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Features Regulars Loft space
The new Warehouse flagship store on London’s Oxford Street is designed in collaboration with Brown Studio and draws its inspiration from the converted warehouses of New York’s Meat Packing district and Soho.
38 Bank branch design
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EuroShop review
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Leader
24-31 Project Focus
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London retail
Skagen Denmark : The Fifth Avenue Man : Warehouse
Diary
11-14 N ews
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17-18 Window shopping Inspiring window displays from around the globe.
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Top of the POPS
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Karl McKeever Love it or hate it, EuroShop is one of those events that you just have to be there, maintains Karl
Opinion
Mark Fanthorpe, owner of Umbrella Design, touches on the intangibles of modern retail success.
58 Focus on: Surfaces of visual display, Janet Wardley tells us where she draws her inspiration and why she’s keen to work with up-and-coming artists and designers.
48-55 P roducts Products and services for the retail industry.
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Q&A This month Harvey Nichols’ award-winning head
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www.retail-focus.co.uk
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March ‘14
Hopefully by now you have recovered from the spectacle that was EuroShop last month. The event, which takes place once every three years in Germany, was vast in both size and scope and brought with it a definite sense of optimism. If you missed the show or simply want to revisit some of the highlights then check out our review in this issue (pages 33-36). You can also view our day-by-day coverage of EuroShop on the Retail Focus Facebook page. Closer to home, high demand for prime retail locations in London is reportedly pushing rents to record-breaking levels, prompting many businesses to seek space in other areas. This month, we consider the attraction of London as a shopping destination and look at four key developments set to transform the capital’s retail landscape in the near future. (pages 43-44) On top of that we discuss the evolving role of the physical bank branch on the high street (pages 38-39) and cover a selection of surface materials designed to add texture and visual interest to the retail space (pages 58-59). In our regular project focus, we visit the new Warehouse flagship store on London’s Oxford Street, designed by Brown Studio, and explore Skagen Denmark’s new London retail experience, created in collaboration with UXUS. New York-based retail design firm Jeffrey Hutchison & Associates also share the thinking behind the design of the new men’s fashion emporium at Saks Fifth Avenue in Chicago. In the meantime, we’re preparing to visit our next media partner events, RBTE and the VM & Display Show. Until next month!
Gemma Balmford Editor
Editor
Display Sales
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diary
The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945-2014 V&A, London 5 April - 27 July 2014 The V&A’s spring exhibition, The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945-2014, will be the first major show to examine Italy’s rich and influential contribution to fashion from the end of the Second World War to the present. It will highlight the exceptional quality of techniques, materials and expertise for which Italy has become renowned. The exhibition will consider how Italy’s fashion designers, manufacturers, press and related industries are navigating the current shift towards overseas production, fast fashion, internet retail and digital communication.
V_and_A www.vam.ac.uk
The Fashion World of Jean Paul Light+Building Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to Messe Frankfurt, Germany the Catwalk 30 March - 4 April 2014 Barbican Art Gallery, London 9 April - 25 August 2014 Light+Building is the world’s leading trade This dynamic installation of more than 140 cutting-edge couture and ready-to-wear garments explores Gaultier’s fashion world, from his witty and boundary-pushing designs to his ceaseless interest in society, identity and a beauty borne of difference.
BarbicanCentre www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery
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fair for architecture and technology. Every two years the industry presents its latest innovations for the fields of lighting, electrical engineering, house and building automation and software for the construction industry. The main theme at Light+Building is energy efficiency.
Light_Building www.light-building.messefrankfurt.com
VM & Display Show Business Design Centre, London 29 April - 1 May 2014 The VM & Display Show is the only exhibition in the UK dedicated to visual merchandising and retail display. The three-day event enables visitors to discover new products and ideas intended to attract and engage with today’s consumers. The event will once again incorporate a student competition.
VMDisplayShow www.vmanddisplay.com
V I B R A N T, M AG N I F I C E N T & DA Z Z L I N G A spectacular carnival of colour. A dizzying display of merchandising magic. Come and be inspired. The Visual Merchandising and Display Show 2014. 29th April – 1st May 2014 Business Design Centre, London T: 01945 420 068 E: enquiries@rvmww.com www.vmanddisplay.com
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news
Lumsden creates shop for British Museum extension Lumsden Design has created the shop for the new Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery at the British Museum in London. Located between the entrance to the exhibition space and the Egyptian Sculpture gallery, the shop stocks premium merchandise such as jewellery and silk scarves against a monochrome interior.
The double-height, 188 sq m retail space is dominated with floor-to-ceiling columns that are surrounded by bespoke display tables with integral storage. Made from black stained oak with contrasting polished white Armourcast tops, the units can be arranged in different formations to allow ultimate flexibility. A metal
Global airport retail market set to rise by 72.9 per cent over next five years The global airport retail market is set to reach $59.2 billion in 2019, a rise of 72.9 per cent on 2013, according to a new report from Verdict. This will be driven by stronger passenger growth as well as growing affluence in emerging markets, which will boost spend. Verdict forecasts that Asia Pacific will have the fastest growth in airport retailing sales over the next six years, with the market more than doubling. Passenger numbers are expected to increase by 37.8 per cent in the period and spend per
passenger is predicted to rise from $7.78 to $11.37. While the weak economy has dampened passenger number growth in Europe and North America over the last five years, growth is set to pick up again as the economy shows signs of improvement. ‘Beauty products and alcohol are set to benefit the most from rising passenger numbers, seeing an increase in global sales of 109.9 per cent and 73.4 per cent respectively up until 2019,’ says Verdict analyst, Carly Syme. ‘While the alcohol
ladder tower wraps the columns, giving further flexibility to display product and promotional graphics relating to each current exhibition. The shop opened on 6 March 2014 with retail product from the BP exhibition ‘Vikings: Life and Legend’. It is the fifth shop designed by Lumsden for the British Museum. market has been difficult on the high street, with retailers having to discount heavily, it has remained more resilient in airport locations as consumers take advantage of the VAT free prices and stock up. With high levels of innovation driving purchases, as well as an unwillingness to cut back in the sector, beauty sales will be the highest performing sector in the global airport channel. ‘With global airport retail sales set to surge over the next six years there are huge opportunities for retailers to grow their presence in existing countries as well as expand into new regions, particularly in Asia Pacific where spend per passenger is expected to almost double between now and 2019,’ adds Syme.
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news
In brief... Victoria Beckham has partnered with Paris department store Printemps to open her first shop-in-shop. The 40 sq m brand-dedicated space carries ready to wear, Victoria, Victoria Beckham, eyewear, accessories and denim. Fit-out specialist Portview has completed work on the new Butlers Chocolate Cafe at terminal 2, Dublin Airport. The centrepiece of the cafe is a 4,000 piece, cast brass capped, individually mounted tiled counter, created by Giles Miller Studio. The teams worked together to agree the fitting and fixing of the innovative material. Illustrator Rory Dobner has designed a decorative wrap for the facades of London department store Fortnum & Mason that will be in place for six months while much-needed maintenance work is carried out on the building’s exterior. The wrap on Piccadilly features a giant classic fob watch that appears as if it has smashed through the front of the building. On Duke Street the image includes a furled flag pulled by butterflies. All work is scheduled to be completed by August 2014. Global architecture and design practice Broadway Malyan has completed a major mixed-use and retail anchored shopping centre for French multinational retailer Carrefour in Huelva, southern Spain. The Holea centre, which originally included a 15,800 sq m Carrefour hypermarket, has been extended with 35,000 sq m of additional retail and leisure GLA, making it one of Carrefour’s first completed commercial centres as it seeks to widen its property interests and maximise the value of its portfolio through creative asset management and expansion. The scheme takes its design influence from local Mediterranean villages and materials. Mall of Scandinavia in Stockholm has announced the introduction of major stores from global brands Superdry, Michael Kors and Starbucks to its growing retail lineup. Mall of Scandinavia will set a new standard for shopping centres throughout Europe when it opens in autumn 2015.
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American skincare brand Adore to open first UK store US-based Adore Organic Innovation is extending its offer to the UK with a store at Westfield London. The cosmetics brand has appointed rpa:group to redevelop the interior concept for its first UK store, which will showcase the new skincare line and offer VIP treatments. rpa:group has developed the visualisation, specification of materials, furniture, graphics and lighting. The resulting design creates a space that is bright, elegant and contemporary. James Breaks, head of rpa:group design, comments: ‘The considered
use of space and the curved lay out of the counters and walls in the new Adore store reflects a natural organic flow that is synonymous with the organic nature of Adore’s products. The use of a neutral colour palette with large expanses of white, is complemented by the soothing elements of sleek wooden panels along the counter bases and eye-catching imagery of models along the walls. The lowered ceiling elements and bold, yet elegant light fittings adds further interest to the space while still maintaining its cleanness and sophistication.’ The store is expected to open this month.
Traditional retailers outperform pure plays in digital customer experience Traditional high street retailers John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and House of Fraser have outperformed pure play retailers with their digital customer experience, according to a new report from eDigitalResearch. The eChannel Retail Benchmark study shows that John Lewis’ digital customer experience topped the multichannel customer satisfaction leaflet table, followed by Marks & Spencer and House of Fraser, while pure play giant Amazon’s digital experience slipped to fourth position. ‘Traditional high street retailers might have been a little slower than their pure play counterparts to join the digital touch point revolution, but after investing heavily in establishing a seamless multichannel customer experience, bricks and mortar department store retailers are now outperforming the rest of the retail industry,’ says the report. ‘John Lewis launched their first transactional mobile app just last summer but have taken the time to develop an engaging and consistent touch point, whilst House of Fraser have continued to invest in mobile technology recently introducing
their “mobile first” website redesign after seeing almost half of website visits coming from mobile users.’ Derek Eccleston, commercial director at eDigitalResearch, comments: ‘We’ve long seen pure play retailers, especially Amazon, succeed extremely well in the digital customer experience arena, introducing innovations such as one click purchases to make the entire Amazon experience as simple and seamless as possible. However, as more traditional retailers continue to invest in their overall customer experience, we’re seeing other retailers introduce similar innovations as well. John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and House of Fraser have topped the eChannel Benchmark this time around as they not only provide an easy to use website, mobile site and app with a clear focus on functionality, but also incorporate their brand persona into every stitch of their digital presence to provide users with an inspirational digital brand experience.’ The eChannel Retail Benchmark study measures the customer experience across key digital channels, including website, mobile site and apps, over the Christmas trading period.
news
Timothy Everest and Sheridan&Co launch design competition Retail design consultancy Sheridan&Co has partnered with British tailor Timothy Everest MBE to provide a springboard for up-and-coming designers. The team has launched a search for a talented individual to play a role in the design of a new central London store. Open to designers of all ages (18+) and backgrounds, ‘The Blue Book: A Retail Design Collective’ competition will see one person have their ideas incorporated into the final design for the four-storey Timothy Everest London store. The first stage of the competition invites designers to submit their creative ideas for the new House of Everest to Sheridan&Co, following a brief. A panel of judges, led by Sheridan and Everest, will then whittle entries down to the final ten, which will be displayed to a group of industry experts and creative directors during a special showcase evening at Sheridan&Co’s central London workspace, The Study. Taking into account reactions on the evening, the judges will then pick an ultimate winner who will work with Sheridan&Co to develop their winning ideas to be incorporated into the final design. Due to launch later this year, the House of Everest will blend the classic and contemporary, offering a retail experience that includes three distinct levels of tailoring, a grooming area, a clubroom serving food and drink plus other ideas that candidates feel will enhance the Timothy Everest shopping experience. ‘I am excited to be working with Sheridan&Co as a part of this unique project,’ says Everest. ‘Not only does it allow me to explore vastly diverse concepts for a future retail store, but it also gives us the chance to really engage with and promote design talent across the UK, which is so important in this fierce creative market.’ The competition will also offer the chance for the most talented designers to make it into the Sheridan&Co Blue Book - a collection of designers that can be called upon in the future when an appropriate project is briefed to Sheridan&Co from any of its broad range of clients. For more information, visit: www.sheridandesigncollective.com.
London Gatwick completes £40 million retail transformation An additional 10 new and refreshed retail stores have opened to complete the transformation of the shopping experience at London Gatwick’s South Terminal departure lounge. The new openings mark the final phase of a £40 million South Terminal departure lounge project that delivers a state-of-the-art retail journey for passengers. The first phase was completed in August 2013 and saw the opening of 11 new and refreshed stores, including Aspinal of London and Ernest Jones. The latest openings include a 418 sq m Zara outlet, a 92 sq m Ted Baker store and a 92 sq m Snow+Rock shop. Spencer Sheen, head of retail, London Gatwick comments: ‘We are very proud of the completion of the South Terminal International Departure Lounge, which takes airport shopping and the passenger experience to a whole new level. Our new retail space not only demonstrates our forward thinking but also our desire to deliver on what our passengers ask for, be it a luxury department store or a high-street favourite.’
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sponsored column
Retail Design Expo to launch in 2015 Legend Exhibitions, the company behind Retail Business Technology Expo (RBTE), has announced plans to launch a new event for the retail design sector. Retail Design Expo will take place in 2015 and will feature a series of high-profile events and activities to generate debate about retail issues in the run up to a major show comprising an exhibition, a conference and seminar programme, workshops, store tours and special features. The organiser is working with more than 30 design heads from leading retailers, including Tesco, John Lewis, ASOS, Marks and Spencer, Selfridges, Ted Baker, Barclays, Dixons and The White Company as well as top designers, such as Sebastian Conran, David Dalziel, Ab Rogers and Callum Lumsden to help steer the new venture. Ahead of the main event, Retail Design Expo will run a competition for design students, the winners of which will be involved in the inaugural show and be awarded placements in client and consultancy teams. Commenting on the new venture, Tim Greenhalgh, chairman and chief creative officer of global retail and branding consultancy Fitch, says: ‘Retail Design Expo will showcase the best thinking and innovation in retail at a time when the dynamics of retail and shopping are shifting more dramatically than ever. It’s an exciting time to be part of this sea change and to see how the creative industries and clients are responding to new challenges in ways that transform consumers’ experience and accelerate the success of retailers, brands and service providers.’ The main Retail Design Expo event will coincide with next year’s Retail Business Technology Expo, which takes place from 10-11 March 2015 at London’s Olympia.
Interbrand acquires HMKM Global brand consultancy Interbrand has acquired London retail design consultancy HMKM. The move, which recognises the importance of brand experience in an increasingly digital and omnichannel retail environment, brings together two complementary companies prepared to meet the challenges of the current retail landscape. ‘Retail brand experiences continue to evolve at a rapid pace,’ comments Jez Frampton, global chief executive officer of Interbrand. ‘While physical stores will remain an essential point of access for the brand, those retailers that strategically integrate digital touchpoints will have the potential to revolutionise the brand experience. HMKM’s expertise in delivering holistic retail concepts, combined with Interbrand’s creative and strategic thinking, will bring tremendous value to our clients, creating richer and more engaging experiences seamlessly across channels and environments.’ HMKM specialises in creating high-end, multidimensional retail environments for clients such as Selfridges, Galeries Lafayette, Nike, Breuninger and Bloomingdale’s. The integration of HMKM will allow it to benefit from Interbrand’s global presence as well as from the breadth and depth of its strategic and creative offerings and services. ‘In this omnichannel era, it is vital for brands to continuously review their physical, virtual and emotional expressions in order to remain relevant to an increasingly sophisticated, intelligent and brand savvy consumer,’ says Alison Cardy, managing director of HMKM. ‘The combined creative expertise of HMKM and Interbrand makes for an exciting future for all of us and for existing and future clients.’
14
Talk shop
John Hamilton of BFP answers your questions on retail design and marketing recruitment. Q. Why is it so hard to find good candidates for our jobs? A. Despite the economic uncertainty, some notable business failures in the industry, and the vast increase in candidate registrations on CV database websites, many organisations find it difficult to attract and hire high-quality applicants. This is nothing new. Companies have always had to compete for the best, but there was a time when a display advert in the national, local or trade press would provide a good field of candidates for most vacancies. Now however, creating a strong shortlist for many roles can be a challenge. A lot of talented employees aren’t actively looking for a new role: they’re busy keeping their head down and, more than likely, being well looked after by their current employer. They have to be confident that any new opportunity is not too big a risk. To improve your chances of attracting great candidates, consider the following as a starting point: 1: Your employer brand. You don’t have to be a household name business to attract top talent. Great candidates join start-ups and small, unknown companies, attracted by the opportunity presented to them, the flexible working environment, benefits, or the reputation the business has for looking after and developing people. Big or small, what’s your brand and reputation as an employer? 2: Your recruitment process. Your advertising, job description, application process and correspondence with candidates should be compelling, informative and user-friendly. Is your application process optimised for mobile? With many busy candidates looking at jobs from their phone, you need to make it easy for them to apply – few have CVs on their phone. 3: Your job marketing/search activity. We rarely source candidates from job boards or CV databases. Most successful candidates for our projects come from word of mouth, targeted advertising campaigns or direct approaches to them. Many of them are not ‘actively’ looking and so not on the radar of other recruiters and employers. Social media has its place, but is not the Holy Grail for recruitment. 4: Your salary level. While money isn’t everything, an average salary is unlikely to attract star performers. Research the market and consider how you can persuade good people to make the move. If you can’t compete on salary, look for other ways to make the job attractive e.g. flexible benefits, extra holidays and working from home. 5: Interviewing skills. I’ve seen many good candidates lose interest after a badly conducted interview by the employer. Make sure your interviewers are trained, prepared and able to sell your opportunity to candidates. If you offer challenging, rewarding jobs and get these basics right you have a good chance of attracting top quality talent to keep you ahead of the game.
T. 01332 565 125 www.bfpexecutiverecruitment.co.uk Twitter: bfpRecruit
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visual merchandising
Window Marc Jacobs This Post-Apocalyptic beach set at the Marc Jacobs Boutique on Mount Street, featuring black sand and washed-up props, emulates the SS14 Runway. The scheme was created in collaboration with Chameleon Visual.
shopping Inspiring window displays from around the globe
Photography: Melvyn Vincent
Hackett London Hackett London partnered with the London College of Fashion in February to give BA (Hons) Fashion Visual Merchandising and Branding students a chance to design a new window scheme for eight of its London stores. The students styled mannequins using the current ‘Art College’ Spring/Summer 2014 Hackett collection, which was inspired by past Royal College of Art alumni. Following the launch of the project in the UK, the Rising Stars concept will roll out globally to Hackett stores in key cities, starting with Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt.
Oasis For London Fashion Week, high street fashion retailer Oasis collaborated with Minki Balinki to create a funfair-themed window and in-store display in its Argyll Street flagship store. The scheme featured oversized letters with Oasis prints and gold mouldings that moved up and down like a true carousel horse.
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visual merchandising
Harvey Nichols Harvey Nichols gives lessons in how to dress this spring with its whimsical School of Fashion windows. The retailer has given each scene, including a P.E. changing room, a science lab and a store cupboard, a luxe, high-octane twist: an Alexander McQueen clutch here, Crème de la Mer bottles there, and stylish school uniforms featuring the hero staples of the season.
Calvin Klein Jeans The Calvin Klein Jeans – Denim SS14 windows feature bright white strip lights and matt black steel frames bent in a variety of linear formations, with this season’s collection hanging from custom-made hangers, coated with an indigo finish. Three life-size semi-transparent grayscale cutouts stand aligned; a fade graphic created from hand-painted artwork provides the backdrop for the window. The display was created in collaboration with StudioXAG.
Warehouse Fashion retailer Warehouse worked with Lucky Fox to create its New Season windows as well as displays for its limited edition collection by rising designer Philli Wood. The New Season windows, which rolled out across the UK to coincide with London Fashion Week, featured graffitistyle backdrops that were sprayed and printed onto clear twinwall panels. The London Argyll Street and Westfield White City stores featured the Philli Wood collaboration.
Mappin & Webb Mappin & Webb teamed up with Prop Studios for its Valentine’s Day 2014 campaign. The team created more than 1,500 laser-cut paper feathers, which were fixed to aluminium rods and carefully attached to a clear cut acrylic heart shape. The scheme was rolled out to 12 stores across the UK.
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Bentalls Bentalls’ new season scheme ‘Geometric’ is based on the current graphic trend, with a strong angular theme running across all brands, from Paul Smith to DKNY. The 3D triangle shapes, created from MDF are painted in muted candy colours to showcase this season’s palette.
POP
p o t POPS e h t f o
Company: STI Line
Client: Unilever
Display title: Lynx Apollo
Sector: Health & Beauty
Locations: Stores nationwide
The brief: In 2013, Unilever ran a global online consumer competition for a chance to win a flight into space as part of the Lynx Apollo marketing campaign. To generate excitement about the brand and competition in store, the consumer goods company tasked STI Line with bringing the brand to life through POS, creating as many touch points as possible.
The result: Star-like LEDs, floating shelves, sound modules and well-placed astronauts helped to bring the brand to life in stores throughout the UK. Stockholding POS invited shoppers to test the new fragrance and buy Apollo products, while photo opportunity POS encouraged consumers to interact with the brand and share the fun of Lynx Space Academy via social media. The POS suite was adapted to meet the requirements of all retail partners, including Superdrug, Sainsbury’s and Wilkinsons, while remaining aligned with marketing objectives.The POS units were mainly designed in cardboard.
www.sti-group.co.uk
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Q&A column
Karl McKeever EuroShop 2014 - A mixed bag as always EuroShop, Dusseldorf - a 115,000 sq m leviathan representing the final word in European retail trade shows. Attended by circa 109,000 retailers, suppliers to retail and myself. I always try to make time for this exhibition, as in the past it’s been reliable for showcasing retail innovation in all its forms, from the most expensive mannequins, the latest lighting and most intricate EPOS systems. I like to take my inspiration from seeing the world’s retail first hand, but there is definitely a place for shows like this, especially to launch new technical innovations. This year I had hoped that the positive feeling in the retail market would be mirrored in the optimism of the show and it was - kind of. The show as a whole did not reveal much that was inspiring and new. The real innovation came from the stands themselves, which in some cases were really impressive. It was clear that some of the larger suppliers had invested a lot of money in terms of space and their exhibits, which created a positive upbeat mood to the show. I got the impression that these businesses felt that the time was right to go big to capitalise on renewed optimism and growth in the industry. Stands that stood out for me included Philips Lighting, the Swiss shopfitting company Schweitzer, Window Mannequins and Genesis Mannequins. In general, the turnkey companies were also very strong. Most impressive though was the shopfitter Schweitzer, which showed real retail thinking by changing the entire look of its stand on each day of the show. Each new look demonstrated best practice scenarios of ‘new store launch’, ‘new product launch’, ‘incentives’ and even a ‘closing down sale’ (with the latter perhaps being more apt a couple of years ago). There is a huge appetite for retail technology at present and I was looking forward to seeing what exciting ways the new gizmos would be demonstrated. Instead of a pleasant assault on the senses though the tech hall was quite disappointing. There was lots of repetition of the uses of ipads in store, an array of supply chain products and EPOS - all about product practicality and not much about how these technologies would improve the experience in store.
The exception to the tech rule was Ragwall’s full-length, full-service video wall, which created an intriguing focal point. This was great retailtainment as visitors tried on clothes virtually with 360 views, ‘do I look good in this’ social media sharing options and all sizing, material and colour variants at their fingertips - not to mention everyone else’s view! Ragwall and a couple of others had clearly thought about the impact in store and not just the back office function. EuroShop 2014 may though be most remembered for the rise of the Chinese suppliers, with a dedicated area showcasing their own, often cheaper versions of western products and innovations. Their stands similarly were smaller scale variations of their western competitors’. I am sure I wasn’t the only one to be ‘shaken down’ on western stands to see if I was a legitimate visitor or industrial spy! This was apparently due to the fact that many Chinese exhibitors and visitors were somewhat brazenly and even forensically taking apart the products of competitors, presumably for replication at a tenth of the cost. This was causing a major annoyance for western companies that had invested in stands, R&D and brand - just to have potential customers lured away for cut-price promises of the same technology by Chinese exhibitors. Given that there is an equivalent giant version of EuroShop planned for Shanghai, this may become the norm for western suppliers. We have to remind ourselves though that this is no different from the ‘rest of the world’ visiting New York for innovation, and then going away and replicating what they saw at a lower cost. I think it was just the scale of the attempted IP theft that left western exhibitors shocked though and is another reminder for them to stay rigidly ahead of the curve with IP and trademark administration. Love it or hate it, EuroShop is one of those events that you just have to be there. Its scale is off-putting and exhausting but, as you slog through, you will see the items that will fuel retail for the coming months. All I ask for next time is that the organisers please don’t make it any bigger!
Karl McKeever is creative director of visual merchandising and brand delivery consultancy Visual Thinking.
Email Karl at karl@retailfocus.co www.visualthinking.co.uk
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Skagen Denmark Westfield London & Westfield Stratford City Design: UXUS Opening date: December 2013 Store size: 60-75 sq m
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Skagen Denmark’s new retail experience in London has an inherent connection with its eponymous homeland at the tip of Denmark, where ‘land and sea meet in an eternal horizon line’. Designed in collaboration with UXUS, the pilot stores at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City allude to this environment with a signature ‘horizon’ band that spans the interior. The display units for jewellery, timepieces and leathergoods appear to form a landscape along the horizon, reminiscent of the ships and roofs dotting the coastline of Skagen. ‘All of these pieces create a panorama for exploration, much like the many personalities that give the town of Skagen its unique character,’ explains a spokesperson for UXUS. Guided by the timeless functionality of Danish design, the stores pay homage to Denmark’s love for simplicity and craftsmanship. All of the fixed interior design elements are made up of clean lines and contrasted by furniture pieces with soft, curved forms. Bespoke pebble-shaped tables, armchairs and a signature chandelier add homely touches to the pared-down design and bring the Danish
project focus
culture of ‘hygge’ - the ritual of enjoying and sharing good times into the store. In the centre of the space, a warm and welcoming merchandising area with integrated cash desk is designed to evoke conviviality and promote personal interaction with each customer. The materials palette, which includes weathered oak, sisal carpets, wool felt and white stained wood, was carefully chosen to convey the beauty of Skagen’s landscape. ‘Capturing the Danish welcoming spirit, its respect for nature and timeless design principles, the new retail platform is more than just a showcase of beautiful objects,’ says the spokesperson for UXUS. ‘It is an expression of a very unique mindset - a home for living Danish.’ The first two UK standalone stores opened in London in December 2013 with more stores expected to follow in the near future. Photography: Michael Franke
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The Fifth Avenue Man Saks Fifth Avenue, Chicago
Photography: Bill Waldorf
Design: Jeffrey Hutchison & Associates Opening date: January 2014 Store size: 3,716 sq m
American luxury department store chain Saks Fifth Avenue recently joined forces with New York-based retail design firm Jeffrey Hutchison & Associates to transform two floors of its Chicago flagship into a singular shopping experience for the modern man. The new 3,716 sq m men’s fashion emporium, dubbed The Fifth Avenue Man, occupies levels six and seven and is designed to appeal to the wider fashion-forward consumer market. ‘The goal of the project was to create a new shopping experience for the modern fashion-focused man, while building a strong Saks Fifth Avenue identity,’ explains architect, Jeffrey Hutchison. ‘We decided to move away from the typical department store arrangement and create a unique, open shopping environment, which is different than anything in the marketplace. Essentially, these two floors are designed as a specialty store within a larger department store.’ The floors have been separated into two distinct worlds and given their own identity, while a custom bronze and steel sculpture cuts through a floor opening to unite the spaces. Inspired by the Library of Congress rotunda with its strong circular form and reading tables, the lower floor houses classic designers such as Kiton, Isaia, Brunello Cucinelli and Salvatore Ferragamo as well as one of the largest men’s shoe departments in the Midwest. The space has been converted into a classic and clubby environment with a warm, rich palette of brass and bronze, natural cerused oak flooring and handmade wallcoverings, inspired by suiting fabrics distinctive of classic brands, such as tweeds and herringbones.
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The upper floor has a more contemporary feel inspired by great modern architecture pioneers of Chicago, such as Mies Van der Rohe and Gordon Bunshaft of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill with materials and details that allude to industrial media. These include raw and blackened steel, porcelain tiles, silver cerused oak and contemporary fabric wallcoverings. The floor houses brands such as Givenchy, Dior, Alexander McQueen, Burberry London and Versace as well as a customised denim offering, including Hudson, J Brand, Nudie, Rag and Bone, and Willis & Walker. ‘To relaunch the menswear space, we needed a team with a fresh approach to the iconic Saks Fifth Avenue brand,’ says Harry Cunningham, senior vice president of store planning, design and visual merchandising at Saks Fifth Avenue. ‘Jeffrey and his team pushed boundaries of staid department store practices, with a true sense of creativity and understanding of The Fifth Avenue Man. The result is an exciting new lifestyle shopping experience all under one roof.’ A number of large floor-to-ceiling vitrines are strategically placed on both floors, spotlighting collection highlights much like the effect of exterior windows on the street. Both floors are softened with residential-style touches, including mixed oak plank flooring from The Netherlands, mid-century modern architectural touches and an eclectic mix of classic and contemporary furniture. A new express elevator transports shoppers directly to The Fifth Avenue Man.
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Warehouse Oxford Street, London Design: Brown Studio Opening date: February 2014 Store size: 232 sq m
Photography: Adam Parker
High street fashion retailer Warehouse opened its first London flagship store at the end of February on Oxford Street, allowing it to showcase the brand on a UK and world stage. Designed in partnership with Brown Studio, the 232 sq m store is spread across two levels and builds on the latest concept and tradition of Warehouse as an urban loft gallery space. Drawing inspiration from the converted warehouses of New York’s Meat Packing district and Soho, the fabric of the building has been exposed with materials such as real brick, wood flooring and plaster treatments helping to deliver the loft warehouse experience. The double-height atrium at the entrance to the store features exposed brick, ceiling beams and an angled sky light, and acts as a flexible gallery space, presenting each season’s collection as a curated body of work. Below the mezzanine, exposed brick walls and rough rendered panels continue the loft aesthetic, while the lighting is kept muted to create the experience of a gallery space with pieces from the collection highlighted at key points along the rendered panels. Further into the store, distressed wooden floor boards mark a change of pace from the poured concrete of the atrium. A large industrial window wall constructed from steel with unfinished edges and frosted glass spans the width of the store and adds texture to the space. It forms the backdrop to the till on the ground floor and obscures the view into the private stylist lounge, which contains changing rooms and a seating area. A staircase constructed from metal, poured concrete and back-lit glass leads visitors to the mezzanine, which houses the brand’s premium collections on bespoke hanging systems. Again, the rough render panels are on show with the addition
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of a concrete plinth containing uplighters that adds drama to the collection. A second window wall links the language of the two floors and separates the retail area from the lounge space, where comfortable seating and a full service till help to enhance the customer experience and increase dwell time. In-store digital elements include transactional iPads, which allow customers to pay for items without having to queue at the till, and a projector that shows dynamic content on the exposed brick wall by the stairs. Key elements of the design are now expected to be rolled out to new Warehouse stores.
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show review
: p o h S o d Eur e w e n e R timism op ith rought w b p o h S nce. f Euro edition o ism and confide l ia n n ie tr tim The 2014 hing sense of op s e r it a ref
Every three years the retail world convenes in Dusseldorf, Germany to discover the latest ideas, innovations and solutions for store design, visual merchandising, POS marketing and technology. EuroShop has long been considered one of the most important and significant events in the global retail calendar and the latest instalment did not disappoint. Staged at Messe Dusseldorf in February, the five-day event was vast in size and scope, and carried with it a wave of optimism. For distinguished designer, Rodney Fitch, who hosted the EuroShop RetailDesign Conference, a visit to EuroShop enables people to judge the mood of industry. In 2008, he recalls that the industry was ‘shellshocked’ and in 2011, ‘cautious’. This year, he says the optimism was palpable. ‘The sheer scale, diversity and vibrancy [of EuroShop] always underwrites my belief that shopping is indeed the purpose of life,’ says Fitch. ‘This year was no exception; bigger than ever and because of the three year gap, always the opportunity to find some real innovation.’
The exhibition spanned a record 16 halls (more than 115,000 sq m) and was grouped into four main sections, namely EuroConcept (shopfitting, architecture, store design, lighting, refrigeration), EuroSales (visual merchandising and POS), EuroCIS (technology) and EuroExpo (exhibition stand design and construction). Lighting, for the first time, occupied an entire hall, highlighting the important role it plays in creating an enjoyable and positive in-store shopping experience. Among the imposing stands, Philips launched a range of new solutions, including a retail spotlight developed in collaboration with lighting design consultancy LAPD. It showcased its Fresh Food LED lighting portfolio and announced details of its new indoor GPS solution, which uses intelligent LED in-store lighting to communicate location-based information to shoppers via a smartphone app. Reggiani creatively showcased its latest lighting solutions using bags, clothes and shoes made from recyclable cardboard by Italy-based artist Chris Gilmour. Products on display included the Splyt system of projectors, created in partnership with LAPD. The Ansorg stand also stood out with its LED lighting solutions for food and non-food. In the food area, the company demonstrated light scenarios for different sales areas including an eye-catching illuminated wine bottle display.
Left: Artist Chris Gilmour created products from recyclable cardboard for the Reggiani stand. Right: Window Mannequins launched its new plus-size collection.
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So, what did you think of the show? Sore feet? Bag full of brochures? Inbox full of follow-ups? If you made it to our stand, you will have seen why we won an award! If you didn’t, then give us a call and we will show you why.
Winner of the ISO Award for Best Product Presentation
And where next?... GDP will be exhibiting this year at the VM & Display Show. Look out for us and our fabulous ranges of mannequins & props at the Business Design Centre, Islington on 29th April to 1st May 2014 In the meantime, if you would like to find out more about GDP and what we can do for you please contact Fran Nicholls on 0330 123 3533 or fran.nicholls@gdprojects.eu
Retail Made Easy
show review Away from the lighting area, the show gave visitors an interesting overview of developments in materials and surface finishes. Organoid Technologies appealed to the senses with its tactile wallcoverings made from natural materials, such as hand-cut alpine hay, rose petals and peppermint stalks. Amtico showcased some of its luxury vinyl flooring designs, Bolefloor demonstrated its curved-length hardwood flooring and EGGER presented new additions to its ZOOM laminate collection. Germany-based spatial communication company D’art Design successfully engaged visitors on its enclosed stand, which was made entirely from wood while the Visplay stand featured eye-catching walls constructed from stacked plastic storage boxes. In the visual merchandising section, many companies took the opportunity to unveil new and expanded mannequin collections, with a particular focus on flexibility. Window Mannequins opted for a closed stand where invited visitors were able to view its new range of magnetic faces and features. The company also launched
its new plus-size mannequin collection, designed in collaboration with plus-size fashion model, Laura Catterall. UK-based Mannequino made its debut at EuroShop with a new disruptive product innovation for the fashion industry. The flat-pack mannequin bust forms are engineered from flat sheets of flexible plastic, and are lightweight and easy to assemble. The products were illuminated to stunning effect, with the lighting changing in time to the music. A stand that attracted much attention was Schweitzer’s Department Store 3.0. According to Berhard Schweitzer, retail is not simply about thinking, but also about doing, innovating, combining and creating something new, and this was the theme for the 750 sq m enclosed space. The company staged, mixed and connected familiar elements in a completely new way. It collaborated with South Tyrol designer Peter Pichler to
Clockwise from right: Schweitzer used mannequins from Hans Boodt on its stand; A sound garden on the Schweitzer stand aroused curiosity; Mannequino exhibited its flat-pack mannequin bust forms; Schweitzer’s Department Store 3.0 stand attracted much attention; Magnetic mannequin features from Window Mannequins; Visplay’s stand was constructed from stacked plastic storage boxes.
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show review
create an in-house product line, showing how the company can work with clients to develop products and ideas, and it had the Monacle 24 Radio live station on its booth, which could be accessed around the world, demonstrating that it is now more open than ever to combining different channels in an exciting manner. It created a sound garden to arouse curiosity and inspire visitors to try out new experiences and it used mannequins from Hans Boodt to highlight that ‘collaboration is one of the biggest opportunities in the future of retail’. The company also predicts that men are a particularly important target group in the future and as such created a ‘Gentleman’s Club’ on the stand, featuring an inspired product mix and changing displays. What was apparent, and picked up on by a number of visitors including London-based design agency The Yard Creative, was the divide between digital and physical. ‘You only had to stand back and look at the expenditure on both sectors’ stands to clearly see where the largest proportion of cash was being spent,’ says Steve James Royle, owner of The Yard Creative. ‘The physical world’s stands dwarfed those in the digital arena, perhaps proving the physical need and desire of the customer is still very much as the forefront of retail.’ While many of the innovations on show are in fact already in UK stores, what was new at EuroShop was the sheer volume of technology on offer, notes Brad Hurter, CEO of commercial interiors and shopfitting firm, CDS Group. ‘As retail technology becomes more affordable, it’s a pivotal time for the industry,’ he says. ‘But
creating theatre in a retail space is not just about a few TV screens and projectors. Technology in retail is about using the diverse channels now available to us to connect to the consumer’s lifestyle and engage them with the brand. When done well, technology in retail can not only make the shopping experience easier for consumers, but it can also take them on a journey. By storytelling and romancing the products, we can elevate the consumer’s perceptions of items, goods and collections.’ In total, 109,000 visitors from 110 countries attended EuroShop, which this year housed more than 2,200 exhibitors making it the biggest to date. It was for many, in the words of Retail Focus columnist Karl McKeever, ‘a crucial moment in which to secure their future’. ‘Those who showcase here understand the need to get it right, whilst those who visit are keen to do business,’ states McKeever. ‘All that’s waiting now is for all these ideas to route back through the companies at home and your shop’s purpose has been fulfilled.’ The next EuroShop will be held from 5-9 March 2017. From left: Philips launched a range of new lighting solutions; Liganova made its debut at EuroShop with the Brand Retail Lab; D’art Design’s interactive stand adopted the theme ‘undo’
EuroShop RetailDesign
Award Winners EHI and Messe Dusseldorf presented the awards on the first day of EuroShop. The deciding factors were a holistic store concept and a clear product message.
Simons West, Edmonton Coop.fi Novoli, Florence The 2,500 sq m Coop store in Novoli, a part of Florence, is located at the heart of a modern district. The store, designed in collaboration with Italian architects Paolo Lucchetta + RetailDesign srl, offers a food shopping experience inspired by the idea of the local market and is also the prototype for a new generation of food markets according to the values of the Coop Cooperation Movement.
For its first store outside the home province of Quebec, the Canadian fashion retailer Simons chose the West Edmonton Mall, North America’s largest shopping centre. At around 10,700 sq m, it’s the largest Simons store to date. Working with figure3, the fashion retailer has created a space that inspires customers through fashion, art, and architecture.
Puma Brand Store, Osaka Puma’s brand store in Osaka is a new landmark on the Japanese retail horizon. Both the exterior and the interior architecture of the space have been ‘Pumarised’ and speak a homogenous language that unifies the company’s philosophy, an intelligent yet simple retail design, and a witty spirit. The interior is based on Puma’s retail 2.0 format launched in 2011. Created in collaboration with Berlin-based plajer + franz studio, the store is one of the newest and most successful openings for the brand.
For more images from EuroShop, log on to the Retail Focus blog: www.retail-focus.co.uk
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bank branches
Online/offline Bank branches are not dead, declares Louise Brett, lead financial services analytics partner at Deloitte. In fact, she says, they’re poised for a renaissance, just not in their current numbers or formats. Like retailers, banks are having to adapt to meet changing consumer demands. The challenge nowadays is to deliver the right experience with the right product and service, in the right channel, at the right time. ‘The physical bank network is still fundamental to retail banking but a large proportion of the UK retail banking network is obsolete in its current form as technology has changed the “what” and “where” of the physical space,’ says James Brown, head of European retail research at Jones Lang LaSalle. ‘The high street, the traditional location for retail banking branches, is changing. The form and function of retail branches must also evolve as they move towards a more retail-centric, customer service oriented, experiential offer.’ Commenting on the recently opened pilot Barclays bank branches inside Asda stores, Brown says the move to explore new channels to reach customers makes complete sense. The new style branches, the first of which opened in February, are intended to make everyday banking services more flexible and accessible. Available to new and existing Barclays customers, the branches are open seven days a week with services accessible during traditional Asda store opening hours. ‘We are constantly reviewing the way we work to ensure we can deliver a service that is shaped around what our customers want,’ says Steve Cooper from Barclays. ‘Our ambition is that by 2017, we will have an innovative and sustainable future-proof suite of branches that exist alongside a choice of ways our customers can contact us, so they will feel they can do things quicker and more effectively.’ New research from Deloitte shows that demand for physical banking services is likely to rise in more than half of English and Welsh regions. The report, entitled ‘Bricks and Clicks: Mapping the future of branches’, found that 56 per cent of locations in the two countries are due to record growing levels of demand for these facilities. If follows the publication of separate research from the business advisory firm, which suggests that 72 per cent of Britons still make regular use of the financial services offered by high street stores and shopping centres. ‘For some banks, branch staff may need to shift their focus from routine over-the-counter cash transactions to providing personalised service for new customers on the hunt for competitively priced financial products,’ says Deloitte Analytics research director, Harvey Lewis. ‘But, for others, the branch may need to become a simple, convenient gateway so people can self-serve. Only those that build their branch proposition on the most appropriate balance between bricks and clicks will be the winners with customers.’ Likewise, a recent mobile banking study by GFT Technologies argues that online cannot replace bank branches, rather the key to success lies in integrating different points of presence. The report, which highlights differences in banking habits between Brazil, Germany, the UK, Spain and the US, found that more than half of respondents were unwilling to completely do without their local branch. ‘This is a time of transition for us,’ claims GFT chief
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operating officer, Marika Lulay. ‘It’s important to understand which branches should be kept on and make these future-ready by ensuring they provide a rich selection of interactive tools and entertainment options.’ Last year, Allied Irish Bank (AIB) launched a new concept store that brings all of its leading-edge technologies together in a physical hub. Designed in collaboration with Allen International and Accenture, the LAB (Learn About Banking) aims to deliver an ‘innovative and compelling’ experience through digital self-service capabilities, remote advisor accessibility, mobile device demonstration and digital ‘avatar’ that navigates customers through the experience. At the opening, Allen International design director, Richard Benson said the store would challenge people’s preconceptions of what a financial retail space is. ‘It will inform and educate customers on the most convenient ways to carry out their daily banking, but also showcase and deliver the brand’s products and services in an engaging, easy to understand format,’ he said. Across the globe, National Australia Bank (NAB) has opened a new ‘Smart Store’ where staff work in tandem with intuitive technology to provide an integrated digital and face-to-face experience. There are no traditional tellers. Instead, customers can choose from a range of self-service intelligent machines and a
bank branches
e bank balance The evolving role of the physical bank branch.
NAB-designed ‘Come Help Me’ app, which enables them to book an appointment with the right banker. Executive general manager NAB Retail, Vicki Carter, says the ‘Smart Store’ is the next evolution in NAB’s store network footprint strategy. ‘Retail stores will always play a critical role in banking as they are where customer relationships are formed; and at NAB we are constantly refurbishing and revitalising our network to meet the changing and diverse needs of customers,’ she says. In an effort to build brand awareness and better engage with consumers, several banks have trialled pop-up branches and mobile kiosks. ING Bank, for example, worked with design agency Storeage a few years ago to create ING Express, a multifunctional mobile coffee bar and office that moved across The Netherlands to cultural events, festivals and concerts. More recently, Lloyds Bank worked with MEC and Rufus Leonard to create pop-up Tea Gardens for some of the UK’s biggest shopping centres. The experiential campaign was designed to drive awareness of the bank’s two customer loyalty propositions: ‘Cashback’ and ‘It’s on us’, offering shoppers free tea and a place to sit and relax. In the US, online bank Capital One 360 recently opened its first area cafe in Boston, serving coffee and free wifi. The ‘retail destination’ offers the same banking services as the online bank, along with associates who are available to answer questions and
demonstrate digital and financial tools. ‘Physical design is adapting,’ notes Jason Steere, co-founder of Storeage. ‘Gone are the secure “cages” bankers once sat behind. Today, banks are looking more like lounges, cafes and, dare we say, fun places to visit and hangout in. The choice of meeting room chair, magazines to read, screens to view and coffee served are all attributes banks are updating and adjusting to fit the needs and desires of their visitors.’ Independent banking advisor, David Cavell believes that branches must move from being just a transaction shop to a ‘destination’. ‘The smartest banks have developed branch environments and a staff culture that are welcoming, comfortable and place a value on relationships - with both customers and the wider community,’ he says. Moreover, Cavell argues that banks should, wherever possible, use segmentation to recognise and better serve different target segments. ‘This may include lesser and more automated facilities for the mass market,’ he says. Clearly, banks are under pressure to adapt to changing consumer needs while also cutting costs. In the next few years, Daoud Fakhri, senior analyst at Datamonitor Financial, believes there will be a lot of experimentation and trial-and-error as banks figure out how best to serve their customers. ‘It will be interesting to see which strategies prevail,’ he says.
Clockwise from top left: Capital One 360 brings new banking experience to Boston, US; Lloyds Bank pop-up Tea Garden; Storeage-designed ING Express; Halifax develops its in-branch environments with help from M Worldwide; Allied Irish Bank’s new LAB concept store.
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opinion
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Retail s new golden era Mark Fanthorpe, owner of Umbrella Design, touches on the intangibles of modern retail success. It’s been quite a decade. It started with a big boom. There was plenty of disposable income around and retail was relatively easy. You could fill your shops with stuff and people would quite happily buy it. They probably didn’t need it, they weren’t excited by it, but that didn’t matter. They bought it anyway. Then the recession hit and overnight everything changed. Money got tight and people naturally became more discerning about what they spent and where. That, coupled with the meteoric rise of the Internet, shook the high street to its core. Retail went from doing really nicely to really badly. Now the dust has settled, however, retailers are realising the Internet is not a threat but a force for change. In many ways it is pushing traditional retail forward. Today, stores have to do more. They have to be inviting and exciting enough places to get people off their sofas and onto the high street. I feel we’re at the beginning of a golden era. It’s as if someone has hit the reset button allowing brands with fresh ideas to thrive. For some, tapping the full potential of this new era isn’t going to be easy. To do so requires embracing change. Something shareholders and accountants won’t like because it’s risky. Those that don’t change, however, will likely suffer. Having talked to customers of a large high street brand at a recent focus group, the vast majority expressed a strong desire for the brand to evolve, to push the boundaries and actually expressed a feeling that the store should move further than its own staff had actually anticipated. Bottom line, you have to keep changing and endlessly entertaining your customers. Great retail was never about buying the stuff you need. Shopping is a day out and on a day out people want the feel good factor.
The feel of retail While sales figures are easy to hang your hat on, their usefulness is limited. They may tell you what someone bought but they don’t tell you why, and the why is important. The why are the things that can’t be measured with an accountant’s calculator. The intangible factors that influence the way your customers feel about you and your stores. It’s a culmination of everything you do, from the look and feel of your brand to the way your stores are presented - the lighting, the colours and the architecture. It’s about the customer service you provide and the ways you make your customers feel valued. The intangibles are important because feelings are powerful and have a discernible impact. If a customer walks in and they feel entertained, excited and comfortable they’re likely to stay. If they walk in and the environment jars with them, they’ll leave.
Make the most of the intangibles You have to really know your customer. If you don’t know them, you can’t build an environment for them, and making them feel a sense of belonging is vital. That’s what gets them in store. Topshop knows its customer. On a recent visit to Oxford Street I was riveted by the clubhouse they had built for their teenage audience. It’s like a nightclub with neon notes and technological wonders. Never overwrought, the store uses the clever placement of props to accentuate its stage. What’s more, I didn’t feel out of place there. I knew it hadn’t been designed for me but that didn’t stop me from liking it. Don’t assume you know your customer. That leads to playing it safe or worse, condescension. When you grab their interest they linger longer. For this you need to find out what your customers aspire to and then help them get there. Discovery is critical. It’s no good offering them something that they’ve already got. You’ve got to spin it, evolve it and add to it so they are always propelled forward. You’ve got to push their boundaries. Selfridges is a master boundary pusher. Just look at the Louis Vuitton lift. A thing of real beauty. It raises the bar of what can be achieved and in so doing, elevates the desire of their loyal brand followers. Finally, making them feel valued will open their wallets. This isn’t just about value for money. It’s about customer service. It’s about creating a stress-free environment that’s enjoyable to shop and it’s about being passionate about what you do and why you do it. Because if you’re not passionate, your customers won’t be. Whole Foods is passionate. Every piece of fruit and veg is beautifully presented. The food stations are immaculately clean and the staff is knowledgeable and caring. Everything about their store says we love our product and you will too. Whole Foods has created an environment that honours the produce and in doing so have ensured that their higher prices are not off putting. In fact, they further enhance the purchase.
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London retail
London calling With strong demand and limited space in London’s major shopping areas, we survey some of the new developments set to transform the capital’s retail landscape in the coming years.
New research from global property advisor CBRE Group shows that competition for prime retail locations in the world’s leading cities is getting stronger, with demand being fuelled by high-end retailers willing to pay record rents for the most coveted shops. In London, high demand for prime retail pitches, especially from the luxury sector, has reportedly pushed rents to record-breaking levels, leading to increased demand for space in surrounding areas. ‘London retail has continued to benefit from exceptionally strong overseas consumer spending since the Olympics,’ says CBRE’s senior director in Central London retail, Ed Humbert. ‘The attraction of Central London as a shopping destination was further bolstered in 2013 by a number of prominent store openings, including J.Crew on Regent Street, G Star Raw’s European flagship on Oxford Street and Cath Kidston’s largest ever store on Piccadilly.’ Global property consultancy Knight Frank’s most recent Central
Crossrail, Canary Wharf The Canary Wharf Crossrail retail and leisure development, combined with the recent Jubilee Place extension, represents one of the largest retail expansions currently underway in the UK. Expected to open in May 2015 - three years ahead of the actual station - the 10,684 sq m retail and leisure destination will spread across four levels of the six-storey development, designed by Foster + Partners. The first confirmed retail brands to open at the new development were announced earlier this year and include Everyman Cinema, Sports Bar & Grill and Mexican burrito restaurant, Poncho 8.
London Retail report further shows that the capital’s occupational market is as strong as ever, with activity largely being driven by international retailers. J.Crew and Bobbi Brown were among a number of international retailers to enter the UK market with stores in London in 2013, with brands such as Karl Lagerfeld, Lululemon and Adore all set to launch stores in the capital this year. ‘International lifestyle and fashion brands remain focused on London, which is still the preferred entry point for incoming retailers,’ notes Darren Yates from the commercial research team at Knight Frank. ‘Indeed, there is huge demand for first stores in the capital, which is maintaining pressure on rents in the key thoroughfares.’ As a result, more new shopping destinations are emerging to provide valuable new space and fresh opportunities for domestic and international retailers. To follow are four key developments set to transform London’s retail landscape in the near future.
The development will be topped by a landscaped park, covered with a semi open-air timber lattice roof providing views out over the dock and Canary Wharf. Located in the North Dock of West India Quay, the combined station and oversite development has been likened to a ship moored in the dock, reflecting Canary Wharf’s past as the centre for global maritime commerce and its future, closely integrated with the local community and the rest of London. Crossrail is a 118km-long rail link that will connect Maidenhead in the west through central London to Abbey Wood in the east.
www.crossrail.co.uk
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London retail
Nova, Victoria Nova, Victoria (formerly known as Victoria Circle) is an architecturally striking 83,334 sq m mixed-use development situated opposite Victoria mainline railway station in London’s West End. The transformation of the island site, which began in 2013 and incorporates five new buildings, is the ‘defining moment’ in commercial property company Land Securities’ £2.2 billion reinvention of Victoria, which is already home to businesses such as Channel 4 and Microsoft as well as high-end fashion names such as Jimmy Choo, Tom Ford and Burberry. When completed, the scheme will contain 17,913 sq m of high-quality apartments, 7,890 sq m of retail, cafes and restaurants, and 1,486 sq m of community space. According to The Victoria Vibrancy Report 2014, published by the Victoria
Shoreditch Village EllisMiller’s Shoreditch Village scheme in East London will provide a vibrant mix of retail, cafe, restaurant, office and residential space, alongside a 185-bed hotel for international operator citizenM when it completes in 2015. At the heart of the 1,390 sq m project will be a street market containing temporary and semi-permanent stalls offering an eclectic range of food. This market will be supported by a series of flexible retail spaces, catering for demand from start-ups and established companies alike. ‘Where the site previously acted as a physical barrier to the rest of the neighbourhood, new pedestrian routes
Westfield London Westfield London became Europe’s largest inner city shopping centre when it opened in Shepherds Bush in 2008. Now the 150,000 sq m site is set to undergo a £1 billion expansion, which will include new retail and leisure facilities as well as up to 1,522 new homes. Subject to planning approval, the Australian shopping centre group will begin construction on the retail quarter this year, which will include around 60,000 sq m of new shops in different sizes for both independent retailers and well-known brands. The extension will also incorporate a 21,000 sq m John Lewis department store, which is expected to open in time for Christmas 2017. Westfield’s European managing director, Michael Gutman said John Lewis is the most requested store at Westfield
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Business Improvement District, over the next decade more than £4 billion-worth of development in Victoria will create in excess of 270,000 sq m of commercial and residential space. Ruth Duston, chief executive officer of Victoria Business Improvement District, says the extent of the development and investment into the area is a testament to the potential Victoria has to become a major visitor destination for London. ‘Victoria’s residential offer is being revived whilst an eclectic and distinct retail and restaurant scene is emerging together with a new “hub” for independent retailers to flourish,’ she says. Architecture firms PLP Architecture, Benson & Forsyth and Lynch Architects have collaborated to develop a bold, contemporary look for Nova, Victoria, which is due to complete in 2016.
www.novasw1.com
will reinterpret the historic street plan, providing new links and connections to the surrounding area,’ says a spokesperson for EllisMiller. ‘These routes will knit the development into its surroundings, allowing Shoreditch Village to quickly become assimilated into the neighbourhood.’ The project is said to imaginatively apply a variety of materials typical of the local area and draw upon Shoreditch’s lively and interesting roofscape, through planted rooftop gardens and terraces with views of the bustling streets below. Construction of the site is expected to start this year.
www.shoreditchvillage.com
London. ‘The new store will be another huge attraction to Westfield London and will become an important centrepiece of the massive regeneration taking place in the White City opportunity area with the creation of thousands of new homes and jobs,’ he says. Westfield was granted outline planning permission for the mixed-use development in March 2012 and since then it has been refining the proposal to deliver an enhanced experience for consumers, retailers and future residents. Earlier this year the Group announced that annual retail sales at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City are approaching £2 billion, with the portfolio 99.3 per cent leased.
www.westfieldlondon-plans.co.uk
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products
VM + display Andy Thornton This decorative shelving unit has a unique factory workshop feel about it, with the combination of industrial plumbing-style cast detail on steel tube to create this useful display item. The frame is all-steel and features cross-bracing at the rear for added strength. It is finished in a hand-aged patina to give it the vintage feel and includes three slatted timber shelves for merchandise. Andy Thornton offers a complete range of visual merchandising and retail display fittings, including shelving units, carts, rails, drawers and cabinets. The company can also design and manufacture bespoke pieces to order, in a variety of materials and finishes. T. +44 (0)1422 376 000 E. marketing@andythornton.com www.andythornton.com
Visplay Xero L P/L is a vertical support system used to create cabinets and alcove units, in a variety of different sizes, as single or combined units, tailored to your precise requirements. Xero L P/L can be used to subdivide walls or separate and emphasise individual areas. Xero L P/L offers direct access to power anywhere along the profile – for use of any 24 V low voltage appliances such as digital signage, tablets, lightboxes etc. plug & live power! Xero L P/L can link all communication channels – both online and offline. T. +44 (0)207 288 9570 E. visplay-uk@visplay.com www.visplay.com
The VM Source Visplay Kado 15 is a new slimline version of the proven Visplay structural system Kado. The simple, puristic design of Kado 15 lends clear, fine structure to the retail area. The system enables different structural configurations, creating base elements for numerous wall and midfloor displays. The base elements can be combined in any manner to achieve a harmonized design in the retail area. The base elements are supplied partially pre-assembled and are easily put together without screws. The structures can be quickly dismantled into a flat-pack for storage. T. +44 (0)207 288 9570 E. visplay-uk@visplay.com www.visplay.com www.youtube.com/user/Shopfittingsystems
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With the never ending trend for lovely vintage-style pieces with a modern twist The VM Source is excited to present its new collection, VINTAGE. A choice of 3/4 bust forms plus busts with mannequin legs – stylish and beautifully made. Brand new from the popular brand European Mannequins, these have great attention to detail with a stitched cover, fabric head and fully articulated wooden arms. The mannequin legs are shown in black but can be resprayed if required. They come with both foot and calf fitting as standard. T. +44 (0)1780 761 947 E. info@thevmsource.co.uk www.thevmsource.co.uk
Mannequins & Display Accessories 01780 761947 / 01780 758807 info@thevmsource.co.uk www.thevmsource.co.uk
Concrete effect Raw finish on mannequins
products
POP + Display arken New Finelite LED light box from arken Introducing the all-new modern, minimalist slim line light box, featuring side or top load slide-in access for posters. Made from naturally anodised aluminium, the light box also features a non-reflective PFS front sheet, and uses LED strips to create even illumination. Features include: Easy access - side or top load; Even vibrant light dispersal; Slim format - just 38mm deep; Uses 65 per cent less energy than traditional tubes; A 5-7 year minimum life expectancy on LED’s; Standard poster or bespoke sizes available, all made to order. T. +44 (0)1638 565 656 www.arken-pop.com
Onelan Improving productivity for marketing departments and content designers is essential for efficient management of multichannel digital signage networks. Large retail and advertising networks require frequent and accurate content updates. ONELAN’s new CMS features make this possible. Channel and playlist complexity is simplified through the use of the Conditional Play Editor. T. +44 (0)1491 411 400 E. sales@onelan.com www.onelan.com Twitter: onelan_ds
Print & Display Creative Instore Creative Instore Solutions is a global point of purchase design and manufacturing powerhouse that blends creativity with structural engineering to conceive sustainable designs which drive incremental sales. It’s an award-winning combination that sees it work with a blue chip client base. Creative Instore Solutions is about understanding its client’s business objectives, crafting innovative solutions that are representative of its clients’ needs and delivering quality merchandising systems in a cost-effective and time-critical environment, resulting in long-term successful business relationships. T. +44 (0)208 965 7995 E. hello@creativeinstore.com.au www.creativeinstore.co.uk Twitter: CreativeInstore
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The Long Life FSDU has been developed from recycled paper based materials. It is a cost-effective, durable alternative to wooden or metal display units. It sits nicely between traditional cardboard units, where the longevity and strength of a permanent unit is required but where budgets are tight or time in store is measured in months. Delivered flat packed, it takes one person around 10 minutes to install. Light enough to lift but also very robust and strong, the FSDU is printed with your artwork prior to despatch. Once the FSDU is no longer required it can be placed into a recycling system. T. +44 (0)115 927 5141 E. sales@printdisplays.com www.printdisplays.com Twitter: printdisplays
Bursting display Bursting with with ideas ideasfor foryour yourretail exhibition www.bbrown.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 8705 340340 | Fax: +44 (0) 8705 329610 | Email: customerservices@bbrown.co.uk
products
Projects JS Air Curtains JS Air Curtains has supplied two Zen air curtains and a Rotowind revolving door air curtain for use at BT’s global headquarters at Newgate Street, London. The air curtain system was design by entrance specialists, Blue Chyp, who developed a custom solution to meet BT’s aesthetic and functional objectives. JS Air Curtains supplied two one-metre electrically heated Zen air curtains for use above the pass doors at BT, Newgate Street. The Zen is part of JS Air Curtains’ Designer Range and has a contemporary architectural style. It can be fitted with bespoke fascia panels of different materials and any RAL colour, and also carry signage, branding or even elements such as clocks T. +44 (0)1903 858 656 E. sales@jsaircurtains.com www.jsaircurtains.com
DORMA High performance automatic doors from DORMA have been installed at The John Lewis Partnership headquarters in London to provide durability, robustness and superior aesthetics. As part of the renovation and remodelling of the ground floor of the headquarters in London’s Victoria by main contractor ITC Concepts, the architects Bamber and Reddan designed an entrance that would not only give a positive first impression and clear statement of the company’s image but would also allow a smooth flow of traffic. Ideal for high-frequency entrances where space is at a premium, DORMA RST-R Automatic Space-Saving Door met the brief and offered the desired aesthetics. DORMA RST space-saver doors are available in standard sizes ready to install, or as customised units to suit individual requirements. T. +44 (0)1462 477 600 www.dorma.com Twitter: dormauk
Reggiani A comprehensive refurbishment of Fairfield BMW’s facility in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex has made extensive use of Reggiani’s Bisio 26W adjustable recessed LED spotlights. The lighting was designed by architect Taylor Design working within BMW’s lighting guidelines. The new lighting design delivers a colour temperature of 4000K in the showroom area to highlight the vehicles on display, while circulation areas use a 3000K light source to create a warmer atmosphere. T. +44 (0)20 8236 3000 E. sales@reggiani.co.uk www.reggiani.net
PEL Services PEL Services has completed the design, supply and installation of music and public address systems for four Marks & Spencer (M&S) stores in Paris, France. The flagship store opening on the Champs Elysées was so successful that So Ouest, Beaugrenelle and Aeroville stores swiftly followed, each boasting a store-wide Bose Music and PA system similar to those supplied and installed by PEL in the UK stores, thus maintaining brand recognition and enhanced shopper experience. PEL Refuge Call systems have also been installed to enable disabled persons to alert the control station to their predicament and initiate two way conversations via handset or ‘hands free’ units T. +44 (0)20 8839 2100 www.pel.co.uk www.pelav.co.uk
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products
selection Securikey Securikey, a leading supplier of physical security products, offers one of the most reliable and widely-used Self-Retracting Key Reel ranges on the market. Expertly designed for securing keys, tools and ID badges to belts or clothing, Securikey Key Reels are used by a huge variety of professionals, including security guards, shopkeepers, and porters. Launched more than 40 years ago, Securikey’s Self-Retracting Key Reel range has developed and expanded to meet demand and now features a choice of more than 30 models, all of which are ruggedly constructed to provide total peace of mind. T. +44 (0)1252 311 888 E. enquiries@securikey.co.uk www.securikey.co.uk
Megaman Megaman has supplied AR111 LED lamps as part of a lighting solution for Selfridges London. Used throughout the newly refurbished concession areas, the new lighting needed to be installed quickly to reduce downtime, improve light levels and not impact on the existing fixtures or ornate ceiling of the shop floor. Lighting management company PLM (Planned Lighting Maintenance) partnered with Megaman for the project, supplying 15W AR111 LED lamps that look the same as the existing AR111 but offer a much brighter light. T. +44 (0)845 408 4625 E. sales@megamanuk.com www.megamanuk.com Twitter: MegamanUKLtd
Armourcoat Armourcoat has added two new designs to its Sculptural range for 2014: Smoke and Basalt. An original range of seamless sculptural surface designs, Sculptural walls are constructed from a series of pre-cast panels that are bonded to the substrate. The panel joints are then filled and sanded, and a final decoration is applied to the surface. Armourcoat is a leading manufacturer of poloshed plaster and high performance surface finishes. T. +44 (0)1732 467 993 E. sales@armourcoat.co.uk www.sculptural.armourcoat.com Twitter: Armourcoat
Landau Holdings Landau Holdings has added light to its offerings by becoming the exclusive UK agent for L&S, the Italian-based lighting business. Providing elegant, integrated lighting that can be easily installed into cabinets, L&S has also developed an integrated lighting system using LEDs which can be seen in both cool and warm tones, and can be concealed horizontally in cabinets. The colour-changing RGB LEDs can be fitted inside glass cabinets using the L&S Derby system with remote control or sensor switches. Sales and marketing director Gareth Atkin says: ‘We are particularly impressed with L&Ss continuous development of innovative and user-friendly products and see visions of how L&S lighting can complement all types of interiors’. T. +44 (0)1482 440 680 E. info@parapan.co.uk www.parapan.co.uk
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Add a touch of gloss and glamour to your retail or office space with Parapan® High gloss, acrylic Parapan® is extremely versatile and increasingly being specified for prestigious installations in retail and commercial sectors. • 24 colours • UV stable • Hygenic & stain resistant • 18mm & 4mm solid acrylic • Cut to bespoke sizes • Thermoformed to any radius • Durable • Waterproof
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materials & surfaces
focus on: Materials + surfaces LooseLay Luxury vinyl flooring specialist Karndean Designflooring has introduced new wood, stone and textile designs as part of its LooseLay Series Two launch. The collection of large-scale planks and tiles is designed to be quick and easy to install and includes six wood tones, two slateinspired stone designs and two textile stone patterns.
www.karndean.com
Materials and surfaces play an important role in interior and exterior design, adding texture, colour and visual interest. From floors and walls to ceilings and display units, materials and surfaces can influence the quality and atmosphere of a space. This month we explore a variety of innovative products from luxury wallcoverings and flooring to solid surface materials and metal coatings.
Flower power French fashion house Maison Martin Margiela has collaborated with high-end wallpaper company Omexco to develop a collection of wallcoverings that blend humour with elegance, avant-garde ideals with classic tastes. Le Point de Croix (pictured) is a classic cross-stitch canvas with a finely crafted bouquet of flowers. Other themes include La Paésine, a Tuscan limestone, La Mosaïque, a traditional geometric marble mosaic print, Le Rideau, a trompe l’oeil of a typical Maison Margiela pattern, and L’Optique, a deformed herringbone motif with an optical illusion.
www.maisonmartinmargiela.com www.omexco.com
Black velvet The new Butchers & Bicycles headquarters in Copenhagen’s Meatpacking District has a stylish monochrome interior, featuring black velvet textured oak from Junckers on the floor and the planters. The showroom, office and assembly shop is a converted 19th century stable building, housing the company’s new cargo trike, the Mk1.
www.junckers.com www.butchersandbicycles.com
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materials & surfaces Bold as brass Metalier brass panels contribute to the overall moody ambience of The Sugar Club, a new restaurant located on level 53 of Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower in New Zealand. Designed by New Zealand-based Jasmax, the overall concept of the fit-out was inspired by the 2009 Italian film ‘I am Love’, featuring Tilda Swinton. Metalier metal coatings can be applied to almost any surface and come in aluminium, brass, bronze, copper, iron, mountain gold, rose aluminium and smokey bronze.
www.metalier.co.nz www.granlyn.co.uk
Walnut walls Interior and surface design practice Giles Miller Studio has completed two opposing feature walls in the European headquarters of Westfield Shopping Centres in Holborn, London. Exercising the signature technique of the studio, the walls comprise thousands of solid walnut timber pixels pivoted at varied angles to create areas of light and shade. Continuing the feel of luxury, the space also features hexagonal lighting and marble furniture from Tom Dixon, as well as a walnut floor that extends the pattern of the mural along the floor and up onto the opposing wall.
www.gilesmiller.com www.uk.westfield.com
Set in stone Furniture at the new Beaugrenelle urban shopping mall in Paris has been created using HI-MACS next generation acrylic stone. Designed by Brandimage and made by ADJ, the collection is said to be inspired by two functions all shoppers need – relaxation and information. ‘The furniture twists into shapes, which provide tables, seats and a surface for interactive screens, thus combining information and relaxation areas,’ says LG HAUSYS, the company behind the solid surface material. The material was chosen for its invisible joints, durability and low maintenance as well as its selection of original colours and ‘soft invitingly touchable surface’. Photography: Mathieu Ducros
www.himacs.eu www.beaugrenelle-paris.com
Black beauty DuPont Corian is using ‘DeepColour Technology’ to produce new dark solid surface materials. Deep Nocturne is a solid jet black, Deep Anthracite features flecks of silver, Deep Black Quartz has ivory specks, and Deep Night Sky (pictured) contains translucent particles. The four sophisticated black tones are now available in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and will soon be joined by other colours, offering the same combination of functionality and charm.
www.corian.co.uk
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‘Smoke’ by Armourcoat Sculptural From a range of original seamless 3D wall surface designs www.sculptural.armourcoat.com
Directory
Retail Supplier Directory, find the specialist retail products and services you are looking for from leading suppliers around the world. Retail Supplier Directory Visit the Retail Focus online directory at www.retail-focus.co.uk to discover a comprehensive list of the UK’s leading retail suppliers. Each listing contains indepth company information together with inspirational images, video footage and informative press material. You can also link through to company websites and connect with suppliers through Twitter and Facebook. The Retail Supplier Directory is divided into a number of categories, such as design agencies, point-of-purchase, lighting, props and surfaces, to make the site easy to navigate. To feature in the online directory, contact Terry Clark on 0845 6807405 or email terry@retailfocus.co.
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Directory
Aluminium Fittings
Bespoke Display
Bespoke Display
Design Consultancies
RGB Products Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry. Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service. T: 01273 582241 E: info@d-i-a.net W: www.d-i-a.net S. www.twitter.com/DesignsinAlumin
Axis design, develop, manufacture and install bespoke retail display solutions. We’ve worked with the biggest names on the high street, but approach every project in the same way, with the maximum thought for your brand, products and sales environment.
We provide a bespoke manufacturing service for Point of Purchase and Exhibition Display products. Using our CNC Router and other machinery, we can prototype and produce your merchandising displays and products.
H Squared Limited are display specialists in creating brand presence at the point of purchase. Through a holistic approach to the development of display... strategic led creative design and cost effective manufacture, supply and installation, H Squared are able to offer clients an experience to nurture an idea as well as the capability to realise and deliver these ideas.
T, 020 3260 3888 E. info@axiseurope.com W.www.axiseurope.com/retail S. www.twitter.com/AxisEuropePlc
T, 01403 783670 E. sales@rgbproducts.co.uk W. www.rgbproducts.co.uk
T: 01530 814200 E: studio@hsquared.co.uk W: www.hsquaredltd.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/HSquaredLtd
Aluminium Fittings
Bespoke Display
MicroSlat is a strong versatile 25mm fine pitched aluminium slatwall system. With a bespoke range of components it can be used to build unique and interesting displays or add value to existing designs.
Original suppliers of display fabrics, textiles, PVC and polycarbonates for retail displays and exhibition stands since 1934 Backgrounds have been our background since backgrounds began and B Brown have more than 400 in stock.
Spur Creative Workshop deliver unique visual merchandising solutions for retail brands. Boasting a wealth of experience in high quality prop making we create display concepts for window staging, POS and brand awareness campaigns.
IGNITION is an independent creative company Our multi-disciplined team work together to deliver exceptional retail and commercial environments, global exhibitions and brands.
T. 01325 351 276 E. sales@microslat.com W. www.microslat.com S. www.twitter.com/MicroSlat
T, 08705 340 340 E. customerservices@bbrown.co.uk W. www.bbrown.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/luvbbrown
T 01892 890608 E: phil@spurcreative.co.uk W www.spurcreative.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/ spur_creative
T, +44 (0) 1179 725168 E. victoria@ignitiondg.com W. www.ignitiondg.com
Aluminium Fittings
Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry. Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service. T: 0 01422 310767 E: sales@wbelland.com W: www.wbelland.com
Bespoke Display
H Squared Limited are display specialists in creating brand presence at the point of purchase. Through a holistic approach to the development of display... strategic led creative design and cost effective manufacture, supply and installation, H Squared are able to offer clients an experience to nurture an idea as well as the capability to realise and deliver these ideas. T: 01530 814200 E: studio@hsquared.co.uk W: www.hsquaredltd.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/HSquaredLtd
Bespoke Display
Bespoke Display
Bespoke Display
Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry. Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service. T: 0 01422 310767 E: sales@wbelland.com W: www.wbelland.com
CNC Routing
Design Consultancies
Display
Axis design, develop, manufacture and install bespoke retail display solutions. We’ve worked with the biggest names on the high street, but approach every project in the same way, with the maximum thought for your brand, products and sales environment.
T, 020 3260 3888 E. info@axiseurope.com W.www.axiseurope.com/retail S. www.twitter.com/AxisEuropePlc
Display
RGB Products No.1 Advertising Balloon Service: • Printed Latex and Foil Balloons • Helium Gas delivery and collection • Flags, Bunting and Banners • Promotional Sashes and T-shirts • Multi-store distribution nationwide
KSF provides retail merchandising display solutions to retailers, brands and trade customers from CONCEPT to COMPLETION via our global supply chain (China/UK/East EU) to deliver LOWER total cost of ownership. YOU’VE TRIED THE REST; NOW PUT US TO THE TEST.
We provide a bespoke manufacturing service for Point of Purchase and Exhibition Display products. Using our CNC Router and other machinery, we can prototype and produce your merchandising displays and products.
Graphica Display print, produce and install retail graphics including till point graphics, window graphics, LED lightboxes, cut & printed vinyl and much more. Nationwide & Euorpean delivery and installation.
T, 01494 774376 E. sales@b-loony.com W. www.b-loony.com
T: +44 (0)8450 944 699 E: ben.wang@ksf-global.com W: www.ksf-global.com S: www.twitter.com/KSFGlobal
T, 01403 783670 E. sales@rgbproducts.co.uk W. www.rgbproducts.co.uk
T: 0845 3730073 E: info@graphicadisplay.co.uk W:www.graphicadisplay.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/graphicatweet
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Directory
Display
Display
Display - Digital
Furniture
Are you looking to increase your product sales, re-brand or launch a new product? If you’re not already talking to us, you should. Our group offer an unprecedented level of experience coupled with a comprehensive range of products and services. Our aim is to make your products sell and your service the best on the market.
Impulse are a retail display design and manufacturer, offering our own UK facilities and overseas supply chain if time allows.
Crystal Display Systems is already a leading UK designer, distributor and value added reseller of flat panel display solutions. We have a vast array of media players, interactive displays, videowalls and shelf edge displays. Our knowledge and expertise has also led to us being one of the European leaders in transparent LCD.
Spur Creative Workshop deliver unique visual merchandising solutions for retail brands. Boasting a wealth of experience in high quality prop making we create display concepts for window staging, POS and brand awareness campaigns.
T: +44(0)113 265 0093 E: sales@concept-data.com W: www.concept-data.com S. www.twitter.com/GDProjects
T, 01767 682756 E. sales@impulsepop.co.uk W.www.impulsepop.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/impulsepop
T: +44 (0) 1634 292 025 E: info@crystal-display.com W: www.crystal-display.com S. www.twitter.com/CrystalDisplays
T 01892 890608 E: phil@spurcreative.co.uk W www.spurcreative.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/ spur_creative
Display
Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry. Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service. T: 01273 582241 E: info@d-i-a.net W: www.d-i-a.net S. www.twitter.com/DesignsinAlumin
Display
Display
Impulse are a retail display design and manufacturer, offering our own UK facilities and overseas supply chain if time allows.
We create bespoke tailored solutions for retail, interiors, exhibitions, museums and 3D and we know one size does not fit all. Our teams are always ready for the challenges, big or small.
T 01892 890608 E: phil@spurcreative.co.uk W www.spurcreative.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/ spur_creative
T, 01767 682756 E. sales@impulsepop.co.uk W.www.impulsepop.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/impulsepop
T: 01923 800666 E: info@stylographics.co.uk W: www.stylographics.com S. www.twitter.com/hellostylo
Display
We create bespoke tailored solutions for retail, interiors, exhibitions, museums and 3D and we know one size does not fit all. Our teams are always ready for the challenges, big or small.
Display
Display
T: 0845 3730073 E: info@graphicadisplay.co.uk W:www.graphicadisplay.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/graphicatweet
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Furniture
Spur Creative Workshop deliver unique visual merchandising solutions for retail brands. Boasting a wealth of experience in high quality prop making we create display concepts for window staging, POS and brand awareness campaigns.
GDP designs, manufactures, delivers and installs world-class retail environments, store fixtures, displays and visual merchandising equipment. GDP is truly Global, through its activities in many parts of the world. We have supplied high-end displays and furniture to successful retail brands throughout Europe, North America, South Africa and South East Asia. T: +44 (0)1582 433 771 E: info@gdprojects.eu W: www.gdprojects.eu S. www.twitter.com/GDProjects
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.
Display - Digital
T: 01923 800666 E: info@stylographics.co.uk W: www.stylographics.com S. www.twitter.com/hellostylo
Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry.
EPOS
Offering an extensive range of EPOS hardware from world class suppliers such as Star Micronics, Honeywell and Posiflex, DED offer the complete EPOS hardware solution alongside a unique rewritable loyalty system.
T: 01797 320636 E: sales@ded.co.uk W: www.ded.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/dedltd
Finishes
Armourcoat is the world’s foremost supplier of polished plasters, sculptural effects and innovative surface finishes.
Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service. T: 0 01422 310767 E: sales@wbelland.com W: www.wbelland.com
T. +44 (0)1732 460 668 E. sales@armourcoat.co.uk W. www.armourcoat.com S. www.twitter.com/Armourcoat
Graphics
Graphica Display print, produce and install retail graphics including till point graphics, window graphics, LED lightboxes, cut & printed vinyl and much more. Nationwide & Euorpean delivery and installation.
T: 0845 3730073 E: info@graphicadisplay.co.uk W:www.graphicadisplay.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/graphicatweet
Graphics
We create bespoke tailored solutions for retail, interiors, exhibitions, museums and 3D and we know one size does not fit all. Our teams are always ready for the challenges, big or small.
T: 01923 800666 E: info@stylographics.co.uk W: www.stylographics.com S. www.twitter.com/hellostylo
Directory
Interactive Displays
Lighting
POP/POS
Slatwall
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.
Wandsworth is the oldest independent manufacturer of electrical accessories in the UK. A truly British company, the majority of our products are sold throughout the world. Wandsworth’s traditional activities are the design and manufacture of superior metalfinished electrical wiring accessories.
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.
Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry.
T: +44 (0) 1634 292 025 E: info@crystal-display.com W: www.crystal-display.com S. www.twitter.com/CrystalDisplays
T, 01483 713 400 E. info@wandsworthgroup.com W. www.wandsworthgroup.com S. www.twitter.com/WandsworthGroup
T: +44 (0)8450 944 699 E: ben.wang@ksf-global.com W: www.ksf-global.com S: www.twitter.com/KSFGlobal
T: 01273 582241 E: info@d-i-a.net W: www.d-i-a.net S. www.twitter.com/DesignsinAlumin
Integrated Marketing
POP/POS
POP/POS
Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service.
Slatwall
BWP Group is an integrated communications agency that specialises in retail destination marketing. We drive footfall to shopping centres and retail brands across Europe, through a combination of marketing and brand consultancy, PR, experiential, events, social media and digital communications.
CDS began life in 2005 specialising in shopfitting. The offer now covers all aspects of Commercial interiors, Electrical, Mechanical and Manufacturing and Maintenance. CDS is now in a perfect position to cover the complete life cycle of your next project, whether that covers a single or multiple stores.
Spur Creative Workshop deliver unique visual merchandising solutions for retail brands. Boasting a wealth of experience in high quality prop making we create display concepts for window staging, POS and brand awareness campaigns.
MicroSlat is a strong versatile 25mm fine pitched aluminium slatwall system. With a bespoke range of components it can be used to build unique and interesting displays or add value to existing designs.
T, 01628 625 900 E. hello@bwpgroup.com W. www.bwpgroup.com S. www.twitter.com/BWP_Group
T: 0845 674 4420 E: info@cdsgroup.uk.com W: www.cdsgroup.uk.com S. www.twitter.com/CDSGroupLtd
T 01892 890608 E: phil@spurcreative.co.uk W www.spurcreative.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/ spur_creative
T. 01325 351 276 E. sales@microslat.com W. www.microslat.com S. www.twitter.com/MicroSlat
Logistics
POP/POS
POP Install
At Chequers, we provide a specialist fragile transportation and logistics solution, dedicated primarily to the retail visual merchandising, POP/POS display and shopfitting sectors.
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.
Our aim is simple: To provide GOLD STANDARD Installation and Merchandising of Display Equipment at competitive prices.
T, 01757 707077 E. sales@chequerstransport.com W. www.chequerstransport.com
Lighting
Atrium, established 36 years ago, is the UK’s longest standing independent architectural lighting supplier. Flos, Ilti Luce, LTS and Modular have granted us full exclusivity for the UK and the Republic of Ireland. We specialise in the supply of high quality design-led technical and decorative luminaires to the commercial project market. T: +44 (0)20 7681 9933 E: sales@atrium.ltd.uk W: www.atrium.ltd.uk S. www.twitter.com/Atrium_ltd
T: 01530 814200 E: studio@hsquared.co.uk W: www.hsquaredltd.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/HSquaredLtd
POP/POS
Impulse are a retail display design and manufacturer, offering our own UK facilities and overseas supply chain if time allows.
T, 01767 682756 E. sales@impulsepop.co.uk W.www.impulsepop.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/impulsepop
T: 0161 941 2239 E: mike.kirchin@plan2install.co.uk W: www.plan2install.co.uk
POP Install
We are the leading retail implementation agency with unrivalled expertise in Installation, Retail Audits, Merchandising and Field Marketing. If you think your campaigns might benefit from a complete service, you should talk to us.
T: 0161 486 7878 E: instore@momentuminstore.com W: www.momentuminstore.com S: www.twitter.com/momentuminstore
Slatwall
Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry. Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service. T: 0 01422 310767 E: sales@wbelland.com W: www.wbelland.com
Suspension System
Suspension systems - Simple installation, high carrying weights, automatic height locking device and progressive adjustment, compatible with existing covering and panelling.
T: 020 8446 0161 E: sales@walterlogan.com W: www.walterlogan.com
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Q&A
Luxury department store chain Harvey Nichols is world famous for its innovative window displays. Here, the company’s award-winning head of visual display, Janet Wardley tells us where she draws her inspiration and why she’s keen to work with up-and-coming artists and designers. RF. How long have you been head of visual display at Harvey Nichols? JW. I have been working at Harvey Nichols for 17 years and been the head of the display department for all of that time. It has been exciting to see the Harvey Nichols brand grow over this time from one store to eight in the UK and Ireland, and seven abroad. RF. How has the world of visual merchandising changed in that time? JW. I am old school display and not visual merchandising. A lot of companies have focused more on visual merchandising than display and the old display skills have maybe not been seen as important. Things go in cycles and the importance of window dressing has gone up and down over the years, but I feel now is the start of an upsurge of interest in display. RF. Who or what inspires you? JW. I get ideas and inspiration from everywhere and anywhere. I’m always inspired by fashion trends and details, but also get ideas from interior design and travel. I keep boxes and boxes of images that I find inspiring and I like to look through these to help develop my ideas. I am not into sourcing images online and prefer to use my old magazine tear outs. RF. What are your thoughts on digital technology in display? JW. Generally, I find digital technology a little cold and unfriendly. I feel it is used more as a PR exercise than an actual display. Having said that, there are some interesting ideas around, but it is still very expensive and not always that visual. If used as part of a large scheme to give added detail it can work, but when it is the main feature it can lack the emotional response a more creative display can give. RF. Harvey Nichols has previously collaborated with artists, illustrators and designers on its window displays. Why is this so important? JW. The vast majority of our window and interior schemes are designed, built and installed by our in-house team. Occasionally, we do work with new up-and-coming artists or designers whose style we admire and feel are right for a particular scheme; this is great to do and something we are keen to continue doing. RF. What trends do you see emerging in 2014?
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JW. With the growth of social media everyone has easy access to unlimited visual imagery. Consequently, everyone is more design aware and wanting to see innovative and well-designed displays. I believe this has led to a resurgence of props being used in windows and a lot more interesting and creative window schemes around, which is exciting to see. RF. What advice would you give to small, independent retailers who don’t have large budgets? JW. You don’t need a large budget to create effective displays. The most important thing is that whatever you create presents the store in a style that fits the brand. When working on a design it is important you think about the space you have to work in, how your displays are viewed and by whom. The budget at Harvey Nichols is surprisingly small and mostly we work with easily obtainable materials. It is the idea, the skills of the builders and dressers, and keeping true to the idea that makes a scheme work. RF. What has been your favourite scheme to work on to date? JW. In display your favourite scheme is always the next one. It is always exciting working on the next project and seeing it come to life, which is one of the reasons I love this job so much. In my office I have a whole shelving unit full of folders with photos of windows that have been created in my time at Harvey Nichols; there are too many to choose just one favourite from. I am proud of all the schemes we have created over the years for different reasons. RF. Which other store windows do you admire? JW. I don’t get out much to see other store windows. I like to work without being subconsciously influenced by what other brands are doing. That said, I do admire the drama of Bergdorf Goodman’s schemes in NY and the simple, playful approach to display at Paul Smith. RF. What are you working on at the moment? JW. We have just installed all our first S/S14 windows and interiors across the stores and are finalising details on the second S/S14 schemes. Each store has a different scheme tailored to the store, so it is not just a roll out of one idea. The remainder of the year and Christmas schemes are also on our minds. Time just flies working in display!
The xciting Kind E s t t s I Mo duct Of Introducing ™ Pro htSheet
SGLig
SGLightSheet™ is available in 14 standard options as well as 100’s of ways the product can be tailored to suit your requirements. Here’s A Small Selection Of Uses & Options Available When Using SGLightSheet™ : · Panel Backlighting · Illuminated Flooring/Ceiling Tiles · Letters & Shapes · Built Up Letters · Window & Retail Displays · · Ghosted (See-Thru) For Hanging POS/Decoration · Flex Face/Textile Frame Illumination · Velcro Fixing For Exhibitions · · Perfect For Internal & External Use · Window & Retail Displays · Removable Magnetic Faces · Snap Frame Faces ·
Please Visit
www.SGLightSheet.co.uk or Call: 0113 25 24 706 / Email: info@sglightsheet.co.uk For More Information
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