Retail Focus Magazine July 2015 by Retail Focus

a spritz of

Ice Crystal Spray www.mtfx.com/vm

Wider world

20-21

Ted Baker & Moore is the brand’s latest store concept, designed to shine a light on the wider offering of Ted Baker, nestled in the heart of East London at 132 Commercial Street.

29 Beauty retail

London focus

Regulars 33

55 Design & shopfiting

VM Focus supplement

Leader

20-27 Project Focus

Ted Baker: The Cambridge Satchel Company: Nickelodeon

Diary

11-13 News

14-15 Window shopping

Inspiring window displays from around the globe.

16 19

Top of the POPS Karl McKeever Karl looks at the brands that built our cities.

Opinion

Craig Phillipson, managing director and founder of Shopworks, offers sound advice for brands expanding overseas.

67 Focus on: Lighting

Q&A

We chat to David Elliott, business development director at Voisins, Jersey’s largest department store, about his career journey and the store’s beauty department redesign.

P roducts Products and services for the retail industry.

www.retail-focus.co.uk

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The leading event for innovation and inspiration in RETAIL DESIGN, VISUAL MERCHANDISING, MARKETING & SHOPFITTING is doubling in size and filling up fast! Your unique opportunity to: • • • • •

Generate qualified targeted leads Secure new business Increase existing business Promote awareness for your company Be seen as a leader in the industry

“It was, without a doubt, the best Show we have exhibited at in 20 years – in terms of the volume and, crucially, the quality of leads we picked up. We will definitely be back next year.” Mike Houghton, Marketing Director, CJ Retail Solutions

With 80% rebooked, space is going fast and we expect to sell out well before the show! Act now to avoid disappointment. Call Rachel or Michelle on +44 (0) 208 874 2728 or email rachel@retaildesignexpo.com Co-located with

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July ‘15 In the fiercely competitive sector of beauty retail, achieving stand out is key. The emphasis is on getting customers to try the product. There’s a whole host of elements to consider when designing beauty retail spaces, such as tweaking the lighting so that it doesn’t affect the colour of make-up, to keeping units tidy due to the dust created by customers trying out testers. Turn to page 29-30 to hear from some designers all too familiar with this type of environment. We look at collaborative working between retailer, shopfitter and designer on pages 55-57. Simon Campbell, managing director of fit-out specialist Portview, sums it up: ‘Collaboration between all the specialists on a fit-out project is essential. No project can succeed unless the professionals work together to realise the retailer’s investment and bring the designer’s vision for the outlet to life on time, on budget and to a quality standard.’ We bring you some of the planned retail sites for London. Battersea Power Station looks set to be a key retail destination for the capital, as part of the Nine Elms redevelopment. Phase 1 of the iconic former power station revamp will open towards the end of 2016. You can read more about this and many other projects in the capital on pages 58-59. This issue features a dedicated VM Focus supplement, starting on P33. On pages 39-40, Gemma Balmford looks at the role of exhibitions within brand recognition, and on 45-46 we explore resourceful VM. There’s no harm in being clever with budgets and creating inspiring displays by recycling items and reusing props, mannequins and fittings.

Lyndsey Dennis Editor

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Photographer: Jill Tate

Life on Foot Design Museum, London Runs until 1 November 2015 Life on Foot marks the 40th anniversary of creative Spanish footwear brand Camper, with an exhibition that provides an insight of how a shoe collection is researched, created and presented — from the carving of the last to the graphics on the box. Life on Foot uses some of Camper’s most recognisable styles —Pelotas, Himalayan, Twins and Wabi —as lenses through which to explore the design, manufacturing and history of this independent family-run business whose products are purchased in their millions worldwide. DesignMuseum

www.designmuseum.org

Autumn Fair International NEC, Birmingham 6-9 September 2015

London Design Festival London, Citywide 19-27 September 2015

100% Design Olympia London 23-26 September 2015

Autumn Fair International offers product sourcing opportunities for Christmas and for early previews of spring 2015 ranges. The show will include Retail Shop, a new area where visitors can engage with key industry figures offering expert technical guidance on topics such as shop design, product display and in-store solutions.

First staged in 2003, the London Design Festival is one of the world’s most important annual design events. The festival programme is made up of more than 350 events and exhibitions staged by hundreds of partner organisations across the design spectrum and from around the world.

100% Design is the largest and longest running contemporary design event for industry professionals in the UK. For 2015 the show has a new venue, Olympia London, and show concept. The show is defined by four key industry sections: Interiors, Workplace, Kitchens & Bathrooms and Design & Build.

SpringAutFair

www.autumnfair.com

@L_D_F

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designlondon

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ANNOUNCING

TA B L E S & T I C K E T S Recognising & celebrating the work of our innovative and talented industry, the 11th VM & Display Awards will this year be held on the 19th November 2015 at the exclusive Bloomsbury Big Top in London. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great opportunity to attend an event at this very special location. But tables and tickets sell out very quickly so please contact us as soon as possible.

ENTRY SUBMISSIONS Your chance to join the industry Hall of Fame. Projects are free to enter and can be submitted by retailers or suppliers. All projects dated between 1st August 2014 and 1st August 2015 are eligible. The deadline for entries is 14th August 2015. See the full list of categories and requirements on our website.

T: 01 9 45 420 0 6 8 | E: EN Q U I RI E S @ RVMW W.COM | @VM DIS PL AYAWAR DS | VMAN DDIS PL AY.COM TH U RS DAY 19TH NOVE M B E R 2015 AT TH E B LOOM S B U RY B IG TOP LON DON

news

Raining chairs at Selfridges Last month, Selfridges installed the Re-Work It centrepiece in its Oxford Street store. Dubbed the ‘rain of chairs’, the centrepiece was the result of more than 90 artists, designers and personalities – including the likes of Cara Delevingne, Paul Smith and Jasmine Guinness – each reinventing the iconic Ernest Race BA2 chair and donating the recreated chair to The Art Room. All 90+ chairs cascaded down Selfridges’ central atrium in an installation that measured 32m x 14m, dropping vertically from the ceiling of the London store. All the chairs were auctioned off, with all proceeds going to The Art Room.

Topshop Oxford Circus transformed into giant playland Topshop recently tranformed its Oxford Circus flagship into a giant playland, with inflatables, games, prizes and treats galore for customers. Outside, huge inflatables adorned the store frontage, conceived by set designer Rachel Thomas, as well as a giant arcade claw that filled the entire window. A world first, the game was activated and controlled by Twitter, with lots of prizes up for grabs including everything from make-up treats to a £500 shopping spree. Inside, the fun continued with a fashion twist on iconic arcade games such as Zoltar who read your fashion

future, Ms Pac Man and the Penny Pusher. Customers could collect tokens to play as they shopped. The flagship also featured a ‘tweet for treats’ vending machine that dispensed goodies all weekend as well as giant lollipops and candy floss giveaways throughout the store. Topman’s entire window was taken over by a giant video arcade screen, and on the second floor shoppers could play to become ‘King of the Hammer’ in a giant version of the popular game. Everyone who played went home with some sort of prize, and if they hit the jackpot they could win a £100 voucher.

news

In brief... UK Point of Sale is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. To celebrate, the company has created a timeline on its website to showcase its achievements during the years. The British Retail Consortium has launched a new brand identity, designed by We Launch. As the retail landscape evolves, it was important for the BRC to refresh its own brand so that it continues to stand at the forefront of such an exciting, diverse and dynamic industry. The Shop and Display Equipment Association (SDEA) has published a new guide for 2015/2016. Buyers can select from more than 100 leading designers, manufacturers and suppliers of specialist retail display products and services. A free copy is available to the first 50 readers who call 01883 348 911 or who mention Retail Focus when emailing directory@sdea.co.uk RBTE has announced a major new development with the launch of the eCommerce Quarter at the 2016 RBTE exhibition. The eCommerce Quarter will be a major show within a show at RBTE featuring 50+ stands that will be devoted exclusively to eCommerce vendors. The new space will also host an eCommerce Conference Theatre.

Westfield London to expand The Village luxury quarter Westfield has announced a multi-million pound investment in the expansion of its luxury shopping area, The Village at Westfield London. The plans will see a number of stores expand, new luxury names open and existing retailers relocate to larger spaces. The refurbishment will see fashion brand Versace increase its presence with three stores in Westfield London, including two new stores in The Village - Versace and Versus Versace. Following the success of its pop-up store at Westfield London, shoppers will now be able to visit the first permanent Versus Versace store in the UK. Other new retailers arriving in autumn 2015 will include Sandro, Jigsaw, Zadig and Voltaire and Claudie Pierlot. In addition, Whistles will be opening a new enlarged store later this year. Hackett has recently completed a refit and opened an impressive new store. Café Concerto has relocated to a larger space, creating an exciting new dining concept in The Village, and Georg Jenson has opened a new store. The Village enhancements also include the launch of a new personal styling service, The Fashion Lounge, located on the second floor of The Village. Expert stylists will be on hand and a range of beauty treatments will also be available from The Fashion Lounge.

Marks & Spencer opens largest franchise store

Marks & Spencer has opened its largest UK franchise store at London Waterloo. The full line store offers 464 sq m of general merchandise space as well as a 418 sq m food hall. The store is the retailer’s second station site to sell both food and clothing – the general merchandise section sells womenswear, menswear and lingerie. It’s also the first station site to offer the retailer’s Shop Your Way service, including two touch screen ordering points to order from M&S.com in-store, providing customers with the full M&S offering.

Vitra and Camper launch pop-up Architect Diébédo Francis Kére has designed a pop-up project on the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein, Germany as a joint venture between Vitra and Camper. The pop-up, located in the Dome on the campus, has been designed in conjunction with the Making Africa exhibition at the Vitra Design Museum and will also enable the project partners to explore experimental ideas for new retail concepts, which aim to make shopping a true experience and stengthen the relationship between the brand and its customers. For example, visitors to the Dome will be able to access digital information about the specific models along with the background details on their design. Another feature is the scanner that takes precise measurements of a customer’s feet. The resulting data not only determines the optimal fit for a pair of shoes, visitors can also order a customised insole based on their individual foot shape. The scanned data can then be used for subsequent online purchases from Camper.

news

Heal’s opens co-working cafe at Tottenham Court Road site

Heal’s has collaborated with Forge & Co to introduce a new co-working cafe at its Tottenham Court Road store. Situated on the first floor, Forge & Co at Heal’s offers a rejuvenating, creative hub combining co-working space for customers and local residents with a lounge bar and a British brasserie - named The Canteen, in tribute to the site’s original use as an eatery for Heal’s workers. Forge & Co at Heal’s reinforces the social working phenomenon where professional and leisure activities meet, allowing people to exchange and grow ideas together in a stimulating, collaborative working environment. Architect Moxey Associates has created a contemporary, multi-functioning space, encompassing co-working, meeting, dining and lounging zones. ‘Nestled within the comforts of the Heal’s store, the new café is designed not only to be a hub within the Heal’s building but also a retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the West End. The overall aesthetic is relaxed and comfortable, using carefully selected pieces from the Heal’s furniture and lighting range to create a classic style with a fresh, modern twist,’ says Simon Moxey of Moxey Associates.

Burberry opens cafe and gifting area at its Regent Street store Burberry has expanded its global flagship at 121 Regent Street in London to create an exclusive area for gifting. The new space also features an all-day cafe that offers an entirely British menu. The gifting area houses a seasonally updated collection of gifts created for the store alongside an assortment of existing products centred around home, stationery and travel items. Gifts can be personalised in a number of ways including embroidery and leather embossing performed by hand by skilled craftsmen based in the store. Items can be wrapped at stations located within the space, with a wide selection of exclusive printed and solid ribbons available for customers to choose from, as well as personalised gift cards from paper embossing machines in-store.

Tiffany & Co launches Fifth & 57th installation Tiffany & Co. celebrated its new store installation at Selfridges earlier this month by creating an immersive experience that took visitors on a magical stroll down Fifth Avenue, New York. Called Fifth & 57th and located at Old Selfridges Hotel on Orchard Street behind Selfridges department store, the installation explored the corner of Fifth and 57th where Tiffany’s iconic New York flagship is located, recreating the energy and excitement of the city where Tiffany was founded in 1837. Visitors entered through a Subway turnstyle. Hundreds of boxes created a skyline of buildings, with light projections recreating Manhattan’s bustling street life. The flagship’s store front featured window displays by the legendary Gene Moore,

who designed the brand’s windows from 1955 through to 1994. The area included a bench under a beautiful magnolia tree – a prominent motif in the stained glass masterworks of Louis Comfort Tiffany, son of the company’s founder and a leading American designer

of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A master engraver offered complimentary hand engraving of Tiffany jewellery purchased at Selfridges during the run of the exhibition. Visitors could also stop for a drink at Charlie’s and grab free coffee and pretzels from a side cart.

visual merchandising

Window shopping Inspiring window displays from around the globe

Oasis C Colour worked alongside Oasis to produce its international summer scheme to support the retailer’s collaboration with the V&A Museum. Prints in the Oasis V&A Collection were the team’s inspiration for the window scheme. To highlight the brand’s second collaboration of the season with Gandys flip flops, along with the Gandys brother’s Orphans for Orphans charity, C Colour produced vintage-inspired printed suitcases, which were used as in-store displays for the flip flops. For both collaborations, C Colour produced and installed bespoke displays for Argyll St, the brand’s flagship London store, in addition to the scheme rolled out across all stores internationally.

Debenhams PLANarama helped Debenhams add some neon details to illuminate its crisp white window scheme. Each window had a different theme: White House based around homewares, White Wash for washing, Great White for a holiday/ swimwear theme and White Noise where mannequins were adorned with lit-up headphones. Sheets of MDF were CNC cut into basic shapes and outlines were made with LED lighting.

Gap Gap’s June hanging tees and colourful risers windows were created by SFD and displayed in the retailer’s flagship windows thoughout the USA. The coloured risers were designed flat packed so they could then be assembled in store. The large and graphic risers could hold the weight of two mannequins and created impact in the scheme.

Pitti Uomo88 At Pitti Uomo88 in Italy, a specialist in men’s clothing and accessories, Arte Vetrina Project worked on engaging both visual and auditory senses, adding an auditory component to strengthen the connection between what is heard and what is seen. This interactive window display represents the male line, giving a contemporary taste to Roy Roger’s archive and tradition. See more window installations on the blog:

www.retail-focus.co.uk/blog 14

visual merchandising

Ben Sherman Lucky Fox has collaborated on Ben Sherman’s Brighton Rock theme, inspired by the brand’s iconic roots and a trip to the British seaside. The collection captures the colour and feel of a walk along the seafront, so Lucky Fox loaded up on bespoke printed deckchairs (lifted from one of its shirt designs) and took them down to the pebble ‘beach’ installed in each store window. Oversized Brighton Pier backdrops and bespoke seated mannequins completed the scheme.

Jack Wills C Colour produced this patriotic window vinyl scheme for Jack Wills to promote its Young Brits competition. The vinyl was designed inhouse and rolled out nationally to all of the retailer’s UK locations, In addition to the vinyl, the Jack Wills flagship windows in Covent Garden and Soho were hand-painted by the VM team including a huge 8m-wide Union Jack at the top of the Long Acre store.

Vivienne Westwood StudioXAG designed, produced and installed this Mad Hatter’s Tea Party scheme in Vivienne Westwood’s flagship Conduit Street store in London. The windows celebrated the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and the launch of the new edition with a cover redesigned by Dame Vivienne Westwood.

Selfridges As part of Selfridges’ Work-It campaign from April - June, Propability created this window based on what children aspire to be when they’re older. Selfridges worked with a local school where children created designs in 2D, which illustrated what their ambitions were. Selfridges then selected the designs for the window, and Propability produced 3D sculptures, with the company’s scenic artist replicating the childrens’ original artwork.

POP

p o t POPS e h t f o

Company Mad About Design

Client Christian Dior Parfums

Display title Miss Dior & Dior Homme mall site

Sector Fragrance

Location Westfield London

The brief Mad About Design was commissioned by Dior to design and build a site for Westfield London with a main structure that can be easily re-used and adapted for different launches. The structure was made to co-promote Miss Dior and Dior Homme fragrances on a single site for a month-long pop-up promotion with Boots.

The result The main tower unit housed four screens playing the TV adverts and was surrounded by black powder coated metal frames with coloured LED lights inset in channels, and illuminated Dior logos. Tables sat on each corner of the site to encourage testing and held a locked storage space for stock. All elements were made in compliance with health and safety regulation applicable in shopping centres.

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Q&A column

Karl McKeever The mass movement of consumers from the high street to online shopping has been well documented in recent years. One negative effect of this and something that has affected everyone, not just the retailers, is the lack of new retail landmarks that act as focal points in our towns and cities. The great department stores of the last century — Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty — were the internet shopping innovations of their day. They opened up a world of goods and products that were previously unavailable, all under one roof. With the opening of these huge stores there was a desire that they be built as cathedrals to retailing, in buildings that befit their grand nature. In order to introduce and market themselves to the consumer, retailers created their own landmarks of architectural significance. In recent years, consumerism and the ease of purchasing goods from brands, both foreign and domestic, have subdued the excitement of a new store coming to town. Twenty-five years ago, the idea of Selfridges or Harvey Nichols opening in a city outside of London would have been met with hysteria amongst shoppers, and as such the stores’ buildings would have to be grand enough to meet expectation. Just look at the space that Selfridges occupies in Birmingham’s Bullring mall; it’s an interesting architectural destination within its own right. Today, new examples are few and far between. Retail tenants to third party landlords have overtaken the desire for proprietary property ownership. Our towns and cities are no longer individual or recognisable. Anonymous retail schemes and shopping centres have created a deluge of flat-pack high street stores, each as indefinite as the next. Consumers can purchase any item they desire online; they don’t need to wait for a store to open near them to make it convenient to purchase its goods. Building a citydefining structure isn’t required to introduce a retailer to a new consumer base. Whilst this is a sign of the times, a knock-on effect of the digital revolution and a keenness from retailers to roll out uniform brand messaging across all of their stores, it does feel to me as though some level of community integration has been lost. The process of branding through architecture created destinations, landmarks and

meeting points in a city. They formed part of everyday conversation and gave areas of the country their own distinctive identity. In the same way that today’s technology companies have entered our common vocabulary; with terms such as ‘Googling news’ or ‘Facebooking someone’, retailers’ cohesion with the community used to integrate into language in a similar way. The original Burton the Tailors created brand-defining exterior architecture in every one of its city locations across the UK. The instantly recognisable, richly decorated, white tiled façade put the company in the eye-line and mind of the population on a daily basis. This message was so strong, that for men going to buy a new suit, a new colloquialism to befit its elevated standing amongst the community was born: ‘going for a Burton’. The relationship between the individual and the high street is seen as less important now, with fewer people shopping and working in city centres. Convenience and efficiency has for the most part taken over any sense of community engagement. That’s not to say that retailers are no longer creating these brand-defining spaces, it’s just that they are now often retained as the home of a brand and housed within an existing space. For example, when Abercrombie and Fitch took over Burlington Gardens in London, it let consumers experience the history and personality of the brand in a spatial and interactive way. It was grand, boastful and privileged, but so is the brand. Aside from social differences between then and now, planning permission and laws relating to brown field sites in city centres has often left retailers with little option than to adapt existing buildings into shopping units. This may reduce their ability to build from scratch, but it doesn’t stop them leaving their own architectural mark on a city. Apple set a precedent for expending large sums of money, putting its flagship stores in iconic buildings. Whilst it’s not creating something new, locations such as the Opera store in Paris and 5th Avenue in New York have become modern landmarks in their own right. Taking its minimalistic, clean-cut vision of luxury, Apple has used swathes of glass and metal to modernise parts of buildings, leaving little doubt in the mind of the consumer as to which brand owns the shop. This change throughout our city centres is just a by-product of the times, but I do personally look around at buildings and miss the architectural branding that once made them so instantly recognisable. So, as you travel around new cities during your summer sojourn, take a minute to look up and around you, to take in the buildings that were once as recognisable as the brands they were made for.

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

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

The brands that built our cities

project focus

TED BAKER + MOORE Commercial Street, London Design: In-house and FormRoom Opening date: June 2015 Size: 557 sq m

Ted Baker & Moore is the brand’s latest store concept that is designed to shine a light on the wider world of Ted Baker, nestled in the heart of East London at 132 Commercial Street. Created by the brand’s special projects team, the store plays host to Ted Baker’s full lifestyle offering, from spectacles to bicycles and everything in-between. The store’s bespoke interior harks back to the era of industrial manufacturing and market traders of east London. A mix of concrete floors, breeze block walls and steel beams house six lifestyle shopping areas in the open plan and minimal environment, encouraging shoppers to browse the rails while sipping coffee. A glowing ampersand greets customers into the warehouse space, while a floor-to-ceiling digital window displays ever-evolving bespoke content, highlighting the wide range of product available to purchase in-store. FormRoom was invited to originate ideas and create designs based on an exciting brief. Communicating a distinctive aesthetic to the Ted Baker customer, the scope of works by FormRoom included both bespoke shopfit units and sculptural elements in the footwear, eyewear and watch departments. The Wall of Frame, an impactful installation of half-faced busts, forms an eye-catching display unit for Ted Baker’s eyewear range. Customers are encouraged to interact with items by changing the glasses on each face, whilst motorised elements such as the mechanical cog, with attached mannequin legs, and conveyor

project focus

belt transforms the brand’s footwear range into a 3D spectacle. Customers can browse the brand’s timeless watches from a striking illuminated cityscape display made out of acrylic and glass. Shoppers can take advantage of refreshments in the form of the Everbean Coffee Shop in-store, selling a range of coffees including a selection of espresso blends and filter coffees created with beans sourced from the best British roasteries. Another new concept for Commercial Street is a partnership with Quella to create a capsule collection of British, copper-plated bicycles in three classic colours: navy blue, racing green and ruby red. These new bicycles will be sold alongside Ted Baker’s Raising the Handlebars cycle-friendly collection. The store also features Ted Baker Audio, a bespoke collection of stylish audio products, crafted to appeal to all the senses and embracing all the fashionable advances that modern technology has to offer. Other items stocked at Commercial Street include watches, gifting and stationery, fragrances and jewellery. Male customers can take advantage of the Grooming Room for a shave and a host of treatments. The Beauty Spot offers an array of nail treatments for ladies, as well as lash and brow maintenance. The brand has created its first virtual store, based on the Commercial Street site. The high resolution panoramic photography software draws on three dimensional mapping and enables the store to be a fully transactional online platform. Customers worldwide will be able to experience this one-of-a-kind Ted Baker shop by roaming around the space, picking up items to view in closer detail and interact with their store surroundings.

Perspex Naturals Advert draft.pdf 10/17/2014 3:51:25 PM

Introducing Perspex速 Naturals Bringing Beauty to the Surface

CMY

- Inspired by the simple beauty of nature - Textured surface with the aesthetic appeal of stone - 6 standard colours - Hard wearing & ideal for the retail environment For more information visit www.perspex.co.uk

Perspex速 is a registered trademark of Lucite International, a member of the Mitsubishi Rayon Group.

project focus

THE CAMBRIDGE SATCHEL COMPANy Seven Dials, London Design: Househam Henderson Architects and Elemental Design Opening date: June 2015 Size: 300 sq m

The Cambridge Satchel Company opened its first men’s store in June, located in Seven Dials, Covent Garden. The new concept store, developed by Househam Henderson, offers gents the opportunity to shop the brand’s accessories, under one roof, and coincided with the launch of the brand’s first full men’s collection. This site was the brand’s original Covent Garden store, on Shorts Gardens, prior to its opening of the bigger James Street flagship. All bespoke joinery, metalwork and spray finishing throughout the store was produced by Elemental Design at its Brixton-based studios and manufacturing workshops. Julie Deane, CEO and founder of The Cambridge Satchel Company, briefed Elemental Design’s owner, Gary Porter, explaining the origins of the brand

project focus

and its very British heritage as colourful, confident and original. She wanted the store to be an eclectic mix with an element of discovery and intellect; a cool, urban, modern men’s boutique. Elemental designed a quirky environment, blending curiosity shop, homely library and gentleman’s club. The store was divided into three spaces — The Front Room, The Reception and The Conservatory. Nothing was structurally changed and the original, dark, stone floor was left the same. A mixed colour palette of mustard yellow, muted mint green, pale duck egg blue, rich oxblood, mid grey, deep teal and ink black has been used throughout. This was translated by Porter’s local East Dulwich paint specialist, Colour Makes People Happy, which created bespoke colours for the project such as Hot English Mustard and Old-school Satchel. Adding to this, three wallpapers from London interiors supplier, Andrew Martin, provide richness and texture including a

Trompe L’oeil bookcase design. On entering the shop, the brightly coloured Front Room has a welcoming residential quality but in the simplistic style of a theatre set, complete with a bright mustard, faux-stone fireplace and a false door. Homely yet tasteful objects, sourced from vintage stores and markets, as well as a few Graham & Green, Heals, Conran, Matthew Williamson and Mineheart accessories, give the room a stylish and consistent personality; world-travelled and quintessentially British. Collections of brass instruments, ceramic dogs or artists’ brushes allude to the lifestyle of the Cambridge Satchel man. Classic, English, mid-century Ladderax shelving lines one wall and a high-level, perimeter shelf is lined with faux, leather book spines and knick-knacks you might find in a pub. Mid-floor fixtures are fashioned out of a mismatched grouping of tables from various antique dealers, sprayed in a high gloss grey standing on a grey, over-dyed Persian rug. The visual merchandising makes the product come alive in an original way, using toolboxes, travel trunks, board games, and even dartboards to further communicate the brand’s story. The Reception area was designed to provide a brand-enhancing lobby, accommodating the cash desk. Here, inspiration has been taken from The Wren Library in Cambridge with its rhythmic rows of shelving, wood panelling and marble busts. Interpreting this, there are three rows of modern shelving units, infinitely reflected in mirror, with lacquered, mustard end panels, with a hint of classic mouldings. A nod to the white busts is found in a small collection on the cash desk around a Napoleon-bust table lamp and three unusual pendant bust lights in the skylight. The dominating feature in this area is a large, arched faux window behind the desk with a backlit vista of St Andrew’s College, transporting the viewer to Cambridge. Other walls in this area are covered in framed prints; again diverse in their style, they reflect an Englishman’s hobbies and interests, from fishing to fashion, and even urban graffiti. On entering the front door there’s a noticeable contrasting mood of the back room, which features a luxurious oxblood

focal wall and rug, alongside picture lights that illuminate four intriguing canvases, and a very different quality of light from the recessed skylight. The skylight was highlighted by framing it in a relief frieze, almost gothic, but in a contemporary CNC-cut style. Elemental Design named this The Conservatory but there’s no sign of plants. ‘It’s more the kind of conservatory associated with schooling, or a place to conserve. Here, we educate, inform and interact’, says Porter. The story of leatherworking, and the making of the bags, is found in a traditional museum cabinet. Swatches of different leathers invite the customer to touch and compare. Most importantly, this room also homes the embossing station, where shoppers can have their items personalised. A long Chesterfield sofa makes the wait very comfortable, amongst wall-to-wall satchels. Quirky pieces like the upcycled grandfather clock and mischievous monkey lights keep visitors entertained.

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NICKELODEON Leicester Square, London Design: Entertainment Retail Enterprises and Smart Design Opening date: May 2015 Size: 418 sq m

Nickelodeon has opened its first flagship store in Europe at 1 Leicester Square, London. With a 116 sq m glass frontage, the store offers a great brand building opportunity while offering a one-of-akind Nickelodeon experience and personal touch points with fans from around the world. ‘The spirit of the store holds true with the Nickelodeon mission to create surprising and playful experiences. It also represents a great benchmark for the creation of future flagship locations in global territories,’ explains Clare Wallace, store director at The Nickelodeon Store. The site spans two floors and more than 418 sq m, offering children and families the opportunity to experience and interact with one of the world’s leading children’s brands as well as much loved properties including SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Dora the Explorer. The store is bursting with technology and interactive elements, including state-of-theart multi-media elements and more than 40 LCD screens create a compelling showcase for the Nickelodeon brand and key properties. ‘This is one of the only places in the world where all these properties are represented in one place. There are more than 800 different items across all categories with over 80 per cent of the assortment customised exclusively for The Nickelodeon Store and not available elsewhere. The Leicester Square store features merchandise collections created exclusively for London,’

project focus

explains Wallace. ‘There are unique interactive elements including the Pineapple iPad bar and simple activities like colouring opportunities underneath the Dora Tree. And don’t be surprised if you run into SpongeBob posing for photographs with customers in the store.’ A green slime staircase takes shoppers up to Bikini Bottom where they can come face to face with SpongeBob SquarePants in daily meet and greets. Additionally the store offers a pre-school zone, a New York City skyline graffiti-decorated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle area and Union Jack-branded gifting, stationery, apparel, homeware and souvenirs. Teething problems during the design process included the location — specifically the age of the building and the structure itself. ‘That took a lot of work, rework, recalibration and modification. Because of some of the structural challenges and spatial limitations we had to modify some of the design and interactive elements to fit the space. But it worked and initial customer response is all positive. That is one of our key measures,’ continues Wallace. To date, Nickelodeon and Summit Retail International have opened five stores in Panama, Saudi Arabia (2014) and Honduras (February 2015), with more stores scheduled for late 2015/2016.

beauty retail

SKIN DEEP: BEAUTY RETAIL In the fiercely competitive sector of beauty retail, achieving stand out is key. Cue a host of beauty hall revamps, pop-ups and digital POS. There’s no denying that beauty is big business. The sector remained extremely buoyant even through the worst of the economic crisis. However, it’s also hugely competitive and over recent years there has been an explosion in the number of new brands entering the market along with a myriad of specialist online retailers. ‘In a sector where loyalty is hard won, this means there’s a constant battle to achieve stand out, even for the most established brands and retailers,’ says Colin Chapman, operations director at CJ Retail Solutions. ‘Yet all too often a consumer will go into store and find there are no testers available – a sure fire way of losing a sale – or that the much hyped new product launch they have seen in a magazine is not even there. This simply isn’t good enough. Within this fiercely competitive sector, display compliance, both during installation and long-term, is crucial. New launches, the life blood of many cosmetics brands, have to be seamlessly executed across all channels, including in store.’ Lighting is a proven method of achieving differentiation, notes Chapman, attracting consumers to fixtures and elevating ranges to a premium positioning, with a shift to LED lighting in recent years. He also suggests integrating digital POS into displays, meaning that more indepth information about products can be communicated – something that can be invaluable for highlighting USPs and educating shoppers about key ingredients. In addition, digital POS solutions, such as Radio Frequency Identification and

Above: Barber Design created a high-end boutique environment in Richmond for LA Muscle to showcase its nutritional supplements.

touch screen displays, make shopping interactive, exciting and interesting for customers – guaranteed to make a brand or retailer stand out from the competition. Technology is widely used to capture data about the customer to monitor their purchasing patterns, and to tailor science to individual customer’s needs. Working recently with Geneu, Elemental Design learnt that it’s the first beauty brand to offer in-store DNA testing, in order to totally personalise skincare. ‘The design of retail spaces, or displays for beauty brands like these, borders on the clinical or medical, and the designer can be limited to minimalist, white/monochrome themes,’ explains Gary Porter, founding director of Elemental Design. ‘There’s no link here to beautiful environments, or the glamour of fashion; the design can be somewhat cold and sterile. These environments require testing stations, private consultation pods, scientific equipment and abundant computer/LED screens.’ In stark contrast he says it’s the fragrance brands that celebrate colour and drama, and the theatrical lengths they go to to attract the shopper are especially evident in the pop-up sites in department stores. ‘My experience is, it’s actually the department stores, like Selfridges, that are driving this trend. The demand for genuinely creative, in-store experiential environments is growing, as the stores realise this is what truly sets them apart, from the online shopping market,’ says Porter. ‘Engaging customers is the ultimate goal and, especially in London, the shopper needs an element of novelty. Something

beauty retail interactive or digital that they haven’t come across before is most likely to stop them and get their attention,’ believes Porter. He says in these usually very competitive environments, where each brand is vying for the customer, it’s frequently the use of technology that will win. ‘We used something called Pufferfish projection for Lancôme, which is a completely spherical ball screen containing internal projectors. Moreover, it’s touch sensitive and allows the viewer to brush aside one layer of content to reveal another below. Lancôme was promoting eye shadows, and while we used mostly content that had been shot in a studio, we were also able to upload footage of the customer, in real time, and delight them with images of their own freshly applied eye make-up,’ explains Porter ‘It’s one thing designing a concession for a single brand but a whole other area of specialisation to allow multiple brands to feature in a space they share with their competitors,’ says Michael Sheridan, chairman and founder of Sheridan&Co. ‘Designing an interior that provides a platform for multiple brands is demanding but also crucial in a sense of setting the scene and providing an environment where customers are prepared to shop and discuss the intimacy of their beauty. Ambience is a definitive constituent and within that lighting is key to ensure not just brands but the products are clearly visible and able to emphasise what is often the subtlety of different shades. Overall, layout is essential to make sure there is visibility and to emphasise the range and choice of brands on offer.’ There are quite a few differences between fashion and beauty that affect interior design. ‘Firstly, the size of the product is very different; cosmetics products are very small and usually presented around types, lipsticks, blushers etc. or parts of the face lips, eyes etc. The emphasis is on getting customers to try the product in a sense of what artistry or technique in application is right for individual customers. Whereas a garment is pretty much a yes or a no around quality, style and fit. In terms of display, a garment speaks for itself whereas beauty products need more explanation either in words of through images of someone made-up. Customer journey is a key aspect of beauty, knowing where to go depending on a customer’s needs is key,’ continues Sheridan. Emma Dicks, insights director at creative shopper marketing agency HRG UK, says beauty retail can be a cluttered and confusing category. Not only is product trial a key part of the shopper’s decision-making process, but finding ways to reaffirm brand equity and capture shopper imaginations through eyecatching displays is also vital. ‘I don’t necessarily think that shoppers are researching products in-store like they used to do. Instead, they are entering a store with much more education about what product they want and why – beauty bloggers/vloggers have made such a huge impact online in introducing new products to consumers,’ notes Dicks. ‘Naturally, beauty retail is a sector with such a strong focus on the visual focus. As such it’s one where only 100 per cent perfection will do. But for some beauty brands, it’s increasingly less about the creative and more about the materials used,’ says Dicks. ‘Obviously premium materials are key, but also the sustainability of those materials and the kind of chemicals and products being displayed on them need to be a consideration, to ensure the materials are actually satisfactory to use; for instance, how ingredients naturally found in some perfumes could affect the materials specified.’ You also need to consider the dust created by shoppers constantly testing powders, and the effect that that could have on the unit. Dicks also says consider the lighting being used on the unit, as this can be critical when demonstrating colour and shade to shoppers. The ambient lighting can change the colour of items, which could be an issue for shoppers trying to match colours. For Amuse Beauty Studio at Sydney Airport, Portland worked with LS travel retail Pacific to design a scheme for customers who

see beauty as personal and seek opportunities to explore the latest beauty trends. ‘Our aim was to create a beauty experience that supports customers to playfully explore the world of beauty. The Amuse design immerses customers in imaginative and interactive beauty stories where they can explore and experiment with looks and styles. The concept of a “studio” is used as the key platform to deliver this exploration experience to customers,’ explains Lewis Allen, director of environments at Portland. He continues: ‘Intense bursts of colour set against dark gloss finishes provide an energetic and dynamic feel while lighting features running through the studio

From top: Virgile + Partners’ concept for House of Elemis in Mayfair evokes an intimate residential approach; Sheridan&Co provided the interior design for Feel Unique in Guernsey; Portland worked on the design of AMUSE Beauty Studio at Sydney Airport.

beauty retail Below from top: Estèe Lauder global travel retail installation by HRG; For Lancôme, Elemental Design used Pufferfish projection, a completely spherical ‘ball’ screen that contains internal projectors; gpstudio’s concept for Shinsegae beauty hall in Korea; Voisin’s new beauty department created by Umbrella Design.

are reminiscent of catwalk fashion shows, emphasising the ‘finger on the pulse’ approach to the world of beauty.’ Exploration is encouraged in a number of ways. Gregor Jackson, partner at gpstudio, has a number of beauty retail projects keeping his studio busy, including new designs for the Shinsegae beauty hall in Korea, the Avanti beauty floor in Jeddah and a Laure beauty and frangrance boutique in Ryadh. Jackson says: ‘Beauty retail was once presented very much like

travel retail, but in response to the consumer it’s become very much more personal, honest and exciting.’ When designing beauty retail environments, the consumer is at the forefront of the designer’s mind. ‘The perception of age, for example, is now a mindset not a date of birth, and how we communicate with the consumer and the tone of voice will change. Words like ‘anti-aging’ will no longer be seen on packaging, and the packaging itself will be simpler, and the environment needs to respond accordingly,’ believes Jackson. House of Elemis in Mayfair has received a makeover. Virgile + Partners created an intimate residential atmosphere, with the feeling of being in the House of the brand. The space combines the ambiance of Bond Street luxury with the young spirit and accessibility of contemporary brands. The combination of retail and spa treatments, sometimes compromised in a department store situation due to their restrictions and use of space, is liberated here, creating an experience that combines beauty and science, the two components of the offer, making it more experiential and personal. It’s designed to appeal to women and men alike through a contemporary and elegant design, that has an inherent British quality without the usual clichés. A mix of timber and parquet floors with a soft neutral but warm colour palette enhance the presence of the product rather than compete with it. Transparency and glow, both inherent in the quality of the skin, were important in the scheme, always playing with light and soft reflections in the presence of the backlit ‘skin membrane’ that creates the signature background to the product display. Pattern, textures and sculptural forms are also present in the furniture design such as in the playful central interactive bar and the greeting reception table. For the new LA Muscle Boutique in Richmond, Barber Design created a high-end boutique environment, breaking away from conventional and cluttered supplement stores. The store is all about the customer experience with the highlight on educating its clients about supplements and not overloading the customer with miscellaneous and irrelevant information. Through this technique the customer is encouraged to enter into a consultation with the in-store experts and be recommended products tailored to their needs. Each product is displayed on individually designed plinths highlighted with lighting to make each product stand out. Another unique part of the experience includes the bespoke designed sleek muscle bar where customers will be able to sample and learn how to use its supplements. A gold framed LED video wall towards the back of the store showcases LA Muscle’s Active Channel to help customers interact with the brand. Voisins, the largest department store in Jersey, has recently given its beauty hall a revamp with the help of Umbrella Design. David Elliott, business development director at Voisins, had a clear brief – to drive exclusivity and further cement the store’s position as the premier shopping destination on Jersey. ‘Our job was to reimagine a space that would persuade exciting new brands to make the island their home, whilst convincing brands that were already there to make Voisins their flaghip presence,’ explains Mark Fanthorpe, founder of Umbrella. ‘It was an exercise in space planning and ergonomic design. Working with David Elliott and Gerald Voisin, we stripped away everything that didn’t work and evolved what remained, so it delivered a beautiful showcase that performed commercially. We set about reorganising the brand journey and improving sightlines by widening the aisles and removing obstructions. After all, if the shopper can’t see your product, they can’t buy it.’ The Voisins beauty department demonstrates that you don’t have to spend a fortune to produce something that drives growth. Sometimes it’s a case of intelligently moving things around, so that you fully tap the potential of what you’ve got.

Spring/Summer 2015

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News Resourceful VM Barthelmess Vision 2015 Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty - Romantic Nationalism Gallery

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Welcome Welcome to the summer edition of VM Focus.

On P37 you can catch up with the latest news from the VM industry. Gemma Balmford takes a look at the role of fashion exhibitions on pages 39-40 and finds out what makes fashion-themed exhibitions such a hit with the public. Banana Republic’s recent Think Outside The Bottle scheme was a great source of inspiration for our resourceful VM article on pages 45-46, proving that the use of recycled items can create a real talking point in windows. The brand is currently undergoing a completely new way of thinking, and it will be interesting to see what window schemes it develops over the coming months. Paul Symes, head of visual presentation at Fortnum & Mason, shares his thoughts on how stores and windows are returning to theatrical showcases. ‘As each week goes by, I see more and more shops realising that a great window display not only entices potential customers into the shop to spend their cash, but can do wonders for the brand’s identity,’ says Symes. The more clever, better presented the display, the more the store gets noticed and mentioned; whether that be in casual conversation or online through avenues such as Instagram. Lyndsey Dennis Editor

ashion on Show: 39 FBrand exhibitions

News

and Recycle: 45 Reuse Resourceful VM

42 Barthelmess Vision 2015

52 Opinion

37 News The latest news from the visual merchandising and display industry.

39 Fashion on Show: Brand exhibitions

www.retail-focus.co.uk

The rising allure of the fashion exhibition.

Editor

42 Barthelmess Vision 2015

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

Highlights from the Barthelmess Vision 2015 event in Barcelona.

Production & Web

45 Reuse and Recycle: Resourceful VM Keeping costs down without compromising on visual 47 appeal.

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

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

Cover image: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty - Romantic Nationalism Gallery

52 Opinion Paul Symes, head of visual presentation at Fortnum and Mason, discusses how stores and windows are returning to theatrical showcases.

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news

Bonaveri launches Noble male Schläppi collection Following on from Bonaveri’s launch of the Aloof female Schläppi mannequin, the company has launched a male equivalent called Noble. Sculptor Marco Furlani, who was involved with the Aloof collection, has worked in the Bonaveri studio exploring shapes for Noble that honour his female counterpart and provide it with its own strong sense of individuality. Bonaveri joined forces with awardwinning British menswear designer Lee Roach and artist Filippo Maria on a site-specific installation during London

Photographer: Charles Moriarty

Collections Men to launch the new mannequin collection. Noble is available in five core poses and like the Aloof collection is available in

mirrored positions for versatile groupings. He is available in plain standing, standing astride, walking and seated poses with various head and arm configurations.

proportion>london unveils COMPONENTS range COMPONENTS is the latest range of male and female mannequins with interchangeable details to be launched by proportion>london. In direct contrast to the fast-paced nature of fashion and retail (where everything has a life of only one season), heirlooming is an intelligent design movement gradually gaining momentum in the world of VM. Aware of the very practical

Entries open for VM & Display Awards

Entries are open for the 11th VM & Display Awards, which take place on 19 November 2015 at a new venue, the Bloomsbury Big Top in London. You can enter online via www.vmanddisplay.com and can enter as many projects from 1 August 2014 - 1 August 2015 in as many categories as you like. The deadline for entries is 14 August 2015. For table or ticket enquiries please contact the awards team on T: 01945 420 068 or E: enquiries@rvmww.com

need for mass production combined with the desire for elite product, proportion>london created COMPONENTS to be humble in style yet genius in design. The simple repeat positioned bodies are the mass produced part, while the head, arms and hands can be lavished with more expensive and artisanal detail to create individual looks.

Visual Merchandising for Fashion book launched Sarah Bailey and Jonathan Baker, course directors at London College of Fashion, have launched Portugese and Spanish versions of their Visual Merchandising for Fashion book at ISEM Fashion Business School in Madrid. It leads the reader from the initial design process through to product handling and experimentation, supporting and enabling conceptual thinking while developing and communicating visual ideas creatively and professionally.

www.bonaveri.com

NOBLE NEW MALE COLLECTION

Blue Studio Trading Ltd Unit 8A. The Piper Building. Peterborough Road, London. SW6 3EF T: 020 7394 2813 E: info@blue-studio.co.uk W: www.blue-studio.co.uk

fashion exhibitions

Since opening in March, the highly anticipated Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition at London’s V&A Museum has attracted close to 300,000 visitors. The exhibition web pages have been viewed more than 2.1 million times and the ‘Museum of Savage Beauty’ web feature, which gives an insight into the techniques, inspiration and stories behind 27 of the objects on display, has been seen some 128,000 times. Expanding on the original version of the show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York in 2011, Savage Beauty is, in fact, one of the most ambitious fashion exhibitions the V&A has ever staged. And it’s not the first time a fashion exhibition has attracted a large audience. In 2012, a retrospective celebrating 20 years of French shoe designer Christian Louboutin at London’s Design Museum drew record crowds, while The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk has enticed more than a million visitors on its international tour. So, what is it that makes fashion-themed exhibitions such a hit with the public? ‘People are responding to the enticement of glamour connected with fashion,’ says Sonnet Stanfill, fashion curator at the V&A. ‘Although we all wear clothes, the element of fantasy offered by high fashion transcends the pedestrian

FASHION ON SHOW The rising allure of the fashion exhibition Text: Gemma Balmford

and everyday functionality of clothing. Well curated exhibitions of fashion highlight elements of craftsmanship, of showmanship and of creative inspiration that extend beyond the ordinary.’ Just as Lee Alexander McQueen studied the V&A’s public collections of tailoring, painting, art, photography and books as inspiration for his visionary work, designers and other creatives have visited Savage Beauty for visual stimulation and inspiration. Each section of the exhibition - the first and largest retrospective of the late designer’s work to be presented in Europe - captures the essence of McQueen’s provocative, dramatic and extravagant catwalk presentations, through installation, music and film. ‘Savage Beauty is a celebration of the most imaginative and talented designer of our time,’ says Sarah Burton, creative director at Alexander McQueen. ‘Lee was

a genius and a true visionary who pushed boundaries, challenged and inspired. He believed in creativity and innovation, and his talent was limitless.’ For Christian Louboutin’s first UK exhibition, design agency Household was tasked with creating a show experience that celebrated the designer’s 20 years of design and captured the artistry and theatricality of his craft. ‘Designer brands have a creative and craft story to tell that positively sets them apart from the high street and, in turn, justifies the higher price tag and explains the force behind the brand,’ says Michelle Du-Prât, customer experience director at Household Design. ‘Given the tactility of fashion, telling this story in a living, breathing space plays to the richer qualities of designer brands. ‘Designers are viewed by their collections and are in a constant state of

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition. Installation view of ‘Romantic Primitivism’ gallery at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

fashion exhibitions “next”,’ adds Du-Prât. ‘Curating a body of work that embraces achievements well beyond the “collection” is something not often seen and creates an entirely new dimension to what filters through to the shopper and the shop floor.’ Essentially, fashion exhibitions make luxury brands accessible to a wider group of people. ‘It’s escapism into an exclusive

world,’ claims Du-Prât. Jonathan Baker, course director at London College of Fashion and VM consultant, agrees that such events help to demystify the brand, which by the very nature of their exclusivity appear intimidating to most. ‘Although brands don’t always attract customers immediately after these events, they may have initiated a few of them who have turned up out of curiosity but may become customers as soon as they

From left top to bottom right: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition. Installation view of the ‘Romantic Exoticism’ gallery and ‘London’ gallery at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London; French shoe designer Christian Louboutin collaborated with Household Design for his retrospective at the Design Museum; Fashion-themed exhibitions reflect the changing nature of society and public interest in fashion-related subjects, says Tanya Reynolds of mannequin company proportion>london, which has been involved in a number of exhibitions, including ‘Hello my name is Paul Smith’ at the Design Museum.

are able to buy into the brand,’ he says. ‘Possibly the most successful exhibitions are from those brands which have a story to tell through a long history and a substantial archive to show.’ With the Salvatore Ferragamo museum in Florence, the Fondazione Prada in Milan and the new Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris, Du-Prât anticipates more brands opening galleries and museums in the future to showcase the history and heritage of the labels. ‘The question is,’ she says, ‘are further fashion brands just going to do more of the same, or is there an opportunity to do something different?’

Life on Foot

Life on Foot is a current exhibition at London’s Design Museum, marking the 40 year anniversary of Spanish footwear brand, Camper. Open until November, the exhibition uses some of the brand’s most recognisable styles as lenses through which to explore the design, manufacturing and history of the independent family run business. Taking visitors from the design studios in Mallorca to hightech mass production facilities in the Far East, and onto shop floors across the globe, the exhibition includes recreations of retail spaces designed by Nendo, Jaime Hayon, and Kengo Kuma, as well as interviews with company founder Lorenzo Fluxa and creative director Romain Kremer, and previously unseen material from the company’s archives. Camper worked with Universal Design Studio to create an exhibition that illustrates how the company has grown from humble beginnings to become a global shoe brand. ‘It was imperative that the exhibition should also convey Camper’s distinct attitude that prevails through all of their outputs - characteristics of lightness, play and humour, with a focus on the role of the unexpected, positioning Camper as the non-conformist,’ comment Hannah Carter Owers and Jason Holley of Universal Design Studio. For the cost of an exhibition ticket, people can now enjoy a rich and engaging cultural experience courtesy of their favourite fashion house, say Carter Owers and Holley on the rise of fashion exhibitions. ‘[Luxury fashion brands] invest heavily in the arts and the universes they create are fascinating. In terms of product, the brands remain unobtainable for many because of price point, which creates a certain allure.’ Image: Life on Foot at London’s Design Museum marks the 40th anniversary of Spanish footwear brand, Camper. Image credit: Jill Tate

URBAN VINTAGE RETAIL DISPLAY

56 PAGE CATALOGUE ON REQUEST The Urban Vintage collection from Andy Thornton includes a complete range of industrial-style retail display products including shelving units, garment rails, drawer units, cabinets, trolleys and display tables, plus furniture, decorative lighting and tin tiles. Send for your copy. Call: 01422 376000 Email: marketing@andythornton.com Online: andythornton.com

THE ORIGINAL

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS IN BUSINESS

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Barthelmess Vision 2015

BARTHELMESS VISION 2015 Highlights from the Barthelmess VISION 2015 event in Barcelona last month. Barthelmess Group once again hosted its annual international future congress VISION in June. This year, around 70 visual marketing experts met in Barcelona’s impressive W Hotel. Successful trade concepts, challenges of the future, perspectives, innovation and, in particular, intensive networking were the main focus. The main part of the event took place in the cultural centre of El Born (El Born Centre Cultural), the archaeological site of the district. Within this setting, speakers from the fields of architecture, visual merchandising, research and economy offered participants completely different perspectives and numerous insights into the present and exciting views of the future. Visual merchandising consultant, Gérald Grare opened the programme and took the participants from Barcelona to Tokyo. Using numerous examples, he illustrated the Japanese consumer and

lifestyle mentality and compared it to that of European consumers. He also highlighted the influence of fashion and architecture on store concepts and visual merchandising against this cultural and sociological background. The paper given by future and innovation expert Stephan Jung provided a thorough look into the future and opened up perspectives for potentials and opportunities, trends and new approaches in the field of trade. He introduced seven innovative strategies for significantly increasing sales, profit and customer satisfaction. Using easily-implementable best practice examples, his theories can easily be adapted to the daily work of all of us. The keynote address was delivered by consultant Dr Christian Mikunda, the founder of strategic retail dramaturgy. He dealt with the importance of staged locations for getting customers’ full attention, arousing good feelings in them and extending their dwell time at the

POS. In his lecture, which was tailored to the specific individual needs of the participants, Dr Mikunda explained the psychological mechanisms behind professionally created experiences. His fascinating system is based on seven feelings of elation – Glory, Joy, Power, Bravura, Desire, Intensity and Chill – and symbolises what consumers really want to experience: culture at the highest emotional level, experiences of nature that change our lives, life-style scenarios in which commodities are connected with real and profound experiences. Based on many examples from Barcelona, he showed how consumers can be offered this welcome seduction. Dr Mikunda subsequently took participants in small groups on a tour around selected retail outlets in Barcelona —calling, amongst other places, at Jaime Beriestain, Replay, Vincon, Magnolia Antic, Cortana and Coqutte and conveying, in an entertaining and tangible way, the dramaturgy and staging of the shops. The third day was reserved for making further forays, exchanging views and personal networking. In small groups, the participants evaluated various store concepts on the basis of their newlyacquired knowledge and from new perspectives. Next year, Barthelmess Group’s VISION 2016 will prepare the ground for an international visual marketing network and inspire participants with new visions, trends, innovations and interesting speakers. For further information call Barthelmess UK on 01438 724 605. www.barthelmessuk.com

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Retail concepts. Window designs. Instore environments. Prototyping. Prop sourcing. Global production. Logistics. Distribution. Installation.

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resourceful VM

REUSE AND RECYCLE:

RESOURCEFUL VM Keeping costs down without compromising on visual appeal. Making a statement doesn’t have to be expensive. There’s no harm in being clever with budgets and creating inspiring displays by recycling items and reusing props, mannequins and fittings. Banana Republic recently made a sustainable statement with its Think Outside The Bottle windows. The beach was the inspiration behind a series of installations in its windows, starting in America and then implemented in the UK. Cardboard boxes were crafted into waves and the sun, while recycled bottles were used to ‘litter’ the retailer’s windows rather than beaches. A portion of the savings from the window displays will be donated to the Nature Conservancy for research and preservation of oceans and beaches along the California coastline. ‘The beach inspiration of the collection inspired Banana Republic to think more about environmental awareness; not trying to solve issues but bringing awareness, beginning a conversation and taking small steps to improve,’ explains Sianne Meekcoms, senior account manager at Harlequin Design that worked on the scheme. Banana Republic has a new way of thinking: ‘Everywhere we look we see a new way of thinking about how we take care of our earth. We were inspired to do something too, by recycling, reusing and saving energy in our windows. It’s one small step, and we’re just getting started.’ Using bottles and cardboard made great use of items available locally that would otherwise go to waste and created a compelling story. Meekcoms believes resourceful VM is a great idea: ‘This scheme shows that getting creative with what is freely available works well. It’s great to get local VM teams involved more and as the window displays sometimes live for only a few weeks, another benefit is that recycling keeps costs down.’ Selfridges currently has a window also filled with recycled bottles to promote its ongoing Project Ocean work, a partnership between the store and The Zoological Society of London to stop overfishing and pollution and protect our oceans through the creation of marine reserves. Carl Smallshaw, senior business development manager at Visual Thinking and former store design project manager for George, shares Meekcom’s passion for resourceful VM. ‘I’m all for innovative ideas and forward thinking, but there is also no shame in rescuing old fixtures and fittings, freshening them up and giving them a new purpose,’ he says. Something that Visual Thinking did for Creature Company on the latest series of Alex Polizzi – The Fixer on BBC2. As part of the makeover, Visual Thinking’s team suggested upcycling many of the original fittings as a great way to improve the visual impact of interior design, merchandising and displays whilst keeping renovation costs to a minimum – a key consideration for almost every small, independent retailer. A new service desk was made out of reclaimed furniture to complement the kitsch 1950s design theme, whilst smaller display tables were used to create impactful focal points for featured products. ‘Whilst recycling and, more recently, up-cycling are seen to be a current trend, in reality a good VM scheme has always had a keen eye for turning something unloved into the proverbial silk purse, with visual merchandisers often conscious that there may be something that could be salvaged, refurbished and worked into a new window scheme,’ continues Smallshaw. ‘Reclaimed crates

Above: Banana Republic windows by Harlequin Design. Below: Arty Wigs offers mannequin renovations and repairs.

Photographer: Melvyn Vincent

resourceful VM

Above: Global Display spent two years researching the most suitable materials and processes for its Eco mannequin. Below: Lucky Fox’s scheme for the Levi’s Customisation collection included modular plywood trunks and cases re-purposed from a previous press day.

used as shelving, old sewing tables deployed as focal points, charming vintage props – recycling and up-cycling VM equipment is not only on trend, but also an imaginative way to create a more immersive, experiential retail experience that encourages shoppers to lift their heads and rediscover the delights of instore.’ Smallshaw says resourcefulness is often second nature but it’s imperative that teams are aware of product life cycles, developing material trends, environmental targets and their own company’s green agenda. Another great example is the latest store concept by Wickes. A total of 95 per cent of the store, including timber used for display elements, such as primary display fixturing, focal points and browsing and tools tables, is made from and using materials and products shoppers can buy instore. As well as being resourceful, it delivers a retail environment that is truly authentic and connected with the brand. ‘Being ethical is still a way a brand can achieve differentiation and a unique selling point,’ believes Jonathan Baker, course director at London College of Fashion and VM consultant. ‘Visual merchandising design can have a unique role in providing solutions which could address the global problem. While I’m not suggesting that a brand simply design a green theme, eco window or create props from old tyres and recycled paper, it’s worth looking further indepth at these areas. Visual merchandising is only one small albeit crucial cog in the retail and design world but it does

nonetheless need a sustainability philosophy to be a part of this, which is currently only being explored in a limited way.’ Baker says sustainability can be approached in three main areas: social, economic and environmental. ‘Good visual merchandising design is good business, communicates additional messages to the consumer, promotes choice and brand identification, facilitates sales and of course is part of the shopping experience. However, multiple resources are wasted in this process unnecessarily. We are increasingly breeding a new type of customer who will scrutinise everything we do in visual merchandising and retail design for its environmental impact and sustainability and therefore this is worth consideration. Steps to recognise the benefits of building a sustainable growth strategy should begin at the VM design stage and include the store build and architecture as well as the micro visual merchandising elements such as fixtures, mannequins and props,’ says Baker. He acknowledges Banana Republic’s recent scheme, as well as Pharrel Williams’ collaboration with G-star; very interesting as the product has been made from recycled plastic which was found in the sea. The scheme was only really a large graphic so not particularly interesting but the idea is amazing. Lucky Fox’s recent scheme for Levi’s Customisation collection had resourcefulness in mind. All of the collection was displayed in modular plywood trunks and cases that were re-purposed from a press day the team had built for Levi’s earlier in the year. ‘With the high street continuing to be a competitive and challenging landscape, a lot of our clients are looking for ways to make their VM schemes more resourceful by reusing as many parts of their schemes as possible,’ explains Jason Traves, head of creative at Lucky Fox. ‘The lifespan of a VM scheme is now an important consideration for many retailers, who will cleverly invest in creative for their flagship stores that is generic enough to be filtered down to other stores or instore schemes. This is not only resourceful but also economical.’ Traves says many big brands now have a corporate responsibility in regards to the sustainability of all of their company’s activity, including their VM creative. Whether that be a focus on using recycled materials or brands being more mindful of the carbon footprint of the materials they use in a VM scheme. ‘We’re also seeing large retailers scaling back their window creative to be more resourceful. Cos Store’s recent sale windows are a beautiful example of how to achieve simple yet effective creative. Using basic shelving lined with a row of plants, set against a simple sale decal backdrop, the windows show that retailers don’t need to spend a lot of money on their creative,’ notes Traves. Global Display spent two years researching the most suitable materials and processes to create stylish and elegant designs with sustainable and environmentally responsible credentials. The Eco range of mannequins is of comparable strength and cost to equivalent glass fibre ones. Eco was launched in Woolworth’s stores in South Africa in July 2014. The range includes female and male forms, kids mannequins, accessories and even furniture. Mannequin renovation is another avenue to explore; an area that Arty Wigs is very familiar with. The company is able to undertake minor repairs like cracks, chips and lost hands, restoring mannequins back to their former glory. Wigs and make-up can also be created to a client’s specification, giving mannequins a whole new look. ‘Recycling, reworking and up-cycling is challenging but done properly can mean cost savings, a more inventive scheme and a sense of satisfaction that goes beyond the achieved look and feel. Striking the right balance between the available budget and the ultimate ‘closed loop recycling’ utopia is a journey – the decisions along the way must be made collaboratively by a strong team working together,’ concludes Smallshaw.

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products

VM + DISPLAY Crystal Display Systems Transparent digital signage specialist CDS has launched its next generation of window dislays, which create a great impact on store fronts and windows. The transparent LED technology allows stores to create high impact video displays whilst allowing people to see into the shop. This change means the store has the best of both worlds, with high impact marketing and brand raising messages whilst still opening up the store to passers by. The screen is a modular structure and can be designed to the size and shape of the window, therefore maximising space for the store. T. +44 (0) 1634 327 420 E: info@crystal-display.com www.crystal-display.com Twitter: CrystalDisplays

Andy Thornton Andy Thornton has developed an extensive range of industrial style retail display products, known as the Urban Vintage collection. The company, which is celebrating 40 years in business this year, offers a full range of visual merchandising and retail display fittings, including shleving units, display tables, trolleys and carts. Whether you are looking for an impressive apothecary display cabinet or just a simple garment rail, the company has something for everyone. There are a number of new products set for launch, and the company also takes commissions for bespoke pieces. T. +44 (0)1422 376 000 E. email@andythornton.com www.andythornton.com Twitter: andythorntonltd

Pixalux UK The Pixalux is an illuminated shelving/panel system set to revolutionise the use of light . It is an edge-lit and frameless panel. Pixalux panels have a completely even spread of extremely bright light without any shadows, bringing an aura of quality to the store and products. Pixalux is different from anything else on the market as it has structural capabilities. Panels can be used for load bearing shelving, displays, signage and much more. The panel surfaces can be directly printed or have vinyl graphics applied onto the surface. Pixalux is distributed in the UK by Pixalux UK, a subsidiary of Fairfield Displays & Lighting Ltd. T. +44 (0)1252 759 563 E. info@pixalux.co.uk www.pixalux.co.uk Twitter: fdluk

proportion>london Pictured here is one of the options in proportion>london’s new COMPONENTS range, featuring a light felt body. The range of male and female mannequins is in keeping with the company’s long held belief to ‘buy wisely, keep forever’. Proportion has created COMPONENTS to be humble in style yet genius in design. The range can now be viewed at the company’s showroom in Clerkenwell, at the heart of London’s design community – call the number below to book an appointment. T. +44 (0)20 7251 6943 E. info@proportionlondon.com www.proportionlondon.com Twitter: Proportion

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products

VM + DISPLAY Creative Instore Solutions Creative Instore Solutions (CIS) has joined forces with Panasonic Energy Europe to produce a gondola end category management solution, creating an in-store beacon for its energy products. The display unit will be featured in B&M, one of the fastest growing discount retailers in the UK with more than 400 stores. CIS produced a bold and informative category management solution to prompt shoppers to remember battery purchases, showcasing great products at exceptional value. T. +61 2 9485 0000 E. gday@creativeinstore.com.au www.creativeinstore.com Twitter: CreativeInstore

Visplay Visplay’s Invisible 6 P/L system has been specified for use throughout the new Davidoff store in Basel, Switzerland. The system adds to the refined atmosphere with a virtually invisible profile. Equipped with a horizontal profile, Invisible 6 P/L becomes invisible once glass shelves are inserted. In the store’s elegant glass showcases, shadow zones are avoided thanks to the system’s technical finesse: the integrated power rail can power shelf lighting (24V low voltage), highlighting cigars and accessories. T. +49 (0)7621 77 00 20 00 E. info@visplay.com www.visplay.com

Panache Display Panache Display has extended its successful Nouveau collection to incorporate Nouveau Edit male and female mannequins. The new additions have a stylish egg head and the option of paddle, realistic or paddle hands. To extend the range even further, Panache has added raw and textured finishes with mannequins in mixed finishes, as well as the vintage style torso covered in a natural linen which works beautifully with the articulated hand option. Nouveau and other Panache Display mannequin collections are all on display in the London showroom – to make an appointment contact the company by telephone or email. T. +44 (0)20 8752 2520 E. info@panachedisplay.co.uk www.panachedisplay.co.uk Twitter: PANACHEDISPLAY

arken POP The super thin profile (38mm deep) on arken’s new Fineline slide-in light box allows the poster message to do all the talking. Bright and vibrant LED illumination creates the wow factor, lighting the image evenly and additionally ensures that they are very economical to run, using 65 per cent less energy than traditional tubes. Changing graphics is quick and easy by simply sliding in via slots in either the top or side of the frame. Ideal for brand category signage in store, these light boxes help increase shopper awareness and enhance the brand image or retail message. T. +44 (0)1638 565 656 E. info@arken-pop.com www.arken-pop.com Twitter: arkenPOP

Retail Focus Aug 15_Layout 1 06/07/2015 10:35 Page 1

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opinion

STREET THEATRE Paul Symes, head of visual presentation at Fortnum and Mason, discusses how stores and windows are returning to theatrical showcases and ditching the hanging poster idea that prevailed in the ‘90s. I walk a lot these days, or so my Fitbit and recently acquired Apple Watch inform me. The latter has even taken to let me know when I don’t walk. I walk to work each morning from Highbury to Piccadilly and have done so for the past three years, since I gave up the fags and started to breathe again. Sometimes I walk home in the evenings and I try and walk at weekends. During my walks I pass an awful lot of shop windows; I also pass a lot of awful shop windows, although that trend (thankfully for the people in my profession) seems to be in a state of rapid decline. Not so long ago you could be forgiven for thinking that large format digital printing had taken over the high street. Most of the shops had removed their display windows and resorted to nothing more (apologies to anyone in the inkjet industry) creatively inspiring than a poster hung at an unintentional jaunty angle to advertise their wares. More often than not, they advertised how much they were slashing the price of their wares. Until recently the art of window dressing for smaller shops had over time become virtually extinct, and become a luxury reserved for department stores and the larger multiples, although some of the big boys should have felt ashamed at how lacklustre and uninspiring their window presentations had become. In the last few years, I’ve seen a distinct change of direction and stores of all sizes and shapes are using their front windows again to create enticing displays. This trend towards window creativity seemed to start around the time of the last recession, as opposed to the one before, as stores began to promote their identity and individualism, as opposed to price reductions. It only needed just a few smaller shops setting an example with small innovative window creations and before long the larger stores seem to be following the trend. My walk to work recently took me down Regent Street and later I found myself waxing lyrical to colleagues about how creative Hackett’s sale window was. I never thought that I would ever see a creative sale window, let alone shower one with praise; the one occasion in the retail calendar when hanging a poster in the window would be quite acceptable. Some innovative stores are standing out and bucking the trend. As each week goes by, I see more and more shops realising that a great window display not only entices potential customers into the shop to spend their cash, but can do wonders for the brand’s identity. The more clever, better presented the display, the more the store gets noticed and mentioned; in casual conversation, maybe, as is the trend nowadays, even Instagrammed. From Upper Street to Lamb’s Conduit, a walk along the ‘local’ high street is becoming a feast of entertainment as shop windows are fast becoming the new street theatre. More and more stores are putting back their window beds, leaving the lights on until

midnight, and staging thought provoking displays. As a boy I remember every shop, no matter how small, made the effort to dress their windows, and I used to be taken window shopping when the stores were closed and gaze wantonly at the abundance of wonderful things being showcased. I still, after what seems like a lifetime of creating window theatre, remember a display in a local jeweller’s store. The window consisted of a swinging mannequin leg emerging from a hole in the ceiling surrounded by broken floor boards and falling debris, as if its owner had fallen through from the floor above. The foot was sporting a fluffy mule slipper and the ankle was adorned with a diamond bracket. I thought it was wonderful and used to stand for ages watching the leg swing from side to side and the diamonds glisten in the lights. I’ve now discovered, with this recent trend for window dressing, that as an adult I’m window shopping again, and long may it continue to flourish. Who knows, the stores may even bring back late night shopping...

www.fortnumandmason.com

End of supplement Get the latest VM news at www.retail-focus.co.uk

design & shopfitting

PERFECT FIT:

DESIGN + SHOPFITTING The importance of collaborative working between retailer, shopfitter and designer. Communication and collaboration is key in all forms of life, not least when it comes to retailers, shopfitters and designers working on a new scheme or store concept. ‘Collaboration between all the specialists on a fit-out project is essential. No project can succeed unless the professionals work together to realise the retailer’s investment and bring the designer’s vision for outlet to life on time, on budget and to a quality standard,’ says Simon Campbell, managing director of fit-out specialist Portview. ‘Our internal setting out/CAD department is key to underpinning successful buildability of the client’s intent within the timescales and other parameters.’ Portview works with a number of leading brands in important retail destinations, such as London Mayfair, where it recently completed work on a new flagship store

for Issey Miyake. This scheme was much closer in intent to an art installation than a retail fit-out, demanding a depth of understanding and empathy with the designer’s vision much greater than it has previously encountered. Portview also worked on Fortnum & Mason’s new beauty floor designed by Waldo Works, bringing the vision to life, which was a challenge the team relished. Key among the priorities at the department store was to keep the floor trading, so all works were carried out behind hoardings and much of the structural work on the

Below: Styles&Wood’s front of store refresh roll-out for Waitrose included new customer service desks, quick scan tills and iPad stations.

ceilings, including specialist steelwork to support the signature chandelier in the lift area, was installed at night. New perimeter walls were formed to create niches for the unitary to be built into; the niches having GRG moulds that had to be plastered in position and the units fitted into the alcoves, while an entirely new installation of recessed and pendant lights is all on a sophisticated control system. ‘We regard it as part of our role to ensure that lines of communication are fully open throughout a project and that we establish great working relationships with all the teams involved from the start. That way, if problems do arise they can be resolved quickly, without compromising the quality of the work delivered. Our work on a number of projects airside at Heathrow is testament to this approach. In an environment where safety is paramount, effective communication and teamwork cannot be diluted,’ says Campbell. The need to complement both online and bricks and mortar has seen an increase in in-store technology, such as touch points for customers to browse on and search for items that may not be available in-store. ‘The convergence between e-commerce and brick and mortar stores, as part of the continued drive by retailers to hone their omnichannel strategies, is placing new demands on fit-out contracts,’ says Andy Shaw, operations director at property services group Styles&Wood. ‘In addition to the increasing need to integrate click and collect points, more retailers are encouraging customers to browse online offers while in-store – helping to mitigate against the showrooming phenomenon. This, coupled with a need to maximise service lines in smaller shops as the trend to favour convenience stores rather than out-of-town superstores continues, is seeing rising demand for tablet and desktop

design & shopfitting

devices to be featured in prominent locations in shops.’ Shaw notes that in retail banking space in particular, the technology has come into its own because it increases self-service, alleviating staff to focus on customer advice. It also allows the bank to quickly advertise new services and products to customers without having to spend on new printed marketing materials to be rolled out branch-to-branch. ‘What this means for fit-out work, is greater end-to-end management. More projects require not only the installation of IT, and associated technical know-how, but delivery of the full change management. Often this includes liaising with a central IT team and network providers, as well as training staff to use new devices so that these are used to their full potential. Contractors are now upping their skills in this area, given that more retail clients are keen to maximise cost efficiency by awarding projects to a single supplier that can offer this full change implementation,’ continues Shaw.

Right: Portview worked on Fortnum & Mason’s new beauty floor; Touchscreen windows offer a modern twist on window shopping, like this window kiosk by One iota. Below: Portview relished the challenge of bringing the vision to life on Fortnum & Mason’s beauty floor.

Damian Hanson, CEO and founder of one-iota, a multi-channel retail specialist in online, in-store and interactive solutions, says retailers can bring innovation and multi-channel retail technology into their design and shopfitting. ‘Shopping today is evolving, with customers demanding far more than a simple trip to the shops when visiting the high street. They now require a retail experience. Connected technology plays a critical part in providing this and it’s an area that retailers should consider although many overlook - when planning their shop fit and design,’ says Hanson. Retailers have a golden opportunity to enhance their customers’ experience by utilising the highly sophisticated in-store technology solutions available today. It can help them create an interactive shopping experience that brings online and digital shopping experiences into bricks and mortar outlets, by literally making them part of the furniture. Take shop windows for example. Touchscreen window kiosks offer a modern twist on window shopping, allowing retailers to connect with shoppers 24/7 and encouraging round the clock shopping. ‘Using the touchscreen window display, customers can browse a retailer’s full range of products and add items to a basket. Having scanned a QR code on the window kiosk, their basket of goods is transferred and opened on either the retailer’s app or mobile site on their own device. The customer can then pay for their items when and where they want using their preferred

design & shopfitting

payment method and delivery option,’ explains Hanson. He also notes the use of interactive mirrors that are becoming a key component of a shop’s design. By scanning a product barcode, the interactive mirror technology enables the customer to select any colour and size options that may not be available in-store, and then transfer their basket of goods either on to their own device to make the purchase, or to a store till where they can make payment in-store. ‘Integrated kiosks also form an essential part of the shop-fit for the retailer who is looking to embrace multi-channel retail technology into their fixtures and fittings. Kiosks bring the entire eCommerce range in-store with intuitive multi-touch and entirely self-service devices. This connected technology enables customers to shop an entire product range while still in the store, giving them access to extended ranges and out of stock items – all of which helps retailers to maximise the potential for sales while the customer is still in-store. On a larger scale, digital signage offers the ultimate in customer engagement and in-store entertainment, as well as creating a dramatic visual impact in the store,’ continues Hanson.

NAS Design Partnership Awards 2015 Taking place at Kent House, Knightsbridge on 24 September 2015, the NAS Design Partnership Awards, in conjunction with 100% Design, celebrate the success of retail, non-retail and leisure collaboration between interior designers, shopfitters and fit-out contractors. Recognising achievement throughout the interiors sector, a prestigious panel of highly-respected leaders from the interiors sector will judge nominations for the awards categories on their merit and positive impact on the market which is interiors. Visit www.shopfitters.org for more information about the awards.

Chris Bartram, managing director of flat panel display specialist Crystal Display Systems, stresses the importance of collaborative working. ‘For us this is absolutely critical, especially due to our positioning between the designers and the shopfitters with our digital display and touch solutions. The reasons for this include the fact that designers need our input and expertise on the best digital solutions for their specific project/requirement including the latest technologies we have introduced or are about to introduce. With the shopfitters it’s similar but more focused on the best mounting and packaging solutions to ensure optimum performance and no overheating or issue with the displays/ touchscreens once in store. ‘We effectively become an extended technical team/consultant for these companies, which means they keep their overheads low as they don’t need these expensive people in-house and we are on the cutting edge of the display technology.’ Bartram says his company is very careful to ensure its customers and the end client are clear about what CDS is offering, including the benefits and downsides, if there are any, which he feels is also important. ‘Communication can be improved with face to face meetings, site visits and analysis, confirmation in writing of the recommended solution and any important information associated with that. We will often visit end clients with our customer as a member of their team to have direct contact and ensure we understand any issues so we can recommend the optimum digital solution.’ When asked what advice he would

give to make the process as smooth as possible, Bartram stresses: ‘Communication, communication, communication! Understand what the end user client needs and wants to achieve and focus on that, including highlighting any potential issues or alternatives so the end client has all the information to get the optimum solution.’

Above: One iota says connected technology plays a critical part in providing a retail experience. Below: Transparent displays in Harrods’ windows by Crystal Display Systems.

london

focus LONDON on: Developments continue in the capital, with a host of exciting new schemes planned.

Boxpark Croydon Boxpark Croydon will be opening in summer 2016. Similar to its Shoreditch sister, the concept will be constructed from shipping containers, but this time there will be 80 units and a covered courtyard area for year-round events. Customers will also be able to take advantage of a click and collect service called Boxpark Marketplace, which allows customers to physically shop for products in the stores as well as purchase and share items online and on their mobile phones. ‘Croydon is one of the last London boroughs to be developed. Stratford, White City and Nine Elms have all seen recent developments. I want everyone to re-think their view of Croydon,’ says Roger Wade, founder and CEO of Boxpark.

Now is a very exciting time for London. The iconic Battersea Power Station is being sympathetically transformed into a key retail, business and leisure destination for central London, as part of the redevelopment of the Nine Elms redevelopment. This will also see a new market for Covent Garden. Then there’s Boxpark in Croydon, new retail opportunities in King’s Cross, not to mention the developments surrounding the pending Crossrail stations. The EU’s tallest building, The Shard, will also see retail expansion in the form of the Shard Arcade, while Westfield London’s footprint is expanding.

Westfield London Westfield is investing more than £1 billion in creating a new residential quarter and expanding the retail and leisure facilities at Westfield London, including a new 21,000 sq m John Lewis department store. This will be situated adjacent to the Hammersmith and City Line viaduct at the new town centre gateway and in the heart of the Opportunity Area regeneration zone. The new, four level department store will now have two entrances: one as you approach the site from the White City and Wood Lane Underground stations and one from the shopping centre. The expansion northwards will include around 60,000 sq m of new shops in different sizes suitable for both high quality independent retailers and well-known brands. Construction on the retail and first phase of residential started in 2014. Construction on the second phase of residential will begin in 2016, with everything scheduled to finish in 2017.

london Nine Elms Nine Elms on the South Bank is set to become an ultra modern, exciting residential and business destination in central London. The area will benefit from three iconic attractions: a regenerated Battersea Power Station, the new United States Embassy and New Covent Garden Market. It will also include almost 3km of Thames river frontage lined with cafes, bars, restaurants, cultural attractions and public spaces. A new linear park will run right through the area from east to west, making it one of the greenest districts on London’s South Bank. The New Covent Garden Market will offer a 46,451 sq m food quarter for London, comprising 3,000 new homes and 21,832 sq m of office, retail and leisure space. The Garden Heart will be a place to buy, sell, make, share and learn. Construction of New Covent Garden Market starts in summer 2015. Redevelopments of Battersea Power Station are well underway, and when finished the site will be one of the largest retail, leisure and cultural complexes in central London. The world-class team of architects working on the redevelopment include Wilkinson Eyre,

Ian Simpson Associates, dRMM, Foster + Partners, Rafael Viñoly and Gehry Partners. It will comprise 250 retail and food & beverage outlets, with the first 40 operators to open in late 2016 in Circus West (Phase 1). There will be 115 retail and food & beverage units set in the show-stopping power station, over the ground, upper ground and first floors of the Boiler House and the two Turbine Halls. In addition, a 2,787 sq m fashion hub of new London graduate talent will be developed to aid and nurture design, business development, showcasing and the art of selling. Phase 3 will see more than 50 large retail and food & beverage units open in 2020 to create London’s newwest high street designed by Foster + Partners and Frank Gehry. The high street is the southern pedestrian gateway, linking the new Northen Line extension with the rest of the development. Across the site, food and beverage operators will offer their produce through a range of outlets, from food stalls, pop-ups and cafes to fine dining establishments and food markets. In the Power Station, a whole floor will be devoted to a bespoke mix of food and beverage brands in a new collective style.

King’s Cross The 67 acre site of King’s Cross is being transformed into a new part of the city with homes, shops, offices, galleries, bars, restaurants, schools and even a university. It’s a whole new piece of London with a brand new postcode, N1C. Pancras Square opened in January, a new square at the gateway to King’s Cross. Restaurants and cafes will spill out into the square, from the likes of Vinoteca, Notes Coffee, Kimchee, Granger & Co and D&D London. In time, a new pedestrian bridge across Regent’s Canal will link Pancras Square to Granary Square (which opened in 2012) and the new proposed Coal Drops Yard shopping area. With its canalside location, Coal Drops Yard is a scheme comprising around 60 units that’s due to open in 2018. The cobble streets and Victorian brick arches will house quirky boutiques, restaurants, galleries, music venues and bars. Shops and cafes will spread out onto the streets and public spaces. Free from traffic, the area will be buzzing with street life, food stalls and more.

Shard Arcade Coming soon to The Shard is a boutique retail environment for premium brands. With floor-to-ceiling glazing throughout, the retail units — designed by the building’s architect Renzo Piano — provide highly visual showcases in unique sizing configurations that ensure each brand has its own bespoke space. The Shard Arcade will comprise six retail units and nine kiosks/retail bays offering more than 766 sq m of space.

opinion

GOING INTERNATIONAL If you’re going to expand overseas, do your homework, understand the culture and make sure you’re not unwittingly offending local customers says Craig Phillipson, managing director and founder of Shopworks. With the increased expectations of the new global shoppers having made pilgrimages to consumer meccas such as London and Paris, the stores of the west are having a significant influence on retail design in booming markets such as Asia, Russia, the Middle East and South America, presenting great opportunities for home-grown designers. Whilst every good retailer should be telling their own story well in-store, the functional principles of retail store design remain pretty much universally relevant. The aim of any successful retail store begins with equalising the value of the space, making each square metre of the store work as hard as possible. This is realised by creating a deliberate pathway through the store so that shoppers have an easy journey from the threshold to their chosen category, and in the process can view as much of the other merchandise as possible; the adjacencies. Clever use of flooring, positioning and orientation of gondolas and strategically placed lighting are all effective ways of helping direct customers through the space and on their way to finding their planned and unplanned purchases. However, it’s in the creation of the emotional experience instore that things can and do vary according to local customs and culture. Only by understanding and respecting such dynamics can one avoid ‘category one’ errors and create a locally relevant retail experience. Take a store layout in the UAE; when designing for well-known telecom brands we quickly understood that we needed to allow for a more comfortable and extensive seating area for sales consultation as, beyond a certain value, there is a cultural expectation for a longer chat and negotiation. In a three-year global retail research program for Swarovski, we presented the brand with insights to ensure that its store design was appealing and relevant to local markets as they embarked on international expansion. We found in Hong Kong that the original colours of blue and red used in the store design were not as well received as in western markets, because red means dynamic and passionate to local customers, when the brand is perceived to be calm, subtle and serene. In neighbouring China, where consumers are becoming increasingly savvy about what’s on offer worldwide, there’s a trend to rapidly move away from the traditional model of displaying products on simple shelving, to creating more immersive experiences and reinforcing quality and trust in products through the design of the retail space. Quality and trust because this has historically lacked in Chinese products, so the consumer seeks means of reassurance from the brand reflected in the quality of the retail environment. Experiences because of the boom in international travel by Chinese consumers meaning they have tasted other retail models and now demand similar in their home market (Chinese shoppers accounted for 20 per cent of all international spending in London’s West End in 2014 — source

Global Blue). Such a vast market is also seeing the franchisee business model expanding apace, with the number of stores for a new brand reaching into the hundreds very quickly, sometimes within one-two years. The implication here is for the store furniture and unitary design to be modular and flexible to cater for cost effective and fast roll-outs. Automotive retailers are anticipating huge growth opportunities in China, where 22 million vehicles were sold last year. In Audi’s Beijing showroom we found that the PoS plinths used to display the car details were placed too low, forcing Chinese consumers to bow down to read the information and thus making them feel in some way subservient to the Audi brand; a no-no in Chinese culture. Over in Russia, the length of sentences required to say the same thing in English and Russian is a key issue when trying to adapt PoS materials, logos or taglines. It typically can take two and a half times as many words to express the same thing in Russian as in English. Store signage here is also subject to regulations, which are designed to avoid consumer confusion. Where a storefront in the UK might simply bear the brand ‘Pandora’, in Russia additional text is required to effectively say, ‘This is a jewellery store’. Azerbaijan’s increasing number of new shopping centres is driving retailing competition (retail sales in Azerbaijan increased 10 per cent in 2014 over the previous year). Designing a new store format for national telecom provider Nar, we used locally relevant design language to leverage the values of the brand, bringing it to life in a retail space. In Azeri, Nar means pomegranate and is the country’s national fruit, holding positive associations and cultural significance to its people. Taking these positive cues, we designed the store layout to feature furniture that reflected the shape of the pomegranate and punctuated the space with the bright colours of Nar to create a happy place for conversation. Each country has its own traditions, cultural norms and taboos; it’s what makes the world a dynamic place. So if you’re going to create a great place to shop in a new territory, do your homework, understand the culture and make sure you’re not unwittingly offending local customers.

www.shopworks.co.uk

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products

SURFACES + FINISHES CD UK CD UK has supplied Dupont Corian to Southampton Football Club’s new training facilities in Marchwood. In keeping with the football theme, fabricator Ridon Joinery created centrepiece tables and desks in the training area, the first team dining room and the auditorium. A 6m-long high level table with a goal post design is finished in Corian Glacier White in the dining room. In the first team dining area the tables are made from Corian Lava rock solid surface material with a grey laminated circular base. For the auditorium, Ridon Joinery designed a desk using Corian Lava Rock to give the appearance of a natural finish stone. The desk ends are made from Corian Deep Grey. T. +44 (0)113 201 2240 E: info@cdukltd.co.uk www.cdukltd.co.uk Twitter: cdukltd

Armourcoat Super Surfaces, representing Armourcoat’s Indian master distributor Globecoat India in Telangana and Andhra, recently opened a new showroom in Hyderabad. The stunning space showcases a wide range of Armourcoat polished plaster finishes. India is fast becoming a key territory for Armourcoat, as the construction sector is forecast to grow at 7-8 per cent each year over the next decade. According to a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers report, India will see increased economic growth and the removal of barriers to foreign investment will ‘spur demand for construction’ over the coming 12-18 months. T. +44 (0)1732 460 668 E: sales@armourcoat.co.uk www.armourcoat.com Twitter: Armourcoat

Wilsonart Wilsonart’s Gemstone is a versatile surfacing solution made from 85 per cent recycled materials – crushed glass, mirror and sea shells, bonded with solvent-free resin. The result is a highly decorative surface with wow factor. It’s as hard as quartz with a unique look and texture. Incredibly robust and stable, Gemstone is ideal for demanding and high traffic commercial applications, can be installed horizontally or vertically and can be dry-cut to shape on site. Its hygienic suface is resistant to water, mould and bacteria, making it ideal for healthcare and food installations. There are 13 standard finishes to choose from, and the company can also produce bespoke options for larger projects. T. +44 (0)1388 770 113 E. julie@wilsonart.co.uk www.wilsonart.co.uk Twitter: Wilsonart

Armourcoat Armourcoat’s KonCrete polished plaster wall finishes have been used throughout the refurbishment of 10 Bloomsbury Way for London & Regional Properties by architect BuckleyGrayYeoman. Armourcoat KonCrete is an urban range of polished plaster colours and finishes designed for contemporary projects. The range offers a wealth of design options to achieve a distinctive modern look, including distressed effects or recessed ‘shutter’ markings. T. +44 (0)1732 460 668 E: sales@armourcoat.co.uk www.armourcoat.com Twitter: Armourcoat Photography: ©Hufton & Crow

products

FLOORING Junckers Junckers solid oak flooring has been chosen for Bethlem Royal Hospital’s Museum of the Mind, which has recently opened to the public after undergoing extensive renovation and refurbishment works. The understated interior scheme features Junckers Wide Board Oak flooring and white surfaces to act as a backdrop to the museum’s permanent collection of treatment methods and implements of almost 800 years of psychiatric care. Hardwearing and easy to maintain, Junckers solid wood floors are ideal for public spaces, even in high traffic areas. The 20.5mm thick planks can be sanded and re-finished several times. T. +44 (0)1376 534 700 E: brochures@junckers.co.uk www.junckers.co.uk Twitter: @junckersfloors

Moduleo Luxury vinyl flooring manufacturer Moduleo has unveiled its new Click with LockXpress to the UK market. The upgraded product has been engineered for an increase in strength and is available now from all Moduleo-approved stockists. Manufactured with the latest patented push down technology, the Click with LockXpress system simply locks into place without any adhesive. Click with LockXpress is available on all Moduleo products, including the brand new additions to the company’s Select and Transform collections, and its innovative Impress range. T. +44 (0)1332 851 500 E: salesuk@moduleo.com www.moduleo.co.uk Twitter: ModuleoUK

Forbo Flooring Systems Forbo Flooring System’s luxury vinyl tile offering, Allura, has been expanded to include an equally sophisticated safety tile range. The new Allura Safety Tile combines the consistently stylish designs, flexibility and performance of Allura with sustainable slip resistance properties. There are 16 inspiring designs chosen for this first collection, reflecting the most prominent and fashionable flooring trends of today. T. +44 (0)1773 744 121 E. info.flooring.uk@forbo.com www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/allurasafety Twitter: forboflooring

Junckers Junckers’ latest parquet floor with longer, wide board staves is delivered pre-finished so the floor is ready to walk on as soon as it’s installed. Whalebone Staves is a contemporary take on the classic parquet floor with a factory applied finish of UltraMatt lacquer, which means there is no need for on-site treatments when the floor has been installed. The extra-long staves measure 700mm x 140mm and are available in solid, natural oak or black oak. As well as herringbone pattern, Whalebone Staves can be laid in square basket or ladder patterns. T. +44 (0)1376 534 700 E. brochures@junckers.co.uk www.junckers.co.uk Twitter: @junckersfloors

products

PROJECTS Futura Retail Solutions Morleys Stores, the London-based independent department store group, is extending its Futura retail POS and Head Office solution to integrate systems at its latest store acquisition, Camp Hopson of Newbury in Berkshire. Rolling out the Futura retail management and EPOS solution to the latest store will help streamline operations in line with the rest of the group bringing with it the benefits of centralised buying and improved business intelligence and analysis. The roll-out, which also includes Futura’s integrated gift card solution, brings the total number of tills across the Morleys estate to 232. T. +44 (0)1189 841 925 E. sales@futurauk.com www.futura4retail.co.uk Twitter: Futura_retail

PEL Music & Media PEL Music & Media is working with The Entertainer on an ingenious roll-out of systems and music for its programme of new stores, most recently in the new store at Hemel Hempstead. PEL has created a versatile solution that crucially provides ease-of-use for a highly-mobile team of store managers, since the systems work simply and identically at whichever store they work in. PEL has supplied the new stores with a complete audio package, starting with the design, supply, installation and maintenance of in-store sound systems that provide assured, excellent sound-quality. The systems are zoned to allow the control of volume in various areas of the stores and help create the correct ambience, based on The Entertainer’s planned store layout. T. +44 (0)333 123 2100 E: studio@pel.co.uk www.pel.co.uk/ audio-visual Twitter: PELservices1

JS Air Curtains JS Air Curtains’ quick response and cost effective products made it the ideal retrofit choice to protect customers from chilly drafts at Cannon Hall Garden Centre in the village of Cawthorne in South Yorkshire. As they opened, the automatic sliding doors at the main entrance into Cannon Hall wafted in bitterly cold winds, bringing down the ambient temperature throughout the garden centre to an uncomfortable level for both customers and employees. JS Air Curtains suggested a cost effective and attractive Mini Optima. Offered in several lengths, the Mini Optima air curtain is available as a single or three-phase unit, making installation simple. Heating can be via LPHW or an electric heater, as in the case of Cannon Hall, and it is also available as an air only model. Adjustable outlets enable the airflow to be directed at an angle to give a tight seal across the doorway. T. +44 (0)1903 858 656 E. info@jsaircurtains.com www.jsaircurtains.com Twitter: JSAirCurtains

Shelfstore Shelfstore has provided shelving solutions for The Traditional Sweet Shop in High Wycombe. Shelfstore provides the ideal design for anyone collecting retro items by offering limitless design opportunities. Using the Design Wizard tool on www.shelfstore.co.uk, you can order shelving, cabinets and bookcases with doors, drawers, desks and more, so you can create storage space as you see fit. Shelving comes in six depths and seven widths to match upright measures in eight heights and six depths, and you can move a shelf in 5cm increments. T. +44 (0)1628 782 642 E. info@shelfstore.co.uk www.shelfstore.co.uk Twitter: Shelfstore

products

LIGHTING Commercial Lighting The Sovereign Maxi LED Gimbal Downlighter from Commercial Lighting is a versatile product range of high performance LED technology, available in a choice of outputs and colour temperature options. The unit is supplied complete with a high efficiency fixed output LED driver for optimum life and performance, with other dimmable options available upon request. The main bezel and lamp housing of high quality die cast aluminium comes with a powder coated finish for durability. The downlighters can be finished in any RAL/BS colour. T. +44 (0)1489 581 002 E: sales@commercial-lighting.co.uk www.commercial-lighting.co.uk Twitter: clslight

Display Lighting The DPLED Gantry luminaire from Display Lighting has been designed for illuminating display and museum applications. It is made to measure, so almost any configuration can be achieved. It unobtrusively illuminates jewellery and merchandise within display cabinets and showcases, The luminaire has a light output of more than 1,700lm/m and a CRI of 90. The no UV, low heat, low energy lighting solution reduces energy bills compared with halogen and metal halide. DLED and DPLED Gantry luminaires have been widely specified by retailers worldwide since 2009 in shopping centres, airports and high streets T. +44 (0)161 207 3355 E. enquiries@display-lighting.com www.display-lighting.com Twitter: DisplayLighting

Megaman Megaman’s Siena LED downlighters have been used to great effect at the new East Shopping Centre in Upton Park, London. The Siena LED downlighters were specified for the project by electrical wholesaler CEF in Kensington throughout the whole centre, including the Souk and individual retail stores. The Siena integrated downlights incorporate a 35.5W LED, offering 50,000 hours of life along with a five year warranty. T. +44 (0)845 408 4625 E. sales@megamanuk.com www.megamanuk.com Twitter: @MegamanUKLtd

Commercial Lighting The Sovereign Mini LED Pendant 250 from Commercial Lighting is a high quality, enclosed pendant incorporating the latest CREE LED tehnology with built-in thermal management control for optimum performance and longevity. The unit is finished with a high efficiency LED driver – which is located within the ceiling plate – offering up to 110lm/W system efficacy. The main housing is made from quality aluminium spinning with a machined aluminium front bezel and integrated microprism glass lens. The pendant can be finished in any RAL/BS colour. T. +44 (0)1489 581 002 E. sales@commercial-lighting.co.uk www.commercial-lighting.co.uk Twitter: clslight

R_Focus_Manta_Hacel_2015.qxp_Layout 1 19/06/2015 10:37 Page 1

M a n t a : L E D S i n g l e Po i n t

Sharp yet Sophisticated The refined Manta LED, designed and manufactured in the UK by Hacel combines state of the art Zhaga single point LED modules and exceptional CRIs. This is a distinguished product showcasing an inspired design, bringing a unique dimension to innovative spotlight illumination. Artistic Flair. Advanced Performance.

Our stunning new Fluent in Lighting Catalogue presents a dynamic range of architecturally inspired, class leading LED luminaires with superior perfomance. Request your high quality catalogue at marketing@hacel.co.uk or Download Now www.hacel.co.uk

lighting

focusLIGHTING on: This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focus is on lighting, and interestingly all the luminaires featured utilise LEDs. This technology has come a long way since its early beginnings. LEDs are being specified more and more within retail to provide high quality, controllable, energy saving lighting.

Shaping up LED Eco Lights has launched a range of filament-style retrofit LED lamps, designed to provide a timeless vintage feel. Bright Goods products include a wide selection of popular shapes including globes, squirrel cages, candles, long tubes and traditional GLS lamps. Significantly, whilst invoking nuances of Victorian nostalgia, the new range also offers the energy saving benefits of a 21st century LED lamp.

www.brightgoods.co.uk

Energy saver Luxonic continues its fit-out of Cooperative stores across central England, with the latest installation in Nottingham. Luxonic supplied the store with a special retail version ALM recessed panel and its VLED100 Gimbal for the sales floor. The result is a system that delivers 101 lumens per circuit watt at 44W for the ALM. Luxonicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s involvement in the project has halved the lighting load in the store whilst delivering a better standard of lighting on the horizontal and vertical planes.

www.luxonic.co.uk

lighting

Cut above the rest Commercial Lighting has created a lighting solution for a local salon to celebrate its 25th year of trading. The brief asked for dynamic, theatrical and functional lighting. Commercial Lighting gave the salon layers of light that can be controlled via a DMX system. Inside, a mixture of Sovereign LED projectors, Sovereign Ecoblade, RGB LED Tape and RGB Inground fixtures was used. The facade was also given the theatrical feel. The DMX System can be adjusted and controlled via an app on the client’s tablet.

www.commercial-lighting.co.uk

Sleek and slender Infinitas by Hacel is a refined LED luminaire. The system is precision extruded and offers continuous lines of uninterrupted uniform lighting. Optional accent luminaires further enhance the versatility of the fitting. Available in surface, suspended or recessed, in both bezel and bezel-free formats, the flexibility is further enhanced by uplighting variations and completely illuminated corners.

www.hacel.net

Small but perfectly formed Design LED Products has launched its Edinburgh shelf solution in an ultra-slim luminaire design. Edinburgh provides a cost optimised and energy efficient lighting solution with no glare or multi-shadow artefact. With a thickness of 6mm, it offers high quality product illumination and an efficacy of 105lm/W. The luminaire is easy to install in lengths of up to 10m driven from a single ECG with a dimming option available.

www.designledproducts.com

Flying high Paul Nulty Lighting Design has developed a lighting design concept called Flock of Birds, bringing art and light to Crawley Mall Shopping Centre. Paying homage to the Old English translation of the Crawley name, ‘clearing frequented by crows’, and acknowledging the centre’s proximity to Gatwick, PNLD wanted the 125m-long sculpture to portray the theme of flight. PNLD’s concept of Flock of Birds captures the form and elegance of airborne birds using colour-changing LEDs that pulse a wash of vibrancy up and down the sculpture, giving different, glowing intensity throughout the day and across the seasons.

www.paulnulty.co.uk

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LIGHTING THE WAY FOR RETAILERS WORLDWIDE SINCE 2000 1-2 Retail Focus Magazine.pdf

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Design LED Products offer based on their award winning and outstanding technology, the world's thinnest shelf lighting solutions* and the world's thinnest & flexible backlighting solutions*. The high density Ness and the cost-optimised Lomond LED module reveal new areas of applications for backlighting and signage in a unique, thin design allowing single-sided, double-sided and even convex or concave forms. Edinburgh in an ultra-slim luminaire design at only 6mm and the flexible Clyde at only 2mm are ideal for integration into furniture, undercabinet lighting and retail lighting. *With the integrated optics in Design LED Productsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; patented technology

Directory

Retail Supplier Directory, find the specialist retail products and services you are looking for from leading suppliers around the world. Retail Supplier Directory Visit the Retail Focus online directory at www.retail-focus.co.uk to discover a comprehensive list of the 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: info@d-i-a.net W: www.d-i-a.net S. www.twitter.com/DesignsinAlumin

Bespoke Display

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

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

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

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

Design Consultancies

H Squared Limited are display specialists in creating brand presence at the point of purchase. Through a holistic approach to the development of display... strategic led creative design and cost effective manufacture, supply and installation, H Squared are able to offer clients an experience to nurture an idea as well as the capability to realise and deliver these ideas. T: 01530 814200 E: studio@hsquared.co.uk W: www.hsquaredltd.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/HSquaredLtd

Aluminium Fittings

Bespoke Display

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aluminium Fittings

Bespoke Display

Brochure Holders

Design Consultancies

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Display

Internationally acclaimed, award winning unique magnetic wall system offers instant flexibility & creative choice to architects, interiors & store designers. Since launching the magnIQ system in 2006 the response has been quite phenomenal. To date the system has won 13 prestigious awards and is now internationally recognised justifying the many years Rare Basic spent on research and development. T +44 (0)20 8348 9888 E: mail@rarebasic.com W: www.rarebasic.com S: www.twitter.com/rarebasic

Display - Digital

Furniture

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

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

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

Furniture

Display

Display - Digital

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

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

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

EPOS

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

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

Finishes

Display

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

Graphics

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

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

Graphics

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

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

Directory

Slatwall

Interactive Displays

Permanent POS

POP/POS

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

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

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

T: 01273 582241 E: info@d-i-a.net W: www.d-i-a.net S. www.twitter.com/DesignsinAlumin

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

Lighting

POP/POS

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

Custom made, 20mm deep LED Edge lit ‘Diamond’ light boxes, and 8mm deep ‘Garnet’ light panels for retail display, signage and advertising.

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

T: 0333 123 0345 E: Sales@ways2display.com W www.artillus.com Web: www.ways2display.com

Literature Display Solutions

POP/POS

We specialise in Point of Sale (POS) and Point of Purchase (POP). We design, manufacture and fit retail fixtures and store displays and we’re good at it. For over 55 years Axiom has been designing and producing exciting and innovative retail displays for well known brands and retail groups.

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

Maintenance

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

T: +44 (0)161 681 1371 E: info@axiom-displays.co.uk W: www.axiom-displays.co.uk

POP/POS

From small, lightweight point-of-sale display turntables for short term use, to larger turntables designed for durability and reliability over many years, Movetech UK has a turntable to meet your needs.

T: 01204 537680 E: display@movetechuk.com W:www.movetechuk.com S. www.twitter.com/movetechuk

POP Install

100% provides services in the UK & Europe covering: • • • • • •

Display Installation POS Updates & Maintenance Store Audits Transport & Warehousing Project Management Online Reporting

T: +44 (0)161 929 9599 E: dan.williams@100percentgroup.com W: www.100percentgroup.com S. www.twitter.com/ 100percentgroup

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

Slatwall

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

MTFX Winter Effects artificial display snow range includes all you need to give your displays the crispness of a winter setting or the chill of a frosty Christmas.

T: 01452 729903 E: info@mtfx.com W: www.mtfx.com

Retail Consultancy

VM - Training & Tools

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

Q&A

David Elliott is business development director at Voisins, Jersey’s largest department store. Here he discusses his journey from a saturday job at The Co-operative to his current role at Voisins, the evolving design of department stores and the recent redesign of its beauty department. RF. Please can you run through your retail career and how you got into the industry? DE. It started with a pocket money Saturday job at The Cooperative. I loved it and found my destiny. This was followed by a lengthy career at Debenhams from trainee to opening the retailer’s first store in Scotland, running the flagship store in Oxford Street and finally responsible for 17 department stores. Then 10 wonderful years at Selfridges as buying director and then retail director. Lots of great experiences in one of the finest stores in the world, including opening the first Selfridges outside of Oxford Street. I was then CEO at Bentalls Department Store Group for three exhilarating years, then I decided to go plural with a variety of roles at stores including Morleys Stores, Arnotts in Dublin and Voisins in Jersey. I then became managing director of Voisins in Jersey and now business development director of Voisins. RF. How do you feel the design of department stores in general is evolving?

DE. In Voisins we want to create a great customer experience — the ‘wow’ factor as you enter the store. As a designer said to me, ‘an effective assault on the senses’ — in the positive sense of course. What I like to refer to as ‘retail theatre’. You’ve recently worked with Umbrella Design to redesign RF. the beauty hall at Voisins of Jersey. What does the new design entail? DE. As you walk through the Beauty Department you sense a floor of colour, design and a wonderful flow through many beauty experiences. Umbrella Design has, by working with the various brands, helped us create something very special for our customers. RF. How did you set about choosing brands for the beauty hall?

DE. Design plays a very important part in both exciting and motivating customers’ experiences. Something that was brought home to me with the modernisation of Selfridges. Good design can change the whole perception of a business, which increasingly, many stores are investing in. RF. How has the design of Voisins of Jersey developed over the past years?

DE. Beauty is our most shopped department, so new, exclusive and innovative brands all play their part. RF. What other plans do you have for the store this year? DE. We are working closely with Umbrella on a new and exciting design for our Women’s Floor. Watch this space in Voisins.

we design & produce window displays USING WOOD / ACRYLIC / METAL / PRINT / PLASTIC / POLYSTYRENE / COMMON SENSE

Blacks London 0207 377 1776 Blacks Factory 01937 840 090 Email info@blacks-vm.com