics.

T. +44 (0)1707 386 000 E: marketing@megamanuk.com www.megamanuk.com Twitter: MegamanUKLtd

T. +44 (0)20 8302 4921 E: steve.logan@ icon-world.com www.icon-world.com Twitter: ICON_HQ

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145 Tottenham Court Road London W1T 7NE sales@dzd.co.uk

020 7388 7488

www.dzd.co.uk

products

RETAIL DESIGN EXPO Leach Impact - Stand S26 Graphic display experts Leach will launch a number of industry-firsts at RDE. One of the hottest topics on stand S26 will be the Product Wall Lite, a new dualformat display that enables stores and brands to integrate hero merchandise, lighting and graphics into one magnetic display structure. The result is an atmospheric product ‘exhibition’ that captures customer attention with minimal use of premium floor space. Leach will also reveal new acrylic lightboxes — captivating graphic displays that don’t just have a high-gloss effect with unparalleled photographic quality, but are also incredibly easy to wipe clean.

T. +44 (0)1484 551 200 E: impact@weareleach.com www.leachimpact.com Twitter: LeachImpact

Raccoon - Stand R22 Raccoon is a multi-award winning brand production business, and its purpose is to create innovative and compelling retail environments. With a passion for sustainability, the company can take you through your seasons and promotions with a breathtaking but cost effective range of solutions. Raccoon likes to keep things simple too. From multi-surface materials to superfast, self-install solutions that in-store staff will love, the company helps brands transform a retail setting quickly and creatively.

T. +44 (0)800 975 0105 E: info@raccoon.co.uk www.raccoon.co.uk Twitter: RaccoonRocks

John Evans Interior Architecture & Design - Stand D50 John Evans Interior Architecture & Design is a creative design agency, experienced in the creation and delivery of innovative retail and commercial spaces, for more than 30 years. As part of John Evans Interior Architecture & Design, the company has worked closely with market-leading brands to create engaging and influential spaces, focused on brand strategy and customer experience. Its multi-disciplined team provides design for retail and brand spaces, including flagship store concepts, store roll-outs and refurbishments through to in-store communications and branding. The team’s record of increased retail performance is a driving force behind the service the company provides its clients.

T. +44 (0)121 233 9041 E. info@johnevansdesign.com www.johnevansdesign.com Twitter: jevansinteriors

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Quadrant Design - Stand DES6 Making its debut at Retail Design Expo, Quadrant Design is a close-knit creative design team 23-strong, based in Reading and Paddington, supporting some of the world’s biggest retail and hospitality brands. Offering both design implementation and full concept design, its talent pool of interior designers and architects ensures the company can suit its client’s individual needs every step of the way. ‘We love the space we’re in — you should too’.

T. +44 (0)118 959 1581 E: hello@qdesign.co.uk www.quadrantdesign.co.uk Twitter: QDesignltd

www.armourfx.com

2015-02-10 Mix.indd 1

10/02/2015 15:48:41

products

RETAIL DESIGN EXPO Surface Styling - Stand P20 With multiple surfaces required for interior projects, designers and specifiers can take the headache out of sourcing them with the unique Surface Styling design resource. The team is on hand to help, providing expert advice and supplying the right materials and cost engineering benefits drawing on an unparalleled portfolio of prestigious brands in laminates, solid surface, decorative panel, wall panelling, flooring and worktops. The portfolio embraces the world’s most innovative materials with more than 12,000 product lines to choose from.

T. +44 (0)845 603 7811 E: info@surfacestyling.co.uk www.surfacestyling.co.uk Twitter: SurfaceStyling

Wieland Electric - Stand G20 Electrical connection expert Wieland Electric will be returning to RDE to exhibit its extensive range of pluggable electrical solutions, in addition to its gesis flat cable distribution system — ideal for fast installation of retail lighting systems. The portfolio includes gesis MINI and gesis GST 18 plus gesis MICRO and gesis RST MINI for exterior applications. Wieland has built an enviable reputation in retail markets for products that deliver reduced build time for both refurbishment or new build projects.

T. +44 (0)1483 531 213 E. sales.uk@ wieland-electric.com www.wieland-electric.com Twitter: WielandElectrUK

Illuma Lighting - Stand F60

Doro Tape (UK) - Stand L20

Illuma has taken a new approach to the requirement of wall washing and product illumination in retail with its purposely designed new Highspot LED. The spotlight is a truly unique lighting solution that has a fully adjustable 355° body and 180° rotating head. Its elegance and understated design separate it from the rest. It incorporates innovative built-in thermal cooling technology, reducing the need for a cooling fan despite its 4000lm output and compact design. Through its specifically designed optics the Highspot LED offers a truly flexible approach to the lighting of large areas within retail.

Doro Tape is pleased to present the brand new Aslan ‘Rose Gold’ metallic coloured film at Retail Design Expo. In 2016 Doro Tape was continually being asked for a self-adhesive Rose Gold film and is now really excited about this new addition. This film is part of the Aslan CA23 range of metallic effect polyester films. The Rose Gold colour covers both sides of the film making it idea for window graphics. Available up to 1,250mm wide, it can be easily plotter cut into all sorts of shapes and graphics.

T. +44 (0)1332 818 200 E: marketing@illuma.co.uk www.illuma.co.uk Twitter: illuma_lighting

T. +44 (0)1858 431 642 E. sales@dorotape.co.uk www.dorotape.co.uk Twitter: doro_tape

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RETAIL DESIGN EXPO British Gypsum - Stand T20 British Gypsum will be showcasing its latest innovations including Gyproc Habito plasterboard, which can enhance the design and build of retail spaces. British Gypsum will be demonstrating the suitability of its Gyproc Habito plasterboard for the retail sector, which provides greater strength and durability than standard plasterboard, supporting 15kg of weight with a single No. 10 woodscrew. Visitors can also interact with the company’s Magnetic Plaster and experience an award-winning Virtual Acoustic Reality (VAR) demonstration, which is being held in conjunction with acoustic engineering specialist Cundall.

T. +44 (0)115 945 1000 E: elcustomerservices@bhb.com www.british-gypsum.com Twitter: britishgypsum

Reggiani Lighting - Stand J42 Reggiani’s Yori Evo lets you transform spaces with light and experiment with light levels to create the aesthetics you want whether subtle, bold or creative light. Yori Evo can be as flexible and creative as you are, and is the latest addition to Reggiani’s Yori family. Four graduated sizes offer different levels of illumination and design aesthetics. New optics let you choose light output, beam angles and intensity.

Extensive accessories provide increased flexibility and - when combined with the invisible adapter and driver of the Yori Evo Ghostrack - demonstrate streamlined minimalism but with endless accent lighting possibilities.

Signwaves - Stand S20 Signwaves is launching its exclusive addition to the Adfresco range — the new LT Base and Pole — which provides greater value and benefits including: • Stainless steel finish • Stainless steel top cross rails • Low profile concrete filled base — weight of 10kg • Supplied with cost effective bottom bungee and tether • Same choice of banners as Adfresco Adfresco Café Barrier hardware is only available from Signwaves. Manufactured to its patented design and quality standards, it combines style and performance at an attractive price. Visit Stand S20 to pick up a brochure pack or to request a one-to-one chat with the company’s experts.

T. +44 (0)1493 419 300 E. enquiries@signwaves.co.uk www.signwaves.co.uk Twitter: Signwaves_Ltd

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T. +44 (0)20 8236 3000 E: reggiani@reggiani.co.uk www.reggiani.net Twitter: reggianilight

Reggiani - Stand J42 Reggiani’s Unit is designed to be flexible, powerful and invisible, offering flexibility for different lighting schemes in retail spaces.

Trim or trimless, single, double, triple or continuous, it can be recessed, flush or drop, with 35-degree adjustability. The new optics reach superb levels of performance in terms of light output and tight beam angles for precise aiming. The wide range of accessories add even more choice and flexibility.

T. +44 (0)20 8236 3000 E: reggiani@reggiani.co.uk www.reggiani.net Twitter: reggianilight

products

BÄRO Lighting - Stand J55 BÄRO is a leading specialist in the field of retail lighting with global operations. The company is committed to supporting the development of your individual story from start to finish with a customised light balance of efficiency, effectiveness and emotional appeal in a way that can be experienced. Light that optimises the natural colours of products is one of the most effective, but also one of the most sophisticated tools of retail lighting. Thanks to decades of experience in this field, BÄRO has the corresponding products, technologies and expertise needed to implement them.

T. +44 (0)845 519 2154 E. sales@baro.co.uk www.baero.com

ITAB UK - Stand J41 Fashion FLOW is the world’s first self-checkout solution for the fashion industry. ITAB Fashion FLOW gives customers the opportunity to check out, deactivate security tagging and pay for their purchases without the assistance of staff, who can instead focus on giving customers better service and advice on fashion and style choices. When the security tag is removed from the garment ITAB’s secure TexX technology will identify the product and ensure that the product de-tagged is the same as the one scanned. The system is ideal for use in express checkouts or as a complement to traditional checkouts.

T. +44 (0)1442 419 419 E. sales@itabuk.com www.itab.com Twitter: ITABUK_

bbrown - Stand U26

ITAB UK - Stand J41

bbrown is part of the Muraspec Decorative solutions Group which specialises in manufacturing and supplying wallcoverings, fabrics and other decorative finishes for the interiors market. bbrown concentrates its efforts on the display market and continues to offer both stocked products from its standard collection as well as a sourcing service, which finds solutions for a variety of projects from the company’s network of regular suppliers who understand the time and delivery pressures as well as the budget restraints in the retail market. bbrown continues to research and offer relevant display materials and is always up for a challenge.

The ExO is ITAB’s powerful one-directional wall washer ideally suited for even and smooth wall washing in any retail environment. The ExO II double directional reflectors are perfect for aisle lighting. Due to their high output and optimised optics the ExO series offers seamless, homogenous lighting without bright or dark spots. Indirect lighting also minimises glare resulting in a calm yet bright retail environment where light, and the customers’ attention, is focussed fully on the goods on display. All ITAB’s ExO fittings can be spaced far apart while still providing effective lighting. This results in lower initial, installation and running costs.

T. +44 3705 340 340 E. customerservices@bbrown.co.uk www.bbrown.co.uk Twitter: luvbbrown

T. +44 (0)1442 419 419 E. sales@itabuk.com www.itab.com Twitter: ITABUK_

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products

RETAIL DESIGN EXPO Artillus - Ways2display - Stand T7 Ways2display will be showing its LED display light boxes and light boards for display and interior design uses. The ultra-slim 20mm deep and 10mm deep light boxes plus LED light boards are designed for building into displays and signage products. You can see the differences between daylight, warm white and RGB light boards and the new dynamic white that changes from warm to daylight by remote control. The new ceiling display LumiTile will also be on display, as will the new 25mm front loading light box using textile prints for stunning illuminated graphics. There is also a three-dimensional display, so visit the stand to fire up your imagination.

T. +44 (0)333 123 0345 E: sales@artillus.com www.ways2display.com

LG Hausys Europe - Stand G31 HI-MACS, the solid surface produced by LG Hausys, will be on display at RDE. HI-MACS is the perfect material for the retail market, as it can be fabricated into virtually any design or shape and is extremely hardwearing, low maintenance and affordable. Many retail environments, such as Zara in the Westfield Centre, Yo Sushi outlets and Bershka in Belgium, have discovered the benefits of HI-MACS. It brings a modern acrylic stone finish that leaves nothing beyond the realms of possibility. Logos can be simply and easily applied to, or cut into, the material.

T. +44 (0)1892 704 074 E: info@himacs.eu www.himacs.eu Twitter: HIMACSEurope

Graphica Display - Stand E21

arken POP - Stand D62

Graphica Display specialises in the design, production and installation of retail and commercial interior graphics and signage. From roll-outs to promotional displays, branding to exhibition and event graphics, Graphica Display has the solution for you. Find out more about the company at its new and exciting website: www.graphicadisplay.co.uk

This year arken POP is celebrating the launch of some exciting new products to add to its already extensive range. FINELITE is an ultra-sleek and ultra-slim lightbox designed to take a slide-in graphic, which makes poster changing incredibly easy. The stylish and modern ENCAPLITE features simple slot-in clear acrylic fronts to hold your graphic in place and create a modern frameless finish.

The versatile and lightweight FREESTANDING MAGNETIC DISPLAY (shown here) is a new style of freestanding retail display that is double-sided and holds posters easily and simply with magnetic tape.

T. +44 (0)845 373 0073 E: sales@graphicadisplay.co.uk www.graphicadisplay.co.uk Twitter: graphicatweet

T. +44 (0)1638 565 656 E: info@arken-pop.com www.arken-pop.com Twitter: arkenPOP

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No.1 Provider of Packaging Solutions Key supplier to the Retail Sector

Key Features: Retail packs of bubble wrap Retail packs of tape Custom printed tape Grey mailing bags Airshock mailers

Manufacturers of flexible wall and centreshop hanging and shelving systems, particularly for clothingrelated trades: fashion, lingerie, Phone: 0207 754 5499 Freephone: 008001 9637637 outdoor, Freefax: 008001 9737737 sportswear & eMail: sales@decowoerner.com urban.

Pallet wrap

Mannequin Repairs - Bespoke Wigs - Mannequin Renovations Our commitment to our customers: Service levels that are second to none.

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Next day delivery available.

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It’s not just us that say so, visit our website to see what our customers say about us on Trustpilot.

www.dragondisplay.co.uk

www.kitepackaging.co.uk

www.decowoerner.com Tel 01952 290055 • Fax: 01952 290056 • sales@dragondisplay.co.uk v

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products

SURFACES & FINISHES Polyflor Heavy commercial vinyl flooring from Polyflor was recently used to create a fun train track floor design at Drayton Manor Park’s Thomas Land in Staffordshire. Multiple designs from Polyflor’s Expona Flow commercial sheet vinyl collection were selected to create a floor inspired by the children’s TV series, Thomas and Friends for the Thomas Land gift shop and Engine Shed photo area. Three shades from the Expona Flow Cosmos range (Woodland, Taupe and Luna) provided a bold and eye-catching backdrop, while the Bronzed Pine design from the Expona Flow Wood collection was used to replicate the look of railway sleepers.

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

Formica Formica Infiniti uses technology developed by Formica Group to deliver an anti-fingerprint and anti-marking surface with post-forming properties, and a colour palette that is unrivalled in the market. The post-formable properties of the product means Formica Infiniti will maintain its shape and integrity.

Architects and designers now have more freedom to create streamlined interiors and, with the option of curved matte surfacing, an additional tool to bring design concepts to life.

T. +44 (0)191 259 3512 E: samples.uk@formica.com www.formica.com Twitter: FormicaGroupEU

Photo: ©BenBlossom

Armourcoat Armourcoat polished plaster has been specified for the UCL (University College London) School of Management at its new space on the 38th floor of the iconic One Canada Square at Canary Wharf, London. The space has been designed by leading architect Levitt Bernstein in collaboration with UCL Estates and the School’s director, Bert De Reyck. The floor has been divided into six distinct zones, which each serve different aspects of the School’s work and their own unique identities. These zones are termed as ‘villages’, offices and meeting rooms arranged around a central shared space.

Armourcoat Koncrete polished plaster, including copper leaf, has been used to define the village zones with colour and texture, working with the new UCL corporate identity by Studio Blackburn.

T. +44 (0)1732 460 668 E: sales@armourcoat.co.uk www.armourcoat.com Twitter: Armourcoat

66

Armourcoat Armourcoat has introduced a new Acoustic Plaster system designed to optimise the acoustics of interior spaces. From large theatre halls, offices, classrooms, hotel receptions and private residences, the use of hard sound reflective surfaces such as glass, wood and stone can cause excessive sound reverberation which leads to unpleasant noise levels. The Armourcoat Acoustic Plaster System offers a clean and smooth mineral surface that can be applied seamlessly over large expanses to both flat and curved surfaces.

T. +44 (0)1732 460 668 E: sales@armourcoat.co.uk www.armourcoat.com Twitter: Armourcoat

products

SELECTION Kosa Art Group Kosa Art Group provides innovative decorations for specialist shops, events and boutique theatres in UK, Europe and Japan. Kosa’s team are highly talented, enthusiastic fine artists, sculptors and set designers who understand that the company’s clients need creative bespoke decor to meet their unique and specific requirements. Their work is often interactive and highly conceptual; Kosa tries to engage with visitors though experiences and fresh visual language, inviting clients to dream together...

T. +44 (0)7921 389 721 E: info@kosa-artgroup.com www.kosa-artgroup.co.uk

Philips Lighting Philips Lighting has launched its new LED lighting trunking system for retail and industrial spaces, Philips Maxos fusion. This connected-ready system helps make buildings future-proof by providing high quality LED lighting combined with the freedom to adjust light effects and to scale the system with additional Internet of Things technologies. The trunking system can be complemented with sensors that allow integrating retail and warehouse technologies such as cameras, beacons, audio and scanners into one system.

T. +44 (0)845 601 1283 E. lighting.uk@philips.com www.philips.co.uk/lighting Twitter: PhilipsLightUK

NEC Display Solutions Europe Alongside its partners, NEC will present the perfect collaboration of expertise and innovation to present fully integrated, readily-deployable solutions at the NEC Solutions Showcase on 17-18 May 2017. Tailored AV solutions designed to match the specific needs of retail and many vertical market sector applications is what makes the NEC Showcase a uniquely compelling event. Taking place at Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, WC1, this year’s Showcase could not be better placed for transport links and all the diverse attractions that London has to offer.

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

4R Systems - Stand 510 at RBTE 4R’s Assortment Optimisation produces measurable results for retailers. In one example, sales for a £113 million category were projected to grow to £146 million, a 30 per cent increase, by deploying optimal assortments to their stores. This translated to a £7 million profit increase. Another client saw store revenues increase three per cent to six per cent by implementing a small percentage of the changes recommended by 4R. The solution accurately prescribes what, when, and where each SKU should be in the retail chain. 4R manages more than £37 billion in retailers’ revenue and creates over 8 billion reorder points annually. Visit the company on Stand 510 at Retail Business Technology Expo next month.

T. +1 610-644-1234 E. info@4rsystems.com www.4rsystems.com/uk Twitter: 4RSystems

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shopfittings

focus on SHOPFITTINGS

Hidden aspects Unibox has launched Ledge 65 Magnetik, a slimline version of its V1 Magnetik display system. Using clever engineering, when the system is combined with the company’s tension fabric system the magnetik ‘floating’ shelves enable the design of stylish, eye-catching product displays and promotions. Undetectable from the outside, the system works in harmony with fabric displays, without the need for unsightly fixtures or cuts. Magnetik is reconfigurable to suit changing product promotions, and is both reusable and cost effective.

One of the key features of shopfittings is to provide retailers with flexible and versatile displays that can be easily adapted for new promotions and store layouts. We bring you a variety of solutions to help make products stand out and ease the display process.

www.unibox.co.uk

Sign of the times Leach Impact has designed, manufactured and installed lightboxes for Barburrito in Aberdeen’s Union Square.

Fitted with dimmer switches to control the brightness and easily-interchangeable fabric prints that staff can alternate themselves, the new POS displays provide an eye-catching addition. Similar menu lightboxes have since been installed at the Gordon Street Barburrito in Glasgow. Feature wall vinyls that reflect the Barburrito brand have also been created by Leach. Following a trial at the Trafford Centre, Manchester — where the prints were applied to the restaurant’s bare concrete interior with a heat gun — three further vinyls were then installed at the Gateshead Metro Centre, Hammersmith, Cardiff and Queen Street, Glasgow, with London Paddington Station and Meadowhall Shopping Centre.

www.leachimpact.com

Flexible friend Unique in its design and functionality, BRIX has the versatility that allows retailers to effortlessly change design as and when space or seasonality demands. An off-the-shelf solution, the flexible merchandising system is handcrafted from reclaimed wood, distressed metal and copper caged wire, but with a new white colourway now available. It comprises just four basic components and requires no tools to construct.

BRIX allows for endless configurations, giving retailers the ability to construct their own unique shelving, central floor displays or merchandising hot spot with the ability to reform again and again.

www.wbc.co.uk/brix

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shopfittings

The Lynx effect

Take a seat CJ Retail Solutions has completed a large-scale installation for baby products manufacturer, Dorel Juvenile. Operating across 114 stores, the brief was to install a double-sided display for baby seat manufacturer Maxi-Cosi. Upon installation, the CJ Retail Solutions team encountered several challenges relating to the size and dimension of the fitting. An angled shelf had to be installed at its highest point to allow the swivel seat to sit neatly for demonstration. Adjustments also had to be made to allow the Maxi-Cosi name to be showcased clearly at the top of the stand.

Established in 1997, Designs In Aluminium recently changed its name to DIA Systems Ltd, incorporating its adaptation to the market as it evolves. With trends in retail stores constantly evolving, DIA’s latest developments are reflective of this through its two sizes of single point fixing system, three sizes of horizontal system and bespoke accessories to work with the company’s wide range of vertical slotted tracks. The purpose of these systems is to provide retailers with a display system that is flexible and adaptable to meet their varying merchandising and design requirements.

DIA’s latest of these four innovative systems is the Lynx power rail system, which is a fully insulated power delivery system that removes the need for unsightly cables and connectors, which still gives full versatility.

www.diagroup.co.uk

www.cjretailsolutions.co.uk

Luxury touch Topshop Oxford Street called upon Tenn’s creatives to produce and install this Basquiat-esque inspired installation.

Tenn fitted and installed oversized OSB panels that outlined the perimeter of a department that would be the backdrop for the bespoke in-house graffiti-style art work.

The corresponding staging platform plinths were topped with a pressed foil finish and a clear acrylic layer which created this fresh cool concept for spring.

www.tenn-ltd.com

Beauty is power For Harvey Nichols’ Beauty Lounge in Knightsbridge, Portview designed a new layout by stripping out the entire ground floor and removing structural walls to create a brighter, more free-flowing space. A new stair core that will extend throughout the six floors once each phase is completed was also constructed. Breaking away from more traditional methods of visual communication, cutting-edge technology is prominent throughout, with each beauty counter flanked by state-of-the-art digital displays. Feature areas include The Light Salon, Nails Inc. Bar, Hershesons Blow Dry Bar and Blink Brow Bar.

www.portview.co.uk

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directory

DIREcTORIES

www.retail-focus.co.uk/directory Visit the Retail Focus online directory at www.retail-focus.co.uk to discover a comprehensive list of the UK’s leading retail suppliers. Each listing contains indepth company information together with inspirational images, video footage and informative press material. You can also link through to company websites and connect with suppliers through Twitter and Facebook.

The Retail Supplier Directory is divided into a number of categories, such as design agencies, point-of-purchase, lighting, props and surfaces, to make the site easy to navigate.

To feature in the online directory, contact Terry Clark on 0845 6807405 or email terry@retailfocus.co

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directory

Aluminium Fittings

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

Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service.

T: 01273 582241 E: sales@diasystems.co.uk W: www.diagroup.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/DesignsinAlumin

Aluminium Fittings

Bespoke Display

Bespoke Display

Design Consultancies

Axis design, develop, manufacture and install bespoke retail display solutions.

We’ve worked with the biggest names on the high street, but approach every project in the same way, with the maximum thought for your brand, products and sales environment.

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

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

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

Bespoke Display

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

Bespoke Display

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

Design Consultancies

MicroSlat is a strong versatile 25mm fine pitched aluminium slatwall system.

With a bespoke range of components it can be used to build unique and interesting displays or add value to existing designs.

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

Walker Bros (Elland) Ltd is an Engineering Manufacturing company specialising in sheet metalwork and plastic fabrication.

We supply precision metal and plastic products, components and light fabrications to a broad range of industries and markets throughout the UK and Europe.

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

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

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

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

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

Audio Visual Integration

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

Bespoke Display

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

Brochure Holders

Design Consultancies

Brochure Holders International Limited is part of the global Taymar group recognised as a leading manufacturer of premium quality injection moulded leaflet holders and display solutions.

Committed to on-going product development the Taymar group offers one of the world’s largest collections of ‘clear view’ wall, floor and counter standing brochure displays.

We are TWO Visual, the retail agency specialising in visual merchandising.

Led by brand directors Jeanette Cheetham and Brendan Gordon we provide everything retailers need to make their brands visually dynamic, whilst improving team and commercial performance.

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

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

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

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

Balloons & Bunting

Bespoke Display

Climate Control

Display

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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directory

Display

Display

Display - DIGITAL

FURNITURE

Are you looking to increase your product sales, re-brand or launch a new product? If you’re not already talking to us, you should.

Our group offer an unprecedented level of experience coupled with a comprehensive range of products and services. Our aim is to make your products sell and your service the best on the market.

Internationally acclaimed, award winning unique magnetic wall system offers instant flexibility & creative choice to architects, interiors & store designers.

Since launching the magnIQ system in 2006 the response has been quite phenomenal. To date the system has won 13 prestigious awards and is now internationally recognised justifying the many years Rare Basic spent on research and development.

Crystal Display Systems is already a leading UK designer, distributor and value added reseller of flat panel display solutions. We have a vast array of media players, interactive displays, videowalls and shelf edge displays.

Our knowledge and expertise has also led to us being one of the European leaders in transparent LCD.

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

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

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

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

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

Display

Display

Display - DIGITAL

FURNITURE

GDP display, manufactures, delivers and installs world-class retail environments, store fixtures, displays and visual merchandising equipment.

GDP is truly Global, through its activities in many parts of the world.

We have supplied high-end displays and furniture to successful retail brands throughout Europe, North America, South Africa and South East Asia.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Display

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

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

Display

EPOS

GRAPHICS

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

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

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

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

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

Display

Display

Impulse POP specialises in Point of Purchase display systems for the Retail sector.

We offer many years of experience in all aspects of retail design, with in house manufacture - including quick turnaround prototypes, or overseas manufacture, delivery, installation and retail merchandising.

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

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

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

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

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

72

Finishes

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

GRAPHICS

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

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

directory

interactive displays

MANNEQUINS

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.

Rootstein Display Mannequins is a creative mannequin manufacturer and renovation specialist - delivering both ready-made and bespoke concepts for fashion retailers, globally.

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

LIGHTING

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

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

T: +44 20 7381 1447 E: sales@adelrootstein.co.uk W: www.rootstein.com/ S. @rootstein_

pop/pos

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

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

pop/pos

We are IPOS. A creative design agency whose extensive and impressive client list speaks volumes for the professional services we offer.

We design, produce and install all aspects of our client’s POS. From instore graphics, window vinyls and 3D bespoke window displays to full multi location campaign roll outs.

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

slatwall

MicroSlat is a strong versatile 25mm fine pitched aluminium slatwall system.

With a bespoke range of components it can be used to build unique and interesting displays or add value to existing designs.

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

pop up

vm

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

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

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

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

Literature Display

pop/pos

Retail Consultancy

vm

Brochure Holders International Limited is part of the global Taymar group recognised as a leading manufacturer of premium quality injection moulded leaflet holders and display solutions.

Committed to on-going product development the Taymar group offers one of the world’s largest collections of ‘clear view’ wall, floor and counter standing brochure displays.

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

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

Rootstein Display Mannequins is a creative mannequin manufacturer and renovation specialist - delivering both ready-made and bespoke concepts for fashion retailers, globally.

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

T: +44 20 7381 1447 E: sales@adelrootstein.co.uk W: www.rootstein.com/ S. @rootstein_

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

Maintenance

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

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

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

pop/pos

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

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

slatwall

VM TOOLS AND TRAINING

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

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

Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service.

T: 01273 582241 E: sales@diasystems.co.uk W: www.diagroup.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/DesignsinAlumin

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

73

Q&A

Dmitri Siegel Last summer, consumer electronics company Sonos opened its first retail store, in New York, and the brand is now working on a second site. Here, Sonos executive creative director, Dmitri Siegel talks exclusively to Retail Focus about the streaming revolution, breaking the mould of audio and consumer electronics retail, and the challenges of working for a cultural brand.

RF. What’s your background?

DS. I grew up in a creative household. My dad played a bunch of instruments and had a great record collection. My Mum was a cartographer for National Geographic and eventually was an editor of the magazine, so my imagination and dream-life has always been filled up with design and music.

RF. What drew you to Sonos?

Usually you have a big open floorplan for browsing and then some dressing rooms in the back to have a personal experience with the product. In our store most of the square footage and the very front of the store is dedicated to a private experience with the product. It’s really not normal to go into a store and then almost immediately go into a small room and close the door. Everything we did was to make that a great and transformational experience. Once people get in a listening room with their friends or by themselves, they have a great time: sharing music, exploring the objects we have curated in each room, etc. They come out understanding our products better, but are also reminded of their love of music, and how nurturing and creatively fulfilling the home can be.

DS. I had gone through my own ‘adult fade’, where I wasn’t listening to music as much as I used to and then I got Sonos and it brought that part of my life back. It’s one of my favourite things in life, listening to music at my house, drawing with my kids, playing cards with them, or just looking out the window.

I experienced how my life got better when I had Sonos and I wanted to be part of that.

RF. Tell us about your role as Executive Creative Director.

DS. I oversee all the aspects of the brand, so our communications via advertising and on our own channels, our experiences like our store in New York City, our website which is a fantastic way to go deep on Sonos, the events that we do with artists and creators. It’s a combination of storytelling, design, and curation.

RF. What challenges do you face in this position?

DS. Being a cultural brand comes down to the nuances and details. Every song we reference and every object in a home, or the way we mix modern design with a more creative lifestyle requires a very specific filter and rigour. Keeping this at the core of our identity on a global scale is challenging.

RF. Sonos opened its first retail store in 2016, in New York City.

Why was it important for the brand to open its own physical retail space?

DS. We really didn’t have a venue to share the full Sonos experience with the public. We felt we needed to build our own store to really dramatise what it’s like to add the dimension of sound to the design of your home, and how listening can transform your home life. We know that the best way to learn about Sonos is to go to a friends’ home and experience it in a home context. So the store is our attempt to recreate that in a public context and maybe even heighten it.

RF. Does Sonos have plans to open any further stores?

DS. Yes, we are working on store number two right now and we are also really focused on how we can bring this experience into places where people are thinking about their home and transforming the way they live. We are really excited about our partnerships with West Elm and Air BnB. Those are both environments where we feel like we can introduce the idea of adding the dimension of sound to the design of your home.

RF. What’s next for Sonos?

DS. T here are three things that get us really excited I would say.

Integrating voice control into our experience is going to be a whole new way to interact with music and we are just at the beginning of how that’s going to transform listening. The streaming revolution is finally happening, and that means so much more music and so many new music experiences. And finally, the maturation of the smart home is really exciting.

We were probably the first connected home product that

actually worked and works well throughout the house. Others

like Nest have come along since with amazing products, but

now we are finally seeing the potential to have all these things

work together in a way that actually fits how we live and isn’t

a novelty.

RF. How does the store push the boundaries of retail design?

DS. The concept kind of turns traditional store design on its head.

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Read the full interview online at www.retail-focus.co.uk/qanda