Retail Focus May 2018 by Retail Focus

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MAY 2018 : Â£6.75 #99

May 2018/issue 99

retail focus WWW.RETAIL-FOCUS.CO.UK

Window Shopping : Hawkers : Hershesons : Moncler : Creative Retail Awards : World Retail Congress : Salon del Mobile : Retail Design Expo : VM Supplement : In & Around Shoreditch Village : Focus on furniture : Q&A with Simon Dixon, Rockar

Beauty playground Hershesons arrives in Fitzrovia

WINDOW SHOPPING : HAWKERS : HERSHESONS : MONCLER : CREATIVE RETAIL AWARDS : retail design expo VM SUPPLEMENT : IN & AROUND SHOREDITCH VILLAGE : FOCUS ON FURNITURE : Q&A WITH SIMON DIXON, ROCKAR

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contents

CONTENTS Beauty playground

29-30

Hershesons’ new beauty experience has opened its doors on Fitzrovia’s Berners Street, offering a relaxed, open and immersive space.

Retail 35 World Congress

43 VM Supplement

70 Retail Design Expo

del 40 Salone Mobile

The power 65 LEGO: of play

& Around: 72 InShoreditch Village

7 8

Leader

26-33 Project Focus Hawkers, Rome : Hershesons, London : Moncler, Dubai

Diary

13-16 News 19-20 Window shopping

Travel retail is a growing market segment primed for renewal, says Kelsey Chessey, senior brand strategist at FRCH Design Worldwide.

Inspiring window displays from around the globe.

22-23 Centre stage 25

Karl McKeever Is there an opportunity for retailers to charge for experiential retail, and will shoppers be willing to fork out? asks Karl this month.

Opinion

In and Around... Shoreditch Village. A 13,935 sq m mixed-use and public realm scheme at the heart of London’s creative quarter.

The podcast for the retail industry Listen on www.theretailexchange.co.uk Download and listen later, wherever you are

77-86 Products Products and services for the retail industry.

Q&A Simon Dixon, founder of Rockar, talks career, his horror at car dealerships and Rockar’s format of empowering the customer.

10. 11. 12 SEPT 2018 PARIS EXPO PORTE DE VERSAILLES PAVILION 1

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PARIS RETAIL WEEK: BE PART OF EUROPE’S LEADING 360° RETAIL EVENT! The fourth edition of Paris Retail Week will take place September 10 – 12, 2018 in Pavilion 1 at Paris expo Porte de Versailles. The success of the third edition of Paris Retail Week confirmed the need for professionals of the off- and on-line retail sectors to meet at a common event. The 2018 edition of Paris Retail Week will highlight , the global and agile retail ecosystem. Retailers are experts in organic revolution.

From brick and mortar to pure players, not to mention m- and s-commerce, retailers have shown their unfailing sense of adaptation. Retail today is SMART. It learns from and grasps the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence to continuously improve the customer experience. It has (at last!) married off- and on-line retail and now heralds the arrival of the Phygital era. Paris Retail Week will present the entire value chain of the sector: new models of distribution, layout and design, the consumer

#ParisRetailWeek www.parisretailweek.com

path to purchase, web to store and store to web, omni-channel CRM, shopper marketing, agile logistics, and more. The largest retail trade show in Europe will gather the E-Commerce sector, dedicated to solutions for e-retailers, ranging from digital marketing to logistics, and the EquipMag (store) sector, dedicated to physical commerce and distribution. For three days, Paris will be the capital of experiential and connected commerce, bringing together 800 participating companies and 40,000 retail professionals.

PARIS, CAPITAL OF EXPERIENTIAL AND CONNECTED COMMERCE

THE EUROPEAN GLOBAL

350 TOP SPEAKERS

leader

welcome May ‘18

—

One clear theme was prominent at this year’s Retail Design Expo – people. Many seminar speakers discussed the importance of staff and their impact on the shopper experience. ‘Staff make the brand experience come to life. Value them!’ said Ian Johnston, founder of Quinine. ‘Consider the store as a beautiful workplace,’ he said. Tim Greenhalgh, chairman & chief creative officer at FITCH, presented ‘The Future of Shopping Will Be Service... Not Retail.’ He said: ‘Service is a priority and service is changing.’ A very poignant statement stuck in my mind that Greenhalgh said: ‘Retail is no longer about what can I buy from you, it’s about what can I achieve from you’ and it’s those retailers who can fulfill that expectation from the customer that will succeed. Sunglasses retailer Hawkers has unveiled its latest flagship in Rome, playing with mirrors, 3D animations and beautiful marble surfaces, providing a store based on four key themes — energy, power, exploding colours and disruption (P.26-27). Hershesons has opened a new generation beauty playground in Fitzrova (P.29-30), a relaxed, open and immersive experience. Meanwhile, Dubai Mall has welcomed the first mono-brand Moncler boutique, which has created an ambience almost supended between ice and nature (P.32-33). In this issue we also bring you highlights from The Retail Exchange podcast’s trip to World Retail Congress last month (P.35-36), while Sasha Rozario, creative director & head of brand DNA at Blacks Visual, reports back from her time at Salone del Mobile (P.40-41). You can read highlights from the VM & Display Show and first Retail Focus Forum in this month’s VM supplement starting on P.43, and our round-up of Retail Design Expo on P.70-71. See you at the Creative Retail Awards on 5 June! Limited tickets available at www.creativeretailawards.com

Lyndsey Dennis Editor

Editor

Publisher

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

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

Get more from Retail Focus online!

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

www.retail-focus.co.uk

Social media For subscription enquiries please email: subscriptions@retailfocus.co Retail Focus is published 12 times a year by Retail Focus Promotions Ltd, Yeomans, Bassetts Lane, Woodham Walter, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6RZ. No part of Retail Focus may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without permission. Please

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address all enquiries to the editor at the above address. The opinions expressed in Retail Focus are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the information

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diary diary

DIARY

WorldDesign Retail Retail Expo Creative RetailCongress Awards Marriott Auditorium, Olympia, London Bunga Bunga, CoventMadrid Garden 17-19 April 2018 May 2018 52-3 June 2018 Returning to Retail Europe for Expo theare first Visitors to Retail Design can The Creative Awards atime newsince 2015,exciting joinnew theannual world’sevent best in Madrid at the discover approaches to customer and recognising World Retail Congress 2018. The Congress engagement, new thinking, inspirational and rewarding innovation and excellence provides an unrivalled high-level forum for conferences and innovative in retail design. Organised bysuppliers. the Shop retail leaders to meet and share insight, RDE Display covers the full range of retail design and Equipment Association formmarketing powerful connections and help shape and solutions including lighting, (SDEA) and Retail Focus magazine, the the retail future. Gain invaluable insights surfaces, POP, visual merchandising, awards will span a number of disciplines, from people across retail as they share design consultancies, fixtures and fittings, including store design, surfaces, display their realtechnology, business stories. Anpackaging, extensive furniture, display equipment, systems, lighting, VM and speaker programme more than 130 insights consultancies andoffer shopfitters. much more. The nightwith will plenty of participants brings senior retail In addition,opportunities there is together a freetocomprehensive networking meet with speakerssuppliers from some ofdesigners. the world’skey biggest conference programme featuring retailers, and Enjoy tochampagne the newest businesses, asismusic, well as speakers. The show co-located aindustry reception, live leading industry from global at London Olympia with Retail Business entertainment, DJstakeholders and more, celebrating economics, politics, finance NGOs. The Technology (RBTE) andand Digital into the smallExpo hours. Judging isRetail completely key theme forand 2018transparent. is ‘Innovate to Win’. Signage Expo (RDSE). independent WorldRetail RtlDesignExpo retailfocus www.worldretailcongress.com www.retaildesignexpo.com www.creativeretailawards.com

VM &Kiely: Display Show Clerkenwell Week Orla A Design Life in Pattern Business Centre, Clerkenwell, London Fashion &Design Textile Museum, 22-24 May 2018 London 18-19 April 25 May - 232018 September 2018

Sign Kiely: & Digital UKNature Orla A Life in Pattern Fashioned from NEC, Museum, Birmingham Fashion & Textile Museum, V&A London 24-26until April272018 London Runs January 2019 25 May - 23 September 2018

RetailRetail Design Expo Creative Retail Awards Paris Week Olympia, London Bunga Bunga, London Paris expo Porte de Versailles May 2018 2018 52-3 June 2018 10-12 September

Clerkenwell Design Week has created a showcase of leading UKhas andis international The VM & Display announced ‘Orla Kiely: A Life inShow Pattern’ the first brands and companies presented in a new features for 2018. The Retail Focus ever retrospective dedicated to the print, series of showroom events, exhibitions Forum will offer visitors insight onofthe latest fashion and homeware designs Orla and special installations that take trends in visual merchandising and design Kiely. The exhibition will explore theplace vision across the area. New for from industry experts. and2018, the Light Display that has, since the 1990s, become a will global take over Fabric nightclub host Team Challenge which will see of of phenomenon. It will draw onand an some archive top UK’s international lighting brands with the biggest retailers compete tovisitors be more than 20 years of work, offering standalone lighting installations. crowned ofcreative the Year.process. an insightDisplay into theTeam Kiely’s

Discover thefrom latest innovations in signage, ‘Fashioned Nature’ is the first ‘Orla Kiely: A Life in Pattern’ is theatfirst print, display, décor andthe design Sign & UK exhibition to explore complex ever retrospective dedicated to the print, Digital UK 2018. Showcasing latest in relationship between fashionthe and nature fashion homeware designs ofprinting Orla all types of wide format from 1600and to signage, the present day. It presents Kiely. The finishing exhibition will explore the vision and print equipment through fashionable dress alongside natural that has, since the innovative 1990s,inks become a global to innovative materials, and history specimens, newdisplay fabrics phenomenon. It will draw on Services anvisitors archive systems. Visitprocesses, the Sign Trade and dyeing inviting to of more than years of work, offering visitors Pavilion for20 day-to-day sign makingand items think about the materials of fashion an into Kiely’s creativeWorkshop. process. andinsight the popular Signmakers the sources of their clothes.

The Creative Awards arePhygital’, a Discover design, Taking onretail theRetail theme of marketing, ‘Smart new and Retail exciting annual event branding, visualWeek merchandising, the Paris will be a centre recognising architecture andrewarding shopfitting at Retail point for the and convergence ofinnovation digital and excellence in retail Design Expo in May. Thedesign. show also technology and thought-out physical Organised the SDEA and Retail includes anbyextensive conference design. Taking place atfree Paris expo Focus magazine, awards will span programme and isthe co-located Porte de Versailles, the show will a number40,000 of disciplines, including alongside Retail Business Technology welcome decision makers, store design, surfaces, display systems, Expo (RBTE)providers, and Retail350 Digital Signage 800 industry headline technology, lighting more. Expo (RDSE). speakers, store tours and and much awards.

CDWfestival FashionTextile VMDisplayShow

FashionTextile V_and_A Signanddigital

www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com www.ftmlondon.org www.vmanddisplayshow.com

www.creativeretailawards.com en.parisretailweek.com www.retaildesignexpo.com

Image: © Orla Kiely

NEW AWARDS CONCEPT FROM RETAIL FOCUS AND THE SDEA 05.06.18 LONDON 88

retailfocus PRWOfficial RtlDesignExpo

www.ftmlondon.org www.vam.ac.uk www.signuk.com

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awards

CREATIVE RETAIL AWARDS Introducing a new kind of awards evening for the retail design sector. Launching this June, the Creative Retail Awards are a new and exciting annual event designed to recognise and reward innovation and excellence in retail design. Organised by the Shop & Display Equipment Association (SDEA) and Retail Focus Magazine, the awards will span a number of disciplines, including store design, surfaces, display systems, innovative technology, lighting and much more. Bringing together the whole industry, the Creative Retail Awards blends networking with an informal party atmosphere celebrating the diversity in our industry. The awards will recognise talent across the full spectrum of retail design and display in a broad range of awards categories, encompassing store concepts, visual merchandising, POP, lighting, visual merchandising, signage, surfaces and much more. The inaugural Creative Retail Awards will be announced at an evening drinks reception and party at Bunga Bunga, Covent Garden on Tuesday 5 June 2018. The night will offer plenty of networking opportunities to meet with retailers, suppliers and designers. Enjoy a champagne reception, live music, entertainment, DJ and more, celebrating into the small hours. ‘The Creative Retail Awards will bring the whole of the retail display community together like no other awards have done. By shredding the traditional format of a gala dinner to encourage networking and a party atmosphere, the awards will give a well-deserved boost to retailers and their suppliers,’ says Antony Behiels, director at SDEA. ‘We are very excited to welcome the retail design industry to Bunga Bunga next month. The evening will reward outstanding design in our sector, and provide a great opportunity for retailers, interior designers and suppliers to network in a fun and relaxed environment. Expect a few surprises! We would like to thank all our sponsors and judges, and wish all companies entering the very best of luck,’ says Lyndsey Dennis, editor at Retail Focus magazine. Tickets are limited. To reserve your place at the Creative Retail Awards, visit www.creativeretailawards.com

Categories Best sustainable display product sponsored by Tenn Most innovative POP concept sponsored by Blacks Visual Best use of seasonal or temporary display sponsored by Replica Best use of lighting in store Best use of print/signage sponsored by NeonPlus Best use of surfaces/finishes in store Best VM Scheme sponsored by The VM & Display Show Best use of point of sale in store Most innovative display product Best use of in-store technology sponsored by Harlequin Best pop-up store Best store-in-store or concession sponsored by Armourcoat Best independent store display (max 3 stores) sponsored by Arken POP Best overall store collaboration (supplier, designer & retailer) sponsored by Studio Inspirational Person Award 2018 Sponsored by Barthelmess

Judges Judging is completely independent and transparent by a panel of industry experts. Helen Shelley creative director, M Worldwide Judith Kelly head of retail design & delivery, Hammerson Tony Morgan Programme Manager of Visual Merchandising, Fashion Retail Academy James Breaks associate director (design), rpa:group Tier One sponsor: Studio Headline sponsor: Kesslers Drinks Reception sponsor: Unibox

MORGAN HOLT chief strategy officer, fitch

Flash to go here awards SEMINAR HIGHLIGHTS

When and where Bunga Bunga, Covent Garden Tuesday 5 June 2018

www.creativeretailawards.com retailfocus #CRA2018 All seminars correct at time of going to press

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news

NEWS Alaia opens Bond Street flagship and exhibition at Design Museum Alaia has opened its first flagship store outside of Paris at 139 New Bond Street in London — Maison Alaia. Azzedine Alaia — one of the most influential and celebrated coutouriers of the 20th and 21st centuries — personally finalised plans for this new space before his death in 2017, in a city that he loved and in which he felt at home. The three floor, 557 sq m store showcases the fullest expression of the Maison’s collections, including couture by specialist appointment, limited editions and ready-to-wear collections, along with signature shoes, bags and accessories of the season. In keeping with his profound respect for other designers and artists, along with his passion for collecting contemporary design, the new flagship has been conceived by M. Alaia and designed by aukett swanke to be sympathetic to the beauty of the original historial building, while showcasing furniture and art chosen personally together with Carla Sozzani,

with whom he shared decades of a mutual love of design. Maison Alaia London will host a personal curation of artists and designers from around the world, with all pieces celebrating the refraction of light and transparency. A painting by Christoph von Weyhe is set alongside glass furniture by Naoto Fukasawa, Shiro Kuramata, Piero

Lissoni, Renzo Piano and Tokujin Yoshioka. Work by Pierre Paulin and Martin Szekely will be illuminated by Marc Newson’s light installation and the wall sculpture light of Kris Ruhs. The store opened ahead of a new exhibition entitled ‘Azzedine Alaia: The Couturier’ at the Design Museum, which will run until 7 October 2018.

Bluewater welcomes BMW Urban Store The UK’s first BMW Urban store has opened at Bluewater in Kent. Located on the Lower Thames Walk opposite Next, the 148 sq m BMW Urban store is operated by Stephen James BMW Group and offers Bluewater’s guests a new way of buying a BMW that combines digital and physical retailing in one experience. Shoppers can use smart click-and-buy screens to access product information and carry out their order journey online and instore. Test drives are also available directly from Bluewater and eight BMW Product Geniuses are available, each specially trained to demonstrate the latest technology and other features. The store also features a robot with the ability to provide product information and receive feedback. The store design and fit out was overseen in-house by Stephen James, BMW’s head of property, James Browne, and includes three display models, currently the BMW 1 Series, BMW

2 Series Gran Tourer and the first-ever BMW X2. Display vehicles will regularly be updated with the latest BMW models to offer shoppers the latest designs. Adding to the experience, existing BMW and MINI drivers can enjoy a free barista-style coffee in the Isetta bar on presentation of their car key.

Flash to gonews here

ARKET to open at Liverpool ONE this Autumn ARKET will open its fifth store in the UK at Liverpool ONE in early Autumn 2018. The opening follows the brand’s launch in August 2017 with stores on Regent Street and Covent Garden, as well as in Copenhagen, Brussels, Munich and Amsterdam. The new store will span two floors across 800 sq m. ‘We entered the UK market with two great central locations in London last Autumn, followed by an opening in East London earlier this year. Liverpool ONE is an innovative and inspiring shopping destination and we feel very excited about the opportunity to meet new customers and to expand our presence in the UK,’ says Lars Axelsson, ARKET’s managing director.

Choccywoccydoodah opens store in Seven Dials Choccywoccydoodah has launched a two-floor site at 27 Short Gardens in Seven Dials, London, relocating from Foubert’s Place in Carnaby. Designed by the brand’s inhouse team, the new store showcases the beautiful hand-crafted chocolate and cakes that Choccywoccydoodah is famous for, and like the Brighton store includes a cafe. The parlour also offers a separate space for larger groups that can be reserved for private bookings and events. ‘We are very excited to move into Seven Dials. It’s a vibrant location to

Designers Guild upsizes on King’s Road Premium international home and lifestyle company, Designers Guild has upsized its King’s Road showroom, creating the ultimate destination for inspirational home décor. Located at 275-277 King’s Road, the stylish new space was designed by an in-house team to create a one-stop-shop dedicated to its wallpaper and paint collections. The new and improved Designer’s Guild joins a sequence of home and lifestyle stores to have launched within the Sloane Stanley Estate including luxury paint specialist Benjamin Moore and French interior design specialist Silvera. ‘The Designers Guild’s high quality interior design and luxury home furnishings are a great fit for the catchment and have strong appeal in Chelsea. This hotly anticipated upsize further bolsters the variety of products available and quality of premium home retail on the King’s Road,’ says Hannah Grievson, commercial property director at Sloane Stanley. Simon Jeffreys, chief executive of Designers Guild, adds: ‘We are proud to unveil our bigger and better showroom, it is the perfect backdrop for our beautiful wallpaper and paint collections. We feel very fortunate to be located in the heart of Chelsea on the ever fashionable King’s Road, where we enjoy huge popularity with consumers.’

explore and we can’t wait to join the community and share some chocolate with our new neighbours, as well as Seven Dials’ many visitors,’ says co-founder Christine Taylor. Sam Bain-Mollison, head of retail at Shaftesbury, adds: ‘Choccywoccydoodah provides a retail experience to include a larger cafe and build upon their previous success, creating a London flagship in the heart of the West End. Their eye-catching offer is part of a huge array of brands and operators unique to Seven Dials.’

HOUSE opens first stores in the UK Australian homewares and kitchen retailer HOUSE has opened its first three stores in the UK, with three more locations to open before the end of June. The first HOUSE UK store opened at Westgate Oxford, coinciding with the launch of the HouseUK.com online store, followed by The Lexicon in Bracknell and Meadowhall in Sheffield. Stores at Chapelfield in Norwich and Cribbs Causeway in Bristol will follow shortly after. Through its physical and online stores, HOUSE UK is initially offering more than 4,000 products including cookware, bakeware, glassware, kitchen gadgets, small electrical appliances, knives, table linens and accessories. ‘We announced our plans for HOUSE to expand into the UK market last year, and we plan to continue our rollout swiftly. We have one more store opening this month, and two more by the end of June,’ says Steven Lew, HOUSE executive chairman and CEO. Developed meticulously with assistance from property consultant MMX Retail, HOUSE’s plan is to open 75 UK stores and provide employment for up to 1,000 people within three years.

news

Clogau unveils rebrand and store refit Jewellery retailer Clogau has worked alongside retail design consultant Innovare Design to help with brand development to reflect the company’s multichannel business and to strengthen its growing own store retail presence. ‘The collaborative process we undertook with Clogau ensured that the design outcomes we reached were grounded and customer-focused,’ says Lloyd Blakey, creative director at Innovare Design. ‘Clogau has a rich and fascinating heritage together with wonderful stories like their royal connection, the rare and precious nature of their Welsh gold and the inspiration of their jewellery designs. The challenge for Clogau is to tell all these stories consistently across all sales channels.’ The full-height glass shop front presents an open and friendly invitation to browse and features the new Clogau identity. Innovare has completely redesigned the instore navigation. There is a new and clearer focus to all Clogau product categories, as well as particular standout to its Bridal offer. Throughout the store, materials, colours and lighting combine with inspirational visual merchandising to deliver a welcoming, warm and relaxed atmosphere. This encourages customers to browse and engage with Clogau jewellery in a new and compelling way.

Maisons du Monde brings first stores to the UK Home décor retailer Maisons du Monde has made its UK debut, opening concessions in three Debenhams flagship stores — Westfield London, Birmingham Bullring and Central Manchester. Architect and design studio Prosper was responsible for the architectural aspects of the design development and production of the construction. The company also provided contract administration for the project, liaising between the retailer, Debenhams and the UK contractors Spacefit and Natural Wood Designs. ‘Visiting the client in France was essential to ensure we absorbed the vision they had for their stores and understood what key specifications they had, such as warm ambience and focused lighting. It was great to work with a client that understands and values design and creativity just as we do. I’m confident the first UK stores will get the seal of approval from Maisons du Monde’s style-conscious customers,’ says Jerome Garnier, senior international architect at Prosper.

Wildsmith Skin unveils experience at Somerset House London-based event architects and visual communications agency, Sync Studio has designed and produced an experiential set for new natural skincare brand, Wildsmith Skin at Somerset House. Inspired by Heckfield Place and its muse William Wildsmith, the head gardner at Heckfield Place in the 1870s and 1880s, the range takes inspiration from nature, and Sync Studio delved into its history during the design research process. It was important for Sync Studio to take all the VIP guests on a journey and remind them of the walk in the woods where the Wildsmith story began. The saloon area of Spring restaurant inside the New Wing was transformed into a conceptual English forest. Utilising as many materials as possible from the grounds, the team worked with the senior arborist at Heckfield Place to select more than 50 logs in varying finishes, which were intermixed by

some bespoke branded white plinths in varying heights. A series of three metre-high acryllic panels were also produced, printed with forest scenes and backlit to give the illusion of a dreamy and mysterious woodland floor. Additional three metrehigh Japanese large logs were painted in black. Sync Studio worked alongside

horticulturalist, Fjura to dress the space in simple, classic floral and soil compositions. A Treatment Shed space offered spa and facial treatments using the Wildsmith Skin range, and featured printed forest scenes onto three metre-high panels, alongside solid oak flooring for continuity. A playlist of forest sounds played throughout the day.

international news

international

NEWS FITCH appoints executive creative director for North America Global brand and retail design consultancy FITCH has appointed Alasdair Lennox to the position of executive creative director in North America. As lead creative for the region, he will further evolve FITCH’s branding and digital capabilities, and will be based in New York. Lennox has spent most of his career at FITCH, joining 20 years ago as a junior environmental designer in London and rising to executive creative director for EMEA in 2014. Since then, he has led the region to Cannes Lions and World Retail Award wins. He has extensive experience in both strategic and creative assignments for a wide variety of clients including adidas, Miele, McLaren, Nespresso and Enterprise.

Shoppers Drug Mart unveils new store experience in Toronto Canadian drug store chain Shoppers Drug Mart has unveiled a new store experience, bringing the brand’s signature ‘Live Life Well’ strategy to life in tangible moments. Designed by Dalziel & Pow, the 1,300 sq m feel-good destination in Newmarket, Toronto is full of daily inspiration and truly personalised interactions to elevate what shopping for everyday essentials can be. Key pillars for the brand and drivers into store include Health, Beauty and Convenience, and these unfold in a varied landscape of distinct departments with bold, simple navigation and pockets of inspiration. Pharmacy is the heart of the business and the destination for most customers in store. Dalziel & Pow created an inviting, reassuring yet authoritative space, to ensure the service-led Pharmacy feels as relaxing as possible whilst customers are having health appointments; soft lighting and communications help to put them at ease and feel comfortable. The expert pharmacy staff are profiled and celebrated within the space, encouraging customers to build a rapport with them.

eobuwie.pl showcases new store format with customer-centric approach Polish footwear retailer eobuwei.pl has unveiled a new store concept in direct response to the changing face of retail, with a customer-centric approach. Building on its dominance in ecommerce, eobuwie.pl’s new proposition, designed by Dalziel & Pow, seamlessly blends the digital and physical on the high street for an exciting, easy-to-shop alternative to traditional footwear stores. With this digitally enabled store environment, eobuwie.pl aims to expand its appeal beyond the established online audience. The retailer’s physical debut has a completely different purchase journey; the store has no physical product on the shop floor and is supported by a vast stockroom. From the back of the store there is a view into the stockroom, which houses 110,000 shoe boxes. Boxes slide from the stockroom down through the racking behind the cash desks, creating an element of retail theatre. For those seeking a slower journey, the heart of the store is designed for browsing and trying on shoes. This space has a warmer, more intimate feel with an industrial-style framework and fluted glass to bring privacy, and a lowered ceiling. Continuous eye-level screens create an immersive thread around the entire store and play rolling content that showcases eobuwie.pl’s wide selection of footwear — some 450 brands and 40,000 styles.

harle quin-de sig n. com

visual merchandising

Inspiring window displays from around the globe

Saks Saks Fifth Avenue has unveiled a series of windows created by Vogue in celebration of the exhibition, ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination’ at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue and at The Met Cloisters, as well as the Met Gala. Each window display includes designer archival collection pieces from brands including Versace, Chanel, Valentino, Dior and Dolce & Gabbana, set against backdrops inspired by artwork housed at the museum. The window installation celebrates fashion’s ongoing engagement with the devotional practices and traditions of Catholicism, creating a destination for enthusiasts to visit ahead of the Costume Institute’s exhibition which opened on 10 May.

Hunter Springtime arrived in full bloom at Hunter. A colourful, traditional pop of Spring for the Hunter store was created by Propability with an outdoor greenhouse inspired structure used to show off the season’s footwear collection. The structure for the window was created from steel angle and mesh sprayed in silver. Hunter wellies were displayed alongside beautiful peonies and terracotta flower pots sourced from Propability’s sister company Flourish Trading. More than 160 peonies were supplied with the pots and blooms placed on the shelves alternating with the wellies and boots. An eye-catching window display that delivers the heart and soul of glorious British springtime.

Stella McCartney Stella McCartney chose to implement digital visual merchandising for the brand’s Spring/Summer 2018 window displays. Video walls were installed in 11 flagship stores across Europe, the USA and Asia. Freehand delivered the digital signage displays from LG Electronics. Each video wall relays content featuring the new collection while addressing environmental messaging in the hope of reducing use of plastic bottle usage. For the Spring/Summer collection, the Stella McCartney team wanted to invest in digital signage that would not only reflect the brand’s modern and responsible values, but have continuity on a global scale. Taking a new approach to the standard 2 x 2 or 3 x 3 videowalls for this project, a combination of different display sizes are configured into a mosaic formation.

visual merchandising

Heinz x Cath Kidston Continuing its 25th anniversary celebrations, Cath Kidston has teamed up with Heinz to brighten up the nation’s kitchens. A unique, limited edition creative collaboration, HEINZ X CATH KIDSTON sees classic cans of Heinz bestselling soup recipes given a fresh spring makeover with four iconic Cath Kidston print designs. As part of this collaboration, Stylo created these giant replica soup tins for the retailer’s store windows. This is the first time ever that the classic Heinz Soup cans have been the subject of a design take over; the cans have remained largely untouched and unchanged over the last 108 years. Cath Kidston’s print design team delved into the company’s archive to find three iconic designs to adorn the classic cans of Heinz Soup, and then gave each one a unique Heinz red twist.

Farrow & Ball Luxury paint and wallpaper manufacturer Farrow & Ball has rolled out this quirky window display across 63 of its standalone stores across Europe and the USA. The display features a collection of bright, hand-painted cups suspended within the shop window to create a focal point for passers by. Farrow & Ball approached Kesslers to scale up the ‘Cup Cloud’ project it had already staged in its mock shop, to be showcased in Farrow & Ball destination shop windows across the globe — with the additional challenge of completing the project from concept to installation within just seven weeks. The overall look of the display was intended to be rustic yet smart, so every one of the 2,500 cups was hand-painted to give an individual style. Kesslers also created the hanging mechanics and prepared customised packaging for the dispatch of cups and peripherals to install partners worldwide.

Babor Skincare specialist Babor unveiled a window scheme to promote the ‘Mein Schiff Babor Spa’. The illumination from below means that the ampoules are presented in a very dynamic way whereby the light plays over the entire display in waves. In keeping with this nautical theme, the overall shape is that of a wave and sparkles in all the colours of the range of ampoules. The production of the window was undertaken by dfrost.

See more window schemes at

www.retail-focus.co.uk/vm

pop and display

CENTRE STAGE

Standout POP and displays from around the WORLD

Sisley Sync Studio partnered with luxury skincare brand Sisley on the launch of its new hair care brand ‘HAIR Rituel by Sisley’, launching exclusively to Harvey Nichols. Sync Studio created ‘The Sensory Bar’ experience, which allowed customers to engage with the new hair products using their senses. ‘HAIR Rituel by Sisley’ is designed to be a global approach to hair care. Each of the six HAIR Rituel products is formulated with a powerful concentration of botanical extracts and essential oils, minerals, vitamins, and proteins. The team produced four freestanding steel structures with rows of shelves housing domes with a wooden base. Within each dome real plants were displayed (camomile, mimosa, sage and thyme), all in reference to the product’s ingredients. The purpose of this display is to encourage interaction and emphasise the sensory experience. In addition to this Sync Studio created additional display elements using several bubble-shaped glass bowls with essential oils and real flowers to once again push consumers to interact with the ingredients and trigger purchase. A further two plinths were produced and finished in striking ‘HAIR Rituel by Sisley’ blue and yellow brand colours to add a touch of spring and evoke the strong product range and brand identity. Similarly, simple POS solutions were created including A4 and A5 Foamex packshots and campaign images along with an acrylic counter display.

www.syncstudio.co.uk

Charlotte Tilbury With bold retail design ambitions, in recent months Charlotte Tilbury called upon Design4Retail to assist them with rolling out a series of retail locations. Most recently, D4R has been involved with the Hollywood Flawless Filter promotion, transforming Charlotte Tilbury windows and in-store areas across three key locations. In store, counter clads were manufactured with the brand’s signature holographic and blush nude starburst, another call out to the new flawless product. With Hollywood lighting, holographic blush wraps, oversized products and neon lighting, this launch is entirely Charlotte Tilbury — the brand is no stranger to making statements.

www.design4retail.co.uk

pop and display

Converse x Sneakerstuff To launch the limited edition release of the Converse x Sneakersnstuff sneaker and apparel range, experience design agency YourStudio created the platform for the visual display for SNS stores in Paris and Berlin. For the collection, fueled by a desire to modernise the Camo print, a staple on the scene, Converse x Sneakersnstuff have introduced a bold twist on ERDL, a print developed by US Army Engineer Research and Development Laboratory in the Sixties. The One Star collection takes on the military print, which comes to life through texture and colour. Translating a traditionally graphic application into a unique patchwork of suede and leather, Converse and Sneakersnstuff focused on two palettes — the classic ‘canteen’ palette and a ‘deep lavender’ palette — which is exclusively available from Sneakersnstuff, providing inspiration for the in-store concept. In a subversive concept that challenged the stereotype view of camouflage, YourStudio created contrasting materials using an abundance of wild vibrant flowers and foliage with raw concrete platforms. The use of floral displays complement the look book and online product shoots for this collaboration. The first customers in Paris received a bouquet of matching flowers — the perfect gift in Spring.

www.weareyourstudio.com

Ted Baker Hello Flamingo worked with the store design team at Ted Baker for the brand’s store opening at London Bridge. The store design was developed with an Art Deco/London Underground feel, with Hello Flamingo given the brief to source, style and manufacture props to adorn the store. The team sourced beautiful marble clocks, glassware, figurines and oddities from antique fairs to give an Art Deco feel, and these sit alongside vintage London Underground gauges, maps and ticket machines. They then added a playful twist to the names of London Underground destinations, to make unique display cabinets for individual destinations — Teds Piccalilli, ‘Water - Loo’ and a whistling Tooting Bec to name a few. Both window displays had vintage ticket machines with hundreds of old and new tube tickets bursting out and the Ted Lobster London Underground sign as the finishing touch.

www.helloflamingo.co.uk

ill We w

PRICE QUALITY SERVICE ea k

ote

Never knowingly beaten on

ta li ny l i ke - f o r -

column

Karl McKeever

Wise admission? With the nation gripped with Royal Wedding fever, it’s hard to avoid the headlines and the big debate — who should foot the bill? While taxpayers aren’t funding the wedding itself, it’s likely they will be paying for security, road closures and policing, all of which can come at a high cost. Perhaps Harry and Meghan could take a leaf out of one resourceful couple’s book, who — when realising they couldn’t afford a big wedding — decided to charge their guests a £150 admission fee; putting them up in an all-inclusive resort to sweeten the deal. Controversial... perhaps. Or just smart thinking? After all, paying for experiences is hardly new. We visit sporting events, music festivals, the theatre, historical landmarks, and know that there will be an entrance fee. And as more and more retailers are moving towards embracing the new ‘experience economy’, could paying to visit a retailer soon become the new norm? It’s certainly become something of an emerging trend. Take mobile network Three who is launching its ‘All you can pug’ brunch event this month, where guests pay £5 to gather with their furry friends to enjoy a tasty meal together and 75-minute experience. Or the ‘Gucci Garden’, a grand example of experiential retail where shoppers were charged €8 to enter its multi-level galleria. Then there is small UK coffee chain Zieferblat who asks guests to pay per minute to enjoy their facilities — but don’t charge them for the coffee itself. And let’s not forget one of the original ‘paid-for’ outlets — Costco customers have long been paying an admission fee, although they hardly receive a retail experience in return. In some cases, retailers take the opportunity to sell space to third-party brands, a sensible way to recoup some of their commercial costs (as long as they choose wisely). But increasingly, retailers are seeing their premises not just as selling spaces but as ‘doing’ spaces, where giving a high-cost experience for free makes little commercial sense. Is there an opportunity for retailers to charge for experiential retail, and will shoppers be willing to fork out? Absolutely. But not for things which should already be integral to the brand experience in store. There is, however, a fine line between added-value experiences and minimum expected standards. I have certain expectations Karl McKeever is founder and managing director of visual merchandising and brand delivery consultancy Visual Thinking.

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

when I visit a store or an outlet. They’re not what I’d consider to be big or demanding, simply what smart and savvy brands should be delivering without a second thought. Shoppers are perhaps a little more discerning than retailers given them credit for. Most are not time poor, but are time precious — so they are selective about how they spend time as well as money. There are certain areas of the store they want to hurry through and conversely, certain areas they’re more inclined to linger. In the same way, there are certain experiences they expect as a given, and others which they see as ‘high value’ and are more inclined to pay for. It should go without saying, but a shopping experience that’s logical, easy and enjoyable should come as standard. In the pursuit of delivering ever-more imaginative and engaging retail experiences, the fundamental basics of good retailing should never be allowed to slip. They need to be well maintained, all day, every day, offering a consistent experience to shoppers at every visit. These are the not-unreasonable expectations of what any good retailer should unequivocally be offering. Perhaps if more retailers and store teams approached maintaining daily retail standards as if their customers had paid to enter their store, we would immediately see a visible difference. Why is so much attention given to the small details of daily maintaining standards within the hotel industry? Because customers are paying to be there, and expectations are therefore higher, on both sides. Retailers could ask themselves the question: ‘If we were charging customers, would they buy it?’ Essentially they should be creating an experience that is worth an admission fee, even if one is never charged. My bugbear is that more retailers should be raising standards as if they had a monetary value attached. Which in fact, they do – getting these essentials right helps to foster brand loyalty, makes for an enjoyable shopping experience and creates a warm, welcoming retail environment. And what price all of that? Really, there are no excuses here to not be getting it right – with numerous examples of best practice and support out there from specialists to help retailers deliver ‘root and branch’ transformation of their retail experience. Retailers need to get realistic. Before they start heading down the admission fee route, they need to look at what they’re currently offering and asking themselves if this is simply a decent shopping experience. Until more retailers get this right, charging more for elevated experiences will be a very long way off for many.

project focus

HAWKERS VIA BELSIANA, ROME Design: CuldeSac Custom Opening date: April 2018 Store size: 17 sq m Following the launch of its first physical store last year in Madrid, sunglasses retailer Hawkers has opened its second flagship store, located near Plaza de Espana in Rome. The brand describes the Rome location as 'pure energy' and says there is no better way to define the new flagship store. The use of colour has been used in a spontaneous, changeable and living way to characterise the space, which has been designed by CuldeSac. An explosion of energy is reflected in the mirror baseboards of the walls, in which 3D animations allow the brand to interact with shoppers. The colour interacts with the environment to alter it, becoming the filter that surrounds it all. 'The limits of the space are blurred thanks to the mirrors that interact with the clients, giving the store a feeling of dynamism, character, game and light,' says Lucia del Portillo, partner & creative director at CuldeSac Custom. 'The original design brief was to transform a digital brand into a physical one and to translate the values of Hawkers into touchable materials and spaces,' explains Borja Berna, architect at CuldeSac Custom. 'We got inspired by the brand characteristics. The party personality, the explosion of colours that is present in all of its collections. We wanted to create a special pool with a material as unique as the brand. Hawkers is a liquid brand and as such, appears in the space throughout the veining of the marble that shines when the store is closed,' continues Berna. Each store shares some common ideas: energy, power, exploding colours and disruption, but are expressed in different ways. The Madrid store was also created with marble as the main material, but the appearance of Rome is quite different from Madrid. 'Depending on the city where the store is located, the brand adapts itself and so does the design,' says Berna.

project focus

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project focus

HERSHESONS BERNERS STREET, LONDON Design: gpstudio Opening date: April 2018 Store size: 464 sq m

A new beauty experience has opened its doors on Fitzrovia’s Berners Street. Hair specialist Hershesons has opened a beauty destination featuring Suman Brows, The Light Salon and DryBy, the Mortimer Street nail salon, skin treatments by Dr. Barbara Sturm, Sunday Riley skincare, with waxing and laser hair removal by Ministry Of Waxing coming soon. The brief was not to create a ‘hair salon’ but create a flagship ‘store', as Gregor Jackson, founding partner of gpstudio, explains. 'A new generation beauty playground, with the depth and variety of a mini department store, and a relaxed, open and immersive experience.' Luke Hersheson, creative director at Hershesons, says: 'This is not a traditional salon — it’s a beauty space, a work space and a social space wrapped into one. Customers can pick and mix the services they want according to their needs and their timeframe. Or they can hang out in the cafe and have a coffee. It’s a space that will build around our customer.' So, what makes it the ultimate beauty destination? 'It has a lifestyle vibe to it and puts the visiting client, or potential client, in control of how they use and interact with the space. It's relaxed, informal, and at

project focus

'It’s a space that will build around our customer.' every turn there is something to experience. It's multi-faceted; each visit/experience could be completely unique and rewarding. It’s the 5G of retail store design!' says Jackson. The choice of materials and finishes was very much a collaborative approach between the client, Racheline Michaels, and gpstudio. 'Every marble, wood, metalwork, tile, glass, wallpaper, colour, texture, pattern, and grain was carefully curated until we had the palette we wanted — one that had a "posh grittiness", and

created departments or zones as well as delight,' continues Jackson. gpstudio has worked with Hershesons for a number of years, on the brand's previous Mayfair flagship and various refurbishments, concessions, and styling bars. A new site has already been mentioned for next year. Refreshments in store are provided by lifestyle cafe Sans Pere, which has chosen Hershesons as it's third space. Customers and visitors to the store will be treated to a unique menu designed by

Sans Pere to create both a visual and taste experience. Fusing the best English and French recipes and ingredients, the cafe offers an array of its signature pastries and patisserie alongside a menu of healthy but wholesome savoury plates. Sans Pere completes the roster to create a unique cafe-come-work-comesocial-space where customers can eat, drink and relax before, after or in-between treatments. The striking design of the cafe features Sans Pere’s characteristic distinctive style.

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project focus

MONCLER DUBAI MALL

Design: Curiosity Opening date: March 2018 Store size: 250 sq m Italian apparel retailer Moncler has collaborated with Gwenael Nicolas, French designer and founder of Curiosity, to open its first mono-brand boutique in Dubai, which strengthens the brand’s presence in the Middle East. The goal was to create an ambience almost suspended between ice and nature. Located inside Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping centres and unavoidable stop-off point for luxury shopping, the 250 sq m boutique shows off the new architectural concept, embodying a combination of the heritage and the contemporary quality of the brand. The façade welcomes visitors with a large white stone like an iceberg floating in the huge atrium, which shows the viewer the essence of the brand. Delicate stone cutting portrays the surface of broken ice blocks, which expresses beauty and power of nature. Visitors will be surprised by the vertical interior creating the significant contrast with an impression of the entrance, when they come inside. The extremely high ceiling is designed to provide visitors with an enjoyable experience like exploring in a forest, with floating products displayed at different heights, which will naturally guide visitors to find their favorite items and provide them with fun to purchase. The strength of nature is also expressed with a carefully selected colour palette in dark woods and grey stones. Their texture characterises refinement and elegance at the same time, and creates a timeless stage for all of the brand’s collections. Contrary to the dark store area, the fitting room is covered with quilted white leather, mimicing the lining of a Moncler down jacket. The Dubai store follows the recent opening of its first boutique at the Hamad International Airport of Doha.

project focus

Photography: Alessandra Chemollo

@retailfocus

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review

WRC 2018: COMING TOGETHER Text: Marc Baker

The Retail Exchange podcast team headed to Madrid last month to hear from some of the industry’s leading lights at World Retail Congress. International retail leaders arrived in the Spanish capital in April for the 2018 World Retail Congress, eager to explore the theme of this year’s event, ‘Innovate to win’. Taking place amid an atmosphere of optimism, the Congress provides an unrivalled high-level forum for retail leaders to meet to share insight, form powerful connections and help shape the retail future. To mark the first time the Congress has been back to Spain since its debut in Barcelona back in 2007, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy officially opened the three-day event. In his opening address, World Retail Congress chairman Ian McGarrigle pointed to the high level of disruption in the retail market; since last year Amazon has acquired US grocery specialist Whole Foods, China has continued to rise in prominence, while many retailers continue to reduce their number of stores. ‘The heart of this retail sector is not just changing but sometimes the fundamentals no longer apply,’ he said as he welcomed delegates to the Congress. The annual event brings together key decision makers across board level and sector from more than 65 countries, with over 170 speakers providing analysis, insight and debate on both the current and future challenges for the industry.

The first day was bookended by Chinese retailers. Richard Liu, founder, chairman & chief executive of JD.com, which has 292 million active users, explained the importance of innovation to meet the demands of Chinese consumers. In China, often a same-day delivery service would, he said, be a disaster. ‘In China you can get your parcels in six hours.’ Mohamed Ali Rashed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar, sat down with Congress host, broadcaster Naga Munchetty in a conversation on the importance of leaning on the next generation of retail minds. He urged delegates to turn to bright young things to drive innovation, ‘I have realised my way of doing business is obsolete,’ he said. ‘These e-commerce people will take over the world. They are young, they are bright.’ But he warned businesses against placing responsibility for development in the hands of technology departments. In one of the final sessions of the day, Chris Baldwin, president and CEO of BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. and Peter McGuinness, chief marketing, commercial and demand officer at yogurt brand Chobani, discussed the need for retailers and brands to develop innovating mind-sets in order to become truly customer-focused. McGuinness said: ‘We

have been pioneering a lot of programmes for employees, emphasising our values and we are purpose based. That tends to skew us towards millennials in terms of consumers. We decided it was time to act and change the way we make demand. The relative youth of our business means we didn’t have a lot of entrenched silos to break down, it was more of a case of building up.’ Day two of the World Retail Congress saw international retail speakers explore the theme of ‘The big picture. The small details’ in front of an attentive audience. Bringing together speakers from brands including Grupo Cortefiel, IKEA, Harvey Nichols, Real Madrid and El Palacio del Hierro, the sessions threw up some interesting questions. What are the factors that will influence both economic as well as environmental sustainability? The big picture. And is it time retailers went back to its emotional roots by focusing on design and visual merchandising rather than tech? The small details. Clockwise from top left: Ian McGarrigle, World Retail Congress chairman; Aver Baker, chief brand officer, Tommy Hilfiger; Richard Liu, founder, chairman & chief executive of JD.com in conversation with Congress host, broadcaster Naga Munchetty; Martin Barthel, global head of global retail & ecommerce strategy, Facebook.

review

Discussing the topic of sustainability, Corinne Fleischer, director of supply chain with the United Nations World Food Programme, explored retail’s role in alleviating scarcity and creating a consumer class, while Ira Kalish, chief global economist at Deloitte, was joined by Dr Diego Rodriguez Palenzuela, director of general economics at the European Central Bank, to review the current state of the global retail economy. Later in the day, Kingfisher CEO Véronique Laury shared her views on the question of whether the traditional retail is still relevant, and how retailers can adapt to survive, with broadcaster Naga Munchetty. In other sessions away from the main stage, themes discussed by speakers included store transformation, innovation within grocery retail, organisational development, direct to consumer selling online, and the fundamentals to succeeding in diverse markets. Stacy Cartwright, deputy chairman at Harvey Nichols, took the stage in a panel session entitled ‘Staying relevant’ to discuss how retailers do that in a constantly evolving retail market. Cartwright said: ‘Things are moving at such a rapid pace today that you have to stay on top of where the new trends, the new ideas, the new thoughts are coming from. My big thing is about how to unleash digital talent within your organisation. The old traditional way of working, which is that all the ideas came from the top of the pyramid and then executed further down, to be honest, that’s all turned on its head.’ She urged retail leaders to think about reversing that traditional pyramid model. ‘Your digital natives have got the greatest ideas, not your seasoned retail veterans, and it’s about how you filter those ideas and apply the right resources to execute them quickly and bring them to market.’ Kirsty Kean, lead retail project manager of retail transformation agency Visual Thinking, who moderated a session on the importance of engaging shoppers emotionally through visual merchandising excellence and effective retail design, said: ‘I think over the last few days we’ve heard a lot about technology, and how technology is essentially the innovator. We talked about going back to the fundamentals of good shopkeeping — how do we drive footfall and create an emotional connection with the brand on the high street through the use of

Ian McCarrigle in conversation with Stacey Cartwright, deputy chairman, Harvey Nichols

the physical space.’ Day three, the final day of the World Retail Congress in Madrid, ended as strongly as it had begun with some big retail brands taking to the main stage on the theme of the ‘Future of Retail’, among them Tommy Hilfiger, Williams Sonoma and El Corte Ingles. Highlights on the final day of the Congress included a talk by Tommy Hilfiger’s chief brand officer, Avery Baker, who gave insight into how the $6 billion business set about transforming itself from the brink of irrelevance to resurgence in less than three years. A process, as she explained, that required a radical new mindset, authentic values, and a lot of courage. Laura Alber, president and CEO of Williams-Sonoma, then took to the stage to explore the theme of innovation and experimentation in global retail. Both Alber and Baker then joined broadcaster Naga Munchetty for an engaging Q&A that included a discussion about the role of flagship stores. ‘For me, flagship stores are just a way for brands to lose money,’ said Alber. Her response drew applause from the audience. Taking to the stage towards the end of the morning, retail futurist Howard Saunders gave an energetic and impassioned talk, urging retailers to forget making things quick and easy for shoppers and to set brands free from ‘retail prisons’. Other speakers throughout the final day included Facebook, Grupo Cortefiel, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Harvard University, and El Corte Ingles - the retailer stating it remained bullish on the future for department stores. The Congress drew to a close with a main stage interview with Sephora CEO, Christopher de Lapuent. The retailer went on to win ‘Retailer of the Year’ at the World Retail Awards ceremony later that evening

in the stunning surroundings of Palacio de Cristal de la Arganzuela. As the Congress drew to a close, there was a chance to reflect on the past few days. Dunnhumby CEO, Guillaume Bacuvier, commented: ‘Over three days at the Congress I’ve been left quite inspired. There will be winners and losers within the industry. Some will exit the big period transformation that retail is currently undergoing better off, while some will be in big trouble and probably fail all together.’ He added: ‘What I’ve always enjoyed with the World Retail Congress as a conference is that not only is the quality of the attendance very high, executive level, and the substance of the content is exceptionally good, but the event has a “human scale” to it. You can network easily, everyone is approachable, and for me that is the perfect combination, as opposed to some events that become so big that it ends up being counter-productive.’ We also caught up with Ian McGarrigle, chair of the World Retail Congress, to get his thoughts on the event’s success. ‘It’s great to have been back in Spain, where we first launched the Congress, and I think we have been rewarded with a great turnout. We have grown the number of attendees from last year and we have lots of international retailers here. We’ve heard some great presentations that have really captured the energy and optimism that is starting to come through in the industry — there’s very much a sense of “let’s rip up the rule book and start again”, and I think that’s a really key message.’ As those attending the Congress began their journeys home from Madrid, taking away new ideas and with new contacts made, many will no doubt already be looking forward to what next year’s event will bring, when the World Retail Congress heads to Amsterdam on 14-16 May 2019.

arken-pop.com | +44 (0)1638 565656 | info@arken-pop.com

#VMDS2018

‘The Retail Visual Merchandising and Display industries most prestigious night is back for its 15th year’

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NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES This glittering event recognises and celebrates the work of this creative and talented industry over the past 12 months and is judged by an independent panel of experts. Visit our website to review the full list of categories and use our simple online form to enter your projects FREE of charge. The deadline for entries is the 17/08/2018.

www.vmanddisplayawards.com enquiries@rvmww.com +44 (0)1945 420068

review

SALONE DEL MOBILE

2018

Sasha Rozario, creative director & head of brand DNA at retail design and production agency Blacks Visual, shares her highlights from this year’s Salone del Mobile. Now in its 57th year, Salone del Mobile recently wrapped up in Milan. The expo is an international reference point of inspiration both in the world of furniture and design, with a reputation as a creative melting pot for the launch of innovative and iconic designs from global designers where all eyes are transfixed on the concept and product launches from both new and established designers. This year saw the launch of a manifesto which sites the expo and the host city of Milan… to quote as ‘instigators of influence in the search for innovative design thinking and craftmanship. The manifesto was designed to outline the importance of young designers interpreting their own cultural heritage, and establishing the need for a general investigative research practice that values long-term thinking’. Reporting live from the event on behalf of Retail Focus magazine, it was clear to see the influence of the manifesto across the series of event presentations throughout the city. We observed a communicated sense of cultural influence fused with an diverse expression ideas, form, technology, concept and materials, yet still reflecting the need to investigate the possibilities of sustainabity in design and manufacturing. The unmissable highlights from this year’s expo stood out as each conveying their own unique personality combined with an element of awe inspiring magic whilst demonstrating a sense of creative expression,innovation, craftsmanship and collaboration

We were excited to be invited on a tour of the Vogue Italia headquarters to visit the offices of the magazine’s editorial team where they were hosting the commissioned projects of eight internationally renowned designers which included Faye Toogood, Antonio Citterio and Patricia Urquiola to name a few. The designs were cleverly showcased within the working spaces of the offices alongside each individual team member’s personal office space, which allowed us an insight into a world which is usually only accessible to the Vogue editorial team.

One of our annual pilgrimage’s every year without fail is the COS installation, which this year saw a collaboration with American artist Phillip K. Smith III whose captivating installation was housed in a site specific large-scale outdoor faceted mirror installation, which was designed to reflect and distort the Milanese sky and the architecture of the 16th Century Palazzo Isimbardi. The installation was designed to express the simplicity of the brand’s aesthetic.

In the madness of the fair we were inspired by Jeremy Scotts’ unapologetic love for pop culture reflected in his collaboration with Kartell, presenting a series of statement anti-fashion slogan bears that are currently exhibited within the Moschino flagship store windows. The exhibition also featured a statement graphic backdrop of LED digital screens sequencing images of summer landscapes to highlight their individual product collections and vividly patterned furniture.

review

One of our other favourites was the Missoni home ‘Horoscope Collection’, which was inspired by a set of Chinese zodiac boards created by the eclectic artist Piero Zuffi that were acquired by Ottavio Missoni in the 80’s and translated into a series of iconographic images, cleverly exhibited within the exhibition space as a ceiling installation designed to feature the stylish signature Missoni colour palette.

Photography: Ronald Smits

Over to Zona Tortona district where we saw a collaboration with the Dutch collective ‘Envisions’ and Spanish wood manufacturer Finsa to express a vivid exploration of possibilities and shaking up the industry’s standards with their dazzling displays of experimental design and material research, which cleverly presented the possibilities of innovative process as opposed to the end product.

Japanese design studio Nendo, which is best known for designing high-concept furniture, retail stores and exhibition spaces, showcased a collaboration with 10 different Japanese manufacturing companies to develop 10 new projects using unique materials and advanced techniques titled ‘Forms of Movement’. This exhibition reinforced the importance of collaborative ventures between designers and brands to produce innovative and explorative projects with possibilities that can be expressed in future retail projects.

Our final and difficult-to-edit highlight of this year’s Salone was the Hermès presentation at Museo della Permanente, presenting its new homeware collection within an architectural project of stuctures adorned with Moroccan Zellige glazed earthenware tiles in complimentary colours, realised by Charlotte Macaux Perelman, co-artistic director of Hermès maison together with Alexis Fabry. Salone del Mobile 2018 highlighted the increasing importance for retail brands across all sectors to understand the importance of collaborative partnerships with designers and artists in order to continually explore the full potential for expressing innovative and immersive creative experiences. The key to a brand’s success will also lie in their vision and commitment to investing in technology and sustainability as an integral part of their brand DNA and customer engagement. www.blacksvisual.com

VM focus WWW.RETAIL-FOCUS.CO.UK/VM

Bold and beautiful VM & Display Show 2018

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Welcome The VM and display industry

made its annual pilgrimage to the VM & Display Show last month. Bold colours, reflective surfaces, over-sized animals and flamingoes were key themes at the VM & Display Show 2018, as Gemma Balmford reports on P48-50. We introduced the first Retail Focus Forum at the show, with a stella line-up of speakers including L’Occitane, Futurebrand UXUS, Missguided, Seen Displays, Your Studio, VM-Unleashed, Prop Studios and more. Jo Malone London, L’Occitane and lululemon are among the retailers that have partnered with emerging and established architects to take part in this year’s RIBA Regent Street Windows project. The pairings have been chosen to bring the ethos, purpose and identities of the brands to life through creative visual installations. See the schemes on P53-54. Charlotte Arnold held positions at Nicole Farhi, Harvey Nichols and LK Bennett before taking on the role of global creative manager at Karen Millen two years ago. On P56 she talks challenges, trends and collaborations. Lyndsey Dennis Editor

47 News

48 VM & Display Show 47

Regent Street 53 RIBA Windows 2018 News The latest news from the VM and display industry.

VM focus www.retail-focus.co.uk

48-50 VM & Display Awards Show Highlights from the 2018 show and forum.

Editor

53-54 RIBA Regent Street Windows

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

Retailers and architects collaborate in the eighth annual window display competition.

Production & Web

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

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

Image credit: VGL

Q&A 47Charlotte Arnold, global creative manager at Karen Millen.

58-60 Products Products and services for the visual merchandising and display sector.

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VM NEWS Blacks Visual and Proportion London host Emporia event

Photography credit: Charlie McKay

Blacks Visual and Proportion London came together in April for a very successful two day event. Entitled ‘Emporia’, the collaboration showcased Proportion’s range of products presented in an environment designed by Blacks Visual, proposing innovation and forward thinking ideas. Together the two companies created a retail environment in which they could both showcase their capabilities and expertise. ‘I think the collaboration between us was always going to work but I don’t think any of us thought we would have people queuing down the street! It really was a runaway success,’ says Jason Greenbaum, managing director of Blacks Visual. If you couldn’t make the event don’t worry. The set-up will stay in situ until the end of May and you can make an appointment by emailing studio@blacksvisual.com or info@proportion.london

Hans Boodt hosts showroom at Salone del Mobile In the heart of Tortona Design District during Salone del Mobile in Milan last month, Hans Boodt Mannequins welcomed visitors to an inspiring showroom where craftsmanship meets technology, featuring a Capsule Collection by Lapo Elkann’s creative hub. When entering the showroom, visitors were greeted by a large variety of poses, colours and features of the Hans Boodt mannequins, all sharing the same DNA; Innovative, Creative, Dutch, Rebellious and Young. A brand-new space in the showroom is the Tailored world. The special set up invited visitors to get inspired, to play with colours and fabrics, and mix different styles and materials in order to create any unique character.

Snow Business appoints new MD

V&A welcomes Fashioned from Nature exhibition Proportion London has produced eco-friendly display figures for the Victoria and Albert’s Fashioned from Nature exhibition, which explores both how the environment has inspired designers and the sustainable innovations that aim to preserve its future. Innovative fabrics that have a less harmful impact on the environment were used to create the figures. A biodegradable papier-mâché was formulated to make the mannequins’ heads and bodies, which were covered in conservation grade paper, supplied by the V&A. A combination of expertise and knowledge enabled Proportion’s design team and the museum’s in-house fashion specialist, Lara Flecker and costume conservator, Deborah Phipps to produce environmentally-friendly figures to suit the slim-running mix of 16th, 17th and 18th Century

garments that include an 1860s muslin dress, decorated with the green wing cases of hundreds of jewel beetles. Instead of using synthetic fibres, papier-mache hairdos were hand sculpted onto the heads — the first time this intricate method has been used. Eliminating the need for manmade materials, the technique also adds character to the earthy-toned clothing that demonstrate how fashionable dress was, and still is, heavily inspired by the beauty and power of nature. The exhibition will run until 27 January 2019.

Nick Marsh has joined Snow Business International as managing director, taking over leadership from Darcey Crownshaw who move to the position of chairman and continues to provide invaluable insight and resource, and drive special projects.

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VM & Display Show:

The Bold

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Bold colours, reflective surfaces and over-sized animals were key themes at the VM & Display Show 2018. In April, in what was the hottest week of the year so far, the visual merchandising and retail display industry came together to network, explore and learn about new and current products, ideas and practices. The annual VM & Display Show took place over two days at London’s Business Design Centre, welcoming more than 100 exhibitors and abundance of visitors. While some long-standing exhibitors were clearly missing this year, there was a distinct number of new stand holders, particularly in the areas of lighting and large format graphics. The graduate challenge returned with a one-month summer placement at Harrods on offer to the winning scheme and there was a new, free supporting forum, organised by Retail Focus. One thing, though, that remains constant with this show is the almost palpable creative energy and enthusiasm that fills the room. Key Trends Some of the stand-out trends from this year’s VM & Display Show were bold colours, reflective surfaces, over-sized animals and neon lighting. Oh, and flamingos! The pink feathered birds appeared on a number of stands, in various forms. County Display’s vibrant stand at the entrance to the show quickly became a talking point with its large flamingo staircase, providing the perfect instagram moment. So... Visualise, which made its debut at this year’s show, was giving away mini Freda the flamingos on its tropicalthemed stand, and of course, Hello Flamingo’s stand wouldn’t have been complete without an appearance from the cool exotic animal. The Hello Flamingo stand, on the gallery level, was inspired by a Miami/ atom era home, complete with cocktail bar, Jetsons TV and neon light installation. The space featured woven coloured chords and pink walls, with pop colours of yellow and mint. Interestingly, Louise Tod, senior global colour designer at Dulux Trade, recently noted (Retail Focus, November 2017) an emerging trend in the industry to

Images: 1, VGL’s cardboard engineered elephants; 2, VMG’s stand played with reflection; 3, Planarama’s grocery store; 4, County Display’s striking flamingo staircase 5, Brilliant Neon’s fun display; 6, The Hello Flamingo stand was inspired by a Miami/atom era home, complete with cocktail bar, Jetsons TV and neon light installation; 7, Display Logic made a bold coloured statement with its stand; 8, Charlotte the cow on the SDI Displays stand.

create a feeling of ‘home’ inside the retail space. This, claimed Tod, has led to more nurturing colours such as pinks and ochres taking centre stage and inspiring a sense of comfort. Further along on the gallery level, the Planarama stand had a very Wes Anderson vibe about it, taking inspiration from both the award-winning Debenham’s supermarket scheme and a bodega. The grocery space was split into six sections — windows, POS, cultural, interiors, events and experiential — each with its own colour to make it pop. ‘We invited everyone onto our stand to have a full experience,’ says Heather Kennedy, project manager at Planarama. ‘They could pick up cans, boxes and tins, which had a client’s logo on, and when they turned the item around it would display an image relating to the client and the section they picked it up from, as well as a small description.’ Finishing touches included a checkered floor, shopping baskets, tote bags and fruit. Meanwhile, Make It London used Fernand Leger’s famous ‘Three Women’ painting as the starting point of inspiration

for its sustainable and handmade stall display. The company reinterpreted the masterpiece by creating different layers and by playing with the colours of the material used, transforming the 2D painting into a unique 3D work. Giant animal centrepieces were also a key theme this year, from penguins and walruses to cows and giraffes. VGL’s semi-enclosed stand featured two striking life-size cardboard engineered elephants, one with a reflective finish and the other with an all-over William Morris pattern. Meanwhile, a large orange cow by the name of Charlotte took pride of place on the SDI Displays stand, providing yet another perfect photo opportunity. On the whole, there appeared to be fewer mannequins on display than in previous years, but some interesting new collections, nevertheless. Universal Display launched four new ranges, including Ultra and Bamboo, while HOL Group used the event as a platform to launch its new Farringdon Collection, which includes a plus-size model. Forming Reality also chose the show to introduce its Vintage Collection.

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e Beautiful Text: Gemma Balmford

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Images: 1, Brooke Riddle from Hertford Regional College won gold for her display for Gucci in the Graduate Challenge; 2. George Gottl, CEO of FutureBrand UXUS; 3. Tom Philipson, co-founder of YourStudio; 4, Make It London’s stand inspired by Fernand Leger’s ‘Three Women’ painting; 5. HOL Group launched the Farringdon range.

Graduate Challenge The popular graduate challenge returned this year with students from Hertford Regional College and Hugh Baird College going head-to-head for a chance to win a summer placement at Harrods. The undergraduates were tasked with creating a window design showcasing a luxury brand sold in the Knightsbridge department store. ‘Each student had the opportunity to create a window display which captures the aesthetic of the brand but to also reflect the brand’s unique selling point, history and style,’ explains Katie Herbert, lead visualiser at Harrods, who helped to judge the winning scheme. ‘It was a very hard decision and we were looking for a direct interpretation of the brief, creative flare, originality and best handling of merchandise and use of space.’ Brooke Riddle from Hertford Regional College won gold for her display for Italian luxury fashion brand, Gucci. ‘Brooke showed great understanding of the brand’s current inspiration and trends,’ says Herbert. ‘She thought about the space with her angled floor, her signature beetle props were beautifully made and finished. The entire layout of her props, bust and logo were all very well considered.’ Kirsty McLaughlin from Hertford Regional College was awarded silver for her D&G scheme and Chaira Malvoni from Hugh Baird College won bronze for the Valentino display.

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Retail Focus Forum If there was a central theme or message to the inaugural Retail Focus VM Forum, it was probably, know your customer. Understand who they are and implement store concepts, VM schemes and experiences that are true to, and reflect, your brand. Simon Hampton, VM windows manager at Harrods, opened the forum by taking the packed audience behind the windows of the famous London department store. Katie Mitchell, client services director at Seen Displays, discussed the needs and expectations of millennials and Gen Z, while Tom Philipson, co-founder of YourStudio, looked at how retailers can create a truly

immersive experience, calling on the agency’s recent work with Topshop and the ambitious VR waterslide installation, Splash! George Gottl, CEO of FutureBrand UXUS, and Shimon Kalichman, marketing and communications director at L’Occitane, closed the forum on day two with a fascinating look at the the new Regent Street flagship store and how it is designed to tantalise all five senses. The show, together with the new forum, once again shone a light on the skill and creative talent of the UK’s visual merchandising and display industry. www.vmanddisplay.com

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riba regent street

RIBA Regent Street Windows 2018 Retailers and architects collaborate in the eighth annual window display competition. Text: Gemma Balmford

Jo Malone London, L’Occitane and lululemon are among the retailers that have partnered with emerging and established architects to take part in this year’s RIBA Regent Street Windows Project, taking over the capital’s famous shopping street. The pairings have been chosen to bring the ethos, purpose and identities of the brands to life through creative visual installations. The captivating window displays on Regent Street and Regent Street St James’s were unveiled on Monday 23 April and will remain in place for four weeks, culminating in an awards ceremony at the end of May. This year, the installations will compete for the title of ‘Best Collaboration’ and ‘The People’s Choice’, the former of which will be decided by a panel of judges from the architecture and design world, and the latter via public vote, hosted on regentstreetonline.com 7 For All Mankind The seven pairings for the 2018 project are:

In collaboration with canalGRANDE

The window display at 7 For All Mankind is sensitive to light, the movement of people and the colour of their clothes. How each person chooses to dress tells a story and this installation turns each story into a unique lighting display to engage with the public on a personal level. 7forallmankind.co.uk

Camper In collaboration with Freehaus

The inspiration for this design is Camper’s origin story, which started when the founder’s grandfather travelled from London to Mallorca with the island’s first sewing machine. Drawing on Mallorca’s light, sky, vegetation, terrain and sea, the installation combines natural and artificial materials to reference a core sample of the island and celebrate the uniqueness behind Camper’s spirit. camper.com

freehausdesign.com

Jo Malone London In collaboration with Thomas-McBrien Architects and Paper & Wood

The window installation at Jo Malone London celebrates the quintessential British garden, using ideas of enchantment and surprise. Each of the 100,000 pieces of paper on display have been creased, shaped and folded by hand. The handmade aspect of the garden reflects the craftsmanship and care that goes into the creation of each and every one of the Jo Malone London fragrances. jomalone.co.uk

thomas-mcbrien.com

paperandwood.co.uk

riba regent street

L’Occitane In collaboration with Nicholas Szczepaniak Architects

The RIBA window at L’Occitane’s new flagship store is inspired by the Golden Hour in Provence, capturing the light and scent of the sunset and bringing it to Regent Street. The installation explores the sensorial relationship between light and scent. More than 2,000 Fresnel and Plano-Convex lenses are suspended in space to form a delicate veil that refracts and converges light on the Air Street window of the store. Some 12 motion-sensored perfume diffusers on the shop front emit a burst of Terre De Lumiere fragrance when someone walks past the store for a truly multisensory customer experience. In store, L’Occitane is offering customers a ‘Golden Hour’ hand massage using the Terre De Lumiere fragrance range, complete with a glass of Provencal Rose and a golden salted caramel Pierre Herme macaron. loccitane.co.uk

nicholasszczepaniak.com

SMEG In collaboration with Coffey Architects

Creating intrigue and delight through threshold and repetition, Coffey Architects has used the cast iron pan stand from Smeg’s newly launched Linea built-in collection to create an intricate patterned screen. It filters and diffuses light, casting beautiful, dynamic shadows inside the store during the day and out onto the pavement at night. smeguk.com

coffeyarchitects.com

Lululemon In collaboration with KSR and Lucky Fox

This installation celebrates lululemon’s ‘Sweatlife’ Festival through movement, colour and the human form. Dynamic contoured layers combine to create a bright and active sculpture, which transforms as visitors pass by. lululemon.co.uk

ksrarchitects.com

luckyfox.uk.com

Uniqlo In collaboration with Red Deer

The installation celebrates the process behind the fabrication of linen, which is a key material used in UNIQLO’s Spring/Summer collection. Each tube represents a different stage of the evolution, from flax seed to fabric and clothing. uniqlo.com

reddeer.co.uk

regentstreetonline.com #RIBARegentStreet #RegentStreet

Q&A

Charlotte Arnold Charlotte Arnold held positions at Nicole Farhi, Harvey Nichols and LK Bennett before taking on the role of global creative manager at Karen Millen two years ago. Here, she talks challenges, trends and collaborations. RF. What drew you to a career in visual merchandising? CA. I was drawn to the fact that visual display can have a positive impact, and the ability to storytell and capture people’s imaginations.

RF. What attracted you to Karen Millen? CA. I t’s a truly global brand with a rich heritage. The brand is dedicated to it’s vision to provide beautifully crafted outfit solutions for women in all their roles, in life. BB. What challenges do you face in your role? CA. I t’s tough out there in retail at the moment and everyone is facing similar challenges. A lot of the typical retail triggers which worked in the past are now not having the impact they did before, which means we have to work harder to see results. Ensuring creative concepts are fresh and engaging to customers. Visual display is a very subjective form of commercial art and as such, it is difficult to quantify success. We do this by tracking footfall and mapping sales of product. Last year, I undertook rolling out window schemes to all Karen Millen global stores, growing this from four stores to 60-plus stores. We have been able to track the success of the windows using these methods. RF. As the retail landscape evolves, how is the role of the visual merchandiser changing? CA. I t is widening for sure. The role needs to adapt to new challenges and focuses, being driven through the changing retail climate. I believe the role of visual merchandising and display will remain crucial to the success of stores. Customers are increasingly seeking out special experiences within their lives and are being savvier about where and how they spend their money. [The] challenge is now in enticing people to increase the dwell time. This will undoubtedly involve more theatre within shopping environments. There is an exciting opportunity ahead for shops over online stores in being able to engage customers in a more emotive way by offering memorable experiences. Visual merchandising and display skills will be instrumental in this.

RF. What trends are you noticing in general right now? CA. T he adoption of augmented reality and virtual reality experiences, within retail marketing. I think there is an appetite for brands to jump on the bandwagon with technologies and often the storytelling of a campaign is lost at the risk of incorporating a platform for the sake of appearing cutting edge, with the execution not always being a seamless experience for customers. Someone who I think has done this well is Topshop with their Splash! VR pop-up. It worked well because it was a visual feast, not only for the customers experiencing the unique ride, but also for everyone else in store. Through the use of props and the ability to watch people taking part on the ride, it was an inclusive experience. They produced a seamless end-to-end presentation, which I believe is key to enabling these sorts of technologies to be credible with consumer engagement. RF. Who or what inspires you? CA. E xhibitions, art and I love exploring new materials. Film and magazines are all great touch points too, but I also love how social media feeds the new and revives the old. I love everything Bureau Betak conjures for fashion weeks; he is the master of catwalk set design! I also particularly love the design fairs, Clerkenwell and Salone del Mobile. RF. Have you seen this year’s RIBA Regent Street Windows? CA. Y es I have. There are some fun displays. My favourites are the Uniqlo and Red Deer, and the Lululemon and KSR windows. RF. Karen Millen has previously taken part in the RIBA Regent Street Windows Project. How important is it for you to collaborate with like-minded artists, designers and architects?

RF. What trends caught your attention at the VM & Display Show? CA. A lot more craft-based companies and arterial plants on offer than I had seen before. This is refreshing in a scene so digitally focused. I have noticed the use of lifestyle elements within VM and store design gathering momentum, and we are certainly using these too in our projects. They help to affirm a brand’s spirit and further develop the tone of voice, which helps customers identify on a deeper level with a brand.

CA. I t is nice to be able to have the opportunity to collaborate and the outcome can be very creatively rewarding, especially with artists or designers who work outside the direct retail sphere. It can often bring about a fresh dynamic approach. RF. Who would you most like to collaborate with? CA. Spatial and theatre designer ES Devlin.

products

VM & DISPLAY SDI Displays Bold and bright summer props by SDI Displays have been rolled out by Next to support the retailer’s Spring/Summer ‘18 Resort campaign. Next was looking for oversized props to sit alongside large canvas prints that either featured imagery or a fun quote to inspire shoppers to spend on their summer range. The pineapples and icecreams were made from polyester resin and polyurethane foam, with a cellulose paint to achieve those bright, blocky colours with a touch of sparkle. The flamingos were made from fibre reinforced plastics to ensure longevity and allow for easy positioning. T. +44 (0)116 274 7040 E: info@sdidisplays.co.uk www.sdidisplays.co.uk Twitter: SDIDisplays

Harlequin Design Alexander Wang has unveiled a series of windows in celebration of the brand’s collaboration with Adidas. Harlequin was briefed by Alexander Wang in New York to design, produce and install the window scheme. The team used RGB to achieve the Adidas Pantone 300 blue. Special techniques were used to hide the cables to keep the scheme as sleek as possible. The scheme went live in London, New York and Shanghai, and Harlequin produced and installed the London windows. T. +44 (0)20 7253 6238 E: hello@harlequin-design.com www.harlequin-design.com Twitter: HarlequinLondon

Hans Boodt Mannequins Hans Boodt Mannequins showcased its Popcandy Covered Torso collection at Salone del Mobile in Milan last month. Hans Boodt mannequins can be as individual as real people. All elements that make up the covered torso collection are totally interchangeable in order to create precisely the character you want. Articulated flexible arms can be put into virtually any position so you can create a wide range of natural poses and give mannequins more character than before. Pick any fabric, stitching, colour and shape and the company will create your own unique character that fits perfectly in your retail environment. The possibilities with these mannequins are endless. T. +31 (0)10 316 3200 E. info@hansboodt.com www.hansboodtmannequins.com Twitter: hans_boodt

Universal Display The new Ultra mannequin collection from Universal Display is designed to be versatile and adaptive. Each pose is self-assured feminine and stylish with flowing silhouettes. Designed and created with a choice of heads and easily customisable. Ultra is a UK size 10, and as with all Universal Display products, the range is available in an array of finishes including bespoke finishes. T. +44 (0)20 8206 5010 E: info@universaldisplay.co.uk www.universaldisplay.co.uk Twitter: UDisplay

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VM & DISPLAY Harlequin Design John Lewis has rolled out a series of windows to promote Windows’ latest range of laptops. The store windows concentrate on the lightness of the laptops using bold and fresh colours. The window scheme was designed, produced and installed by Harlequin. T. +44 (0)20 7253 6238 E: hello@harlequin-design.com www.harlequin-design.com Twitter: HarlequinLondon

The Retail Factory The Retail Factory can source, store and deliver more than 40,000 retail products including mannequins, shopfittings, hangers, POS, till rolls, printed bags and bespoke metal/ wood/acrylic work, to name a few. The company’s services include in-store design, brand storming, conceptual design, visual installation and project management, making it a true one-stop shop. T. +44 (0)800 022 3236 E: trf@theretailfactory.co.uk www.theretailfactory.co.uk Twitter: retailfactoryuk

Lucky Fox Stylo Karen Millen has launched part three of its ‘Be More Karen’ SS18 campaign with a flagship window in Regent’s Street, full of holiday flair. The window takes you through a ‘day in the life of’ as you join Karen in the Riviera. The window, created and installed by Stylo, features illuminated graphics and bespoke freestanding display units, as well as decking, sand dunes and custom-made vases displaying giant palms. T. +44 (0)1923 800 666 E. info@stylographics.co.uk www.stylographics.co.uk Twitter: hellostylo

Up, up and away! Charles Tyrwhitt launched its new store in the Westfield London extension with these hot air balloon windows. Created by Lucky Fox, central to the scheme is a giant hot air balloon designed in the brand’s colour palette and suspended from the store’s window. Mannequins dressed with aviation goggles pose as pilots in the balloon’s basket to give a humorous twist on the scheme. Miniature versions of the balloons carry the theme in store. Suspended from the ceilings, the different sizes are positioned to give the effect of the balloons floating away at a distance. T. +44 (0)1273 721 777 E: info@luckyfox.uk.com www.luckyfox.uk.com Twitter: LuckyMrFox

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End of supplement Join the conversation @retailfocus

the loNg-term effects

F Ca er

When you think of cancer, you may not think of it as a long-term condition. However 65% of cancer survivors say they’ve had to deal with long-term side effects during and after treatment. These long-term effects – such as persistent hair loss, depression, fatigue, nausea and loss of conﬁdence – can impact their everyday lives, including at work. Each year, almost 120,000 people of working age are diagnosed with cancer in the UK, and with survival rates improving and people retiring later, this ﬁgure is set to rise. 85% of people in work when they were diagnosed with cancer say that continuing work is important to them. However, 47% of people had to give work up or change roles, highlighting the importance of ensuring that the right support and advice is available early on to prevent staff falling out of work. However despite the need for this support, line managers are often ill equipped to offer the right level of information to help manage employees affected by cancer. Organisations urgently need to develop a health and wellbeing at work strategy that recognises the needs of rising numbers of employees with long-term conditions. This is why Macmillan has developed Macmillan at Work, which offers workplace training, consultancy and resources to help HR and line managers support people affected by cancer.

a positive impact not only on wellbeing and helping to preserve livelihoods of those with long-term conditions, but also beneﬁts organisations in retaining knowledgeable staff, as well as fostering a positive work culture and loyal workforce. The building blocks of a good health and wellbeing at work strategy include policy, training and support programmes that raise awareness and address the needs of employees, and ensuring that relevant staff (such as line managers and HR) are equipped to support colleagues affected by cancer.

To ﬁnd out about the expert training, guidance and resources Macmillan provides, visit macmillan.org.uk/atwork You can also email the team at workandcancer@macmillan.org.uk or call 020 7840 4725.

Evidence shows health support in the workplace can help prevent people falling out of work due to ill health. Remaining in work can have Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). MAC15903_2017

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THE POWER OF PLAY Sixty years ago, the simple idea of adding tubes inside a plastic brick turned into one of the most exciting and influential toys in the world — the LEGO brick. Since then, LEGO play has been about the joy of building and giving every child the chance to shape their own world through inventive play, and this is reflected in the brand’s physical stores. While the LEGO Group has constantly created new ways to play, its original mission has never changed: to build children’s future through play and imagination. ‘LEGO play is powered by imagination and curiosity, and the LEGO brick is at the

very heart of it — putting the bricks together and taking them apart over and over, with imagination as your only limit. This helps young minds to stay open, keep exploring and develop skills essential for the 21st century, such as creativity, collaboration and problem solving,’ says Julia Goldin, chief marketing officer at the LEGO Group. LEGO store experience ‘Ever since we opened our first retail store, our vision has been to build an environment that encourages and inspires fun and creativity for our guests of all ages who enter, whilst encapsulating our

brand personality and namesake Leg Godt — which translates to “Play well” in English. It is our firm belief that shopping for LEGO should be as fun as playing with it,’ says Martin Urrutia Islas, LEGO’s retail innovation director. Retail design agency, FITCH played a major role in the transformation of LEGO’s physical spaces. ‘LEGO wanted to make their retail experience more engaging in order to drive store performance. Key to the future success was landing on a strong brand idea that could be translated into a powerful consumer experience. The name LEGO is derived from the phrase “Leg Godt”,

LEGO which means “Play Well” and this was the basis of the creative brief for the new brand stores; a place where children and adults could play well. The entire design scheme was built around ensuring this goal was fulfilled,’ says Tim Greenhalgh, chairman and chief creative officer of FITCH, remembering the original design brief. Central to the design is the ‘Lounge’, a fun space in the middle of the store topped by a LEGO brick central light feature where customers can play with the product together and be immersed in the LEGO experience. ‘Some of the creations were then displayed in the store window — this is fundamental to the Play Well concept and key to ensuring all customers have an engaging experience,’ says Greenhalgh. A consistent series of child height dioramas line the perimeter of the store that brought to life key products. The ‘Pick a Brick’ wall was located at the back of the store. Inspired by classic ‘pick and mix’ sweet stores, LEGO pieces can be bought by the scoopful. ‘This was so popular that it has now been extended into body parts for the mini figure series,’ says Greenhalgh. AR screens are dotted around the store and allow shoppers to bring models to life on screen just by holding up a boxed LEGO product. Future LEGO stores Islas says the LEGO Group is continuously evolving and innovating the LEGO retail experience, whilst constantly listening to the feedback and ideas that it receives from guests as their experience is what matters most to the brand. ‘We are always keeping our fingers on the pulse of the latest trends and insights, and looking at how these can be brought into the store environment to further enhance our guests’ experience. For example we introduced the Mosaic Maker in 2016, tapping into the ever increasing personalisation that shoppers are looking for.’ The Mosaic Maker platform has complex special technical requirements, and as such LEGO is currently looking at how it can make it available in more locations for fans. LEGO recently opened the fifth Mosaic Maker in its Berlin store, and has plans to reveal more surprises to fans in the next few months. ‘Consumer behaviours are constantly evolving, and we need to ensure we’re on the same evolutionary journey with them,’ says Islas. Whatever the future is for LEGO stores, they are sure to include plenty of play moments for both children and adults alike. We look forward to seeing what surprises the brand has up its sleeves later in the year.

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opinion

ON THE HORIZON: TRAVEL RETAIL Travel retail is a growing market segment primed for renewal, says Kelsey Chessey, senior brand strategist at FRCH Design Worldwide.

At a time when retail is facing turbulent shifts within the industry, travel retail remains a strong, evolving opportunity within the market landscape. Brands have the opportunity to offer animated reprieve from the intense travel annoyances attached to getting from A to B. Consumers expect just as much from their airport experiences as any other engaging experience. Retailers and developers that focus on compelling experiences and utilise a forward-thinking approach to capture consumer attention will have a competitive edge in the years to come. The main topics of focus within the growing travel industry:

Pack Less: Consumers no longer need to pack for their trips as they rent clothing from sources like Rent The Runway and pick up their clothes upon arrival. The New VIP: As the area around airports develop with restaurants and entertainment, services derived from hospitality spaces become more common, including expedited transportation packages for users with security clearance from restaurant/hotel to gate. Unexpected Retailers: Less conventional retail options like Buy Buy Baby, Dicks Sporting Goods, and Target allow travelers to purchase or rent unexpected items they mightÂ&#x2019;ve forgotten.

1. Authentically Local

3. Home Away From Home

Consumers are traveling with a desire to experience cultures different from their own. Airports and travel that offer products and partnerships to create a sense of place and cultural appreciation set the bar high with exclusive experiences that leave visitors craving more. Localised Fare: Chain restaurants will start to be replaced by local concepts that bring the local flair into airports. Experience Culture: Rentable pods within the airport are available to travelers that immerse them in the culture of various destinations, e.g. karaoke pods to help represent Japanese karaoke culture.

With both domestic and international travelers spending more time in airports, there are many comforts from home they yearn for. Airports are starting to bring home to the airport for those travelers, such as click-and-collect, clothing rental, and cozy lounges that kids can run free in while parents recharge their phones. Mobile Eats: UberEats or similar partnerships allow for mobile food orders to be delivered within the airport or set for pick up at a gate before or after a flight. Personal Storage: Lockers paired with dressing rooms allow people to store their suits, slippers and other things they want on regular trips. Convenient Collecting: Gate pods that deliver items such as toiletries or food so that travelers donÂ&#x2019;t need to carry them.

include modern definitions of wellness in a bid to cater to current and future travelers. Elevated Tracks: Indoor tracks that are elevated above the terminal are accessible to those who want to exercise without being confined to a treadmill. Sensory Fitness: Immersive rooms can be rented out and change in theme to leave the user feeling transported and provide them additional health benefits. Alternative Wellness: Non-traditional wellness options take over for traditional gyms as travelers continue to leverage alternative medicines, like crystals and essential oils infused in clothing and food.

5. Adaptive Environments

2. Creating an Ecosystem No longer stuck behind security checkpoints or confined to traditional footprints, airports must become more functional, efficient and develop exciting destinations that travelers look forward to visiting. Unlike struggling malls, airports have a constant source of shoppers, so the focus will shift from making money from airlines to making money from passengers through commercial revenue.

4. Wandering Wellness There is a desire to remove as much stress as possible from the travel experience. Achieving this means making mindfulness and wellness in the airport environment part of the overall experience. Airports are working to expand their service offerings to

Travelers consistently rely on their phones and other technology. This provides an excellent opportunity to utilise adaptive technology to create dynamic experiences through environments that evolve based on the type of consumer visiting, traffic levels, weather, and things like delays that impact moods. Pop-ups that change throughout the day based on flight plans and automatic discounts for people whose flights have been delayed or miss a connection are already in development. Flexible Furniture: Gates have flexible seating that changes based on the type of traveler coming through â&#x20AC;&#x201D; conversational layouts for families, individual seating for solo travelers. Personalised Environments: Consumers change their own environments in seating locations, including the heat, airflow, and even aromatherapy scents. Themed Zones: Gates and terminals develop themes through lighting, seating styles, and digital graphics that adapt to the time of day, season, and flight destinations.

www.frch.com 69

review

RDE 2018: PEOPLE POWER The importance of people in retail was a key take away from this year’s Retail Design Expo.

Retail Design Expo returned to Olympia London earlier this month with a new layout, four seminar theatres, student and VM awards, and an innovation trail. Listening to many of the seminar speakers across the two-day event, one theme was discussed over and over — the importance of staff and face-to-face communication. The importance of humans in retail. The buzzword of ‘experience’, as you would expect, popped up in every seminar session. Quinine, which sponsored the Retail Design and Branding Case Study Conference, took guests on the journey of its work with EE’s Showcase stores. ‘We believe in physical retail and face-to-face interaction with customers,’ said Matt Price, head of commercial development and store design at EE, when speaking alongside Ian Johnston, founder and creative director at Quinine. ‘Focus on staff. Our happy staff create happy customers,’ he said. They went on to say there is no algorithm that can replace good old fashioned face-to-face, and staff create unique and personalised experiences. ‘Staff make the brand experience come to life. Value them!’ said Johnston. ‘Consider the store as a beautiful workplace.’ The EE Showcase stores feature a variety of seating options, creating more opportunities for staff and customer interactions. ‘Create service without barriers,’ said Price. A panel discussion followed later in the day, discussing ‘The Future of Shopping Centres — It’s All About Customer

Experiences, Making Places Not Filling Spaces’, moderated by William Kistler, executive vice president & managing director — EMEA, International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Gabriel Murray, COO of Studio48, said ‘Human interaction is vital in retail.’ He said ‘everyone in retail needs to take viagra and reinvigorate retail.’ He followed on to say ‘the way to solve retail is through design and human touch.’ Tom Nathan, general manager at Brent Cross Shopping Centre, said: ‘The future is the customer — understanding her today and predicting her tomorrow.’ Tim Greenhalgh, chairman & chief creative officer of FITCH, presented ‘The Future of Shopping Will Be Service.... Not Retail’. He said ‘service is a priority and service is changing.’ A very poignant statement stuck in my mind that Greenhalgh said: ‘Retail is no longer about what can I buy from you, it’s about what can I achieve from you.’ And it’s those retailers who can fulfil that expectation from the customer that will succeed. On day two, Karl McKeever, founder & managing director of Visual Thinking, presented alongside Emma Fox, CEO of The Original Factory Shop, on the brand’s new store format based on the POP Programme (presentation, operations and performance). At the heart of the business are the people and a sense of community. ‘Community is a tool you can leverage to bring a proposition to life,’ said McKeever.

‘We need to put the customer at the heart of everything we do,’ said Fox. The business is built on four key values: 1. Get the job done; 2. Understand the customer; 3. One-team joined up working; 4. Have fun. ‘You can’t have a successful business without empowered staff,’ said Fox. ‘Stores are one thing, but people make it live and breathe.’ McKeever concluded: ‘Put people at the heart of the business and you won’t go wrong.’ Howard Sullivan, creative director and co-founder of YourStudio, presented the experience design agency’s work with Virgin Holidays alongside Dan Buckingham, head of retail at the travel company. Buckingham also stressed the importance of staff to the business. ‘It’s a real people business,’ said Sullivan, who went on to note four key trends during the talk: 1. Immersive playscapes; 2. Approachable luxury; 3. Retail sanctuaries; 4. Intuitive connections. In the latest Virgin Holidays v-room store concept at St David’s in Cardiff, a VR rollercoaster takes shoppers on a journey through outer space to Las Vegas. They can also try out seats from upper classes and eat and drink cuisine from the destinations on offer. Sensorial retail is an important aspect of the new Virgin Holidays format. It’s all about ‘tasting your holiday’. On the exhibitor floor, the show welcomed first time exhibitors such as Northbanks Design, Ledridge and Roar Creativity. FITCH greeted visitors at the

review Text: Lyndsey Dennis

From left to right: JPMA showcased its range of wood and metal fixtures; ROAR took visitors on a journey of emotions and surfaces through four booths; first time exhibitor Ledridge created this eye-catching installation with LEDs; FITCH greeted visitors at the entrance with an interactive installation; Ian Johnston, founder and creative director at Quinine, speaking in the seminars; Kendu won the SDEA’s Best Stand Award.

entrance with an interactive installation that grew over the two-day show. Key trends Creative agency ROAR took visitors on a journey of emotions and surfaces through four booths. Lightboxes, supplied by Unibox, showcased different scenarios such as rain drumming on a bus shelter, a blasting furnace, sunshine refracted through crystals, and the adrenaline of speed. ROAR Emotions is a project born from years of research into theories of emotion and how feelings are inextricably linked with colour, imagery and materials. The project is an exploration into how to change emotional states without saying a word. Kate Nightingale, founder of Style Psychology, presented an interesting talk on the impact of colours, smells, sounds and materials on the shopper journey. The insightful presentation revealed a few tips for retailers. ‘We are more generous when things are warm to touch,’ said Nightingale, suggesting that serving hot drinks in store can boost sales. The use of water is also an interesting one. ‘We gather around water — we feel safe around it,’ she said. The power of scent in store is also important: ‘The brain doesn’t like conflict, especially when it comes to scent.’ She also went on to say that ‘scent tells us where to go — it streamlines our decisions.’ Even shapes can have an impact on a customer’s state of mind. Apparently

us humans have a preference for round shapes. Speaking of shapes, the show was full of them. Kesslers chose a hexagonal framework for its stand, which was made from wood, while Outform Valley returned to RDE with cut out lettering in wood. ROAR’s booths featured different shaped light boxes. JPMA showcased a variety of metallic finishes for fixtures and fittings, some of which are currently being utilised by Ted Baker. Surface and finishes were in abundance. Mirri went large at RDE, showcasing a new 3.2m Mirri sheet size by Celloglass, while LG Hausys showcased its Hi-Macs solid surface material. Tarkett invited visitors to experience three different pop-up micro structures, showcasing its customisation services and new product launches for 2018, including the new Cementi Click. A number of stands encouraged interaction and exploration. Surface Styling encouraged visitors to leave a message or doodle, whilst over at the Retail Design & Branding Case Study Conference, Quinine encouraged visitors to share their definition of ‘what is experiential retail?’ and post their comments on the wall. Amongst the lighting companies was first-time exhibitor Ledridge, which created a beautiful effect with blue LEDs, demonstrating the company’s bespoke lighting service.

Awards The 2018 Innovation Trail and Awards, which celebrate the most innovative products at RDE, was won by Big Group Retail. ABC Sal scooped the Grand Prix for its Lebanese department Store at the VM Awards, which recognises the best examples of window dressings, POP and displays. The Retail Design World Student Awards celebrated and promoted the industry’s future stars. Winners were Alise Jozepaa from Glasgow School of Art for the KFC brief, Frida Good from University of Westminster for the Red or Dead brief and Phoebe Williams from University of Huddersfield for the Kingfisher brief. Announced on the first day of the show were nominees for the 2018 POPAI Awards, which seek to reward creativity, innovation and best practice in retail marketing. Kendu took home the SDEA’s Best Stand Award, and was indeed a very worthy winner looking at the thinking behind the stand concept, which showcased a sensory experience using Flowbox, a new generation of LED displays that combine printed tension fabrics with motion effects and dynamic animation. For me, Ian Johnston summed up where retail is at the moment when quoting this ancient Chinese proverb at the show: ‘Tell me I forget; show me and I’ll remember; involve me and I understand.’ Next year’s RDE takes place on 1-2 May 2019.

shoreditch village

Text: Lyndsey Dennis

A 13,935 sq m mixed-use and public realm scheme at the heart of London’s creative quarter. On one of London’s most complex sites, Shoreditch Village will create a significant new public space which restores lost neighbourhood connections and enhances the area as one of London’s key destinations with a vibrant mix of public, retail, café, restaurant, residential and commercial space. The 13,935 sq m mixed-use and public realm scheme is bordered by Holywell Lane, King John Court, and New Inn Yard. Its offer consists of a 216 bedroom citizenM hotel, eight luxury apartments, and three retail units alongside the new restaurant building. The site was historically a Victorian timber yard and is currently owned by Dominic White and Andrew Hall, who’s families purchased the land in the 1970s as a storage facility for their fit-out business. Phase 2 of the development was sold to Brockton Capital in 2016, and once complete is expected to provide around 4,645 sq m of warehouse-style office space, 1,858 sq m of flexible retail space and a street market, all surrounded by an open and inviting

south-facing public realm. Development of this phase commenced this year, with completion scheduled for 2020. Located directly off Shoreditch high street, the key element of the Shoreditch Village masterplan is transforming the space around the viaduct into a positive public space, enlivened by a new street market of semi-permanent stalls offering an eclectic range of food. This market is supported by a series of flexible retail spaces, targeted at unusual brands focused towards the ‘on-trend’ and aspirational culture of Shoreditch. New contemporary buildings around the public space reflect the unique character of Shoreditch, imaginatively applying a variety of materials typical of the local area. Planted rooftop gardens and terraces with views of the bustling streets below draw upon Shoreditch’s lively and interesting roofscape. Interiors retailer RB12 was the first business to take up residence in the Shoreditch Village development when it opened to the public in March, with more to follow.

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FLOORING Karndean Designflooring Karndean Designflooring is introducing 15 new contemporary designs to its popular Knight Tile collection, including eight woods, three stones and four exclusive smaller plank designs. As well as expanding its modern oak offering with popular light, neutral tones and statement slates, it is the first time the collection will feature Spotted Gum and Scandinavian Pine designs. Inspired by Northern Scandinavian Pine, all three designs - Natural Scandi Pine, Grey Scandi Pine and Washed Scandi Pine – feature the natural slow growing properties and tight grain found in this type of natural wood. T. +44 (0)1386 820 104 E: commercial@karndean.co.uk www.karndean.com Twitter: KarndeanComm

Gerflor Gerflor has developed a wide range of products that can adapt to the pace of this fast-changing industry in terms of both costeffective installations and meeting the latest decorative trends. High street retailers, supermarkets, DIY shops, convenience stores and forecourt traders may all have different briefs but advancements in technology provide a wider choice of floorings for retail commercial facilities. Solutions are available to suit both short term and long-term budgets, and for many areas across a retail environment including both front and back-of-house applications. T. +44 (0)1926 622 600 E. contractuk@gerflor.com www.gerflor.co.uk Twitter: GerflorUK

Havwoods The latest trend for creative surface design can now be realised with Havwoods’ engineered wood blocks. A new introduction to the Design Collection, a beautifully patterned floor can be created with ease from a choice of three distinctive geometric shapes: Mansion Weave, Diamond and Stretch Hexagons. Each shaped wood block is available in a choice of three contrasting tones; to add interest without commanding a space, opt for a single wood finish, or if you’re looking to make your floor a feature point, you can mix and match a combination of two or more of the finishes. T. +44 (0)1524 737 000 E. info@havwoods.co.uk www.havwoods.co.uk Twitter: havwoods

Polyflor Polyflor has launched the colourful new homogeneous flooring collection, Palettone PUR. The premium Palettone range offers a full spectrum of colour, with 50 shades to choose from including classic neutrals, soothing pastels and daring brights. Featuring a non-directional, semi-matt emboss for the even distribution of light reflectance, the palette is split into seven colour groups — Cool Greys, Warm Greys, Greens, Blues, Pink Purples, Yellow Reds and Beige Browns. With each Palettone design being made up of a solid colour base and complementary toned highlights, the collection includes shades designed to inspire retail projects, such as Lunar Landscape, Festival Field, Faded Denim, Sugar Candy, Cayenne Heat and China Clay. T. +44 (0)161 767 1111 E. info@polyflor.com www.polyflor.com Twitter: Polyflorltd

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SURFACES & FINISHES LG Hausys LG Hausys returned to Retail Design Expo earlier this month with displays of HI-MACS Ultra-thermoforming and the new 2018 colour collection. With its effortless ability to create flowing and tighter curves, HI-MACS UltraThermoforming really pushes the boundaries in solid surface design, offering designers, specifiers and architects 30 per cent more thermoplastic capabilities, allowing for extreme shaping and endless possibilities with more accentuated curves without compromise. The tighter curves were very popular with designers who immediately saw the potential for future designs. T. +49 (0)69 58 30 29 469 E: info@himacs.eu www.himacs.eu Twitter: HIMACSEurope

bbrown UK display materials brand, bbrown is launching two new ranges. With metallic surfaces and finishes in high demand, the Apollo range of metallic silk PVC comes in five colours with an antique metal effect providing a strong metallic sheen. The Glitter Jazz range introduces 19 new trend colours too. With glitter randomly stuck to the backing fabric, regardless of the location of the glitter fabric or the lighting source, it will always catch the light perfectly wherever your audience’s viewpoint is. Both products are ideal for impact in retail displays and samples are available on request. T. +44 (0)3705 340 340 E. customerservices@bbrown.co.uk www.bbrown.co.uk Twitter: luvbbrown

Armourcoat Armourcoat Acoustic is a headline sponsor at Clerkenwell Design Week on 22-24 May. Designed to optimise the acoustic of interior spaces, the Armourcoat Acoustic plaster system offers a clean and smooth mineral surface that can be applied seamlessly over large expanses to both flat and curved surfaces. Comprising of a special mineral wool composite panel that is bonded onto the substrate and finished with a seamless layer, the system presents an elegant marble-based plaster finish while allowing sound energy to pass through the surface. The Armourcoat Acoustic installation at the Brunner showroom on Rosebery Avenue will showcase the product together with Armourcoat’s full range of decorative surface solutions. T. +44 (0)1732 460 668 E. sales@armourcoat.co.uk www.armourcoat.com Twitter: armourcoat

Corian Limeblue Ltd recently specified Corian® for Dermalogica’s new London flagship store. Limeblue Ltd divided the space into clear and distinct areas with a design scheme that would guide the customer on a visual and interactive journey. This was achieved through the use of sleek white curves, contrasting textures and materials, touch-screen technology and unique lighting systems. Corian® became a key solution to achieving this vision, forming the interactive skin bars in the fresh Glacier White colour choice — a pristine background to offset a series of copper-edged oval mirrors. Corian® in Glacier White, together with cool neutral shade Deep Titanium grey, also marks out distinctive zones for the backlit product display shelves to entice customers instore. T. +44 (0)800 962 116 E: info@corian.co.uk www.corian.uk Twitter: coriandesign

products

LIGHTING Hoare Lea Hoare Lea has illuminated the Grade II listed Royal Exchange on St Ann’s Square in Manchester. Hoare Lea’s Lighting Design team worked with architect Corstorphine + Wright to design new facade and interior lighting for the 1,765 sq m retail arcade that runs through the building, linking St Ann’s Square to Cross Street. In the arcade, pendant luminaires with upward and downward lighting elements increase luminance on both floors and ceilings. These give a uniform lighting pattern to the floors, which raises the perception of brightness within the arcade. Each bay features coves, created during the refurbishment, with lighting incorporated to further increase the illuminance on the ceiling. Programmable colour-changing LEDs allow different shades of white light or colour to be projected. T. +44 (0)20 3668 7100 E: hello@hoarelea.com www.hoarelea.com Twitter: hoarelea

Wieland Electric Wieland Electric returned to Retail Design Expo earlier this month to exhibit the company’s extensive range of pluggable electrical systems ideal for use in retail solutions. The company offers a range of solutions including the popular gesis flat cable distribution system for fast installation of power and lighting in retail applications, as well as gesis MICRO for discrete undershelf lighting along with gesis MINI. T. +44 (0)1483 531 213 E. sales.uk@wieland-electric.com www.wieland.co.uk Twitter: WielandElectrUK

Zumtobel Lighting Luminaires from Zumtobel Lighting have been utilised thoughout the ‘X Store’ concept for footwear and apparel retailer Geox at its new flagship store in Oxford Street, London. The new store concept aims to bring together technology, design, sustainability and wellbeing, and Zumtobel’s Supersystem II has played a key role in achieving the desired lighting effect. Excellent colour rendering was critical to creating the right ambience whilst showing the merchandise to maximum effect and it was equally important that this should be achieved with optimum energy efficiency in support of the Geox commitment to sustainability. Supersystem II is a multifunctional LED lighting tool famed for its stringent miniaturisation and virtually limitless usability. The addition of recessed downlights and spotlights in three different sizes and with extremely low installation depths, along with recessed tracks and corresponding accessories, offers total flexibility and enhanced design possibilities. T. +44 (0)1388 420 042 E. info.uk@zumtobelgroup.com www.zumtobel.co.uk Twitter: Zumtobel_Light

Smiled Light Company (UK) Smiled Light Company provides eco-neon signage and is the first company to accommodate the roles of designer, maker and trainer for this field in the UK. The company creates custom-made eco-neon signs, and also provides training for interested parties on how to use relevant materials to make eco-neon signs. T. +44 (0)7986 537 221 E. sales@smiledlight.co.uk www.smiledlight.co.uk Twitter: smiled_light

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SHOPFITTINGS H.O.L Group From retail accessory props to entire retail interior fit-outs, H.O.L. manages the process from design brief, through production to installation. H.O.L has an in-house design team to create full technical drawings and CAD. With joinery and metalwork manufacturing capabilities in the UK, Europe and the Far East, the team can work in most fabrications, budgets and time frames without compromising quality. T. +44 (0)20 8885 3055 E: info@hol-group.com www.hol-group.com Twitter: theholgroup

Microslat MicroSlat’s aluminium slatwall and modular display fittings are high quality, durable and flexible. They are built to last and can be adapted to suit ever changing product line requirements. Along with the thousands of colour and finish options already readily available to soften the appearance of aluminium, a selection of beautiful woodgrain effect finishes can now also be achieved. MicroSlat now combines the beauty of wood along with the integral strength of aluminium. All MicroSlat 25mm pitch profiles are completely interchangeable for added flexibility and colour combinations. T. +44 (0)1325 351 276 E. sales@microslat.com www.microslat.com Twitter: MicroSlat

DIA Systems

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Established in 1997, Designs in Aluminium is a stockist and supplier of shopfitting systems and aluminium extrusions for the retail industry and joinery manufacturers. The company offers a bespoke service on both mild steel accessories and bracketry along with aluminium extrusions. Designs in Aluminium is launching its products in North America/ Canada with its new distributor C-West Custom Fixtures. Matthew Carrington, international sales manager at Designs in Aluminium, attended this year’s Globalshop in conjunction with C-West to present the products and retail display systems.

Brand environment specialist Leach Impact has revealed a new merchandise display system, which integrates illuminated fabric graphics to maximise the use of retail space. Product Wall Max premiered at the Retail Shopfitting & Display Summit in February, following more than 12 months of behind-thescenes research, prototyping and development. Capable of being manufactured in any size up to 15m x 3m, it is designed to create an atmospheric ‘exhibition’ of hero products, which increases brand awareness and captures customer attention in store. It represents a heavier-duty version of Product Wall Lite, which was launched by Leach last spring. Whilst this display system – with its magnetic shelves – is ideal for lightweight merchandise such as jewellery and footwear, Product Wall Max on the other hand can integrate slotted rails, floating shelves and hooks, perfect for larger and/or heavier items including clothing and sports equipment.

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SELECTION Andy Thornton The versatile Anderson Display Counter is a new addition to the Andy Thornton range of retail display products. It can be used as a checkout counter or as an island display unit with its timber counter top and two display shelves to the rear. It features a hand antiqued steel frame, clad in rusty corrugated iron panels. The top is in reclaimed timber with zinc side panels plus two useful internal shelves. Visit the website to see the full range of shop counters and display cabinets. T. +44 (0)1422 376 000 E. sales@andythornton.com www.andythornton.com Twitter: andythorntonltd

Concreate Flooring Concreate Flooring offers a range of concrete surfacing solutions. The engineered ready-made floor and wall panels can be installed in just about any interior space and work alongside any material to create a compelling, modern architectural styling. Two new colours will be launched this year — Titanium Black and Metal Grey. T. +44 (0)1276 859 111 E: info.uk@concreate.net www.concreate.net/uk Twitter: ConcreateUK

Armourcoat Armourcoat surface finishes have played a central role in the refurbishment of the iconic Minster Building in the heart of London’s business district. The interior design, by architects BuckleyGrayYeoman for Ivanhoé Cambridge and its development/asset manager Greycoat Real Estate LLP, has created a major repositioning of the building built around the central eight-storey atrium. Measuring 7m high and up to 8m wide, the impressive entrance boulevard has a polished floor of terazzo with bronze inlays, edged by dark oak. Throughout the entrance and reception spaces, the walls are hand-finished in nearly 2,000 sq m of Armourcoat polished plaster together with more than 600 sq m of the company’s Acoustic Plaster System applied to the ceilings. Designed to optimise the acoustics of interior spaces, the Acoustic Plaster system offers a clean and smooth mineral surface that can be applied seamlessly over large expanses to both flat and curved surfaces. T. +44 (0)1732 460 668 E. sales@armourcoat.co.uk www.armourcoat.com Twitter: armourcoat

Assigns Assigns’ Stormforce Forester features a rustic timber frame and water-filled base, with high quality coil springs for wind deflection. The Stormforce Forester is available as a double sided chalkboard or A1 poster display. With tough clear plastic front sheets, it provides a versatile solution to the customer-facing marketing requirements of the fast moving retail, restaurant and hospitality markets. T. +44 (0)1462 672 000 E. sales@assigns.co.uk www.assigns.co.uk Twitter: Assigns

products

SELECTION Tormax The new TORMAX Secure+Therm automatic sliding door system effectively combines certified protection from burglary to resistance class RC 2, with the aesthetic benefits of a lightweight, thermally separated profile that still delivers exceptional energy efficiency. Incorporated within the slim door profile, the Secure+Therm system is fitted with a convenient electromechanical multipoint locking. Rigorously tested to the highest standards, the added security protection contributes towards low insurance premiums by significantly reducing risk of theft or damage to property. Despite being just 40mm thick, cold, heat, damp and noise are all kept outside thanks to the thermally separated construction of the profile and the insulating safety glass. T. +44 (0)1932 238 040 E: sales@tormax.co.uk www.tormax.co.uk Twitter: tormax_uk_ltd

imageHOLDERS imageHOLDERS’ self-service and assisted service retail solutions have been successfully deployed for several large retailers and supermarkets. Specialists within secure tablet kiosk solutions and device integration, imageHOLDERS has been working with clients to develop front-of-house and back-of-house solutions for the retail industry. Developing POS kiosks, back-of-house access control and digital catalogue extensions, imageHOLDERS has established itself as a leader within the self-service industry. T. +44 (0)1202 892 863 E. sales@imageholders.com www.imageholders.com Twitter: imageHOLDERS

NEC Display Solutions NEC Display Solutions exhibited its advanced display technology for retail at Retail Digital Signage Expo (RDSE) earlier this month. As retailers strive to reduce overheads associated with bricks and mortar assets and increase operational efficiency, the in-store experience becomes ever more crucial in maintaining brand loyalty. NEC Display Solutions has patnered with Inurface Media to offer digitized fashion retail solutions. Both understand the challenges faced by retailers and offer innovative solutions to engage with shoppers whilst focusing on their ROI. ‘Through digitisation, retailers can connect the physical store more closely with their on-line presence through dynamic and intelligent in-store content delivery. We can help retailers adapt to a new era of shopping activity, enticing customers back in store to ensure a sustained high street presence,’ says Josh Bunce, Inurface Media CEO. T. +44 (0)870 120 1160 E. infomail@nec-displays.com www.nec-display-solutions.co.uk Twitter: NEC_Display_EU

Futura Retail Solutions The Glyndebourne Shop, which provides opera lovers with a range of exclusive gifts and accessories, many of which are inspired by the World renowned Glyndebourne Festival, has implemented a new EPoS and head-office solution from Futura Retail Solutions. Flexibility and speed at the till were key requirements for the Glyndebourne retail team together with accurate management information, and full stock visibility to improve inventory control, ordering and replenishment. Futura ERS has been deployed across five Aures Yunos tills, four in store and one for their pop-up store. T. +44 (0)1189 841 925 E: sales@futurauk.com www.futura4retail.co.uk Twitter: Futura_retail

The all new Stormforce Forester 01462 672 000

sales@assigns.co.uk

www.assigns.co.uk

furniture

focus on FURNITURE

Kate Nightingale, founder of Style Pyschology, noted the importance of materials as well as hard and soft seating on the customer journey at Retail Design Expo earlier this month. The choice of furniture in store can have a major impact on the look of your brand space, as well as the emotions of customers. Here we bring you a choice of furniture items, carefully selected to make shoppers feel welcome and relaxed in store.

Flying high A mix of furniture was specified for the new Virgin Holidays v-room at St David’s in Cardiff. The experiential store creates a relaxed and inspiring environment to get customers in that ‘holiday-ready’ mood. Designed by YourStudio, the store includes modular seating elements at the front of the store that can be reconfigured and moved around with ease. Elsewhere, bar stools line a bar area where destination drinks are served, allowing customers to taste their holiday.

www.weareyourstudio.com

Take a seat Various types of seating were utilised in the EE Showcase stores, designed by Quinine. As a focal point, Quinine designed a large central service counter to encourage customers and staff to walk around and use all of it. Raising the height of the service bar by 70mm subtly encourages customers to lean in, making it a comfortable and a less formal way of connecting with store staff. Throughout the store, soft seating features with round café style tables ensuring there’s no ‘hierarchy’ or barriers between the customer and staff interaction and facilitating an open and relaxed engagement. The dedicated privacy booths are designed to reflect what you might expect in your own home, although subtly balanced for the retail environment. These booths allow for more in-depth and complex demonstrations of services and ‘on boarding’ for customers. Quinine has designed each element of the store to facilitate face-to-face interactions.

www.quininedesign.com

Indian heritage Luxury clothing retailer Beulah London has opened a new flagship store on Elizabeth Street in Belgravia, designed in collaboration with Rebecca Hughes Interiors. ‘The fabrics and the design of the store have Indian roots, and I wanted to allude to that Indian heritage but still give it an English twist. It was my aim to create an aesthetic that was luxurious but also had the intimate feel of a home. I hope the store sits somewhere between a dressing room and bedroom,’ says Rebecca Hughes. The design company has also collaborated with Beulah to produce a homeware collection including cushions and upholstered footstools in the classic Beulah prints, which feature throughout the store. ‘We used a soft pink palette throughout the store. It is echoed on the ottoman and the curtains as well as the walls itself and has a feminine feel whilst creating a canvas for the clothes and their prints to shine,’ explains Hughes.

www.rebeccahughesinteriors.com Photography: Margarita Karenko

furniture

Vintage look Andy Thornton stocks the largest selection of antique and vintage shop counters and display cabinets in the UK. The mahogany pharmacy cabinet shown is just a sample of the vast stock of fittings currently on display in the firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Halifax showrooms. The piece comprises a Victorian two-piece drug run base with original glass labels and facetted glass knobs with an upper shelving section. A beautiful period piece of practical proportions in a superb condition, with a multitude of potential uses. Andy Thornton welcomes retail interior designers and visual merchandisers to visit the showroom to source not only vintage shop fixtures but display props, contract furniture and decorative lighting. The full range is featured on the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website.

www.andythornton.com

Flexible format New grocery retailer Naturally on Holloway Road in London chose furniture built in 500mm x 500mm sections that can be bolted together in different formations. This allows the retailer to respond to in-store community events, new product launches or changing customer journeys. A community table and window table encourage dwell time and interaction with staff who act as advisors, rather than sellers. The store was designed by FormRoom.

www.formroom.com

Tailor made Open in January, Hackettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s store at Canary Wharf features a nice balance of darker items of furniture against the lighter walls and oak panelling, providing a more inviting, intimate environment. Some of the chairs have exposed backs to show the workmanship inside, linking back to the tailoring side of the business. Furniture has been sourced within Britain to support local manufacturers.

www.hackett.com

directory

DIREcTORIES

www.retail-focus.co.uk/directory Visit the Retail Focus online directory at www.retail-focus.co.uk to discover a comprehensive list of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading retail suppliers. Each listing contains indepth company information together with inspirational images, video footage and informative press material. You can also link through to company websites and connect with suppliers through Twitter and Facebook. The Retail Supplier Directory is divided into a number of categories, such as design agencies, point-of-purchase, lighting, props and surfaces, to make the site easy to navigate. To feature in the online directory, contact Terry Clark on 0845 6807405 or email terry@retailfocus.co

directory

Aluminium Fittings

Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry. Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service. T: 01273 582241 E: sales@diasystems.co.uk W: www.diagroup.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/DesignsinAlumin

Aluminium Fittings

Bespoke Display

Design Consultancies

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

Kendu is a European company with over 18 years of experience in pioneering in-store visual solutions for retailers. We design, manage and manufacture in-house to guarantee the best results. Visit our new office and showroom in Hackney Wick, London.

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

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

Bespoke Display

T: +44 (0)20 373 55 258 E: info@kendu.com W: www.kendu.com S: www.twitter.com/kenduinstore

Bespoke Display

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

Design Consultancies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Audio Visual Integration

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

Bespoke Display

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

Brochure Holders

Design Consultancies

Brochure Holders International Limited is part of the global Taymar group recognised as a leading manufacturer of premium quality injection moulded leaflet holders and display solutions. Committed to on-going product development the Taymar group offers one of the world’s largest collections of ‘clear view’ wall, floor and counter standing brochure displays.

We are TWO Visual, the retail agency specialising in visual merchandising. Led by brand directors Jeanette Cheetham and Brendan Gordon we provide everything retailers need to make their brands visually dynamic, whilst improving team and commercial performance.

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

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

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

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

Balloons & Bunting

Bespoke Display

Climate Control

Display

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

JPMA is a worldwide leader in designing and manufacturing high-quality store fixtures and visual elements made of wood, metal and acrylic. We make everything all under the one roof and offer designs and finishes not available anywhere else in the industry.

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

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

T +44 777 444 5784 E: benjamin@jpmaglobal.com W: www.jpmaglobal.com

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

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

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

directory

Display

Focused on our customer’s unique needs, with expert knowledge of the procurement market, and a firm grip on the entire visual merchandising supply chain, we are specialists in designing and delivering complex point of sale projects.

T +49 (0) 911 97 13 389 E: info-uk@barthelmess.com W: www.barthelmess.com

Display

Display - DIGITAL

FURNITURE

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

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 +44 777 444 5784 E: benjamin@jpmaglobal.com W: www.jpmaglobal.com

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

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

Display

Display - DIGITAL

FURNITURE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Display

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

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

Display

EPOS

GRAPHICS

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

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

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

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

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

Display

Impulse POP specialises in Point of Purchase display systems for the Retail sector. We offer many years of experience in all aspects of retail design, with in house manufacture - including quick turnaround prototypes, or overseas manufacture, delivery, installation and retail merchandising.

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

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

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

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

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

Finishes

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

GRAPHICS

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

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

directory

interactive displays

MANNEQUINS

pop/pos

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

We are IPOS. A creative design agency whose extensive and impressive client list speaks volumes for the professional services we offer. We design, produce and install all aspects of our client’s POS. From instore graphics, window vinyls and 3D bespoke window displays to full multi location campaign roll outs.

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

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

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

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

LED LIGHTING

pop/pos

Addlux supplies high-tech LED lighting and display technologies for the retail sector, including the largest, thinnest and most cost-effective light sheet on the market today. Fast turnaround of deliveries and prototypes at competitive prices.

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

T: 0333 800 1828 E: info@addlux.com W: www.addlux.com S. www.twitter.com/addlux

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

Literature Display

Maintenance

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

pop/pos

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

pop/pos

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

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

signage

pop up

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

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

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

Retail Consultancy

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

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

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

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

slatwall

VM TOOLS AND TRAINING

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

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

Q&A

SIMON dixon Founder of Rockar, Simon Dixon talks to The Retail Exchange host Ben Bland about his background in car retailing, his horror at car dealerships and Rockar’s format of empowering the customer. BB. Tell me about the journey that you’ve taken to get to where you are now in your career? SD. F rom leaving education I joined the family business, which was a very small car business, and then over the next 20 years I worked closely with my father — I was the chief exec then to build that business into the third/fourth largest car retailing business in the UK. We formed a joint venture in 2001 with Direct Line called jamjar.com, which was the first online seller of cars and created the first part-exchange valuation system, and even though 25 per cent of the population was actually online, there was still a big uptake back then in terms of people wanting to buy cars online, although the model was very different. Back then, online buying was very much just about price rather than all the other points of convenience that it brings. But that joint venture led to the Royal Bank of Scotland acquiring the company and I worked for them for a couple of years, from being an entrepreneurial-type business to being part of a very big corporate, and was quite an interesting time. But on the finishing of our workout deal that we had with them, I then got cars out of the blood, I stopped working in the car business in 2004, went off and did other things — property businesses, leisure businesses — but what I did become at that time was a true car buying customer/consumer and over that period from 2004 going into dealerships to buy cars for those businesses I was running or for my family that was growing, I was pretty horrified about the process, and also pretty embarrassed... BB. The style of showroom that you have with Rockar is very different to what people expect, and location is a big part... SD. W e tend to find that having a smaller, more compact, more intimate-sized store makes the customers visiting feel differently. If you look at research, they walk into these huge showrooms, they’re out of town, they have to make a special journey to go and actually feel a level of intimidation because they are the only people in these huge showrooms. Let’s put them into smaller, more compact stores, but actually where there are thousands, millions of people going, so your chance of having a lot more people in the store. People make people comfortable. It’s about the size of the store, it’s about the location of the store, but also people going to a shopping centre are in a completely different frame of mind than they are going to walk into a car dealership. BB. I’m quite intrigued by the concept that Rockar has ‘angels’ on the shop floor... SD. A n angel is a product expert. We call them an angel because they’re not sales people, but they completely fulfil the role. They know everything about the product, they’re on continuous daily upgrades in terms of product knowledge. What they’re absolutely not is sales people; we do not train them to be

sales people; we don’t select them to have sales people attributes; we select them on personality, communication skills, knowledge retention. They don’t have any sales targets, they don’t have any objectives to achieve apart from serving the customer and knowing all about that product. We’re an expert in the product, but we’re not there to sell to you or use techniques to convert you. BB. Tell us about the partnership with Next. SD. I think this is, for us, another interesting step. If you look what’s going on, the whole retail industry is pretty much similar to the car industry — less people are visiting stores or dealerships and therefore those retailers that are innovative will look at different ways of maintaining more people visiting their store. I think Next has come out the blocks really quickly on this and have seen that, actually, it’s a good thing that half their customers want to buy things online but they can’t keep forcing consumers to walk into their stores just to buy the same product, but what they can do is encourage customers to visit their stores to do other things that they may already be wanting to do. For us it was just a great sort of alignment, equally having Ford as part of that journey was fantastic. Just tying all those three things together was really cool in the Next relationship. BB. How do you think shopping for cars will change in the future? SD. T he more people that support digitalisation, the greater percentage of consumers will move to buying cars absolutely purely online. The positioning of product in high footfall areas, whether that’s a mall or a transport hub or whatever, will be a point of leading to digital marketing, so it’ll make that journey easier and it’ll also put physical product where some consumers want to touch and feel it. Those two things are going to push on tremendously I think in the next two or three years. Electrification of cars will reduce servicing requirements. this industry is probably in the greatest change period it’s ever had in these next five to 10 years, and it’ll all be about enhancing the consumer experience through digitalisation and letting consumers do things when they want to do them.

Listen to the full interview at www.theretailexchange.co.uk

www.retail-focus.co.uk

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