Retail Focus July 2017 by Retail Focus

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JULY 2017 : £6.75 #89

July 2017/issue 89

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Window Shopping : Bloomingdale’s Kuwait : Ted Baker Miami : G-SHOCK Carnaby : Supermarkets : Beauty retail : In & Around Henrietta Street : Stores of the future : Focus on Lighting : Q&A with Steve Morris of The White Company

Geometric Illusion Fendi explores the world of make believe

Window Shopping : Bloomingdale’s Kuwait : Ted Baker Miami : G-SHOCK Carnaby : Supermarkets : Beauty retail : In & Around Henrietta Street : Focus on Lighting : Q&A with Steve Morris of The White Company

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contents

CONTENTS Geometric Illusion

19-21

Among this month’s feast of windows is Fendi’s Geometric Illusion scheme, which represents the sense of make believe, the main character of the brand’s pre-fall 2017 collection... nothing is what it seems.

51 Beauty retail

39 Supermarkets

of the 54 Stores future

26-36 Project Focus

Leader

Bloomingdale’s, Kuwait : Ted Baker, Miami : G-SHOCK, Carnaby

Diary

10-16 News 19-21 W indow shopping

45-46 In and Around... Henrietta Street. A new hub for menswear in Covent Garden boasting a roster of exclusive, emerging and established labels.

Inspiring window displays from around the globe.

22 25

Top of the POPS Karl McKeever ‘Jack of all’ is not the label to own says Karl in his column this month.

www.retail-focus.co.uk

Opinion Oliver Michell, chief creative officer & co-founder of UXUS, explores retail design in the Middle East, and a new idea of luxury.

68 Focus on: Lighting 57-66 Products Products and services for the retail industry.

Q&A We speak to Steve Morris, people & retail director at The White Company, following the launch of the brand’s first store in the US.

Photo Credit: SLVHCS ‘Project Legacy’, New Orleans, USA © Sean Airhart/NBBJ

leader

welcome July ‘17 The beauty sector is an exciting area of retail, full of discovery and exploration, encouraging customers to create their own unique blends. As David Asfour, vice president of CallisonRTKL, says, ‘in-store beauty has evolved in recent years to be even more focused on the customer’s experience and interactions, bringing together playfulness and experimentation alongside professional artistry and application.’ Find out more on pages 51-52. We cross the pond to Miami and take a look at Ted Baker’s latest quirky store design, inspired by Art Deco and dancing on pages 30-31. Back in England, G-SHOCK has returned to Carnaby after a seven year absence. The store design, by Double Retail, elevates the premium product offering and amplifies the brand’s values through the use of lighting, display and materials (pages 35-36). We also take a look inside Bloomingdale’s in Kuwait. Putting a firm footprint on the Middle East’s ever growing luxury retail market, the store offers everything from a fragrance theatre to a personalisation lounge (pages 26-28). Oliver Michell, chief creative officer & co-founder of UXUS, which designed the Kuwait store, explores retail design in the Middle East on page 49. In the ever competitive supermarket sector, discount retailers are upping their game with store interiors, nipping at the heels of the big four. On pages 39-40 we look at supermarkets and the growing trend for getting closer to the customer and creating a market feel. Happy reading!

Lyndsey Dennis Editor Search Retail Focus

Editor

Publisher

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

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

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Account Manager

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

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Industry associations For subscription enquiries please email: subscriptions@retailfocus.co Retail Focus is published 12 times a year by Retail Focus Promotions Ltd, Yeomans, Bassetts Lane, Woodham Walter, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6RZ. No part of Retail Focus may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without permission. Please address all enquiries to the editor at the above address. The opinions expressed in Retail Focus are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the information contained in these pages. We will assume permission to publish any unsolicited material unless otherwise stated. ©Retail Focus Promotions Ltd 2017.

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DIARY

Perfume: A Sensorial Journey Through Contemporary Scent Somerset House, London Runs until 17 September 2017 Somerset House welcomes Perfume: A Sensory Journey Through Contemporary Scent, inviting visitors to discover a vibrant new scent range through multi-sensory installations. In addition to a fully functioning perfume laboratory to see up close the skill and science of scent making, visitors can expect a full programme of talks, workshops and demonstrations throughout the exhibition’s run to offer further insights into the art of perfumery. The exhibition has been organised in collaboration with Coty and Peroni Ambra, with additional support from Givaudan and Liberty London. SomersetHouse

Image: Peter Macdiarmid for Somerset House

www.somersethouse.org.uk

The World of Anna Sui Fashion & Textiles Museum, London Runs until 1 October 2017

Christian Dior, couturier du rêve Musée des Arts décoratifs, Paris, France Runs until 7 January 2018

Paris Retail Week Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, France 19-21 September 2017

The World of Anna Sui features more than 100 looks from the fashion designer’s archive, presenting a roll call of archetypes from Surfers and School Girls to Hippies, Mods and Punks. This is the first time an American designer has been the focus of a retrospective exhibition in the UK.

Musée des Arts décoratifs in Paris is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the creation of the House of Dior with the Christian Dior, couturier du rêve exhibition. The event invites visitors on a voyage of discovery through the universe of the House of Dior’s founder and the illustrious couturiers who succeeded him.

Paris Retail Week, the European event dedicated to 360° commerce, will open its doors from 19-21 September 2017 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Hall 7.3. More than 600 companies will participate, with the arrival of ‘Live Retail’ in commerce at the heart of the many discussions taking place.

fashiontextile www.ftmlondon.org Image:

artsdecoratifs www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/en

PRWOfficial www.parisretailweek.com

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

Photo: Messe Dusseldorf / ctillmann

news

Galeria Melissa and Zoe Bradley unveil Neon Garden installation British paper artist Zoe Bradley has collaborated with Galeria Melissa to create a vibrant and bold collection of exotic East Asian inspired paper flowers, welcoming visitors to the Melissa Covent Garden store in the form of a ‘Neon Garden’. The installation has been designed to celebrate the spirit of the retailers’s AW17 FLYGRL footwear and accessories collection that

champions femininity. A large suspended lotus sculpture features alongside a kaleidoscopic floral animation in the entrance area. As the viewer continues their journey downstairs, they enter into a garden oasis where the walls are covered in large-scale topiary and a large central lotus sculpture slowly rotates on a floor plinth, echoing its motion upon the ripples of a pond.

Volkswagen opens first store at the Bullring Volkswagen has opened its first store at the Bullring in Birmingham. The new retail concept will offer shoppers the opportunity to browse and buy from the extensive Volkswagen range of passenger cars in the environment where they regularly shop. Johnsons Cars, which formed in 1999 and has run Johnsons Volkswagen Retails in the Birmingham area since 2004, is partnering the car manufacturer on its first

physical store. Convenience is at the heart of the 178 sq m store concept and it opens up the opportunity for customers to conduct everything from initial enquiries to the purchase of a new or pre-owned Volkswagen car while they are in the shopping centre. A clear focus on meeting customers’ changing needs was central in the design

and development of the store. Volkswagen and retail design agency Dalziel and Pow wanted to create an experience that made the process of buying and owning a car as easy and straightforward as possible. The result is a unique lifestyle design that creates another new and different ‘landmark retailer’ for the Volkswagen brand, alongside its flagship Volkswagen West London site.

news

Second Café Nespresso opens in Soho Nespresso has opened its second cafe concept, located in London’s Soho. The new Café Nespresso on Broadwick Street paves the way for a big second half of 2017 for the company. The coffee specialist has also announced at least another five new boutiques to open in the UK over the next few months, strengthening its ambition to open a boutique within one hour of every British customer. Nespresso will open boutiques in the following areas this year: LiverpoolONE pop-up; One New Change, Cheapside boutique; Meadowhall boutique, Oxford boutique and an Arnotts, Dublin boutique. The retailer has already opened new boutiques in Newcastle and Glasgow

this year, and most recently in Reading last month. As a business, our focus is on creating a memorable, unique customer experience,’ says Francisco Nogueira, managing director of Nespresso UK & Ireland. ‘In our boutiques, we offer a personalised, immersive service that transcends that of the traditional retail store, from the expertise of our staff to a 24/7 customer care service. Our boutiques are geared towards the modern coffee drinker, with tasting bars, coffee specialists and the latest in retail technology. Customers can enjoy the full Grand Cru range, learn more about each coffee, and discover their prefered flavours and aromatic profiles.’

Guildford to welcome seventh Hummingbird Bakery this summer

Neom Organics London brings wellbeing to King’s Road Neom Organics London has opened its third store, located at 186 King’s Road in London, offering a haven of calm in the hustle and bustle of the city. The store offers complimentary wellbeing consultations, provides recommendations on the 100 per cent natural, therapeutic fragrances for mind and body, as well as all-encompassing advice from Neom’s wellbeing experts. Shoppers are encouraged to visit the Scent Discovery Bar where they can discover their true underlying wellbeing needs, before exploring each of the four wellbeing ranges: Sleep, De-stress, Energy and Mood Boosting. A dedicated ‘Library’ area not only showcases the latest wellness and lifestyle literature, but provides a tranquil zone for customers to take five minutes out of their busy day to unplug and relax. Wellbeing workshops, schools and classes will also be hosted in this space.

Portland Design appoints new associate director Retail strategy and design consultancy Portland Design has appointed Andrew Grange as associate director to strengthen the company’s customer-centric design process with a focus on developing 360-degree shopping journeys. Grange joins Portland from design consultancy HMKM where he was lead designer behind the concept development and architectural delivery of Primark’s flagship stores in Toulouse.

The Hummingbird Bakery has set its sights on Guildford as the location for the brand’s seventh UK store. The bakery is working alongside the design team at rpa:group – behind the design of the company’s other six stores – on a new design style for the Surrey store, which is scheduled to open this summer. ‘The new bakery design is an evolution away from the previous store concept, which portrayed the look and feel of a 1950’s style kitchen. This new approach is much more Scandinavian with light, open and sophisticated interiors and wood elements backed up by complimentary surfaces to add texture, variation and interest,’ explains James Breaks, head of design at rpa:group.

news

Jack The Clipper unveils London flagship Established in 1996 by a family of master barbers, Jack The Clipper has opened a new flagship on Bow Lane in London. The store is designed to feel luxurious and original, whilst invoking the story of the company in a contemporary and authentic way. The rich narrative of the Jack the Clipper brand allowed the FormRoom design team to bring several exciting visual cues into the store concept. Brass piping details are utilised throughout the space, across windows, walls and the ceiling, referencing the industrial design of the Victorian era. A playfully abstract nod to the macabre is displayed with the use of herringbone red and white tiles for the kitchen areas. Throughout the space are eclectic lighting features that seemingly emerge straight

from the antique brass piping. In its mission to bring the highest quality products and service to gentlemen across London, Jack the Clipper partners with Penhaligon’s, echoing a century old tradition of Anglo-Turkish collaboration. FormRoom celebrated this iconic relationship with custom-made lightboxes and cabinetry to display product ranges; shelving was carved from antique shoe lasts for an extra nod to the area’s history

as London’s premier cobbler district. The venue is dressed with exclusively commissioned artwork, portraits, murals and selected prop elements — all designed and built by FormRoom. The store also includes a dedicated area entitled ‘Jack’s Hall of Fame’ to explore the character of Jack the Clipper further. This adds a further layer of theatre to the customer experience.

Silvera brings French furniture showroom to King’s Road French furniture and interior design specialist Silvera has opened its debut UK flagship at 241-245 King’s Road in London. The 487 sq m showroom has been designed by French architectural firm, Jouin Manku and displays furniture, lighting, rugs and designer home accessories. ‘We are delighted to finally open the doors of our first showroom, being at the epicenter of Chelsea’s superb interior and lifestyle community. We look forward to sharing our passion for beautiful design with the UK market and making our debut in one of London’s most popular shopping locations, the King’s Road,’ says Paul Silvera, owner of Silvera. ‘Securing debut UK sites for leading international brands such as Silvera further strengthens the King’s Road status as one of the capital’s leading retail destinations, ensuring this vibrant retail parade continues to thrive and inspire shoppers,’ says Hannah Grievson, commercial property manager at Sloane Stanley. The brand already has 10 showrooms in Paris and an online store, SILVERA e-shop.

Photography: Melvyn Vincent

Harlequin Design opens new production facilities Specialists in the design, production and installation of window displays, Harlequin Design has opened a new facility in Stevenage. The 2,787 sq m site includes a production facility, 3D workshop, print house, mock windows and virtual reality room. To arrange a visit, T: +44 (0)20 7253 6238 or E: andrew@harlequin-design.com

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international news

international

NEWS The White Company opens first US store British lifestyle brand, The White Company has entered the American market with a flagship store on Fifth Avenue in the Flat Iron area of Manhattan, New York City. The 278 sq m store is located in an elegant Beaux-Arts building dating back to 1894, and has been designed in partnership with Household Design. The flagship vision of turning the store into a sensory home-from-home inspired by founder Chrissie Rucker sees the space pay homage to the grandeur and scale of doorways and connecting rooms that lead the customer on a visual journey of discovery. The store is designed to connect the US audience with the ethos and Britishness of The White Company and invites customers to explore and indulge across desirable categories including fragrance, clothing, bed, bath, dining and Little White — the brand’s children’s collection. The flagship returns The White Company back to its roots with a consciously analogue and tactile approach to the brand’s ideals of pure, white and classic, combining lifestyle aspiration and boutique hotel feel.

Robinsons enters the Middle Eastern market The first Robinsons department store in the Middle East has opened its doors at Dubai Festival City, making it the largest department store in the region. At 18,000 sq m with 600 local, regional and international brands, the store offers three magnificent floors of contemporary and designer fashion, food, art and culture experiences, delighting guests in an immersive journey. International design agency, HMKM drew inspiration from Robinsons’ roots, in particular from Singapore’s blend of green landscapes and edgy, contemporary architecture to produce a scheme founded on the notion of a future landscape. Throughout the interior, contemporary forms and digital elements are balanced with warm materials and lush planting.

Galeries Lafayette unveils Istanbul store French charm meets Turkish flair at the recently opened Galeries Lafayette in Istanbul. Located at Emaar Square, the department store has been designed by Berlin-based plajer & franz studio and offers a modern French atmosphere for customers to discover a luxurious world of cosmetics, accessories and jewellery, handbags, fashion, shoes, kidswear and homeware. Galeries Lafayette Istanbul is the first department store to be opened after the new, future-oriented corporate branding had been introduced. Therefore, a modern and clear design language had to match the retailer’s unmistakable style. Newly interpreted design elements, interesting mixtures of materials, special lighting scenarios and colour accents create a distinctive shopping experience.

T 0207 3771776 info@blacksvisual.com www.blacksvisual.com FOLLOW US @blacksvisuallondon Blacks Visual London Blacks Visual London

visual merchandising

INSPIRING WINDOW DISPLAYS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

Burberry

Mulberry

For its London Regent Street windows, luxury fashion house Burberry chose giant sold oak wooden toys painted on different sides with bold, playful colours. The scheme consists of five different animal designs and will be rolling out in Dubai and Qatar as well. The concept was produced by Harlequin Design. Photography: Melvyn Vincent

Mulberry has unveiled a new window concept at its New Bond Street flagship. Inspired by the strong checks in the AW17 ready-to-wear collection, the scheme launches a new bag silhouette — the Amberley. Bespoke shelving units echo a classic check pattern by juxtaposing limed oak with burgundy stained wood. The result is a graphic, architectural and colourful design, using honest materials and providing adaptable platforms for all categories of seasonal merchandise to be showcased. The windows also promote the brand’s hallmark colour, Mulberry Green, developed in 2015 with paper merchant G. F. Smith and used for packaging, shoe insoles and outerwear lining. This new shade of British Racing Green, evocative of a love of the English countryside, not only references Mulberry’s heritage but also provides a rich backdrop for product. The window concept was designed by Mulberry’s creative VM team and produced by Blacks Visual. Photography: Michael Franke

Topshop Topshop’s Oxford Street flagship store has chosen a neon window scheme for summer ‘17. The ‘Neon Summer’ installation is themed around a series of festival inspired mannequins poised on a collection of colourful neon lit plinths. Designed and produced by Blacks Visual in collaboration with the Topshop creative team, the window concept reveals a lighting installation featuring a series of summer style, oversized neon phrases hung with visible yellow cables that create an illuminated multi-coloured, playful backdrop. Photography: Melvyn Vincent

visual merchandising

Fendi Fendi’s Geometric Illusion window scheme represents the sense of make believe, the main character of the brand’s pre-fall 2017 collection, which is all about visual flips: nothing is what it seems at first view. As in the collection, fabric pretends to be fur and vice versa, and in the windows Fendi transformed structural and heavy rolls in a light and bright element. The glass bricks and colourful mink fur become structure and embellishment for the window scheme. The bricks appear to float on the bright travertino surface, reminiscent of the sense of belonging to Rome and the new Fendi headquarters building. The window elements and the design were inspired by fur archive references and the brand new Omotesando store walls. As usual, graphic and sharp lines mix with the use of voluptuous materials and colour, infusing the whole window theme.

HermÈs Based in Amsterdam, Dutch set designer Noa Verhofstad has designed the summer display for Hermès. Verhofstad has taken the first traveling suitcase designed by Hermès as the starting point. Inside the colourful, graphical suitcases the summer vibe comes alive. Inside the suitcase you find a swimming pool, sun beds and a diving board. The Hermès products become part of these lively settings. ‘When you go on holiday, you pack your suitcase and the items inside of it get a special value after being home. They are connected to nice memories. I would like to put that special summer feeling inside these windows,’ says Verhofstad. The windows can still be seen in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg until the end of August 2017. Photo credit:Set design by Noa Verhofstad @ Unit CMA — www.unit.nl

Hills Avenue The Hills Avenue flagship store in Tokyo is showcasing a new way of displaying shoes. Designed by Tokujin Yoshioka, the shoes in the White Forest installation appear to float in the air, expressing the lightness of the shoes that the retailer has developed with its own technology. In the 300 sq m store, 700 thin white steel rods are suspended like a forest of trees in the floor-to-ceiling windows. The shoes are displayed on 500 disks randomly placed between the white rods as if they are floating in the air. In the daytime, natural light fills the space, and in the evening the store glows in yellow like a sunset, attracting people in the city from morning through to night.

vis

visual merchandising

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

Antonioli For its luxury concept store in Milan, fashion retailer Antonioli has unveiled a high concept monochromatic design to promote its new Y-3 Pure Boost sneakers. The products are heroed on clusters of black spheres peppered along an existing wedge platform. In a rich variety of textures, huge matte and glossy black balloons nestle amongst flocked hemispheres topped with glossy acrylic. Elsewhere in the space, sneakers sit atop single flocked hemispheres. The in-store concept is echoed in each window, where a solitary product stands out upon flocked white hemispheres amongst a mass of black textural balloons. Y-3 Pure Boost branding adorns the glass in starkly contrasting white vinyl. The scheme was designed and produced by StudioXAG. Photography: Sara Magni

Oasis The Turning the Tables window scheme at Oasis is inspired by iconic porcelain designs from the Museum of Royal Worcester. The retailer’s Argyll Street flagship store in London has been transformed to celebrate the latest print-packed collaboration featuring patterns from the heritage brand’s plates, tea cups and tableware. Bespoke plinths were crafted to depict stacked plates and rotated mannequins in the windows. Elsewhere, printed teapots were suspended from the ceilings and walls to give the illusion of pouring tea, thanks to cleverly crafted acrylics. Central to the scheme, and creating a strong entrance to the store, is a mannequin dressed in a large skirt towering nearly three metres high and covered in printed plates made from acrylics. The scheme was produced and installed by Lucky Fox.

Hackett London In celebration of the Henley Royal Regatta in June, Hackett brought the tradition and cheer into the heart of the city with a series of themed windows. Harlequin Design produced and designed the window scheme across four stores in London by splitting the River Thames in half to reveal the spectacle both above and below the water. Above the water line, mannequins applauded as the Hackett rowing team made an appearance. Below the water, fish swam and ducks paddled in a scenic painted underwater scene, complete with a misplaced bottle of champagne. At Hackett’s Mayfair and Covent Garden stores, the bespoke window displays featured individually arranged rowing oars, complete with polished brass fittings and solid oak handle detailing.

TOTP

TOP pops of the

Company: PLANarama

Client: The British Museum

Display title: Peter Rabbit Corner

Sector: Museums

Location: The British Museum

The brief: PLANarama was asked by The British Museum to create a Peter Rabbit-inspired merchandising unit to display an ever expanding product range. The unit needed to be adaptable (including adjustable shelving etc) to allow for stock change throughout the year. The unit was allocated a fairly small space in the corner of the shop so the design team needed to add some theatre to make sure it stood out.

The solution: Within the gift shop in The British Museum, PLANarama transformed one of the spaces into a Peter Rabbit corner. The design team produced a bespoke garden shed-themed merchandising unit, complete with adjustable crate shelving to display productions ranging from Peter Rabbit books to soft toys. The base of the unit was produced using double stained timber that was replicated for the back wall. Themed props such as gardening tools, watering cans, hanging slate sign, small bird box complete with a robin sitting on the top and merchandising plant pots were added to bring some extra theatre to the space.

www.planarama.com

column

Karl McKeever

‘Jack of all’ is not the label to own Few in the industry would have been surprised when Arcadia reported a drop in its annual profits last month, though 16 per cent is still a spectacular fall. The decline seems to be symptomatic of the problems plaguing the mid-market sector more widely as it grapples with the legacy of inconsistent and unbalanced investment. Traditional department stores are suffering more than most in this tough climate, which is why Debenhams is now overhauling its strategy to meet the demands of today’s shoppers. Recent events tell us that no retailer, no matter how well established, is too big to fail — and this should act as a wake-up call for retail bosses to re-evaluate their brand. Within Arcadia, Topshop has always been Green’s ‘favourite child’ within the group, attracting significant investment especially at its flagship store on Oxford Street. In its heydey, it benefitted from strong links to London Fashion Week, virtual reality catwalk shows and the much-lauded collaboration with Kate Moss. When Moss first launched her collection in 2007, people who have grown up with the supermodel clamoured to buy the clothing, however it has failed to engage the next generation in the same way. Sibling brands like Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge, Burton, Evans and Wallis, as well as Topshop, now have been grouped together under the Outfit fascia. These larger stores, located in outof-town retail parks, are certainly more efficient in terms of staffing and running costs — however, there is no credible brand voice. For me, these brands are painfully average. The Outfit stores have become a melting pot of disparate ranges, with no clear demarcation and a confused retail offer. What is currently lacking — and what is desperately needed — is a distinct approach to brand delivery and VM that enables each one to offer something different. Blighted by uninspiring interiors and ranges, places such as Burton and Dorothy Perkins are now floundering in the face of fashionforward giants like Zara, H&M, Primark, ASOS and Boohoo. For department stores like Debenhams, the ‘house of brands’ format certainly seems to be hitting its bottom line, although it is reassuring to see that chief executive Sergio Bucher and chairman 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

Ian Cheshire understand the need for change. Along with plans to review the Designers by Debenhams clothing, the retailer is moving into a younger, more on-trend market with the launch of a new Mango concession. On top of this, it is also expected to make significant investments across its stores, with improvements to ‘experiential’ services like beauty and food. Back at Arcadia, it’s clear that Sir Philip is concerned enough about Arcadia’s fortunes to have recruited management consultants McKinsey to review his strategy, but he will need to recruit a white knight who can perform a miracle of future thinking across all the brands and the company itself. This is a business that increasingly looks to be slowly filling with water and after losing key figures in the senior management team, there may be others now looking for lifeboats. There are now a number of large retail groups that appear to be treading water and senior management teams are no doubt contemplating the time and vast sums of money needed to effect change. It will be interesting to see what strategy McKinsey comes up with for Arcadia, although it’s likely that Sir Philip is already reviewing his options for some, or all, of these increasingly faded brands. All this shines a light on how the mid-market, mainstream brands approach the delivery of their in-store propositions. The question is whether shoppers still want ‘vanilla’ stores and if so, to what extent? Can the super-sized ‘vanilla tubs’ like Outfit be justified to save costs and fight against dwindling profits? It doesn’t seem likely when you consider that this kind of retail experience is available elsewhere, whether online, in supermarkets or discount stores. In other words, brands must make it worth people’s while to go shopping and genuinely give them something to inspire, delight and motivate them to buy. The UK has enough discounters, charity shops and average mid-market stores — it really needs more Topshops, but not necessarily delivered by Arcadia. The collapse of BHS must surely have shown Sir Philip that his business urgently needs massive transformation and investment in its brands and stores to catch up on the years of neglect. If not, we could well see another Arcadia fascia could go the same way as BHS or even the unwinding of the group. With the fate of many jobs in just one man’s hands, the consequences of this would be catastrophic for retail and the wider economy.

project focus

BLOOMINGDALE’S 360 MALL, KUWAIT Design: UXUS Opening date: March 2017 Store size: 8,639 sq m

Bloomingdale’s department store has opened the doors to its second international store in Kuwait, following the success of its Dubai site that launched in 2010, and in advance of opening another store at Al Maryah Central in Abu Dhabi next year. Putting a firm footprint on the Middle East’s ever growing luxury retail market, Bloomingdale’s Kuwait offers everything from a fragrance theatre to a personalisation lounge. ‘Kuwait is one of the world’s most sophisticated and upscale fashion markets, and Bloomingdale’s is excited to serve new and existing customers from Kuwait. We believe we will bring a new dimension in fashion and style for which Bloomingdale’s is known worldwide,’ says Tony Spring, chairman and chief executive officer of Bloomingdale’s. The store is a women-only offer and eclipses a transactional model by connecting hospitality, retail and service through a cohesive, sophisticated approach. Personalised services, VIP touch points, integrated digital and curated elements come together seamlessly, encouraging exploration and indulgence. With a holistic view, UXUS designed the luxury retail space to integrate with Bloomingdale’s distinct visual identity. Throughout the store, consumers will enjoy the New York-style elegance behind the Bloomingdale’s heritage. From arrival to purchase, UXUS has considered every part of the consumer journey. ‘How can you take a true icon of New York and tailor it to what is needed in Kuwait, which was a women’s only offer?’ says Oliver Michell, chief creative officer & co-founder of UXUS, regarding the brief. ‘The brief objective was very clear — to take women’s clothing, keep all the codes and all the brand hallmarks of Bloomingdale’s and adapt them for a Kuwait customer.’ Through the VIP entrance there’s a large service area, offering click & collect and a concierge service. For people using click & collect, there are several fitting rooms where ladies can try on outfits there and then. The concierge team will wrap the

project focus

‘There’s a lot of love for intensive jewel tones, so we put in some accent jewel tones against neutral colours.’

items and take them to the customer’s car. The store includes extensive beauty and fragrance — the latter a very important part of the Middle Eastern lifestyle — and these departments are proportionally bigger than in other stores and include a lot of consultation areas. A contemporary ‘Discover Beauty’ area is a younger and more dynamic zone, where new brands are brought in featuring the latest skincare and fragrances. ‘Experience Beauty’ is almost like a personal shopper for beauty, but they do treatments and applications here as well; you don’t necessarily need to buy the products before. It is a service heavy area as the Kuwaiti clientele is very service orientated. They also do brand take overs and special events in this area. The ready-to-wear department also features a substantially sized eveningwear

department, as well as a personal shopper service with fitting rooms. ‘She will have a whole wardrobe set up before she arrives, she’ll be taken for food and drink and she can spend as long as she likes and have an entire consultation and personal shopper experience,’ says Michell. The biggest floor is the upper level at 1,500 m sq, double the size of the ground and mezzanine levels, and is dedicated to shoes and handbags with an adjoining restaurant that is inspired by New York apartments. Customers can shop shoes and handbags and have food brought to them, or they can dine in the restaurant and have shopping brought to their table instead. The restaurant walls feature bespoke sketches by some of the fashion designers featured in the store, bringing the connection together between fashion and cusines.

‘From a cultural point of view, shopping is a huge part of social life in Kuwait. Going to Bloomingdale’s — which is a newcomer to the market, it’s a recognised brand, it’s glamorous, it brings in a lot of brands that weren’t accessible previously — is a huge draw and to have the whole personal shopper experience too is great,’ he adds. ‘The idea was that “she” can spend a whole day with her friends and family in the department store for a meal, browse the collections, have a personal shopper take her round and create her wardrobe. Or if she had her husband with her or a male member of the family, he can spend time in the restaurant while she does her shopping.’ UXUS took a lot of queues from the original New York store, such as the black and white chequer board floor. There are several lighting features at the entrances and digital screens, as well as a large skylight like in the New York store. A statement ‘Takeover Tower’ connects each floor by merging digital with physical merchandised displays. ‘Kuwaitis love colour, so we have used a lot of black and white for the elements that are likely to stay for a long time like the architectural finishes, and for sofas, rugs and all decorative items, we brought in the colour. There’s a lot of love for intensive jewel tones, so we put in some accent jewel tones against neutral colours,’ says Michell. ‘We looked at a lady called Barbara D’Arcy who used to be the main stylist for Bloomingdale’s and she brought in lots of things that we think of as hallmarks of the brand such as the black and white chequer board. She was a very glamourous lady who travelled around the world collecting the latest trends from Scandinavian style to French Riviera to Morroccan, and she would bring them to New York and create these incredible showrooms.’ Lighting design specialist Nulty has created a flexible lighting scheme that is chic, clean and bold, and complements the architectural forms and rich material palette — like the champagne metal joinery that’s made to sparkle and the texture of beautifully crafted wall coverings and oriental carpets. UXUS is currently working on the design concept for Bloomingdale’s at Al Maryah Central in Abu Dhabi, which is scheduled top open late 2018/early 2019.

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TED BAKER AVENTURA MALL, MIAMI

Design: In-house alongside Hello Flamingo Opening date: April 2017 Store size: 395 sq m

British luxury retailer Ted Baker has once again delivered a fun and quirky store design, this time in Miami and with a theme of Deco-Dance. ‘Miami’s infamous club scene meets traditional ballroom dancing — let Ted take you by the hand,’ as Mark Valerio, head of store design at Ted Baker, explains. A research trip to South Beach Miami gave the in-house design team plenty of inspiration for the colour palette. The shopfront features a central entrance with two large display windows either side. The Art Deco-inspired architectural design includes brushed brass framed glazing and a full width canopy inspired by Miami’s bus stops. There is a large cinema-style Ted Baker logo on the canopy. The flooring is reclaimed oak timber laid as a herringbone vintage dance floor with an Art Deco-shaped stone central section. The fitting room area features plush stone and deep pile wool carpet. The fitting rooms are back-wall tiled with actual records featuring custom Ted labels. Each fitting room features vintage lighting and a

refurbished vintage deco chair. The large, Art Deco-shaped, stepped ceiling houses a collection of vintage mirror balls mixed with some modern neon features. ‘The sidewalls feature a mixture of rough, textured concrete with bold Art Deco shapes of coloured ceramic tiles,

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‘ Miami’s infamous club scene meets traditional ballroom dancing – let Ted take you by the hand.’

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with famous dance step diagrams set into concrete sections,’ says Valerio. ‘In front of this are a series of bars, mirrored and painted steel triangular frames.’ The retailer worked closely alongside Hello Flamingo, which had great fun sourcing a huge number of props from flea markets, antique fairs and specialist collectors, finding suitable props to bring the concept to life. From old dancing trophies to ghetto blasters, ballroom dancing shoes to retro trainers. Some of the items had special treatments; ghetto blasters were glittered and gramophones were covered in mirror tiles. Champagne bottles have mini disco balls bursting from them, while vintage top hats have glitter balls tumbling out. Vintage bow ties look to be tying themselves in a beautiful glass cabinet. The wall behind the till is a mother of pearl Deco panelled wall, which forms the ‘trophy’ cabinet of Ted’s dance club trophies. The rear wall has been designed as a large, full-height, Art Deco display unit with backlit signs and dance titles hand-painted onto ribbed glass. The store includes a number of feature tables, large deco-shaped stone nests and retro-style ‘chino’ tables. All the design elements and props stitch together nicely to create the Deco-Dance themed interior.

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G-SHOCK

Carnaby Street, London Design: Double Retail Opening date: June 2017 Store size: 60 sq m

Photography: Max McClure

After a seven year absence, watch retailer G-SHOCK has returned to Carnaby Street in London. The concept store is spread over two floors, allowing visitors to discover CASIO’s reputable brands including BABY-G, Edifice, ProTrek and Oceanus alongside the latest styles, collaborations and designs from around the world. Focusing its London retail offering to a

single location on Carnaby Street, G-SHOCK worked alongside Double Retail to design and build a new flagship that would physically interpret the brand’s core values and surpass its previous retail offering. Working with the existing architecture of the building, Double Retail created an environment that clearly segmented G-SHOCK’s extensive product range,

elevating the premium product offering and amplifying the brand’s values through the use of lighting, display and materials. Shoplight created a complimentary lighting design that would work with the store interior, finishes and secondary lighting (those in the cabinets). ‘We proposed the use of our Elys range of track spotlights; these offer very high

project focus

‘A versatile and futureproof space that can be adapted for specific collections or product launches.’

colour rendering (CRI90) and 4,000K cool white colour temperature as we felt that a cooler light source would work better with the modern finishes in the space. Finally, a fairly narrow beam angle was used so that we could create contrast in the space,’ says Mark Shortland, managing director of Shoplight. The material palette was chosen to boast the retailer’s core brand value of toughness, with concrete wall panelling, a slate floor and raw, hot rolled steel surfaces throughout. ‘Accompanied by statement pieces such as an exploded, up-scaled original DW5600 laser cut in clear acrylic or the oversize cast aluminium watch breaking through the right-hand wall, the environment is an embodiment of the G-SHOCK brand identity,’ says Tom Parker, business development lead at Double Retail. The London flagship is packed with details that represent the brand. The centre of the store is dissected by a timeline feature, chronicling a full lineage of product over white backlighting. Opposing walls then present a series of modular, moveable cabinets that house the retailer’s main product collections. ‘The brief detailed a space that could comprehensively display G-SHOCK’s varied product range in such a way that appeals

to a mixed demographic shopping at vastly differing price points. The cabinets are designed to be movable, sliding independently with a power-track located in the wall behind the supporting bar. These cabinets can be removed and added easily, presenting CASIO with a versatile and futureproof space that can be adapted for specific collections or product launches,’ explains Parker. In addition to the bold, eye-catching features in the store there are also subtle engagement points such as the tough test machine located at the entrance that requires customer interaction. The spring-loaded carbon fibre cartridge fires a watch up inside a glass cylinder before gravity pulls it back down, demonstrating G-SHOCK’s indestructible product. The rear enclave of the store houses the most premium product line, Mr-G. ‘Inspired by a fusion of traditional Japanese teahouses and futuristic sci-fi dystopias, the exclusive space is bathed in neon light from the floor and showcases its product offering on upholstered leather padding through a wrap-around letterbox of crystal clear glass,’ says Parker. Located downstairs in the basement is an innovative and creative event space, serving as the go-to hub for all things G-SHOCK.

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BDM and Sales Manager Roles HMY Group (UK) is a leading group in the engineering, design, manufacture and fitting of retail interiors, with factories across the globe. We work closely with some of the UK’s leading retailers to provide consultation, design and architectural services, including site and project management, as well as contracting and technology solutions. Our British manufacturing capabilities allow us to deliver innovative solutions that transform retail spaces and create unique consumer shopping experiences. We’re looking for two experienced Business Development Managers and a Sales Manager to join our team in Milton Keynes and help us to grow our portfolio, drive sales and further cement HMY’s reputation as a leading provider to the UK’s retail sector. Successful candidates for both roles will be strong communicators, hardworking and industry-aware, as well as committed to promoting company excellence. Applicants must be target-driven and well-organised, and those interested in the Business Development Manager role will be highly analytical and strategic thinkers. A knowledge and passion for the ever-changing retail market is essential – as is a clear understanding of current industry values. You will need to embrace our ethos of developing strong, long-lasting relationships and delivering best-in-class service levels to all customers.

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supermarkets

HOT ON THE HEELS In the ever competitive supermarket sector, discount retailers are upping their game with store interiors, nipping at the heels of the big four. It’s nothing new that shopper habits and preferences are constantly evolving and have changed significantly over the last decade. For instance, the traditional weekly shop at a major supermarket has reduced in popularity as consumers take a more strategic approach to filling their trolleys, opting instead to visit several different outlets to stock up on essentials or utilising more convenient methods, such as home delivery. ‘As a result, it’s little surprise that so-called discount retailers are now seen as being on a par with their mainstream counterparts and, as such, have had to adapt to what shoppers want from their in-store experience. Historically, discount stores were perhaps known for being untidy and difficult to navigate; however, it’s clear that they are now putting time and energy into creating a cleaner, more inviting look, says Stuart Geekie, managing director at HMY Group. ‘There’s a growing trend in the supermarket sector for getting closer to the customer and creating a market feel. Consumers love the idea of their food being fresh, wholesome and locally produced; interestingly, the very presence of dedicated fish, cheese and meat counters can often create the illusion of the latter. It is this perceived authenticity that discount retailers should now consider — they’ve successfully infiltrated the main marketplace, so they now have the opportunity to lead the pack with standout store layouts and fittings,’ continues Geekie. ‘It’s an incredibly exciting time for discount retailers and they should seize the opportunity to innovate and step out from the shadows of their more expensive, more established peers,’ says Geekie. Duncan Hill, managing director at HL Display, also notes the impact of discount retailers on the supermarket sector: ‘Competition

Text: Lyndsey Dennis

for footfall, sales and loyalty has always been fierce but is even more so since the arrival of bargain supermarkets on the scene. While bargain supermarkets used to sport a matching bargain look and feel, enabling the established players to differentiate themselves by offering a better in-store experience, this is definitely no longer the case.’ The likes of Lidl and Aldi have put considerable thought and investment into improving the look of their stores and the overall experience. Lidl is Britain’s fastest growing supermarket, closely followed by Aldi, which overtook the Co-operative Group in January to become the country’s fifth biggest supermarket. Both discounters have announced aggressive store expansion programmes. Aldi opened its 700th store in March in Whitstable, Kent, and is one of 70 stores planned to open this year. Lidl is entering the US market with 20 stores along the East Coast in North and South Caroline as well as Virginia. ‘I believe the mainstream supermarkets will not only continue to invest in the latest merchandising solutions, they will also focus on making their stores as convenient as possible for shoppers to achieve differentiation. This could be through the use of technology in store and also by focusing on providing a quick, easy and stress-free checkout experience,’ says Hill. In Saudi Arabia, FITCH has created a shopping experience celebrating heritage and flavour for Aljazera, one of Riyadh’s first and most established Saudi Arabian supermarkets. A rebrand Main: FITCH has created a shopping experience celebrating heritage and flavour for Aljazera in Saudi Arabia. The store won Gold for Best Brand Evolution, Gold for Best Visual Identity in Retail and Best Overall Visual Identity at Transform MENA.

supermarkets Left: Lidl is entering the US market with 20 stores along the East Coast in North and South Carolina as well as Virginia. Below from top: Argos digital shop-in-shops in Sainsbury’s stores. The retailer has also partnered with homeware retailer Habitat, launching its first Mini Habitat at Nine Elms last year; Waitrose in Worcester encourages dwell time through a range of experiences, including a bar and a sushi island; Lidl recently installed HL Display’s Facer pull feeding system in its alcohol aisle to create a neater, more uniform display for shoppers. was needed to differentiate itself in the face of new international competitors who were taking market share with low prices and big product lines. The design needed to reflect the firm’s renewed emphasis on fresh food and ensure the brand remained a destination for everyday essentials. ‘Our insight focused on the poor representation of Saudi food culture in new international supermarkets. New brands were creating clinical spaces in a bid to emphasise food prep standards, but failed to capture the personality of everyday food and the joy of supermarket shopping. Saudis see food as a source of entertainment, from tasting new cuisines to sharing the best fresh produce. We wanted this to be at the heart of our strategy. The materials used in the design were modern yet warm and with a neutral, yet sophisticated palette, allowing the rich colours of the produce to pop,’ explain Paul Chatelier and Jimmy Kmeid, design directors, and Nathan Freegard, senior strategist at FITCH. For middle class Saudis food shopping is more than a necessity, it’s an occasion to enjoy. As a result, there are larger opportunities for supermarkets to attract food ‘dreamers’, families travelling together to sample new flavours and cuisines. ‘Like the UK, food is an important part of cultural celebrations, but shoppers can form highly personal relationships with in-store butchers and fishmongers to reserve the best cuts of meat. There’s a huge challenge in trying to build a strong brand whilst maintaining the local one-to-one relationship,’ says the team. Waitrose in Worcester encourages dwell time through a range of experiences, including a bar and sushi island, which both create theatre and demonstrate staff expertise. Shopping is thereby less of a chore, inspiring customers to return more frequently. Sainsbury’s announced plans last year to boost its digital and non-food business amid tough competition in the grocery sector, by partnering with Argos. The supermarket has installed Argos collection points in a number of its stores. Similarly, it has also partnered with homeware retailer Habitat, launching its first Mini Habitat at Nine Elms last year. Alongside Argos, the Mini Habitat stores allow Sainsbury’s customers to shop across all of the retailer’s brands under one roof. Andrew Hawes, founding director of retail consultancy Newtons that has revealed its own ‘Beating the Discounters’ report, says research shows price is only fourth on a shopper’s priority list — behind proximity, range and habit — and with more than 90 per cent of discounters’ customers also visiting a higher-end supermarket, there’s a chance for a Big Four comeback. ‘To engage in a pure price war would be foolish — the discounters are doing just that, achieving 5-25 per cent discounts versus the conventional chains, who on average would forego £1 billion in profits to reach parity. Instead, the multiples need to remind customers of the advantages of shopping at one store with a full range, better service, equal or better quality and comparable prices. They also need to myth-bust the perception that the discounter’s products are comparable,’ believes Hawes. ‘If the full facts around quality of product and price are promoted to customers, along with the existing areas around range and habit where the multiples are already superior, how can they continue to lose market share?’

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HENRIETTA STREET

Text: Lyndsey Dennis Photography: Jonathan Pryce and Brendan Bell

A new hub for menswear, Henrietta Street in Covent Garden boasts a roster of exclusive, emerging and established labels. Set in the heart of London’s Covent Garden, Henrietta Street brings a mix of informal and stylish menswear brands to the capital. Small independent brands are complemented by relaxed restaurants and bars in the street that was once home to a number of artists and, later, the location of many publishing firms. Every part of Covent Garden has its own specific story and distinct identity, supported by a vision to bring the best of retail and dining to each street. ‘We have always maintained that it is important to include a men’s lifestyle focus on the estate and Henrietta Street was the perfect street to create this. What you see now on Henrietta Street is the culmination of that vision, a community of like-minded independent and global brands, with brands such as Cheaney Shoes, Fred Perry and Nigel Cabourn representing the very best aspects of men’s retail, alongside high quality dining from the likes of Frenchie, Sticks n Sushi and the new Ollie Dabbous restaurant in Henrietta Hotel,’ says Michelle McGrath, director of property firm Capco Covent Garden. Pairing authentic British heritage brands with their counterparts in food such as British-born independents Flat Iron and the newly opened Oystermen only adds to that story. The Henrietta Hotel has just opened its doors on the street; a new 18-room boutique hotel by Experimental Group, which features a restaurant by Michelin-star

Above: Cult Japanese vintage brand The Real McCoy’s. Below: British footwear brand Joseph Cheaney & Sons opened a 50 sq m store in February.

henrietta street

chef Ollie Dabbous, currently enjoying rave reviews and enhancing the lifestyle mix on the street. ‘The shoppers you see on Henrietta Street are characteristic of the Covent Garden shopper — varied and diverse but discerning and seeking an authenticity. Our customers take both product and brands seriously, but these are presented with a playful edge which nods to the sense of fun and performance inherent in Covent Garden’s DNA, from shoe shining in the window at Cheaney to bacon scones at Frenchie. It is this experiential approach which defines Henrietta Street and sets it apart in the retail landscape in London,’ says McGrath. ‘Our vision is to consistently compete as one of the world’s best shopping destinations, and to ensure we continue to do so we spend time understanding our visitor demographics and keep

looking outwards at new brands, trends and experiences that we know our visitors will love. Having had almost no retail on the street previously, to now being a thriving fashion and foodie destination, Henrietta Street is an excellent example of our strategic vision of what Covent Garden should be,’ continues McGrath. Capco has one simple objective for Henrietta Street: The best menswear street in London through constantly evolving and bringing the best retail brands to the street and unrivalled food experiences. ‘We’re currently talking to some very interesting brands which no doubt will add to the authenticity and sense of play on the street. Henrietta Street will continue to complement the Covent Garden retail mix, from Paul Smith through to David Beckham-backed British heritage brand Kent & Curwen, launching in the Autumn,’ concludes McGrath.

Above: Oliver Sweeney’s flagship store on Henreitta Street is designed to feel like a club, with an emphasis on social space and an exploration of ideas. Left: Edwin chose Henrietta Street as the location of its flagship store.

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LUXURY IN THE MIDDLE EAST Oliver Michell, chief creative officer and co-founder of UXUS, explores retail design in the Middle East and a new idea of luxury in the area.

The impression that the Middle East is all about bling is outmoded, and has really changed. I have been working regularly in the region for several years and everyone is so much more informed and travelled now — and a new idea of luxury is being adopted very fast. Retail design in the city is transforming fast, and I think the cities will look very different in the next five years. Retail brands are very ready to absorb all kinds of new trends, whether from LA, Seoul or Bangkok; the Middle East offers a truly international view of what is happening because of where they are geographically based. I’d encourage those in the retail sector to take another look at the Middle East — it is a great place to look to for both work opportunities and inspiration. To understand what the retail culture is in the Middle East, it is about appreciating that the culture is retail. Middle Eastern consumers love to shop and going to the mall is an intergral part of the region’s character. A lot of the urban centres are very new — in the 1970s Doha or Dubai were villages. The Middle East has one of the fastest-growing populations in the world, and one of the youngest: the number of people in the Arab world is set to almost double to 500 million by 2100, and half of these people will be under 24. They’ve gone through incredible transformations and are very young countries that are originally nomadic, and this makes the region a really inventive, fertile ground for retail design. The sectors at the forefront of innovation are food and beverage and beauty and fragrance. Places I would suggest looking to for inspiration would be The Beach in Dubai, a development of 27,870 sq m that is about a year old. It’s an indoor-outdoor mall model that combines retail, food and beverage experiences, watersports and

a running track — it’s a full destination that gives an edited outdoor lifestyle. Also in Dubai, Alserkal Avenue is a district of former warehouses on the edge of downtown. It has a very unassuming, industrial style, unexpected for Dubai — a mix of galleries, food and beverage and retail — and has become a really up and coming alternative to the big malls. There is a very cool brand there originally from Paris called Wild & The Moon. It’s a café that offers pop-up events like yoga and mindfulness, and is indicative of a growing alternative lifestyle proposition and how people are embracing a different pace of life in Dubai. Our most recent project in the region is Bloomingdales Kuwait where we collaborated on the design with owners Al Tayer. The stores you’ll find in London or New York are increasingly being designed for people who want a specific item, and who want to get in and out, but Kuwait is very different. Cultural differences really informed the design; people spend a lot of time in store and will go shopping with their friends and family and buy together — they are seeking that reinforcement in making purchasing decisions. So we created very comfortable spaces for groups with salon-style seating areas throughout the store, and the size of the fitting rooms is much more generous than you’d see in European or US cities. The highest level of service is sustained thoroughout the region so we designed for a lot of one-on-one consultations and created spaces for that purpose, enabling interaction and dwell time. Culturally some women feel uncomfortable doing that on the shop floor and in response to that we developed a concept called Experience Beauty, a concierge service in a private suite that is by appointment only where shoppers may feel much freer removing the veil, and having their hair exposed. The consultant goes out to gather the cosmetics and fragrances you like and they will service you. You can have your hair styled and get advice on how to

layer fragrances. When doing business in the Middle East the key thing is that there are only a few big players, not as many independents. The market is controlled through those big players meaning the relationship with your client is critically important. A lot of businesses are family led and often may have automotive, construction and shipping businesses too. You have to be mindful that retail is just one arm; you want to know what their ambitions are more broadly and how you can play the best role. In the Middle East people are very passionate about what they do and have a higher purpose; it’s about bringing the best to their region, to their people. When you understand that there is so much appetite for inventiveness, bringing something new to the table, and really offering something beyond their expectations. As a designer it is incredibly rewarding to work somewhere where the culture is all about retail; you are really bringing a vitality to the region.

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Designed by UXUS, the Qela experience has its roots in travel and embodies its native country’s aesthetics of quiet, pure and natural landscapes. Photography: Adrian Haddad

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Be inspired by a diverse collection of creative retail interiors.

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beauty retail Text: Lyndsey Dennis

IN THE MIX:

BEAUTY

RETAIL Beauty retail is putting the making process in the hands of the consumer, allowing them to create unique shades and scents, and encouraging experimentation and discovery.

The sale of prestige beauty products in the UK is firmly entrenched in store, where the market reported sales of £2.2 billion in 2016 according to The NPD Group, a global information company. Sales in bricks and mortar retail grew by two per cent in 2016 compared to 2015 and demonstrates the continued importance of the in-store shopping experience. ‘There’s a continued love affair with the hands-on shopping experience and this looks set to continue,’ says June Jensen, director of NPD UK Beauty. ‘The retail sector has responded to the threat from online beauty retailers by enhancing the in-store offering. Trained consultants offer expert advice, there are also in-store events, roadshows and an interactive customer journey which not only enhances the experience it also increases footfall and retail sales. Many brands are now offering add-on services like spa treatments and makeovers. It’s something that online platforms simply can’t offer.’ David Asfour, vice president of CallisonRTKL, says in-store beauty has always been about the demonstration and application of products and services for the customer. ‘It is also a significant touch point and acts as a display to draw in other potential customers. In-store beauty has evolved in recent years to be even more focused on the customer’s experience and interactions, bringing together playfulness and experimentation alongside professional artistry and application.’

could re-create their look at home), Look Book (overview of all the latest beauty looks used during the Giorgio Armani Fashion Show) and a photo booth. Neutrogena Beauty Box, Boxpark Similarly, skincare brand Neutrogena opened a five-day pop-up at Boxpark Shoreditch in May to promote its Visibly Clear Light Therapy Acne Mask and Spot Proofing Range. The dedicated store featured modern, impactful product displays complete with bright pink lighting, neon artworks and a photo booth where shoppers could take selfies and share on social media. Benefit GlastonBrow, Glastonbury Cosmetic giant Benefit is known for taking to the road (and water with its Good Ship Benefit in 2016), and recently set up camp outside Glastonbury Festival to offer festival-goers a brows and beauty drive-thru. The brand also gave away festival essentials and encouraged people to share photos of themselves on social media inside the festival with their Benefit goodies to win a year’s supply of Benefit’s cult brow products.

Garnier Ultimate Blends Room, Soho Earlier this year L’Oreal opened The Blends Room pop-up in London’s Soho as part of a campaign to re-launch its Ultimate Blends shampoo. Shoppers took part in a Beyonce-themed workout, free hair braiding and got to take home personalised bottles of Ultimate Blends. A ‘Pose & Post’ gif booth, provided by The Flash Pack, encouraged consumers to share their experience on social media. The pop-up was designed and created by Worth Retail. Armani Box, Covent Garden Luxury makeup brand Armani Beauty popped up in Covent Garden earlier this year with a striking red coloured ‘Armani Box’. The store was very much focused on brand awareness, with free WiFi and the hashtag #armanibeauty featuring heavily. Offering a sensorial and playful experience, different coloured swatches of fabric were used to demonstrate the textures of lipsticks and eyeshadows. The pop-up store offered a complete digital experience as well: a connected mirror (personal video of a make-up session so visitors

Top: The Essence Maker Shop in Berlin was designed to encourage experimentation, allowing customers to create their own unique products. Above: Benefit set up camp outside Glastonbury Festival to offer festival-goers a brows and beauty drive-thru.

beauty retail

Essence pop-up, Berlin In celebration of its 15th anniversary, cosmetics brand Essence opened a pop-up store in Berlin. Designed by Dfrost, the Essence Maker Shop was designed to emphasise the ‘do-it-yourself’ spirit, allowing customers to create their own unique products. The pop-up encouraged experimentation, inspiration and creating individual products. There were features everywhere throughout the space that encouraged customers to take photos and share them on social media. St. Ives pop-up mixing bar, New York Skincare company St. Ives has opened a pop-up in New York, featuring a mixing bar where guests can choose from 50 ingredient combinations to create their own products. ‘Inspired by the best of nature, we’re thrilled to unveil the Mixing Bar this summer where guests can create their own unique St. Ives face scrubs and body lotions, all while learning about the benefits our ingredient-led products provide,’ says Suzanne Palentchar, St. Ives marketing director. Features include an education ingredients wall, sink stations to sample products and a mirrored infinity room with life-size apricots — the ideal selfie opportunity. Sephora Beauty TIP Workshops French beauty chain Sephora is transforming two of its New York stores into Beauty TIP (teach, inspire, play) Workshop concepts. Located on 34th Street and Fifth Avenue, in-store features will include visual artist technology on iPad stations, a digital moisture metre that measures skin moisture, Pantone Color IQ touch screens for foundation, lip and concealer shade matching, and a fragrance studio featuring InstaScent sensory technology. The 34th Street store will offer beauty workshops with more than 25 seats providing a space for education and learning. Smashbox, Bluewater Los Angeles-based beauty brand, Smashbox Cosmetics has opened its debut standalone store in the South East at Bluewater in Kent. The store recreates the look and feel of the legendary Smashbox Photo Studios in Los Angeles, where the cosmetics brand was created. ‘The fixtures and fittings are inspired by the photographer’s kit box and the furniture, studio lighting, ceiling bulkhead and cyc backdrop gives a slightly urban photography studio feel. The makeup stations have specialist adjustable lighting to enable the makeup artists to show looks within different lighting environments, offering a professional artist service,’ says Sarah Saunders, senior design manager, store planning department at Estee Lauder. Saunders says the beauty experience has evolved massively in recent years. ‘Social media and how-to videos mean customers are very clued up on products and applications. The store now needs to be a place to play and test, and our artists need to be able to offer advice on techniques, trends and individual tips to personalise your look for you. For the future we need to be designing stores that are consumer led. We need to be offering choice, expertise and validation, whilst ensuring our brand stays true to its roots. This will be a continuing evolution to keep shopping fun, exciting and rewarding.’ Duncan Hill, managing director at HL Display, agrees:

Top: Sephora is transforming two of its New York stores into Beauty TIP (teach, inspire, play) Workshop concepts. Above: Smashbox in Bluewater offers a professional artist service, mimicing the legendary Smashbox Photo Studios in Los Angeles. Below: The Garnier Blends Room pop-up offered customers a Beyonce style workout, free hair braiding and personalised bottles of Ultimate Blends.

‘Providing an interactive shopping experience is one way in which retailers can encourage consumers away from the internet and into stores. Enabling customers to handle products and see colours, feel textures and smell fragrances first hand rather than guessing from a computer screen creates a more engaging and emotional experience that will not only drive sales but also loyalty.’ Stuart Geekie, managing director at HMY Group (UK), notes the role of technology in today’s in-store beauty experience: ‘If they’re not looking for the next big thing in technology, digital savvy millennials are reaching for the next trend in health and beauty — that’s why beauty retail and digital innovation go hand in hand. This health-conscious generation expects new and exciting experiences when purchasing products — and they are unlikely to settle for anything less.’

stores of the future

FUTURE FORECAST James Breaks, associate design director at rpa:group, and Tim Manning, experience director at Swarm Group, discuss stores of the future and where technology fits in. Consultants and clients are coming to accept that the store of the future should deliver a rounded experience, meeting the aspirational needs of ever more demanding shopper generations by combining prescient consumer insight with customisation and personalisation. There are a lot of great companies out there blazing a trail of disruptive experiences such as Adidas’ Knit for You, but for those still searching for answers it will always help to take stock of, and draw upon, what they already really know. Customers fundamentally want to be loved and to have their needs met. However, the terms of engagement have changed. Now, technology has significantly fuelled change and to truly comprehend its impact we need to fully understand the ‘modern transaction’. No longer linear and much more than a tap, a swipe, or even a good old-fashioned ‘ker-ching!’ the new format transaction has the potential to permeate our very lives, both consciously and subconsciously. Transactions are now defined by a meeting of hearts and minds in pursuit of an all-important lasting impression. This throws up all sorts of questions for retailers. When it comes to brand personality and digital engagement should the CTO really be designing content? Should marketing really be specifying hardware? Should retail estates be really integrating UX? From my own consultancy experience, meeting rooms are still full of nervous shuffling and confused pointing when the question comes up as to who is driving the digital agenda. It’s clearly a problem that some of the biggest companies are struggling with on

a daily basis. In his lecture at the British Retail Consortium, Sebastian James, CEO of Dixons Carphone, implied that the answer was ‘none of the above’, and prophesied that it’s going to be the coders, the PhD data and maths graduates that are the ‘gatekeepers’ of the retail revolution. We are already starting to see this model with companies such as Farfetch and its visionary CEO Jose Neves. The Farfetch website uses a beautifully curated ‘boutique’ front end, helping luxury fashion brands sell their product across the globe, but the truly clever stuff is in the tech-fuelled integration that is driving efficiency behind the scenes within sourcing and fulfillment. So far so good, but with true insight, Neves recognises that the tactile nature of fashion retail responds to the psychological needs of customers and reinforces the importance of physical experiences. So, not content with merely creating a standard store, Farfetch has created its own flexible, physical platform for selling. The Farfetch OS concept store is a ‘plug and play’ brand showroom overflowing with tech but crucially it’s the successful integration and application of the experience that creates parity with the brand’s online presence. Strategic planning for the Store of The Future is vital, but almost more important is to acknowledge that shop staff are the most effective ambassadors for brands and possibly their most under-utilised assets. At this year’s Euroshop, there was a lot of talk about replacing shop staff with tech, ranging from smartphones to robots. However, in much the same way that the ‘death of the high street’ signalled the need to disrupt and evolve, the same applies to the role of shop staff. They

provide vital human engagement within the brand experience and act in harmony with technology, to provide the most effective experiences. Gone are the days of simply regurgitating the same old corporate melodies; staff are now mixing their own beats and generating something creative, personalised and more than the sum of its parts. Runners Point is a great example of this critical human involvement. Foot Locker’s technical running brand incorporates state-of-the art gait analysis with targeted product selection, localised running maps, run club space and in-store integration with the running app — all of which would be rendered utterly redundant without the running fanatics that form the staff base. Side-by-side selling and personal engagement reinforce retail storytelling at the most fundamental human level; if technology adds to that, even better. So, giving your brand a human face is vital, but more than ever these days we are being asked what the ROI is, not only on consultancy but also on a host of other factors, including UX. Commerciality of course is still all about the money, but how do we measure return on investment in digital integration? Clients are obviously worried about technology’s front-end costs. ‘Screens are SO expensive’ is the common complaint I hear when discussing digital engagement strategies. Well, we know that good quality screens can be expensive, but if your allencompassing idea for digital engagement is simply bombarding your customer with recycled images, you seriously need to rediscover your brand. Screens are merely

stores of the future

Below: The Amazon Go concept uses the company’s Just Walk Out technology — no queues, no tills, just grab your shopping and leave. Photo credit: Courtesy of Farfetch

Below left: The Farfetch OS concept store is a ‘plug and play’ brand showroom overflowing with tech.

a vessel for delivering the message, rather than being the message itself. Great engagement using technology is a two-way transaction, and one of those ways needs to be human. This is why Amazon Go gets it right. Despite the removal of checkout personnel, the single most human face of any retail environment, the brand delivers on its key values: ease, choice, and fulfillment supported by digital integration and intuitive interface. It fulfills brand expectations, pre-serves authenticity and retains customer trust, and most importantly, its loyalty. Brands like Farfetch and Amazon Go have demonstrated that the hardware, software and the intellect already exist to profile, target, sell and follow-up. Understanding that the tools exist allows brands to look within and decide how best to apply them. Big Data can pinpoint a single customer’s needs, identify mass retail trends and recommend smart ways to digitally engage with them. Concurrently, it can also suggest when they want physical and mental space to breathe. Sports apparel stores with dedicated yoga studios and digital-detox coffee shops without Wi-Fi — all

these disruptive spaces actually strengthen brand perception within a focused marketing strategy, and surely this is worth more than a couple of screens? Once we’ve considered these things, where does that leave us? It’s a fair assumption that joined up thinking is easy, but joined up action is where the real challenge exists. Proliferation of technology has democratised both big and small business, especially in data exchange, transaction enablement and fulfillment. Small businesses and start-ups can now compete on the same terms as retail giants. Both big and small businesses have to think cleverly about how they differentiate themselves, and it’s not about how big your bells and whistles are — it’s all about engagement. We all need to start filling our creative retail souls again, and it’s an undeniable fact that technology will help get us there. However, both empathy and electronics seem to be a difficult sell for retailers and their consultants, especially when they address the customer’s fundamental physical and psychological needs. Understanding and reflecting your customer’s needs goes a long long way

and I would advise brands not to be afraid to fail in their use of technology as every genuine attempt at authentic customer engagement has a value, even in failure. Sure, metrics can be studied, lessons learnt, strategies adjusted, but most importantly remember that with brand loyalty your customers will forgive. Not only will they forgive, but will also identify with that human quality of the brand and respond with strengthened perception. Technology is a vital part of every retail brand’s progress and development. However, as a brand owner you must always maintain a visible and tangible human perspective. When you are addressing the use of technology, both on and offline, don’t feel that you have to aim for a belt and braces revolution when in fact evolution will do nicely. Just be mindful not to lock out the very people that your brand’s existence depends upon — in fact they are its very lifeblood — the staff and the customers.

www.therpagroup.com www.swarm.group

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TECHNOLOGY ONELAN ONELAN, a global leader in digital visual communications, continues its drive into the QSR space delivering a failover solution which ensures business critical information such as menu boards, pricing and calorific values are always available for customers, without the need to invest in a redundant network of multiple back-up players, dual output players or screens. This enhancement in ONELAN’s enterprise Content Management System (CMS) further enriches the functionality of ONELAN’s System-on-Chip (SOC) and Net-Top-Box (NTB) solutions, helping to cement ONELAN’s position as one of the industry’s leading innovators in the QSR environment. T. +44 (0)1491 411 400 E: sales@onelan.com www.onelan.com Twitter: onelan_ltd

Box Technologies Cath Kidston has upgraded its point of sale (PoS) system in its London flagship store, provided by Box Technologies. ‘We’re a beacon store for the business and the new PoS suits the design-led concept of the store. As they’re touchscreen, it makes it easier for us to deal with the volumes of customers we consistently have,’ says Jo Curlewis, flagship general manager for Cath Kidston. Following the success of the implementation, Cath Kidston is looking to roll-out the Cielo Enterprise to the rest of its UK store estate. T. +44 (0)1844 264 000 E. sales@ boxtechnologies.com www.boxtechnologies.com Twitter: BoxTechnologies

Thames Card Technology Thames Card Technology has completed a project with Tesco to launch the UK’s first contactless loyalty card programme. The completely redesigned card increases security and value for customers, and gives Tesco greater brand recognition and actionable data. Several million cards are now in the hands of customers and many more will be issued over the coming months. To make the new Clubcard stand out in increasingly full wallets, a new PVC core colour was developed to match the red of the Tesco brand, contrasting with the deep blue of the face and rear of the card. T. +44 (0)1268 77 55 55 E. info@thamescardtechnology.com www.thamescardtechnology.com Twitter: ThamesCardTech

Futura Retail Solutions Morleys Stores is the first to implement Futura’s new Loyalty Card solution at its new department store in Bexleyheath, which opened in April. Squirrel Loyalty provides Morleys Bexleyheath with a real-time, points-based loyalty card solution enabling customers to earn and redeem points at departments across the store, with the benefit of personalised offers and exclusive invitations and promotions. Fully integrated with Futura’s EPOS technology, Squirrel Loyalty is expected to be deployed to other stores in the Group starting with Elys of Wimbledon, once trials at the Bexleyheath shop are completed. Squirrel Loyalty provides a flexible, easily customised solution, ensuring incentives and rewards are consistent across the business with up-to-date customer and purchase data available in real-time for analysis and email marketing promotions, based on customer preferences and purchasing data. T. +44 (0)1189 841 925 E. sales@futurauk.com www.futura4retail.co.uk Twitter: Futura_retail

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SURFACES & FINISHES Armourcoat Armourcoat polished plaster has been specified for the Leatherseller’s Hall in London by Eric Parry Architects. A central feature of the new hall is the complex spiral ovoid staircase and finely-crafted pilasters in the central Stair Hall. Originally from the old hall, the architect has imaginatively scattered the pilasters, seamlingly at random, around the ceiling and walls of the stairwell. The pilasters are placed between raised panels of Armuralia polished plaster, set as a collapsing weave —a reference to the history of the company’s seven Halls. The underside of the stairs is also finished in Armuralia polished plaster which complements the original leather collar by the Bill Amberg Studio. T. +44 (0)1732 460 668 E: sales@armourcoat.co.uk www.armourcoat.com Twitter: Armourcoat

Kirei Topo Tiles, a series of modular acoustic tiles made by Woven Image and distributed in North America by Kirei, are a simple solution for spaces where noise matters. Topo Tiles add 3D visual appeal, texture and sound absorption to any flat wall or ceiling. These tiles are available in 20 various colors in two elevated styles: Pixel and Barcode (pictured). Measuring 15.5in long x 7.75in wide, Barcode tiles can be rotated, staggered or aligned regularly to create different patterns, and the 45 per cent layered coverage adds more sound absorption and diffusion. T. +1 619-236-9924 E: info@kireiusa.com www.kireiusa.com Twitter: KireiUSA

Armourcoat At Decorex in September, Armourcoat will launch its Acoustic Plaster System designed to optimised the acoustics of interior spaces. The company will also present its hand-applied polished plaster wall finishes and the latest additions to its luxury Signature collection. Armourcoat products are made from natural minerals including recycled Italian marble, contain low or zero VOCs, and have the added confidence of a full 10-year guarantee. Decorex takes place in the grounds of Syon House in London on 17-20 September, and you can visit Decorex on stand H31. T. +44 (0)1732 460 668 E: sales@armourcoat.co.uk www.armourcoat.com Twitter: Armourcoat

William Smith The washed-out bathrooms of a busy office block have been given a fresh lease of life thanks to 3M DI NOC Architectural Films. Ideal for refreshing and refurbishing buildings, DI-NOC finishes have been used to update a five-storey shared office block washrooms, in a major refurbishment programme implemented by Portsmouth-based Wrapt. Developed by 3M as a cost-effective design solution for interior and exterior new building construction and/or refurbishment projects, around 400m of DI-NOC was required for the project, to transform the out of date, tired looking, washrooms with minimal disruption for the tenants. T. +44 (0)1833 690 305 E. info@williamsmith.co.uk www.williamsmith.co.uk Twitter: William_Smiths

Insight Piece

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THE ALTERNATIVE LAMINATE Advanced Technical Panels, part of the James Latham Group, has just announced that it has become the exclusive UK and Eire distributor for AE Core, an inspirational new collection of innovative thermoplastic laminate boasting a number of unique advantages in just one material.

Easy to cut and machine with conventional wood working machinery, it will flex and form curves with very little resistance and it is easy to post-form without the need for specialist machinery, and because it has a solid colour throughout the core, you don’t get unsightly joint lines.

A completely new and alternative concept in decorative laminate, AE Core offers designers an option which they have not previously had available. In addition to conventional flat lamination, it can easily be thermoformed or vacuum formed to a desired shape, allowing almost limitless design possibilities. Plus, it also features outstanding high wear resistance, a fire-retardant rating and a solid core.

Andrew Laverick, Product Manager for Advanced Technical Panels explained, “The extensive AE Core portfolio complements our existing decorative surface offering perfectly. One of its distinctive characteristics is its extreme versatility. Available in a wide range of surface textures, designs and colours, AE Core can be customised according to the project, thanks to innovative techniques such as OLED 3D printing or the embossed-inregister technology, which enhances the wood effect.

Created and manufactured in the worldwide capital of design, Milan, the range comes in countless finishes, from traditional, beautiful and realistic wood grains to striking metal effects, making it the ideal material for covering almost any internal surface.

environments, as well as retail, hospitality, education and commercial spaces, plus, thanks to the possibility of bactericidal surfaces, it is also suitable for the healthcare sector.” Please visit: www.lathamtimber.co.uk for more information or contact marketing@lathams.co.uk or call: 0116 257 3415

“And because it resists scratches and moisture, the applications are almost limitless making it perfect for kitchen, bathroom and bedroom furniture in residential

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FLOORING Karndesign Designflooring Flooring from Karndean Designflooring has featured as part of the newly designed stores for menswear brand, Best Menswear in Ireland. The retailer opted for Karndean’s Opus Stone and Knight Tile for the remodelling of its stores in Swords Pavilions, Blanchards Town Shopping Centre, and Stillorgan Shopping Centre, revealing a fresh, striking design that befits an outlet providing high quality international brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Lacoste. Co-designed by Store Design and Best Menswear’s in-house team, the sophisticated, masculine space reflects the retailer’s strong heritage and expertise in formal menswear and is designed to provide a smooth shopping experience for customers. Establishing a workable yet premium experience was important and Opus Mico and Knight Tile Aged Oak form the ideal contrasting combination to create a modern, subtle design with an edge, with Mico’s popular pale poured concrete look with hints of marbled pattern alongside the rich chocolate tones of the highly realistic Aged Oak wood effect. Incorporating the idea that the shopping experience should be as smart and sleek as the clothes, Store Design and Best Menswear finished the renovation with merchandising stands in dark truffle timber and umbra grey metal work, as well as LED lighting to show off the various displays. T. +44 (0)1386 820 104 E: commercial@karndean.co.uk www.karndean.com Twitter: KarndeanComm

Havwood

Polyflor

Havwoods has introduced seven new plank designs to its popular Henley collection. A fashion-forward product with plenty of character, Henley is the ideal floor covering for those who desire a beautifully textured board, with all the strength and durability of an engineered construction. Featuring a superior quality European oak lamella, this high performance plank offers customers a durable and long-lasting surface that also delivers on visual appeal.

Polyflor has announced the relaunch of two high design luxury vinyl tile collections within the renowned Expona brand family — Expona Commercial PUR and Expona Simplay PUR. With a total of 75 exciting new designs added to these updated collections, the Expona Commercial luxury vinyl tile collection and the Expona Simplay range of loose lay luxury vinyl tiles are designed to bring style and robust performance to high traffic commercial interiors in the retail sector. The Expona Commercial range now features 80 inspiring wood, stone and abstract effect designs, 55 of which are new additions to the collection. The Expona Simplay collection of loose lay vinyl tiles and planks now offers 40 authentic wood, stone and textile effects presented in an adhesive-free, ready to lay product designed to reduce installation time.

T. +44 (0)1524 737 000 E. info@havwoods.co.uk www.havwoods.co.uk Twitter: havwoods

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

MAKE AN IMPRESSION With our super range of Flooring. Featuring high performing products that offer an unmatched level of performance, longevity and quality.

Call us now to find out more on 01985 218994 or visit www.jaymart.co.uk Jaymart Rubber & Plastics Ltd.

Roman Way, Crusader Park, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 8SP

Mats and Floors

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FLOORING Tarkett iD Mixonomi from Tarkett has won the coveted Red Dot Award: Product Design 2017, competing against participants from 54 countries with around 5,500 products and innovations. Created for architects and designers, iD Mixonomi is a new Modular Vinyl tile flooring range that makes custommade interior environments possible. Built upon the principle of combining colours, shapes and patterns, iD Mixonomi is an intuitive tool to create personalised and tailored flooring installations, from timeless patterns to the most vibrant collages, There are 33 colours and 10 shapes to play with. T. +44 (0)1622 854 000 E: ukretail@tarkett.com www.professionals.tarkett.co.uk Twitter: TarkettUK

Gradus Contract interiors specialist Gradus has supplied Esplanade 6000 primary barrier matting to The Gate leisure and entertainment centre in Newcastle upon Tyne. As part of The Gate’s £3.5 million investment programme, Gradus’ Esplanade 6000 primary barrier matting in closed construction with Boulevard 6000 wipers in Nightfall was installed at various entrances to the complex, providing an ideal matting solution for the busy leisure and retail environment. It gives the entrance a sleek, modern and professional appearance to visitors entering The Gate. T. +44 (0)1625 428 922 E. imail@gradus.com www.gradus.com Twitter: Gradus_World

Forbo Flooring Forbo has refreshed its popular Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) collection Allura, introducing new tile shapes and sizes that are ideal for use across the retail market. New to the collection are 180cm x 32cm giant oak planks, 1m x 1m tiles, small 50cm x 15cm planks and Hungarian Point planks cut on a 45o angle allowing realistic herringbone and chevron designs to be created. There are new marble options, and in Forbo’s largest ‘wood’ offer to date there are new contemporary solids and more planks than ever, with in-register embossing to bring designs to life. T. +44 (0)844 822 3928 E: info.flooring.uk@forbo.com www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/allura Twitter: forboflooringUK

Atrafloor Atrafloor is taking the rough luxe look to pastel places in the form of a new range called Ice Cream Industrial. Introducing Bonbon, Mint, Vanille and Coal — the soft and stylish new brick designs in Atrafloor’s Ice Cream Industrial Collection, featuring a pale, refreshing palette inspired by ice cream colours and flavours. Atrafloor is a specialist in custom printed and bespoke vinyl flooring, bringing never seen before design solutions to the world of flooring. Simple and easy to install, the flooring is stylish, durable and practical. T. +44 (0)151 305 7376 E. contact@atrafloor.com www.atrafloor.com

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SIGNAGE & DISPLAY Signwaves Signwaves has expanded its café barrier range by introducing the cost effective stainless steel alternative, the Adfresco LT. The new stanchions (pole) and base offering has the same ‘top clip’ mechanism as the original Adfresco units, and is used in conjunction with the top cross rail for banner fit. To allow for further savings the new LT only comes with bottom bungee tethers to secure the banner into place. The Adfresco LT has a low profile base with a weight of 10kg, however it still benefits from being concrete filled and therefore provides superb stability. T. +44 (0)1493 419 300 E: enquiries@signwaves.co.uk www.signwaves.co.uk Twitter: Signwaves_Ltd

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

DURABLE (UK) Using a tablet as a POS system provides a mobile platform for the seamless presentation of product and customer sales information. Durable’s versatile TABLET HOLDER range is a sophisticated design solution that can be used to present tablets in stores, showrooms and any customer facing business. TABLET HOLDER WALL is a sleek wall fixture providing a flexible and unobtrusive information point in high traffic areas. With simple assembly and one-handed operation, tablets can be placed and removed with ease, however the tablet can be secured into place via a locking system which prevents theft during use. T. +44 (0)1202 897 071 E. customeroperations@durable-uk.com www.durable-uk.com Twitter: durableuk

Anchor Magnets Attract is a multifunction, double or single-sided magnetic display system, designed for use throughout a retail environment. The versatile nature of Attract allows it to be installed as a free-standing, wall-mounted or suspended unit. Attract contains an internal magnetic surface housed within an elegant, sleek frame. The magnetic surface works in conjunction with printed ferrous media such as digifilm, which is overlaid onto the magnetic surface. Displays to be quickly and easily changed or updated, and promotional messaging to be added instantly. T. +44 (0)114 244 1171 E. sales@anchormagnets.com www.anchormagnets.com Twitter: AnchorMagnets

RETAIL

Clements Retail specialise in building exceptional retail environments and have a history of working with the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top retailers, such as Aelia Duty Free and Christian Louboutin.

Clements POS are dedicated in creating exceptional Point of Sale, Point of Purchase and Permanent Merchandising solutions for UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premium FMCG brands, such as: KraftHeinz, Innocent and Samsung.

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

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

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LIGHTING acdc acdc has supplied its Blade wall grazing linear LED luminaire to two new restaurants in Ipswich — Frankie & Bennys and Chiquito — part of The Restaurant Group. As part of expansion plans, the two restaurants required an external lighting scheme that would match the fun and vibrant nature of both brands, which could be rolled out to their stores nationwide. Working closely with Harper Signs, acdc created the best lighting solution for both installations and it was agreed the Blade perfectly matched the key brief criteria. T. +44 (0)845 862 6400 E: sales@acdclighting.co.uk www.acdclighting.co.uk Twitter: acdcled

Megaman UK Megaman’s LEDs were specified for global fashion brand United Colors of Benetton’s new store in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Creating a bright interior was key to the overall concept. It was considered that MEGAMAN’s ZEKI multi-head gimbal luminaires, together with other specified products, would meet the challenge of creating an even and bright distribution of light. Megaman’s ZEKI luminaire was also the first choice for the Benetton shop due to its modular frame and multi-directional tilting, which lends itself to easy adjustment. T. +44 (0)1707 386 000 E: marketing@megamanuk.com www.megamanuk.com Twitter: MegamanUKltd

Megaman UK Megaman has launched its latest integrated LED batten. The Tono collection offers a modern, chic alternative to the traditional T5 and T8 fluorescent luminaires, providing flexible installation and exceptional energy efficiency. The slim profile — just 24mm in depth — ensures the Tono collection is suitable for both general and task lighting. The Tono LED battens are available in three different options, 16W, 38W and 48W, producing up to 4,500 lumens with colour temperature options of 3,000K and 4,000K. Megaman’s most recent LED batten offers a 35,000-hour lamp life, a considerable increase when compared with the traditional fluorescent T5 and T8 tube alternatives. Tono LED batten units are completely integrated, removing the need to wire multiple elements during the installation process. The concealed clip system at the back of the batten allows for quick and precise mounting to the wall or chosen surface, enhancing the ease of the installation. T. +44 (0)1707 386 000 E: marketing@megamanuk.com www.megamanuk.com Twitter: MegamanUKLtd

Hacel Lighting Designed and manufactured in the UK by Hacel, the Aleda range of ported downlighters offers maximum versatility to a host of lighting scenarios. Available in Solo, Duet or Trio formats with a refined and discreet semi-recessed port, the distinctive luminaires are aesthetically designed with the inclusion of Aleda downlighters, offering excellent pan and tilt adjustment further enhancing the products outstanding appeal. Available in a choice of lumen outputs, delivering up to 5,029 lumens per Aleda head, including efficacies up to 127 lm/W, the Aleda range features the latest single point LED modules and converters, with a life expectancy in excess of 60,000 hours (L70, B10) and colour stability within 3 MacAdams. T. +44 (0)191 280 9911 E: sales@hacel.co.uk www.hacel.co.uk Twitter: Hacel1

Retail Focus Sloan Advert Outlines.indd 1

11/07/2017 15:43:46

lighting

focus on LIGHTING

Lighting is a powerful tool in store design, used to highlight products, guide customers and complement displays. Here we bring you a mix of solutions, from shelf-lit displays to lightboxes, all utilising the benefits of LED.

New kid on the block The latest mini-collection from Zumtobel brings together creative solutions with real technological innovation. The editions – extended collection comprises four high quality products — TECTON Balanced White, CRAFT Balanced White, CRAFT RAW, and COESA — and has been designed for projects with special requirements and new challenges.

www.zumtobel.com

VIP treatment Applelec supported corporate branding specialist Nebula Creative in the design and installation of two rock ‘n’ roll lightboxes for the Black and White Lounge at the VIP bar in Leeds, pairing SloanLED PosterBOX 3 LED modules with a textile framing system. The display features around 240 classic album covers from artists who have played the venue, incorporated into two large-format lightboxes — one almost 10m long and the second just under five metres long — both with a textile frame.

www.applelec.co.uk

The big picture Design agency arken P-O-P has installed banks of Slimlite LED lightboxes in the lobby of Empire Cinema’s new complex in Ipswich. The lightboxes display both original film posters of cinema classics including Pulp Fiction and Close Encounters, alongside those promoting the latest theatrical releases. The lightboxes create a great focal point and have been designed to capture the eye of cinema-goers who share Empire Cinema’s love of film. ‘Aside from the iconic poster displays, they also provide the opportunity to showcase what’s coming next to the cinema in a way that stands out. In this method, they add to the business side of customer retention,’ says Paul Smart, business development director for arken’s graphic display division,

www.arken-pop.com

lighting

Hanging tough MX Display printed and installed ceiling hung LED illuminated rings and signage for the launch of Feast Street at The Mall in Luton. Each ring was made up using MX Display’s FabriFrame system, dye sublimation printing and silicone stitched around the edge. The rings were illuminated using LEDs on all four sides, including upward and downward lit. Each ring stood 800mm tall with a 300mm thickness of which 200mm was made up of the LEDs.

www.mxdisplay.co.uk

On the edge The EVOLVE collection is exclusively available through retail shelving products and shopfitting accessories specialist Nabco. The company’s aim was to provide a safe, simple, low energy lighting solution for the highly acclaimed Evolve S50i shelving range. Nabco’s challenge was to design a plug ‘n’ play product that could be installed in minutes, without the need for electricians. With fast, easy magnetic application, all wires and fixings are hidden out of sight. These LED shelf lighting systems are low cost, low maintenance, and suitable for new and retrofitted installations.

www.nabcouk.com

Ring the changes Sonneman’s new Light Guide Ring collection, designed by Robert Sonneman, uses the same technology and engineering powering as smartphone screens to offer glare-free LED illumination. After undergoing a rigorous engineering process, Sonneman and his team discovered the precise locations for Light Guide Ring’s extraction points to balance the light output across the surface of the disk, ensuring a glare and reflection-free radiance. From a single source at the edge of the ring, LED light is emitted through that intricate pattern of precisely engineered extraction points across the surface of an acrylic disc, which floats within an aluminum ring of various cluster sizes. Available in satin white and satin black with either an apricot or satin white interior, the Light Guide Ring is offered in both pendant and sconce options.

www.sonnemanawayoflight.com

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 UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

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

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

directory

Display

Display - DIGITAL

FURNITURE

Durable have been one of Europe’s largest business supplies manufacturers for almost 100 years. We’re pioneers in developing and producing innovative solutions designed for retail from literature displays and POS to signage and display solutions.

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.

T. 01202 897 071 E. customeroperations@durable-uk.com W. www.durable-uk.com S. www.twitter.com/durableuk

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 - 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.

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

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

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

pop/pos

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

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

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

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

T. 01202 897 071 E. customeroperations@durable-uk.com W. www.durable-uk.com S. www.twitter.com/durableuk

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

Literature Display

Maintenance

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

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

T. 01202 897 071 E. customeroperations@durable-uk.com W. www.durable-uk.com S. www.twitter.com/durableuk

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

signage

pop up

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

Retail Consultancy

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_

slatwall

VM TOOLS AND TRAINING

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

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

Q&A

STEVE MORRIS Following the opening of The White Company’s first store in the USA, Steve Morris, people & retail director, discusses plans for the brand’s second US store, its customer base and how the role of bricks and mortar stores has changed.

RF. What was your career path to becoming people & retail director at The White Company? SM. I started in BHS working at weekends. I was actually studying to be a baker when I got offered a trainee management course. I was running my first store at 20 for Miss Selfridge and then went on to be general manager at one of GAP’s flagship stores on Oxford Street. I moved into field roles at M&S and held a number of different positions before ending up in head office. I then took a role at Topshop/Topman as regional manager for the South. This then led to me being approached about the role at The White Company as retail director. I did this for three years and then was asked to do the people part too. RF. What does your role involve? SM. M y role splits into three main areas. The people part covers everything people related, from developing our attraction strategy to driving our comms and engagement plan. The retail part involves me creating the long-term growth strategy for our retail estate, whilst also ensuring our teams are developed and most importantly are delivering a great customer experience for our customers. My role also sees me spend a lot of time working alongside my colleagues on the operating board developing our long-term strategy for the business. It’s such an exciting role which has so many different strands. RF. Who is The White Company customer? SM. The TWC customer covers such a wide range of classifications; We have our core 40+ customer who is shopping for herself, her home and her family, but we also have some other segments. Many young professionals enter the brand buying their first great quality bedlinens from us. We have a huge gifting business particularly with our fragrance and baby departments. I remember the first time I shopped the brand as a young man buying my mum a winter candle for Christmas. RF. What are you working on at the moment? SM. H aving just opened our first store in New York City a few weeks ago we are now straight onto getting ready for our second store in the USA which opens in Short Hills shopping center early November. We also have the relocation of our Guildford store to do, and will be opening in Kildare in October. I’ve also just launched our new company culture at our leadership conference and the team and I are really busy supporting the business embedding these new values and behaviours. It’s a really exciting time at the moment and with our new CEO Mary Homer starting I’m also working on creating a great first 100 days induction plan.

RF. Why was it important to have a presence in the USA and New York City specifically? SM. A fter many years of talking about taking the plunge and having our first international store, we agreed about 18 months ago that the USA was the right market to do this in. New York was an obvious location for our first store. That said we launched our USA website three years ago and the results from this gave us a really strong positive indicator that the brand would work in the USA. This also gave us a great knowledge of where our customers live in the USA and what they were shopping before we opened. RF. How has the role of the bricks and mortar store changed? SM. R etail is always changing and this is just another period of time where the disrupters have made the bricks and mortar model evolve. Technological advances have made it much easier for us. The web is clearly a factor that has diverted traffic, and the convenience factor is clearly one of the things that makes this channel a preferred choice for many. That said the thing stores still offer and the area that I feel has had to evolve the most is the in-store experience. Our stores are sensory and customers love this element of the brand — touch, smell and inspire play such a key part for us and stores have really had to up their game to keep customers coming back. The other element, and one I believe most important, is the human element; giving great customer service has never been so important and we have really focused on this over the past few years. It’s a really key part that again bricks and mortar can offer that the web can’t. RF. What’s next for The White Company? SM. T he business has an exciting time ahead with our new CEO just starting and some pretty ambitious growth plans. We have to move offices early next year so finding new office space is top of the list at moment. Our product teams also have some great new things in the pipeline and we have more new stores to open next year.

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