Retail Focus October 2018 #103

retail focus

OCTOBER 2018 : £6.75 #103

OCTOBER 2018/issue 103

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London Design Festival Review : Eytys : L’Occitane 555 : Mulberry : Lighting : Design & Shopfitting : High Street Banks : Paris Retail Week Review : In & Around Savile Row : Focus on POP & Display : Q&A with John Vincent, Leon

Eytys fashion The Swedish footwear brand steps into London

London Design Festival Review : L’Occitane 555 : Mulberry : Lighting : Design & Shopfitting : High Street Banks : Paris Retail Week Review : In & Around Savile Row : Focus on POP & Display : Q&A with John Vincent, Leon

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contents

CONTENTS Eytys Fashion

29-30

Stockholm-based footwear brand Eytys has opened its first store in London, with a design influenced by Swedish 1960s brutalism.

London 10 Review: Design Festival 2018

53 Review: Paris Retail Week

45 Design & Shopfitting

on: 68 Focus POP & Display

the way for 50 High street banks 41 Lighting a better experience 7 8

Leader

29-38 Project Focus

Diary

13-19 News

49

Inspiring window displays from around the globe.

27

Centre Stage Karl McKeever Many brands are taking a people-pleasing approach, paralysed with fear of causing offence, and the result is brand inertia.

Boring, middle-of-the-road nothingness, says Karl.

www.retail-focus.co.uk

Opinion Ahead of the 24th annual MAPIC conference in November, MAPIC director Nathalie Depetro discusses why she believes the UK is a global retail trendsetter.

21-22 W indow shopping 25

57-66 Products

Eytys : L’Occitane 555 : Mulberry

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In and Around...

Savile Row. The jewel in the crown of men’s tailoring has unveiled street improvements, allowing passersby to better experience the tailors in action.

Products and services for the retail industry.

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Q&A

Retail Exchange Podcast host Ben Bland sits down with John Vincent, co-founder of fast food chain, Leon.

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leader

welcome October ‘18 A contemporary tea party with stylish furniture and accessories in a luxury department store, a fluorescent red lion roaring poetry, and a maze of sculptural pins at a leading lifestyle store. These were just some of the highlights at this year’s London Design Festival, which took over the capital in September. Now in its 16th year, the event felt bigger and more comprehensive than ever, with multiple installations, exhibitions and product launches demonstrating London’s position as the design capital of the world.

For Howard Sullivan, co-founder and creative director of YourStudio, this year’s festival was most notable for it’s energy around sustainability. ‘Never has there been a time where design feels so pertinent to the puzzle of solving the world’s ever-decreasing resources,’ says Sullivan in his review for Retail Focus (pages 10-11).

In recent months we have covered a number of store openings in the UK and abroad, with exciting and theatrical interiors designed to inspire, engage and entertain customers. The retail space is no longer just about selling but about the overall experience, and often, the most successful projects are the result of a collaborative effort between brand, designer and shopfitter, as Lyndsey Dennis discovers this month (pages 45-46).

Mulberry is one brand looking to redefine the shopping experience with a fresh, contemporary store interior that reads more like a welcoming home than a traditional retail environment. Mulberry creative director Johnny Coca has worked with interior designer Faye Toogood to develop a new retail concept where customers can explore the modern British identity of the brand. This new chapter for the brand was unveiled in September at the new Regent Street flagship store (pages 37-38).

Exciting times!

Gemma Balmford Editor

Managing Editor

Editor

Gemma Balmford

Lyndsey Dennis

e. gemma@retail-focus.co.uk

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diary

DIARY

VM & Display Awards The Bloomsbury Big Top, London 22 November 2018 Taking place in a central London location, the VM & Display Awards bring together the UK’s most influential creatives, retailers and suppliers in celebration of their considerable achievements for projects installed from 1 August to 31 July each year.

The awards are the only event dedicated to celebrating excellence and innovation in the visual merchandising and display sector. They recognise and reward the full VM retail sphere — from the smallest independent to the largest multiple — and the suppliers involved. The VM & Display Awards also include the Retail Focus Readers’ Choice Award.

VMDisplayAwards

www.vmanddisplayawards.com

Fortnum’s X Frank 2018 (FXF18) Fortnum & Mason, London 10 September - 20 October 2018

Fashioned from Nature V&A Museum, London Runs until 27 January 2019

Creative Retail Awards Proud Embankment, London 6 June 2019

Fortnum & Mason is continuing its annual artistic collaboration Fortnum’s X Frank 2018 (FXF18) with art collector, Frank Cohen, presenting a rich body of work

by British landscape artist, John Virtue.

Coinciding with Frieze Art Fair and London Design Festival, the event will see 70 large-scale monochromatic works by Virtue placed across the floors of the store.

‘Fashioned from Nature’ is the first UK exhibition to explore the complex relationship between fashion and nature from 1600 to the present day. It presents fashionable dress alongside natural history specimens, innovative new fabrics and dyeing processes. From botanical embroidery to earrings made from birds of paradise.

The Creative Retail Awards recognise and reward innovation and excellence in retail design. Moving away from the traditional awards ceremony, the Creative Retail Awards offer a night full of exuberance. Organised by the Shop & Display Equipment Association (SDEA) and Retail Focus Magazine, the awards span a number of disciplines.

Fortnums

Photo: Phillip Sinden

www.fortnumandmason.com

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V_and_A www.vam.ac.uk

retailfocus www.creativeretailawards.com

review

LDF 2018 : A design vision for a better future

Words: Howard Sullivan, co-founder and global creative director, YourStudio London Design Festival was notable this year, not because of striking design but because of a new forcefield which seemed to have really gained momentum; sustainability. We hosted a talk at the incredible exhibition PlasticScene about material innovation and sustainability to launch our new platform YS Makers. Our key question: ‘Can we use our responsibility as designers to do good for the world?’.

We talked on a panel with Jules Kirby from Friends of the Earth, who illustrated the detrimental effects of design surfaces we take for granted, like paint — apparently, the world’s third highest pollutant in terms of micro-plastics in the oceans — and Seetal Solanki, from Ma-tt-er, who showed 10 innovative ways to use one material, seaweed; an illustration of the potential we have to hand as alternatives to man-made materiality.

PlasticScene epitomised the energy around sustainability that pervaded at this year’s shows. Curated by James Shaw and Laura Houseley, the show celebrated the energy of new and emerging designers and studios innovating with previous landfill

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plastics. Soft Baroque’s pieces from the series Purged Plastics, take recycled plastic waste from recycling plants that’s usually thrown in the bin. The studio re-purposed it into dramatic shelving and tables that give such a character that they create a new jewel from discarded waste. Studio Illio created some custom stools for the exhibition from their Hot Wire Extensions series, which we were lucky enough to have the audience of our talk sitting on.

Coinciding with PlasticScene at Kings Cross was a whole enclave of spaces around the Brompton Design District pushing the theme of waste and re-using materials in new and exciting ways. Seetal Solanki, the incredible pioneer behind materials consultancy Ma-tt-er, launched her new book ‘Why Materials Matter’.

Here Solanki explored new approaches to existing and recycled materials, posing the question, ‘What does it mean to live in a material world, and how do materials of the past and present hold the keys to our future?’. Surrounding her ever-decreasing piles of books (definitely worth getting if you have the chance, as they’re selling out)

was a display of cool and quirky bookends she commissioned from the collaborators in the book.

Never has there been a time where design feels so pertinent to the puzzle of solving the world’s ever-decreasing resources. For all of us working in the fields of creativity and artistry, from commercial interior design to pop-up design, we have an incredible opportunity. And that is to change the world for the better. This year’s London Design Festival, along with our research at YS Makers, has inspired us to have new and challenging conversations with our clients, many of whom are already very aligned with sustainability as a crucial component of their retail spaces. Anyone who is not paying attention to this now is tone deaf to the reality of the situation at hand. Let’s make a difference.

The London Design Festival returns to venues and institutions across the city from 14-22 September 2019.

www.londondesignfestival.com

review

Image: Andy Stagg

Far Left & Below: PlasticScene was an exhibition of new design made from waste plastic. Part of the King’s Cross design trail, the exhibition demonstrated how designers are exploring the inherent qualities of plastic to create bold, exciting, desirable furniture and objects.

Image: Andy Stagg

Above & Above right Waugh Thistleton Architects, the American Hardwood Export Council and ARUP collaborated to create MultiPly, an interactive modular maze-like installation in The Sackler Courtyard at the V&A. The pavilion addressed two current

global challenges - housing and climate change - and presented the fusion of modular systems and a responsible choice of materials as a vital solution.

Left: A Fountain for London, designed by Michael Anastassiades and supported

by The London Fountain Co, at the V&A during LDF. The London Fountain Co. is an initiative set up by curator Jane Withers and Charles Asprey to bring beautiful drinking fountains to the streets of London and help provide the infrastructure needed to move away from single-use plastics.

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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. This is why Macmillan has developed workplace training, guidance and resources to support HR and Line Managers with managing cancer in the workplace.

For people with cancer, staying in or returning to work can be hugely positive. However, it can be difficult to know how to support someone with cancer, as there are a number of challenges they may face.

In the workplace, reasonable adjustments are often needed to help deal with the side effects of cancer and its treatment. Fatigue, pain and depression are some of the common side effects, so making reasonable adjustments such as flexible working and time off to attend medical appointments can make a big difference to someone affected by cancer. In addition as cancer is classed as a disability under the Equality Act or Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), employers are required to make reasonable adjustments if the location, working arrangements or a lack of extra support (auxiliary aids) puts someone with cancer at a substantial disadvantage.

It is important to remember that each person may require different support. So how can businesses equip HR professionals and line managers to provide the best individual support for staff they manage, while adhering to organisational policies?

individual who has been diagnosed with cancer.

Initiating conversations and keeping communication channels open are key steps in gaining an understanding of the individual needs and support required in the work place. It’s also important to discuss arrangements for keeping in touch with your employee before their absence, and to maintain appropriate contact with your employee during periods of sick leave.

Macmillan at Work Training or consultancy can help organisations prepare their staff to manage the impact of long term conditions. Macmillan at Work is designed to help workplaces support employees with a cancer diagnosis, or those caring for someone with 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.

Often one of the biggest concerns can be starting the initial conversation with the Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). MAC15903_2017_V2

MAC15903 Employee Benefits ad_V2_297x210mm.indd 3

29/03/2017 10:33

news

NEWS Tesco launches Jack’s discount format Tesco has launched its new discount format, Jack’s. The launch kicks off Tesco’s centenary, ‘Celebrating 100 Years of Great Value’. Jack’s will operate a low-cost business model that is designed to keep costs low and prices down. It’s a no fuss approach with a simplified range of products, no fancy fixtures or fittings, and no added extras, just good quality at low prices.

The discount store will offer three ways to check out — usual main bank, self-service, and by scanning products on an app.

Jack’s will proudly support Britain’s food producing communities. Eight out of 10 food and drink products at Jack’s will be grown, reared or made in Britain

and stores will stock a unique own brand range, also named Jack’s as a mark of quality and value. There will be 2,600 lines in each store — 1,800 of which will be Jack’s branded. In addition to its own brand, the store will stock some familiar grocery brands and a range of general merchandise on a ‘When it’s Gone, It’s Gone’ basis.

‘Jack Cohen championed value for customers and changed the face of British shopping. He’s an inspiration for all of us and that same spirit still drives Tesco now,’ says Tesco’s chief executive Dave Lewis. At the launch last month at the new Chatteris store, he said: ‘It’s fitting that today, we

mark the beginning of Tesco’s celebration of 100 Years of Great Value by launching a new brand, and stores bearing his name: Jack’s. Great tasting food at the lowest possible prices with 8 out of 10 products grown, reared or made in Britain.’

Over the next six months Tesco will launch 10-15 Jack’s stores across the UK. The first two stores have opened in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire and Immingham, Lincolnshire, on sites which make use of excess Tesco space. The stores to follow will include a mix of entirely new sites, locations adjacent to existing Tesco stores, and a small number of converted Tesco stores.

Debenhams Watford opens with a vision of the future Debenhams has opened the doors to its new-look Watford store as it continues with its strategy to make shopping easy, sociable and fun. The 7,990 sq m store is spread across three floors and is the first in the country to feature the new redesigned beauty hall.

Designed by Checkland Kindleysides, the hall features flexible zoned areas such as the Hair Lab, Mini Bar and Beauty Club House, and is an interactive space where customers can browse, discover and experiment with products from new and established beauty houses.

The Watford store design builds on the successes of the Debenhams Stevenage store, which opened last year with a reduced product offering, flexible fixturing grouped by fashion genre, and services including free personal shopping service,

travel money and free WiFi. Visiting the store ahead of opening, Retail Focus columnist and founder of Visual Thinking, Karl McKeever said: ‘I have to say that I’m impressed. The store is the realisation of the Debenhams Redesigned strategy. It is cohesive, well planned and thought through.

‘There is a massive amount of

creativity here, underpinned by a distinct application of retail best practices.

There is clearly recognition within Debenhams that expert delivery to this level is key to success.’

Debenhams is the first of 13 new stores to open within a 37,161 sq m extension to shopping and leisure destination intu Watford.

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Flash news to go here

Next opens new Oxford Street flagship Next has opened the doors to its new store at 120 Oxford Street, following the reconfiguration of the former Plaza Shopping Centre undertaken by Colman Architects. Designed by Dalziel & Pow, the new concept and experience invites customers to be ‘in the moment’ with Next and each visit becomes an occasion.

Focused on community and inspiration, it sets out a strategy to captivate existing

customers as well as engage new audiences. The store also establishes new brand partnerships, commercial opportunities and an innovative way of thinking about retail-leisure formats.

A revised layout encourages shoppers to break predictable missions and brings products to life in fresh contexts.

Categories are cross-merchandised and enhanced by tailored service offerings and concessions, including Costa, Paperchase, Lipsy, Clarkes Shoes and Hema. The result is a multifaceted lifestyle destination for the whole family.

Vision and openness is key across all departments, encouraging exploration through the store.

Habitat launches first flagship for 10 years at Westfield London Homeware retailer Habitat unveiled the first of two new standalone flagship stores in September at Westfield London. Forming part of the mall’s new ‘Home’ hub — which brings together multiple homeware and furniture retailers under one roof for the convenience of customers — the new 436 sq m store, now Habitat’s third largest store in the UK, has been designed by the brand’s own in-house design studio and features more than 1,400 products from the Habitat collection across furniture, lighting, textiles and home accessories.

The new store has a minimalist feel evolved from the 2016 re-design of its Tottenham Court Road flagship. ‘The space has been built around a white cube framework that allows us to layer a variety of product, bright colour, shape and pattern on top without making it visually overwhelming for customers,’ says Matthew Long, senior designer for Habitat.

‘To make customers take time to appreciate the product, the interior design is stripped right back so that there are minimal visual distractions — no large digital screens,

imposing fixtures or dramatic architectural details. The store is designed as a calm, inspiring environment where customers can browse product at their leisure.’

Selfridges welcomes Louis Vuitton fragrance pop-up Louis Vuitton has opened a pop-up on the ground floor of Selfridges London, dedicated to fragrance.

Coinciding with the worldwide launch of its new scent Attrape-Rêves, the Louis Vuitton pop-up space will run until 19 October 2018.

The pop-up reflects both the floral and fauna inspirations behind the fragrance. Delicate flowers in ombré shades of pink and silver are suspended from the ceiling while elsewhere, oversized metallic butterflies gently hover.

The fragrance pop-up is part of a permanent Louis Vuitton concept store with themes on rotation, showcasing a variety of new products from women’s to men’s collections, accessories to

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travel items, presenting the versatility and the continuous search for innovation and

surprise, distinguishing aspects of the Louis Vuitton philosophy.

news

Heist opens first physical store in Seven Dials Tights specialist Heist has opened its first physical store in Seven Dials at 46 Monmouth Street, taking the digital brand offline and onto the high street.

Exceptional customer service has been crucial to Heist’s success from the start.

Now it is Heist’s customer service team that has been interacting with Heist customers online for more than three years, who will train the brand’s new in-store assistants.

‘Until now, Heist has only ever existed online. When we made the decision to open a bricks-and-mortar store we had to ask ourselves, what does Heist look like in person? How do our brand, values and offering translate?’ says Joanna Bell, head of

retail at Heist and former director of UK and Scandinavia sales at Michael Kors.

True to its belief in the importance of putting the customer at the heart of everything it does, Heist will be offering customers at its new store — named the DemoStudio — the same ‘try-beforeyou-buy’ promise on its tights that it gives online customers; a world-first for the global hosiery industry. Heist will also donate unwanted tights from the try-before-you-buy offering to longstanding charity partner Smart Works, which provides interview clothing and coaching to long-term unemployed women looking to enter the workplace. The Heist DemoStudio will also house a donation point for interview-appropriate women’s clothing — customers can follow the brand’s Instagram account for tips on what to donate.

In brief...

• British furniture and interiors company, Timothy Oulton has opened its largest showroom to date on London’s King’s Road, at the Bluebird Chelsea. The new 668 sq m space features limited edition products exclusive to Bluebird, alongside the brand’s iconic signature pieces in the largest retail display of collections across the company’s global footprint. The store is equipped with a team of trained experts to support its room planning service and the space is available for events and parties.

• The Designer Exchange has opened its flagship clothing and accessory boutique on King’s Road. Buying and selling luxury designer clothes and accessories, the 125 sq m store will be the largest in the company’s portfolio.

• Monki is opening a new store in Newcastle this winter, located in the intu Eldon Square shopping centre. The new 340 sq m space will include light drops, reflective bubbles and discoballs.

• Danish furniture manufacturer, Carl Hansen & Son has opened a second London location due to increasing demand in the UK for Danish mid-century design. Designed by je+1, the 220 sq m location at 48A Pimlico Road will house the brand’s entire collection of modern classics created by Danish design masters such as Poul Kjærholm, Mogens Koch, Arne Jacobsen and Børge Mogensen, reflecting the 110-year-old manufacturer’s focus on finely crafted furniture and home accessories.

Super? Markets: New insight briefing on challenges in grocery retailing Retail agency Visual Thinking has launched its latest insight briefing. ‘Super?

Markets’ is an essential read for all those who want to navigate the future of this sector. Using its 25 years of industry expertise in helping retailers deliver consistent visual in-store execution, Visual Thinking’s briefing of reports, essays and interviews answer many of the key concerns facing British supermarkets.

‘It has never been a more crucial time to truly challenge the British supermarket offering. In this briefing we deliver macro and micro analysis of the grocery retail

industry in it’s current state, delivering detailed reports on some of the big players, sharing our thoughts on some of the new offerings that have been introduced to the marketplace, and insight on the practical steps grocery retailers must take to improve retail execution and sales performance within stores,’ says Suzanne Tanner, Visual Thinking’s senior retail specialist — grocery.

The free Visual Thinking Insight Briefing is available to download at www.visualthinking.co.uk/resources

• Loaf has opened its new St Albans shack. The ‘slowroom’ is the seventh UK showroom for the self-proclaimed Sultans of Snug. The 464 sq m Shack features a mattress testing station, and arcade games for little and not-so-little Loafers to enjoy.

• Abercrombie & Fitch has opened its second UK location at intu Trafford Centre in Greater Manchester. The 515 sq m flagship site is one of eight new prototype stores that have been completed since the initial launch of the design in February 2017, and only the second location outside of the US following an opening in Hong Kong.

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news

TOAST expands store portfolio with fifth London location Lifestyle and clothing brand TOAST has opened a new store in Hampstead. This is the brand’s 12th standalone store across the UK and its fifth in London.

The new store will host a series of talks, in-store events, workshops and partnerships in the hope of becoming a hub of inspiration for its customers and the Hampstead community.

TOAST is committed to creating beautiful shopping spaces for its customers, therefore each store is carefully selected for its unique character. The Hampstead location features TOAST’s signature simplicity alongside the original shopfront and an iron spiral staircase. The store will offer a selection of new season womenswear and House & Home including the Pip Hartle Collection.

Integral to TOAST’s expansion, the brand will focus efforts around the community and local businesses in which the new store is situated, and will encourage local customers to engage with its latest campaign ‘A Creative Practice’, a season that celebrates the creative journey. In the hope of prompting creativity, TOAST has asked six illustrators to each create an unfinished drawing on a postcard, which will be available in all stores, including Hampstead. From ink to collage, customers will be invited to complete the postcards however they would like. The intention is to highlight the unique creativity within us all.

‘Our customer base is full of creative, intelligent women who are passionate about the arts, culturally aware and who thrive on connecting with other like-minded souls. It matters to us that our stores are more than simply shops for women and that they complement their locale. We hope to offer our customers respite from their busy days, creating places of calm and connection that provide meaningful experiences and

foster thoughtfulness. We are looking forward to building a network of TOAST Hampstead women and being a part of the community,’ says Suzie de Rohan Willner, CEO of TOAST.

New SDEA Retail Display Directory now available KFC rolls out fresh store format

The new SDEA Retail Display Directory is now available free of charge to retail display buyers and specifiers. The new Directory is a vital tool for all retailers both large and small. More than 100 specialist shopfittings and display manufacturers and suppliers are bound together in this invaluable publication, which will help you locate all manner of specialist shopfittings, display, POS, POP, lighting, signage, mannequins and visual merchandising.

The Retail Display Directory offers a variety of ways to help buyers and specifiers source their products and services, quickly and easily: you can search by supplier, product, trade name, retail discipline, or location. To receive your free copy email: directory@sdea.co.uk or call 01883 348 911 and quote Retail Focus. The Directory is also available to view online at www.shopdisplay.org

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KFC has unveiled a bold new brand expression across its UK restaurant experience. The fresh store format has been designed to express the food company’s true values, much loved food proposition and brand story through the experience in its restaurants.

Having already taken KFC several leaps forward in its transformation through a small, fast-casual metropolitan concept, I-AM was asked to update the design, customer journey and in-restaurant communications for KFC’s primary format. A bold energy and vibrancy are driving KFC in the UK and Ireland — celebrating the brand’s story, taking pride in the simple, joyful deliciousness of ‘Finger Lickin’ Good’ freshly prepared fried chicken and the social aspect of bringing people together over a KFC. I-AM aimed to bring these themes to life with a confident new contemporary cultural relevance.

For larger dine-in restaurants that include a drive thru, I-AM created a model that conveys the proposition’s freshness and appeal, across redefined steps in the customer journey. This new KFC experience required highly distinctive design assets orchestrated as a toolkit of principles, suitable for refitted and new build sites. The concept covered exterior architecture, new ordering/serving processes, brand and product communication and interior design.

international news

international

NEWS Seraphine opens second Paris store

Photography: Santi Caleca

One year after the opening of its flagship on Place St Sulpice, maternity brand Seraphine has opened its second store in Paris. The new 92 sq m store is located on Avenue Victor Hugo near the Champs Elysees. This marks the ninth opening from the brand, which can also be found in London, Dubai, New York and Hong Kong.

‘Our ambitious international growth plans are not deterred by slow Brexit negotiations. I remain confident the clothing sector will not be hit by new export

taxes into Europe, and with a strong euro against the pound it makes it attractive to grow our business on the continent,’ says Seraphine founder Cecile Reinaud.

The private equity fund Bridgepoint

Delvaux unveils first Italian boutique in Milan Belgian manufacturer of fine leather luxury goods, Delvaux has chosen Milan as the destination of its first Italian boutique. Located in via Bagutta 12 in the heart of the Fashion Quarter, the new store is designed by VudafieriSaverino Partners, which has been responsible for the design of all Delvaux’s boutiques worldwide since 2012.

The store design re-elaborates the stylistic features of the great Milanese tradition. Belgium and Italy, two traditions of savoir-faire, creative flair and innovation come together in the new space. The interior decoration tells the brand history, interpreting the context, characteristics and culture of each city.

The location of the new Milanese boutique is the recently restored Palazzo Reina, with a mix of 20th Century Milanese design and references to Belgian creativity. The result is a distinctive place, created at the same time as a celebration of Delvaux, of Belgitude and of the city of Milan.

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acquired a majority stake of Seraphine in 2017 and is backing the brand aspiration to be a leader in maternity wear for Europe, including the opening of a third Paris store in early 2019.

dunhill London opens Ginza store with bar and barber concept Menswear retailer dunhill London has opened a flagship store in Ginza, Tokyo, marking a new chapter for the British house. A masculine luxury shopping experience has been created, which harmoniously blends a new bar and barber concept alongside the latest collections by the brand’s creative director, Mark Weston.

A new language of retail design builds an engaging visual conversation, where engineering and craftsmanship are combined to create a masculine and contemporary space, through the interplay of bronzed brass and wood, together with signature black leather and black metal details — recognisable codes of the brand.

A dunhill bar is located on the first and second floors, and serves Japanese contemporary fusion food with a British twist curated by Yoshihisa Akiyama, head chef of the restaurant Ginza Mutsukari. The dunhill barber service on the first floor is an experience of understated luxury and relaxation offering tailored men’s grooming, shaving and treatments in partnership with The Barba Tokyo, a new traditional barber brand established in Tokyo.

international news

Zara reopens Milan flagship Zara has reopened the doors of its store on Corso Vittorio Emanuele in Milan, the first the brand opened in Italy, following a bold four month-long renovation. The 3,500 sq m store has recaptured the 1941 building’s original essence with its exclusive architecture, incorporating the latest customer-oriented technology.

‘It is a unique store, as it presents an exceptional architectural design within a singular framework, while incorporating the latest technology for both satisfying new customer shopping experiences as well as strengthening our firm commitment to the environment. It is undoubtedly a model for our characteristic online and in-store integration concept,’ says Pablo Isla, CEO and chairman of Inditex, owner of Zara.

The project was led by architect Elsa Urquijo, evoking the spirit of the cinema that occupied the building between 1941 and 1999, and integrating the most modern solutions adapted to a 21st Century store. The essence of the building has been preserved, while also introducing architectural innovations, combined with the latest customer service technology.

Starbucks enters Italian market with Milan store Another store opening for Milan, this time Starbucks’ first Reserve Roastery in Italy. The highly anticipated Milan Roastery is the crown jewel of Starbucks’ global retail footprint; a place where Italian customers can come to discover the art and science of coffee in a breathtaking environment that is both a homage to the city of Milan and a celebration of everything Starbucks has learned about coffee in its 47-year history.

Starbucks’ arrival in Italy — the company’s 78th global market — is unlike any other market opening in its history.

Milan marks the first time Starbucks has established its retail presence in a new country with the Roastery format, of which only two others exist in the world: the Seattle Roastery, which opened in 2014, and the Roastery in Shanghai, which debuted in 2017. The 2,300 sq m Milan Roastery is in Palazzo della Poste on the Piazza Cordusio, only streets away from iconic landmarks such as the Duomo di Milano, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and Teatro alla Scala.

Paris welcomes Moschino flagship Moschino has opened a new flagship store in the heart of Paris on rue Saint-Honoré.

Creative director Jeremy Scott wanted to transform the late 18th Century building in pierre de Paris into an exhibit-like space inspired by modern art galleries. The new store concept, which was conceived and curated by architect Fabio Ferrillo in respect of the original essence of the interior, spans 270 sq m over two floors, which are visually connected through a two-storey space and imposing curved staircase that becomes the focus of the architectural perspective.

Rose granite and Plexiglass elements and bronze railings give the space a sophisticated and contemporary look. The entirely customised furnishings also include

steel display cabinets, coloured resin and cement display consoles, alongside black matelassé leather modular sofas.

The exclusive customer experience in the Moschino gallery store is designed to transport the visitor into an exciting and

engaging dimension that accentuates the aesthetic impact of the collection and simultaneously contextualises the brand’s artistic spirit, represented by oversized objects like the ones seen in the boutiques of New York and Milan.

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genesis-display.com GENESIS ad for retail focus 01-18.indd 1

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visual merchandising

Inspiring window displays from around the globe

Printemps Italian lifestyle brand Moncler has taken over all 11 windows at Printemps Haussmann in Paris as well as the atrium of the women’s store. The brand is showcasing the eight Moncler Genius FW 18-19 collections, all inspired by the iconic Moncler down jacket.

Christian Louboutin

Le Bon Marché Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche has set its clock to Californian time with the Los Angeles Rive Gauche windows and exhibition. Inspired by the Californian sky, the luxury department store has created three spaces in store — Sunrise, Sunlight and Sunset — that house around 200 brands of fashionwear, cosmetics, food, accessories and homewear. Sunrise is devoted to wellbeing, while Sunlight transforms the ground floor into a corner of Venice Beach, focusing on outdoor activities. The Sunset zone houses denim, punk-rock clothing and cosmetics that bring out the star within. The Los Angeles Rive Gauche takeover includes a yoga studio and a pipe designed by legendary Dogtown skateboarder Scott Oster that hangs above the beauty section and will be ridden by professional skateboarders every Wednesday and Saturday until 21 October 2018.

Christian Louboutin’s hints to interior design from the 60’s and 70’s surface with irreverent playfulness in his latest window scheme, showcasing a repertoire of surprising fashion-meets-art new heel constructions. A flocked-red rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau casts us as a ‘voyeur’ with a view into private miniature rooms with a play on scale. The FW18 collection takes centre stage within the Doll House, where the ‘grand decorateur’ theme is echoed in the product.

Loreak x Fenwick The Loreak windows at Fenwick Bond Street reflect the brand’s FW18 collection, which revolves around the idea of layers and opacity. The displays are simple yet detailed and feature bold graphics. The scheme was developed, produced and installed

by Acierta.

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visual merchandising

visual merchandising

Façonnable The Naval Architect window scheme at Façonnable uses translucent acrylics and solid timber to create an abstract yacht display. Conceived by the Hackett and Façonnable team, and produced by Blacks Visual, the scheme has been installed at Boulevard St Germain in Paris as well as 10 other stores across Europe.

Vivienne Westwood Vivienne Westwood has unveiled a sustainable window scheme for AW18 entitled ‘Don’t get killed’. Installed across the 10 UK flagship stores, the hard-hitting campaign presents the designer’s message about the collection in a creative and bespoke way for maximum impact. The brand collaborated with Raccoon and Kosa Art Group on the display.

Fendi Fendi has unveiled its AW18/19 windows, entitled Crossline.

The fashion collection and the windows conceptualise the idea of the contemporary woman — tough but with a romantic consciousness. The display features wire mesh panels with embroidery using a number of techniques, which embody the heritage, craftsmanship and skills shown in the runway show collection.

John Lewis This autumn, the windows at John Lewis bring to life the company’s new brand identity, designed by Pentagram. The graphic style, neat colours and materials used in the display reflect the new, modern and progressive direction of the brand. The scheme was produced in collaboration with Harlequin Design.

See more window schemes at

www.retail-focus.co.uk/vm

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Make Create Deliver

We work with world-leading brands to create compelling in-store experiences.

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Kesslers International

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CENTRE STAGE pop & display

Standout POP displays from around the globe Lipsy Hello Flamingo has produced props, fixtures and in-store installations for Lipsy’s first central London store on the corner of Oxford Street and Berners Street, previously the Plaza building. Items produced include branded luggage, flocked and gilded hat boxes, artefacts in glass cases, macaron towers and champagne sculptures, shoe and accessory risers, and a gold butterfly chandelier feature. The items give the 217 sq m ‘Lipsy Hotel’ concept a luxe but fun feel. A huge ombre floral cascade has been created for the entrance to greet shoppers into the new space.

www.helloflamingo.co.uk

Philippe Model Philippe Model approached SDI to produce a pop-up in Harrods for the children’s shoe department. The pop-up is designed to be colourful and attract attention to the product that is being showcased. SDI produced truncated cones and shoe plinths in-house. The truncated cones are finished in a circus triangle, which are hand-painted to give the scheme a fun factor and a real circus feel. All wood items, including the skittles are produced in fire-rated MDF with fire-rated paint and with a class 0 lacquer on top. SDI also produced moulds and patterns for the balloons measuring 300mm high, as well as the circus balls, in two different sizes — 350mm and 450mm. These were vac-formed using flame retardant ABS material with a fire-rated paint. The stand for the balloons are produced using mild steel with a powder coated finish. The back panels are printed vinyl and applied directly onto the back wall.

www.sdidisplays.co.uk

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column

Karl McKeever

Fortune favours the brave Thanks to social media, we live in a society of outrage. The phrase ‘I’m entitled to my opinion’ is bandied about prolifically, and even seemingly innocuous threads and discussions soon descend into jeering and name-calling. Having a strong opinion can make you a hero or a villain... or both, depending on who’s reading.

So it’s no surprise really that many brands are taking a vanilla, people-pleasing approach, sitting on the proverbial fence, paralysed with fear of causing offence. The result? Brand inertia.

Boring, middle-of-the-road nothingness.

There are exceptions. Marmite has challenged us to ‘love it or hate it’ for years — there’s no room for ‘I don’t know’. And sure, some people hate it. But those that love it, really love it. This is passion and it’s what brands should be inspiring in their customers.

Across the pond, we’re seeing some encouraging cases of brand activism. Take Nike. Always a bold brand, it has chosen a polarising path with its latest ad campaign. The signing of NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been seen by many as a deliberately inflammatory move — Kaepernick was one of the NFL players who refused to stand for the American national anthem, in protest at police brutality and racism. He features in the latest ads commemorating the 30th anniversary of the brand’s famous slogan Just Do It. And Nike has been typically uncompromising in its accompanying message: ‘Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything’.

The result? Some Americans have been burning their Nike products (and posting pictures on social media, of course). And, naturally, Donald Trump has got in on the Tweeting act, asking ‘What were Nike thinking?’ Well, Nike were probably thinking it was a pretty good calculated risk. Sales soared 31 per cent. With the majority of its customer base aged under 35, they knew that taking a firm stance would alienate them with a few and endear them to the many.

Levi’s is another all-American brand taking on a big issue.

It has officially announced its stance on reducing gun violence, affiliating with gun control organisations and setting up a fund to support safety initiatives. Clearly a move that will rattle the strident NRA members, who have also taken to social media to declare their boycotting of the brand. But, as CEO Chip Bergh so eloquently says: Karl McKeever is founder and managing director of visual merchandising and brand delivery consultancy Visual Thinking.

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

‘While taking a stand may be unpopular with some, doing nothing is no longer an option’.

Although, a word of caution. Taking a stand is admirable. But look at the example of Serena Williams. No matter how famous a person is (or thinks they are), a one-person crusade will fail without wider support. This is why the #MeToo movement has succeeded... many voices coming together to inspire change.

Of course, brand activism is nothing new. It may have lost its way a bit in more recent years, but thankfully The Body Shop is getting back to its old activist roots. And Dutch-owned fashion brand G-Star RAW has been vocal in its support of ocean plastic clean-ups.

But, where are the British brands in all this? Hiding behind tentative, inoffensive and decidedly tepid ideals. I’d like to know when the phrase ‘You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all the people all of the time’ stopped being relevant. Why are brands trying so hard to be liked that they can never really be loved?

Perhaps it’s our natural inherent trait. After all, the biggest demonstration of activism we could muster when Donald Trump visited was a giant balloon. And even that was seen as controversial by some.

In fact, the only sign of a British brand taking a bold step recently misfired, spectacularly. Lush’s campaign calling out undercover police for their ‘misconduct’ was nothing short of a disaster. The company beat a hasty, equally ham-fisted retreat. The frothy, sparkly bathbomb and soapy thing went all socially serious, as though it was OD’ing on its own heady parfum. Lesson learnt? Activism can’t simply be switched on and off. It must be part of a brand’s inherent personality. Levi’s was founded in the rebellious 1960s. Nike has ALWAYS promoted and stood up for the little guy. Anita Roddick had a personal battle with the corporate beauty brands who tried to shut her down and shut her up. But Lush? This was out of character and schizophrenic. Activism must be authentic, otherwise it becomes nothing short of #fakenews.

Time for British brands to nail their flags to the mast on things that matter most to consumers. And to do it from the inside out, not a paper exercise or PR stunt. They must live and die by their brand values, making them integral to their DNA and bringing them to the fore in everything, be it social media, advertising or the retail environment. Aside from a couple of leaders at the time of the Brexit referendum — notably Wetherspoons and Dyson — remarkably few have shared their views. Why not? The referendum didn’t give a box for ‘I don’t know’, and brands shouldn’t give themselves this cop-out option either.

Retailers are playing it safe through fear of losing customers.

But as Nike has shown, that doesn’t have to be the case. Appealing to the masses means you connect with nobody. Taking a stance and sticking with it earns you respect. And with respect come rewards.

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project focus

project focus

Eytys Soho, London

Design: In-house Opening date: September 2018 Store size: 93 sq m

Stockholm-based footwear brand Eytys — pronounced 'Eighties' and spelled with Ys in reference to Generation Y — opened its first London store in September, with a design influenced by Swedish 1960s brutalism. The 93 sq m space on Brewer Street in Soho was designed in-house and offers the brand's full collection of unisex footwear, jeans and ready-to-wear.

'The starting point of the design process was archival images of Shiro Kuramata's spaces for Issy Miyake in Japan in the early '80s,' explains a spokesperson for the Swedish label, which is well known for its thick rubber soled sneakers. 'Kuramata was a pioneer in creating playful yet uncompromisingly minimal designs; many so complex they could only be realised years after his death in 1991.'

The store features rough concrete walls contrasted by aluminium elements and Italian burl veneer, a material combination favoured by Dutch postmodernist Hans Hollein, whose legacy is also visible in a metal palm tree and the mirrored vaults opening up to the fitting rooms.

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project focus

The interior monochrome taupe colour scheme is illuminated with vast light tubes running across the ceiling, reminiscent of the facade of the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

'Like that perfect mixtape, the design of Eytys London store was about clashing our favourite periods of architectural design,' says co-founder and creative director, Max Schiller.

Schiller and co-founder Jonathan Hirschfeld have both selected pieces from their personal collections of work from Swedish progressive female artists for the store, including the concrete sculpture, 'Logogram 5' by Hilde Retzlaff.

Eytys launched with footwear in 2013 and opened its first retail store in Stockholm in 2016.

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project focus

project focus

L'Occitane Fifth Avenue, New York Design: In-house Opening date: August 2018 Store size: 174 sq m

The new L'Occitane store at 555 Fifth Avenue in New York is the latest in a wave of new flagships and concept stores to launch around the world, as the natural cosmetics brand strives to take customer experience to the next level. Designed

by L'Occitane's international artistic director, Daniel Contorni, and VP concept design, construction and merchandising, Paul Blackburn, the 174 sq m store will be an evolutive space continuously changing to highlight seasonal campaigns.

'555 Fifth Avenue is an immersive destination unlike any other, filled with endless discoveries of the spirit and beauty of Provence,' says Blackburn. 'From eye-catching art form installations to integrated lifestyle products and enhanced fulfilment services, the ambience and atmosphere will change throughout the life of the store with the goal to captivate the consumer's attention, encourage engagement, and produce user-generated content for social media buzz.'

While the Flatiron experiential boutique, which opened at the end of 2016, offers an exceptional level of service, 555 is designed to be more disruptive, targeting new customers, driving in-store traffic, and increasing overall brand awareness.

With L'Occitane's treasured natural elements and the brand heritage in mind, the design team has created a modern twist of Provence right in the heart of New York City, using a contemporary palette inspired by authentic Provencal codes and materials. Minimalist structures display products between a series of distinctive customer touchpoints, including a 'rain shower' sink, an interactive skincare consultation area, an enhanced fulfilment services comptoir and a curved communal bench set beneath the canopy of a Mediterranean olive tree.

At the heart of the store is a space that will continuously change and highlight seasonal campaigns inspired by the Provencal lifestyle, ingredient stories, environmental and philanthropic commitments like the brand's recycling partnership with Terracycle, and significant product launches.

'At 555 Fifth Avenue, each customer's

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project focus

experience is intended to be unique and we are excited to launch this interactive boutique,' said Christina Polychroni, regional chief marketing and e-commerce office for North America, ahead of the opening. 'Customers will be able to explore the L'Occitane brand history and signature products through ever-changing immersive installations that echo the Provencal arte de vivre and rich story-telling moments.'

To adapt to differing consumer preferences across the world, L'Occitane has adopted a 'glocal' approach and is developing creative experiences tailored for local clientele. These include new flagships and concept destinations in Brazil, Paris, London, Chine and Singapore, each with its exclusive style and portfolio of services.

At 86CHAMPS in Paris, for example, the brand has partnered with French pastry chef Pierre HermĂŠ to offer macarons inspired by L'Occitane's iconic ingredients, and in Singapore, it has opened a pop-up cafe with Asian pastry chef Janice Wong.

A travelling L'OcciTruck is also currently touring North America.

'In today's digital world, customers rarely enter a L'Occitane store purely out of need; they expect to be pampered and entertained, and want to indulge in the experience,' says the company.

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project focus

Mulberry

project focus Photography: Michael Franke

Regent Street, London

Design: Johnny Coca & Faye Toogood Opening date: September 2018 Store size: 278 sq m Looking to collectively redefine the shopping experience, Mulberry creative director, Johnny Coca and interior designer Faye Toogood have developed a fresh, contemporary interior for the leather goods brand that reads more like a welcoming home than a traditional retail environment.

The new retail concept was unveiled in September at the new Regent Street store ahead of a global rollout.

Sophisticated but untraditional and strikingly modern with a hint of heritage, the retail redesign captures the essence of Mulberry's point of view, creating a tactile space in which the brand can be rediscovered.

Inspired by the painterly qualities of bucolic British landscapes and the

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strong but simple geometric forms of Brutalist architecture, Coca and Toogood have explored the beauty of contrasting materials, volumes, shapes, scales and sensibilities, throughout their design concept.

'The store concept plays upon Mulberry's heritage-brand status by paying tribute to the raw power of the British landscape in all its many forms,' says Toogood.

Design highlights of the two-storey Regent Street space include wall coverings and hand-tufted rugs based on British landscapes hand-painted by Toogood's studio, as well as bespoke 'Mulberry Green' ceramic tiles, which make decorative appearances across the interiors, including the stairwell.

Large, pebble-shaped mirrored cupboards, wooden totems, sculptural consoles and cantilevered shelving are dotted throughout the store, while the dressing rooms are marked by a traditional, panelled resin door in a light shade of pink.

Individual changing rooms featuring yellow resin doors are gathered around a communal area that houses rust-coloured seating and traditional British ceramics.

'I wanted the new Mulberry stores to be immersive environments with the feel of a home, a place to go and explore

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the modern British identity of the brand,' explains Coca. 'I chose to work with Faye Toogood because she is an inspiring woman, a creative force and a bold mind.

Together, we are redefining this essential part of our visual vocabulary, and building a new chapter for the brand.'

The new Regent Street store also offers a host of seamless omnichannel services, including mobile payment points, click and collect, two-hour same-say delivery across central London and endless aisle shopping, giving customers access to products from any Mulberry store worldwide.

'I'm excited to be opening our new global flagship at 100 Regent Street where

we have created a rich and vibrant store concept that brings to life all the elements of British landscape and architecture that inspire us,' adds Coca. 'The pace and energy of Regent Street captures the spirit of Mulberry and is the perfect setting to unveil this new chapter of our brand.'

To celebrate the launch of the store, Coca has created an exclusive collection of the newly introduced Harlow bag family in seasonal animations. Available only at the Regent Street flagship, the limited-edition range will sit alongside the full autumn winter '18 collection of men's and women's bags, ready-to-wear, shoes and jewellery.

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lighting

Leading lights

Text: Gemma Balmford

Lighting helps visually connect the brand with consumers, while bringing the retail space to life like a piece of theatre, finds Retail Focus.

From interactive pavilions and multisensory installations to inspiring talks and new product launches, last month’s London Design Festival 2018 was teeming with creative and innovative lighting design. At the V&A — the hub of the festival — composer Arvo Pärt and Arup presented an installation entitled ‘Memory & Light’, inspired by Arvo Pärt’s famous words: ‘I could compare my music to white light, which contains all colours. Only a prism can divide the colours and make them appear; this prism could be the spirit of the listener’. Meanwhile, in Shoreditch, Universal Design Studio partnered with The Office Group and Speirs + Major to present ‘Framework For Exchange’, a two-storey temporary pavilion designed to stimulate interaction, collaboration and community through different forms of exchange.

Product launches taking place across the capital during the festival included the third and final instalment of Lee Broom’s Observatory lighting collection, and Aquiline, the debut collection from Gestalt Lighting (a new brand conceived under the creative direction of acclaimed designer Christopher Jenner). Nulty Bespoke - a division of lighting design practice Nulty - also used the occasion to showcase a selection of its custom, handcrafted luminaires produced for various high-profile clients over the past year, including a five-star hotel and international department store.

‘This year was a better festival than ever before, with shows ranging from Darc room to Design Junction and Decorex,’ says Paul Nulty, founder of Nulty Lighting. ‘It was very exciting for us to showcase the product range, skillset and service we can provide as Nulty Bespoke.’

Above: Nulty Lighting created an LED lighting scheme for the new eyewear destination at Selfridges.

Lighting the way for a better experience Nulty recently worked alongside Alex Cochrane Architects and FDA to create an entirely LED lighting scheme for the new eyewear destination at Selfridges London. The consultancy focused on integrating light into joinery, walls, feature display cases, shelving and mirrors, resulting in a space that’s bright and well illuminated with ambient and flattering light levels.

The current trend in retail lighting is clearly towards experience, claims Nulty, but it’s about using technology to help bring that experience to life.

‘Consumers continually want more for their money, and I’m not just talking about bigger and better products,’ says Nulty. ‘What they want is an entire shopping experience. Experiential retailing puts the relationship between the brand and its consumers first and the actual act of selling second. For lighting designers it’s about understanding the emotional connection between the brand and its consumers, and then reinforcing it.

‘Lighting helps set the tone, mood and atmosphere of a space, and helps visually connect the brand with the clients, whilst bringing the space to life like a piece of theatre,’ continues Nulty. ‘It makes the environment become “the world of the brand”.

Ultimately, if experience is important, then lighting is

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lighting

‘For lighting designers it’s about understanding the emotional connection between the brand and its consumers, and then reinforcing it.’

Paul Nulty

Below: Ansorg designed and implemented the lighting concept for Boden’s Westfield London store.

also important.’

Russell Ford, director at Into Lighting, agrees that lighting plays its part in selling the brand as a whole, rather than just product: ‘Retailers are now looking for the lighting to add a bit of theatre to the brand experience, with accent lighting and focus not just on the product displays but the interior as a whole.’

Into worked alongside design agency Brinkworth to provide the lighting design for the ASICS Regent Street store, which opened last year. The scheme needed to be as energy efficient as possible, all LED, and tailored to different product types and displays to help

42

zone areas and to create a theatrical environment. ‘The lighting concept is tailored to suit each of the ASICS brands within the store, further enhancing their own visual identity whilst the overall scheme provides a homogenous lighting design creating theatre and providing the desired ambience throughout,’ explains Into Lighting project director, Darren Orrow.

The store includes a large-scale wow factor bespoke kinetic lighting installation which comprises a series of suspended RGB LED tubes on winches, controlled via DMX to enable infinite colour change, chase patterns and a kinetic effect.

The changing face of fitting room lighting Buying decisions in fashion stores are generally made in the fitting rooms, however for a long time, retailers neglected to include this space in the shopping experience. ‘There are numerous examples of very creatively designed retail store interiors which are let down by poorly thought out lighting, usually for cost reasons,’ says Gary Campbell, partner at dpa lighting consultants. ‘One very obvious example of this would be in fitting rooms, where in most stores the lighting consists of a harsh ceiling light centred right over the customer’s head, making them feel uncomfortable and appear unflattering in the mirror. And it really doesn’t have to be like that with a bit of thought.’

‘With 60 per cent of buying decisions made in the fitting room, retailers need to make sure the customer experience is at its best here,’ agrees James Bennett, commercial director, retail and hospitality at Signify. ‘Lighting in the fitting room can play a huge role, helping provide an accurate and positive impression of how clothing fits and looks.’

Retail lighting specialist Ansorg has addressed the problem of shadow-casting downlights in fitting rooms by developing Youzon, a fitting room concept with various light sources that provide a personal stage for consumers. The design features three central lighting modules: lightpanel, bodylight and prooflight.

The lightpanel in the ceiling immerses the fitting room in soft and clear basic light, while bodylight provides indirect lighting via one or two reflectors, adding dimension to flat structures. Prooflight is positioned on each side of the mirror at the back, bathing the customer in flattering, indirect light that emphasises garment fit, as well as fabric, pattern, colour and buttons in close up. The number of light modules can be individually defined and the colour of the light can be selected depending on the type of garments.

‘Some fashion stores have now realised that the real POS is the fitting room, because it’s the place where buying decisions are made,’ says Eva Danischus, marketing director at Ansorg.

‘According to a representative survey commissioned by Ansorg, 40 per cent of consumers don’t buy products at fashion stores because they don’t like the fitting room [while] over 72 per cent of them said that they were frustrated by poor fitting room lighting.’

Ansorg designed and implemented the lighting concept for Boden’s Westfield London store, which opened in May. The company developed a lighting scheme that emphasises the store’s living room atmosphere and harmonises with the fixtures and fittings, as well as providing pleasantly soft lighting in the fitting room area.

With a trend towards energy saving, Nulty has noticed more tuneable LEDs in fitting rooms as well as make-up areas. ‘We are using colour changing or tonal change to help tell a story or sell a product, whether that is to make skin tone look better or the human

lighting

Top left: Nulty created a lighting solution for Azzedine Alaia on Bond Street.

Left: Into Lighting worked alongside Brinkworth to provide the lighting design for ASICS, Regent Street.

Above: Universal Design Studio partnered with The Office Group and Speirs + Major for an installation at LDF.

‘If experience is important, then lighting is also important.’

Paul Nulty

form more flattering.’

Today, retail is very much about the overall experience and so, if a retailer values the design of their store and how it represents them, it’s naive to think they shouldn’t have someone looking after the lighting design as well, claims Nulty. ‘The most successful retail stores have almost always employed the services of an independent lighting designer. Retailers should be setting budget aside to bring in a lighting specialist who can help create the right experience.’

LuxLive 2018 LuxLive returns to ExCeL in London next month with eight free conference tracks and 20 feature areas. The annual lighting event takes place from 14-15 November and will include a conference zone dedicated to lighting for retail and hospitality. To view the full programme and to register for a free entry badge, visit www.luxlive.co.uk

Above: The new eyewear destination at Selfridges, with lighting design by Nulty.

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design & shopfitting

department stores

FROM CONCEPT TO STORE: A TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION PROCESS

With the amount of technology at our fingertips today, creating a reactive, collaborative working approach between retailer, interior designer and shopfitter has never been easier.

Text: Lyndsey Dennis

Visitors to EuroShop 2017 will be familiar with The Village, presented

by Ansorg, Vitra and Vizona - a huge immersive plaza-like setting featuring five fictional stores, each designed to address some of the current challenges facing the retail industry. Conceived by architect and designer Joanna Laajisto, The Village incorporated a fashion store, a cosmetics shop, a consumer electronics store, a car showroom and a grocery store, which each centred around a new Vitra shopfitting system, with tailored lighting concepts by Ansorg.

Vitra, whose roots lie in the shopfitting sector for more than 80 years, has now rebuilt The Village on the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein to showcase four individual retail concepts, which address the challenges and options facing the shopfitting business today.

The company has recently worked alongside Molton Brown on the fit-out of its Westfield Stratford store. Vitra’s shopfitting systems for walls, ceilings and mid-floor areas provide a solution for every need and can be continually reconfigured with a wide range of merchandise supports. Powered systems facilitate the use of monitors, backlit signs and electronic price tags, and can enrich the customer journey with digital elements.

Across the city, fit-out specialist Portview worked alongside Tiffany & Co. on the brand’s latest opening in Covent Garden.

The 200 sq m Style Studio features Tiffany Blue wooden crates displaying whimsical Everyday Objects accessories, a personalisation bar, and a Tiffany fragrance vending machine.

The open ‘Everyday Objects’ crate displays are juxtaposed with the

traditional jewellery glass counters to help strike a perfect balance of contemporary design touches with more traditional components.

‘The concept store was particularly exciting, as it offered an entirely new design concept with plenty of interactive features and quirky décor that’s unlike any other Tiffany store we’ve worked on,’ says Simon Campbell, managing director of Portview. ‘The overall look reflects Tiffany & Co.’s dynamic and whimsical approach to high-end retail, without the formality that’s typically attached to upmarket brands. The space encourages shoppers to think outside the little blue box and engage in various forms of self-expression, personification and product innovation.’

The boutique encourages visitors to explore, personalise, create and self-style, thanks to the design and fit-out of the space.

‘We’ve integrated uniquely playful displays that reflect the wit and humour of Tiffany design to create a one-of-a-kind experiential destination,’ says Richard Moore, vice president, creative director of store design and creative visual merchandising at Tiffany & Co. In any business we are all aware of the importance of communication and collaborative working. ‘Collaboration is critical and without it I’m pretty sure that no project would succeed. It’s a two-way process; whilst a designer’s role is to bring strategic, creative thinking and to challenge the brief to deliver new, engaging environments, the client needs to be invested in the design and to have supported, scrutinised and contributed to the process to deliver success,’ says Owain Roberts, design director

Left: The Village at the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein showcases four individual retail concepts.

Above: Mynt’s ongoing work with Nike provides moments of intense collaboration, particularly those projects with shorter timelines.

45

design & shopfitting

update and refresh spaces with new campaigns, it’s vital to adopt a reactive, collaborative working approach between ourselves and ours clients, but also between ourselves and our suppliers.’

Mynt’s ongoing work with Nike provides moments of intense collaboration, particularly those projects with shorter timelines. ‘It’s really important for us to establish a clear brief and understanding of deliverables asap in the project process, so regular collaboration — particularly early on — certainly helps the working process.

For example, working on the Wimbledon 2018 retail campaign, alongside a Back to School campaign and a Running-Category design concept, required multiple and regular levels of dialogue with many individual clients at Nike, some of which are not in the UK. It was also important to adopt clear communication strategies between the client, Mynt and our partners,’ says Patterson.

‘I think if you go into projects with the mindset of “details in the brief may change late on, requirements may alter, but as long as we’re working collectively as a team, particularly with our suppliers”, then there’s nothing we can’t achieve. As stores are becoming a reflection of a brand’s digital channels (where content is updated so regularly), as an agency you have to be reactive and embrace the speed of these changes,’ concludes Patterson.

and senior associate at Gensler, speaking about the importance of collaborative working between interior designer, shopfitter and retailer.

Gensler worked with C&A to deliver a new store concept that could be applied across various sizes, formats and locations within 12 months. ‘This included both a fully functioning prototype store (used solely for testing and research), a flagship store, and store implementation guidelines ready for roll-out. Within these constraints, clear responsibilities and solid lines of communication between Gensler and the client was critical. Through strategy, development, testing and implementation, C&A identified individuals that partnered with their Gensler counterpart’s, driving the decision making and approval process,’ says Roberts.

He notes the importance of weekly face-to-face and client meetings and workshops with quick approvals and decision making as imperative on such a fast-paced project. ‘We were also able to scale the Gensler team from a small, agile core at the beginning of the project to a much larger multidisciplinary team — including a group seconded to work alongside the client in their offices in Germany for three months — enabling us to deliver a comprehensive package of information within a tight schedule.’

Ollie Patterson, marketing director at Mynt, echoes these sentiments: ‘When possible, we encourage our clients to work with us in our studio and we like to visit their offices often throughout the course of a project. We become an extension of our clients’ teams during a project; we never work in isolation. Working this way is the best way to ensure our concepts are as successful as possible.

With the world more connected than ever, it’s easy to find ways to regularly collaborate and update clients with work in progress presentations, no matter where they are based. With project timelines generally shortening in response to the need to constantly

46

Top Left: Portview’s fit out for Tiffany & Co. in Covent Garden, designed to encourage creative interaction and play.

Above Left: Gensler has worked with C&A to deliver a new store concept that could be applied across various sizes, formats and locations within 12 months.

Above: Vitra’s latest shopfit for Molton Brown at Westfield Stratford.

Shopfitting & Display Summit

4-5 February 2019

Radisson Blu Hotel, London Stansted

A highly focused event that brings together retail professionls and keyindustry solution providers, the Summit consists of one-to-one business meetings, interactive seminars and valuable networking opportunities. Suppliers and delegates are selected and matched for pre-scheduled meetings in the supplier’s own booth, without any time wasters and hidden costs. www.retailshopfittingsummit.co.uk

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opinion

Best of British Ahead of the 24th annual MAPIC conference in November, MAPIC director Nathalie Depetro discusses why she believes the UK is a leading geographical incubator for retail trends.

All eyes were on London in September for Fashion Week to learn what is hot and what is not. And just as in fashion, when the world looks to see what is on the horizon in the world of retail, it looks to the UK. In the last few years we have seen countless examples of innovative and pioneering retail concepts come to life across the Channel before spawning to other parts of the world. In fact, the UK has transformed into somewhat of an incubator for new retail trends.

Something that has definitely not passed anyone by is the new paradigm in which experience is king. Not only is experience a highly effective strategy for increasing footfall and dwell times, it can also be an important part of building one’s brand. Recent examples of experiencemaking include the likes of Debenhams and Sports Direct incorporating gyms into their stores, and Hotel Chocolat partnering with Landsec Group to create a chocolate school and mega café in one of the latter’s shopping centres. In the lead up to the World Cup, Nike launched an in-store jersey shop in its Oxford Street flagship Nike Town, allowing football fans to create their own custom kits, and allowing Nike to ride the wave of football fever.

And while many shopping malls are at the forefront of innovation — Westfield recently launched its vision for the future of retail, described as a ‘hyper-connected micro-city’ — many players are ditching the idea of a mall altogether. To mention a

few, UK-based container pop-up concept Boxpark, which launched in Shoreditch in 2011, is taking its concept to yet another city by expanding to Brighton, and a similar shipping container concept by Stack has made its way to Newcastle, inviting small brands unable to afford large tenancy rates to be a part of an exciting and contemporary retail destination. Another trend we are seeing is the likes of North London development Coal Drop’s Yard and the O2 Arena in Greenwich, which could be described as deconstructed malls — retail destinations which are not technically shopping centres, but retain a strong, unified identity across its stores and spaces.

Another trend we are seeing is the merger between physical and digital, reflected in the theme of this year’s MAPIC conference, which is ‘Physical in the Age of Digital’. Omnichannel is the word on everybody’s lips and physical retailers are increasingly investing in their online outlets — but, importantly, many online retailers are also opening brick-and-mortar stores for the first time. UK-based fashion retailer Missguided is a great example of this. Furthermore, many retailers are incorporating technology and digital elements into their physical stores. British grocery chain Sainsbury’s has launched a checkout-free store in London which uses technology to allow customers to scan items on an app and pay for them using Apple Pay without having to go to a physical checkout. Another UK grocery retailer, Marks & Spencer, announced plans this summer to open a corporate academy to ensure computer savviness amongst its staff, encouraging employees across the entire business to enrol in order to safeguard the business for the digital age.

There are many factors that have contributed to making the UK a global

retail trendsetter, but first things first: there is no denying that the retail industry — here and elsewhere — is going through a rough patch. Read any business section of any newspaper, and you will find that a pretty dire picture is painted of the retail landscape of today, with numerous reports on CVAs and store closures. Some might even dare to mention the unmentionable — the dreaded retail apocalypse — but for those of us that have been in the industry for some time it is clear that retail is by no means on the verge of disappearance, it is just evolving. Macro factors such as changes in demographics along with technological advances have led to immense changes in consumer behaviour and for those wanting to stay relevant to consumers as online players are increasing their share of the market, innovation truly is key.

In the context of the above, one might say that innovation is driven by a survival of the fittest mechanism. It has been said that competition breeds innovation, which, in this case, means that innovation itself breeds innovation. Call it a classic case of FOMO — Fear of Missing Out — if you will, but the UK has turned into a retail innovation cluster where retailers are competing for the title of the most inventive and cutting-edge.

As the crème de la crème of the global retail industry is once again flocking in Cannes for the 24th annual MAPIC conference in November, we are acknowledging the UK’s role as a geographical incubator for retail trends.

We are reinstating a UK pavilion inside the Palais des Festivals to gather the very best of British retail in one place. The conference will also feature a dedicated UK programme for valuable insight into this incredibly vibrant market.

www.mapic.com 49

bank branches

DISCOVER AND DELIGHT

Text: Lyndsey Dennis

Putting communities at the heart and taking cues from the best retail stores is key to the survival of banks. branches, finds Retail Focus.

Last month, Royal Bank of Scotland was the latest bank to announce plans to close stores — 54 in total. The branches will shut in January 2019 and are in addition to the 162 branch closures already announced this year. According to Which?, approximately 60 bank branches are closing every month, with RBS shutting the most. So what does the future hold for high street banks?

‘Branches need to focus on the things people can’t do online, and be places that help people make more of their money so they can realise their dreams,’ claims David Martin, joint managing director of M Worldwide. ‘This could include things like in-branch card printing, providing an environment and staff that give proactive face-to-face advice for more complex financial enquiries like mortgage advice, or organising educational events with guest speakers for like-minded individuals.’

Martin believes many banks have too

50

many branches that are too disjointed from other channels, and these aspects need to be addressed. ‘Truly bringing the product and service proposition to life in-branch is at the heart of this. Financial services are complex and intangible, so activation through things like events, new tools, experts, and space sharing with complementary brands can make the physical branch experience relevant and compelling, thereby increasing dwell time and repeat visits,’ he says.

Long-established with a physical branch network, in recent years Arion Banki has developed a refreshingly flexible and inventive approach to its retail channels, with technology innovation an important part of this.

Much of M Worldwide’s recent work with Arion Banki is about developing new convenience branch formats, such as those found in shopping centres. The aim is to

enable customers to undertake simple transactions and enquiries quickly, thereby making space and time for better quality interactions with staff for more complex financial services enquiries through oneto-one sessions and a variety of organised events with the bank and peer groups.

‘Our strategy for Arion Banki moves away from a transactional process-driven approach. Instead, it’s the experiential embodiment of Arion Bank’s brand promise, “Together we make good things happen”. The experience and environment embrace an access-all-areas approach for customers. It’s made up of useful spaces, facilities and content that enable relevant, real solutions for customers — a place where good things happen,’ says Martin.

Earlier this year, Halifax opened its biggest branch on London’s Oxford Street.

The 1,254 sq m flagship has been designed to meet the changing needs of high street

bank branches

Above: In the kids’ saving zone at Halifax Oxford Street, children can learn about good saving habits, using the coin counting machine to see how much they have saved up or make a deposit.

Far left: Much of M Worldwide’s recent work with Arion Banki is about developing new convenience branch formats, such as those found in shopping centres.

Above & Left: Humanity, openness and connectivity are foremost in the new community-focused Nationwide concept, designed by Dalziel & Pow.

customers and be a potential blueprint for the future of banking. At the heart of the branch, the Halifax Home Hub helps customers with all aspects of the home buying and moving process, with expert colleagues on hand at all times, available without appointment.

In the travel zone, customers can order and exchange more than 50 currencies and get travel advice, such as how to pay for things while they are away. In the kids’ saving zone, children can learn about good savings habits, using the coin counting machine to see how much they have saved up, or make a deposit. On the lower ground floor, a safe deposit facility using biometric fingerprint technology allows customers to store their posessions in a safe and secure location.

NatWest has become the first bank to trial new technology that enables customers to fit their banking needs around their busy schedules. The bank has partnered with technology software company, Qudini to improve customer experience via this new software. The service has so far been trialled in 51 branches across the UK, Isle of Man & Channel Islands, and has already led to significant increases in the number of appointments being made across community banking, telephony and in-branch banking services. Qudini enables NatWest community bankers to book appointments with their customers, who can then amend or cancel their appointment at any time using their mobile phone.

Dalziel & Pow created a communityfocused concept for Nationwide earlier this year, to revitalise local branches across the UK. Humanity, openness and connectivity are foremost in the new Nationwide spaces, which help consumers with their financial wellbeing and are sensitive to the unspoken anxiety and stress around managing money. Breaking from the often impersonal, austere feel of mainstream banks, Dalziel & Pow’s concept builds on the Nationwide mission, ‘building society nationwide’.

‘Our experience puts customers in control, with choice and convenience of four service zones to do what they want, where they want — with levels of pace, privacy and engagement,’ says Ed Nelson, associate design director, graphics and Michelle Bower, associate director of creative strategy at Dalziel & Pow. The design team removed physical barriers, allowing people a view into real change on the high street and the people making it possible. ‘We have liberated staff from behind desks and meeting room doors to show a more conversational, collaborative and human approach to personal finances and financial wellbeing,’ say the pair. ‘Ultimately, it’s an environment you want to spend time in, by promoting a sense of wellness and hospitality.’ They want customers to feel comfortable asking about all things money-related, without judgement or anxiety. Acting as a beacon for the brand and its purpose of ‘building society, nationwide’.

‘We believe that banking, like many other large corporate sectors, has to successfully overcome the three big challenges of trust, data and connectivity, and having a reason to call in,’ say Nelson and Bower.

Ian Johnston, founder and creative director at Quinine, says the key is to balance the community spirited local branch with a retail mindset of discover and delight. ‘As banks adjust to new distribution strategies, different types of formats and increasing customer expectations, one way for them to create meaningful connections with customers would be to move towards some of the activities that make retail so engaging. Like the best retail stores, the future bank should look to include elements of discovery and delight,’ says Johnston.

‘Emulating retail, by adding a narrative to the products and services they promote and sell, and by designing engaging and interactive displays, banks can create a more rewarding branch experience that allows customers to browse, understand and select the products and services that meet their needs,’ continues Johnston.

He believes they will also need to create strategies that target branch formats to both customer and community needs, as well as adapting their opening hours and days to align with customer traffic.

And let’s not forget the staff. As workplace markets get more demanding, those banks that attract, train and keep the best staff will have a competitive advantage. ‘Creating inspiring workplaces for staff can also amplify the customer experience and tells your staff that you care. By looking at the branch of the future through the eyes of the staff, we can design in opportunities to bring staff and customers together, by breaking down the physical barriers between them, thus helping to motivate, inspire and engage staff to perform at their best and provide personalised customer experiences,’ concludes Johnston.

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show review

department stores

PARIS RETAIL WEEK: SMART PHYGITAL

The fourth edition of Paris Retail Week was a celebration of smart phygital.

Text: Lyndsey Dennis

More than 700 exhibitors and 436 speakers engaged with 34,804 visitors at this year’s Paris Retail Week in September. The show brought together players in physical and online retailing, with a key emphasis on ‘smart phygital’. Through exhibitor stands, conferences, keynotes and the Paris Retail Awards ceremony, retail professionals had the chance to share their experiences and discuss trends in the constantly evolving retail sector.

‘With the key theme of smart phygital, the meetings and debates showed that the boundary between physical and the digital has disappeared. At the centre of these new trends, hyper-empathy has become a vital issue in business,’ says Arnaud Gallet, director of Paris Retail Week.

Speaking at the Paris Retail Awards, host Céline Del Genes, football concept to consumer global vice president at Adidas and president of the judging jury, said: ‘The market is experiencing a dynamic period thanks to digital transformation and a wide range of new technological solutions. The jury appreciated the diversity of the competing projects, and the debates were fascinating. This energy is definitely reflected in the prize list at the Paris Retail Awards 2018.’

Gallet added: ‘Retailers are aware of the new issues in their sector and the importance of taking on board solutions that are adapted to the market. This is why they are attentive to the innovations on offer all through the season, especially since they

have the backing of the profession. The Paris Retail Awards are a part of this recognition approach, with the aim of providing a real guarantee of credibility.’

Using digital technology, it is now possible to customise any object (3D printing, engraving, etc.) and enjoy more customised purchasing experiences. The purchasing path, from beginning to end, is now an integration of everyday life: consumers are seeking support in daily life for greater ease and comfort for e.g, shopping on-the-go. There has been a breakthrough in personal assistance services, both online, in-store and even at home. Thanks to the roll-out of NLP (Natural Language Processing), intelligent virtual assistants can anticipate our needs and wishes, making our daily lives easier.

Paris Retail Week illustrated the conversational era in retailing, with Tiki robots by Event Boots on hand to welcome visitors. The PICOM also unveiled a number of projects currently being developed, including at Decathlon, where the Cube gives customers a chance to experience their favourite sport.

Data also proved to be an important trend along with another trend ecological retailing, where visitors were introduced to several paperless projects such as the new till receipts from the supermarket Auchan. These receipts can now be sent by email accompanied by nutrition-related tips, tricks and recipes.

As a real source of inspiration, the event also welcomed international participants from China, Japan and the US, who set out their vision of online retailing. JD.com presented its ‘retail as a service’ approach, while Alibaba and Hanshow outlined the future of new forms of retailing.

The 2019 show takes place on 24-26 September at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Topics discussed will include the most current digital issues: devising a flexible and agile customer experience, incorporating the new means of payment, adopting durable logistics, optimising the use of marketplaces, redefining the marketing approach, making the best use of data and managing multichannel sales. To find out more visit www.parisretailweek.com

53

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savile row

SAVILE ROW

Text: Lyndsey Dennis

The jewel in the crown of men’s tailoring, Savile Row in London has unveiled street improvements allowing passersby to better experience the tailors in action.

Savile Row is one of London’s most famous and prestigious streets and acts as a cultural hub for sartorial style and bespoke tailoring, not only for the city of London but internationally.

A major street enhancement programme of Savile Row was completed in September, ensuring this important part of historic Mayfair remains a thriving cultural hub for bespoke tailoring and modern and contemporary art. Working closely with its partners The Pollen Estate and Savile Row Bespoke, Westminster City Council developed a long-term plan for the area. Other partners that contributed to ‘A Vision for East Mayfair’ included the Royal Academy and O&H Properties.

The improvements have seen the streets decluttered, new wider spaces for pedestrians and the use of best quality materials to enhance the historic setting of the Savile Row bespoke tailors.

‘The widening of the pavements allows passersby to enjoy and witness the cutters and tailors at work, and highlights the Row’s commitment to the theatre of craft. The new Elizabeth line launching in nearby Hanover Square, and the recent completion of the new Royal Academy link from Piccadilly to Burlington Gardens, means the Row will benefit from an increased number of pedestrians. The improvement works were undertaken with a view to elevate the visitor experience of Savile Row and have elaborated on the elegant linear elements of Savile Row, including clarifying its footways, rationalising street furniture and revealing the unique, historic setting of its buildings,’ explains Julian Stock, chairman of The Pollen Estate.

‘2019 is set to be an exciting time for the Row,’ adds Stock. ’We have interest from a number of leading international brands and we look forward to sharing new tenant updates with you soon.’

Over the years...

• Henry Poole moved to Savile Row in 1846 and created the evening dinner jacket for the Prince of Wales in 1860.

• Founded in 1865, Dege & Skinner is a holder of a Royal warrant and founding member of the Savile Row Bespoke Association. The tailor creates military uniforms, most recently for Prince Harry’s wedding party.

• Established in Belgium in 1938, fabric specialist Scabal moved to 12 Savile Row in 1972 and has more than 5,000 on offer, weaved at its heritage mill in Huddersfield.

• Mentored by Tommy Nutter, Ozwald Boateng offers a trademark twist on traditional British tailoring. The fashion designer opened a store on Vigo Street in 1995, previously creative director of Menswear for Givenchy, then moved to his current location at 30 Savile Row in 2008.

• Huntsman has a 167-year history, involved with sporting gentry and film.

• Maurice Sedwell moved to Savile Row in 1963 and in 1994 moved to its current location at 19 Savile Row. The tailor established The Savile Row Bespoke Association.

• Established in 1821, Nortons moved to Savile Row to join the growing number of tailors in the Sixties and gained recognition as a sporting tailor for British and European royalty and aristocracy (Edward VII/Winston Churchill).

• Founded on Savile Row in 1992, Richard James aims to produce classic men’s clothing yet pushes the boundary through colour, cut and design.

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products

LIGHTING Fratelli Guzzini Zurigo 66 from iGuzzini is a homage to Luigi Massoni, who created the Zurigo pendant that has inspired many designers over the years. Its typical 1970s style is exciting, emphatic and assertive.

Zurigo 66 has a strong personality, reinforced by the colours intrinsic to its identity. Having been relaunched in its original shape, it is now made using a technology that further enhances its lighting performance. There are three sizes available: small (40cm Ø), medium (52cm Ø) and large (82.5cm Ø). The Zurigo comes in four monochrome versions (clear, bright blue, orange and grey) and eight two-colour versions — black, orange, smoky grey, dark blue, clear, chrome, copper, and gold on the outside, and white on the inside. Zurigo 66 is easy to install and has a lamp holder with a balancing system and an adjustable mounting cable, being compatible with LED light bulbs.

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Hacel Designed and manufactured in the UK by Hacel, Linear Light 5 is a clean, understated LED system delivering an exceptional level of light quality and performance. Linear Light 5 offers a UGR <19, maximising visual comfort whilst promoting energy efficiency. A range of versatile control options are available for Linear Light 5 and Hacel’s dedicated and experienced lighting design consultants can assist and advise on your lighting control requirements. Integrating new products and technology with imaginative and intelligent lighting schemes ensures every need is met.

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Applelec

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Applelec’s OLED panels in rigid and flexible forms provide new possibilities in lighting design. As a uniformed surface light source, OLED features low glare and their blue light levels are much lower than conventional LEDs. The light produced by OLED has spectral power distributions close to natural daylight, making OLED ideal for places where natural light is limited. Due to the thin and lightweight structure, the homogenous light source can be seamlessly merged within product or design compositions, and the flexible panels can be curved into extraordinary shapes.

Reggiani has supplied adjustable, round MOOD fittings to market trader stalls at Old Spitalfields Market in London. The site has hosted a market for 350 years but the old Victorian structure has recently been revamped and updated to provide a central market trader space that can also be transformed into an events area. The refurbishment was part of a project

by Foster + Partners who took their inspiration from the original architecture of the old building and successfully transformed this iconic site into a flexible multi-use facility. A carefully considered design achieved the right balance between the often conflicting needs of conservation and refurbishment.

Specified by Lighting Design International, approved by Foster + Partners and working with Benchmark Furniture, Reggiani’s MOOD fittings with trim in embossed matt black finish were among the fittings chosen for use in all of the stalls to provide excellent accent lighting for the merchandise on display.

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Mats and Floors

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FLOORING Polyflor The idea behind Polyflor’s new Wovon range was to provide an opportunity to explore new textures and patterns whilst still offering great functionality.

The Wovon collection of interwoven vinyl tiles provides a unique and diverse selection of weave designs that come with extraordinary depth and sophisticated aesthetics to cater for projects that require contemporary styling. The new collection consists of three tile patterns — Serene, Optics and Structure — from which architects and designers can create a spectrum of stylish decorations with each one encouraging creative placements and resulting in striking visuals.

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Amtico Amtico has unveiled its new Form collection of distinctive and highly textured LVT flooring to suit a variety of commercial applications, including hospitality, retail, office and healthcare environments. Its toughened 0.7mm upper wear layer provides all the resilience and long-lasting properties that Amtico is known for, while the heavy embossing on the surface imbues the tiles with the authentic, distressed appearance of real wood and stone. Three key palettes are available: Artisan Embossed Wood, Natural Wood Grain and Contemporary Ceramic.

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Karndean Designflooring Karndean Designflooring is extending its Art Select wood collection with 14 new designs including French oak, hickory and American chestnut. Designed to accommodate a growing desire for highly realistic flooring, the range offers realistic hand-scraped and cross-sawn embosses for an authentic look of traditional crafted planks, with intricate patterns for impressive variation across the floor. The new designs are available in extra-large planks (56in x 9in) and parquet format (18in x 3in) and feature a preferred 3.0mm thickness, 0.7mm wear layer and enhanced R10/R11 slip resistance ratings.

T. +44 (0)1386 820 104 E. commercial@karnean.co.uk www.karndean.com Twitter: KarndeanFloors

Gradus Gradus has launched a new modular barrier matting system that is quick and easy to install and ideal for retail, commercial office and education environments. Mat-in-a-Box is ideal for quick refurbishment projects as the individual lengths of matting feature an easy-click system for quick on-site assembly. Available as closed construction in 12mm thickness, Mat-in-a-Box is constructed from 100 per cent polypropylene wipers and a black PVC-u base, which incorporates flexible PVC pads to help reduce noise. The polypropylene wipers provide an effective surface for the removal of dirt and moisture, and the closed construction allows dirt to be trapped on the surface of the mat for ease of cleaning and maintenance. Three colour options are available.

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products

FLOORING Havwoods Havwoods has introduced the new Axe Chopped planks to its Relik collection.

Available in three distinctive finishes of Ruby, Sapphire and Topaz, this intriguing sculpted surface is marked with blows from a variety of metal axe blades, giving the boards a truly individual motif of dents, scars and notches. Expertly crafted using genuine reclaimed oak, each piece of wood is sourced from authentic age-old structures, starting life in rural France as cladding and structural material for traditional commercial mills. Each board is then lovingly hand repaired by skilled craftsmen and transformed into engineered planks, ready to begin the next phase of their life as floorboards or wall cladding.

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Interfloor Interfloor has introduced new premium edgings offering a high-end addition to its existing Gripperrods range. The new Premier floor edgings are available in modern finishes that will complement the current trends in luxury home accessories. The Premier range includes a very on-trend brushed steel nickel or an elegant bright chrome which will co-ordinate well with other accessories, light switches and door handles to ensure a seamless finish. Both finishes are available in five specialist trims designed to provide the perfect solution for all types of materials.

T. +44 (0)1706 238 810 E: sales@interfloor.com www. interfloor.com Twitter: Interfloor1

Tarkett Tarkett has supplied flooring for the new restaurant at Donington Park. Working closely with Kinnersley Kent Design and Alex Bugler (APA Contracts), Tarkett created a smart and eye-catching design using a combination of safety flooring and luxury vinyl tiles. Tarkett provided 144 sq m of Safetred ION Linen in Sky Blue for the preparation areas and behind the counters, as well as 62 sq m of Safetred Natural in Rock Steel for the serving areas. Both provide a hardwearing yet attractive flooring option, incorporating superior particle enhanced R10 slip resistance — offering both safety and practicality. For the highest spec areas they selected Tarkett’s latest innovation in modular vinyl tiles — iD Supernature — a new collection using advanced in-house digital printing technology. Around 620 sq m from the Patina Concrete design in Ashen, Anthracite and Silver colourways were selected in conjunction with KDD to complete its design vision.

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

60

Moduleo Moda in Pelle has undergone a stylish transformation thanks to luxury vinyl flooring manufacturer, Moduleo. Dark Country Oak wood-effect flooring from Moduleo’s popular Impress range proved the perfect blend of style and substance for contractors, Paramount Projects, leading the refurbishment at the Henley store in Oxfordshire. The brief called for a warm, inviting space, while being mindful of the heavy footfall associated with such environments. With a slip resistance rating of R10 and at least a five-year guarantee in commercial settings, the floor will stand the test of time, while offering a high-quality finish for years to come.

T. +44 (0)1332 851 500 E: salesuk@moduleo.com www.moduleo.co.uk Twitter: ModuleoUK

products

SURFACES & FINISHES Dorotape UK Transform any space in a fusion of brilliant colour with Dorotape’s range of dichroic films at a truly unbeatable price. Choose from two transparent and four opaque combinations, which can be applied to glass or any smooth surface, to achieve a captivating blend of colour depending on the viewing angle. Now, the new generation of this popular window film, Nebula Pro, provides the ultimate colour and clarity, making this film from Dorotape first choice for the most powerful and bespoke applications.

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

Formica Group Designed by Pinkeye, Telenet’s flagship shop on the Meir in Antwerp features Formica laminate to create a natural, peaceful and uplifting look. Difficult shapes, such as a round bench, were easy to achieve with the Formica Group materials. Natural Ash in a Naturelle finish from the Formica Woods Collection was chosen for both wall cladding and furniture. Yellow was chosen as a motif due to its known capacity to stimulate creative thought and energy. Formica laminate in Spectrum Yellow adds a touch of colour and sunshine the space needs to reflect Telenet’s brand.

T. +44 (0)191 622 0096 E. samples.uk@formica.com www.formica.com Twitter: FormicaGroupEU

International Decorative Surfaces CamustyleTX is the latest collection from global decorative panel specialist Swiss Krono, exclusively available from IDS, offering a palette of organic and industrial decors ideal for retail, domestic and commercial applications including wall panelling, worksurfaces, table tops, counter cladding, shelving and doors. The collection features a unique texture that harnesses the aesthetics of natural limestone and open weave fabric, giving the 12 décors a fashionably relaxed look with a choice of soft whites, beiges, greys, bronze and stone-inspired designs. CamuStyleTX assures a durable, easy maintenance finish for high traffic areas and comes with a flexible choice of an MFC, MDF or CDF core in a variety of sizes and thicknesses, with matching edging tape.

Lawcris CompacMel Plus is an innovative and eco-friendly alternative to compact laminate, boasting a range of benefits that free the designer from the constraints of other materials. It is used a lot in changing rooms and staff rooms for lockers and furniture.

As well as moisture resistance and excellent machinability, CompacMel Plus features a black core throughout, allowing creativity in both shapes and applications, without the need for edging. In 18 vibrant uni-colours and woodgrains, it’s easy to see why this range is so popular. Find the whole range on the Lawcris website — www.lawcris.co.uk.

T. +44 (0)113 217 7177 E. sales@lawcris.co.uk www.lawcris.co.uk Twitter: Lawcris1982

T. +44 (0)845 023 0376 E. solutions@idsurfaces.co.uk www.idsurfaces.co.uk Twitter: idsurfaces

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@retailfocus

Advert 86mm wide x 127mm deep 10-05-2017

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34

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products

TECHNOLOGY NEC Display Systems Europe NEC Display Solutions Europe has announced its partnership with the Royal Opera House (ROH) in London. As part of the Open Up project to promote more openness, availability and accessibility, NEC is providing several display and projection solutions to the venue in Covent Garden. NEC has worked alongside Intevi, the channel partner and solutions provider, and amongst the NEC solutions is a dramatic 28.5 sq m 90 degree curved LED screen in the redeveloped entrance area, which opens out onto Covent Garden.

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

Posiflex Technology Posiflex Technology has launched the Paragon TK-3200 Series and the Stellar TK-2100 Series - interactive kiosks that are aimed at shaping the future of retail and hospitality industries, enabling brands to interact with consumers in new and innovative ways.

Packed with functionality and convenience in an appealing design, the Paragon TK-3200 Series is a 32in interactive kiosk that is suited for retail stores, quick service and fast casual restaurants.

The Stellar TK-2100 Series is a 21.5in modular kiosk that can be configured in countertop or floor-standing style, providing modular deployment options in the same standardised family.

T. +886 2 2268 5577 E. sales@posiflex.com.tw www.posiflex.com

Futura Futura Retail Solutions is making GDPR compliance one step easier for users with a new data module designed for easy manipulation and editing of customer data en masse, ensuring speed and accuracy for customer data management. The new GDPR module extends the functionality of Futura4Data, a suite of time saving tools with a flexible user-friendly interface to import and export bulk data in Futura using files rather than manual data entry. With extensive data validation it helps to improve productivity and accuracy for otherwise time-consuming data entry and editing tasks.

T. +44 (0)1189 841 925 E: sales@futurauk.com www.futura4retail.co.uk Twitter: Futura_retail

Iconeme Technology and design company Iconeme has collaborated with participating retailers in Westbourne Grove and Ledbury Road in London’s Notting Hill to launch a personalised virtual ‘High Street Takeover’. A VMBeacon device transmits information that has been programmed by the retailer via a secure web portal. When a customer with an enabled smartphone app is within a 100m range of the VMBeacon, they will receive an automatic alert about the content they can access. This includes details about clothes and accessories or products displayed, such as price and links to purchase the items directly from the retailer’s website or the location they can be found within the store. The customer can also see more detailed photos and descriptions of the products plus save the looks for later, share with friends as well as access additional offers and rewards.

T. +44 (0)20 8206 5010 E. info@iconeme.com www.iconeme.com Twitter: Iconeme

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products

VM & DISPLAY StackaWraps StackaWraps, the UK specialist manufacturer of oversized 3D photo realistic replicas, is continuing to revolutionise the world of semi-perm retail merchandising units with the introduction of its new 3D Shelfies product. Shelfies have been designed to create maximum impact in busy retail, exhibition and event environments, or anywhere where a brand needs to stand out from the crowd. By combining a stunning photo realistic printed stretch fabric cover with a lightweight and strong internal frame it has created a brand new form of freestanding display and stocking unit. StackaWraps can take any 2D photographic image and turn it into a fire-resistant wrap, which is zipped up tightly over a bespoke frame made from individually shaped bulkheads that create an accurate skeletal contour.

T. +44 (0)161 410 0352 E. hello@stackawraps.com www.stackawraps.com Twitter: StackaWraps

Andy Thornton Gandy’s recently-opened flagship store in Covent Garden extensively features retail display fittings sourced from Andy Thornton. Clothes, travel accessories and flip flops are displayed throughout the store on industrial-style shelf units, school-style benches and simple garment rails, crafted from a mixture of steel and wood in an antique painted finish. View the complete range available from Andy Thornton at www.andythornton.com T. +44 (0)1422 376 000 E. sales@andythornton.com www.andythornton.com Twitter: andythorntonltd

Ripple Ripple has worked with the Meyer Group to design and manufacture merchandising stands for a new range of cookware by celebrity health coach Joe Wicks. Ripple’s adaptable display and merchandising equipment is designed to perform across different premium retail environments, ranging from specialist cookware and homeware shops to prestige department stores including Fenwick’s and Bentalls.

The design allows retailers the freedom to display different configurations of the kitchenware, tools and utensils. and communication is aided by means of digital screens to present Joe Wicks video content. The displays have been engineered in-house by Ripple, using a combination of steel tube, sheet and wire with a powder-coated finish and melamine-faced MDF. T. +44 (0)161 624 8201 E. info@ripple.co.uk www.ripple.co.uk Twitter: RippleGroupUK

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Make-it London Anthropologie Retail commissioned Make-it to create these stags for the company’s Spitalfields, Marylebone and Regent Street stores. The stags were crafted using foam cast forms, hand-dyed canvas and wood dowel to create beautiful display sculptures.

T. +44 (0)20 8693 7806 E: info@make-it.london www.make-it.london Twitter: MAKE_IT_LONDON

@retailfocus

StarscapeFibre Optic Lighting

Star panels in production for Christmas windows. Contact us for more information.

The all new Stormforce Forester 01462 672 000

|

sales@assigns.co.uk

|

www.assigns.co.uk

starscape.co.uk 01289 332900 info@starscape.co.uk

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pop & display

focus on POP & DISPLAY

From a Stella McCartney buzzwire game to a wash of colour for Cartier, in this issue we bring you an eclectic mix of POP and display schemes that showcase products at their best and help them sing in their surroundings.

It’s electrifying!

SDI Displays produced and installed this unit for Stella McCartney in the Harrods childrenswear department, featuring an interactive buzzwire game to keep children entertained while their parents shop. The aim of the game was for children to use a buzzwire wand to follow the metal Stella McCartney logo and when the two metalwork items touch the logo lights up. The unit was a mix of Class 1 fire rated MDF, reverse printed PET-G and metalwork.

www.sdidisplays.co.uk

Eastern influence Harrods welcomed a temporary display from Dior’s luxury Maison Christian Dior line in its Black Hall, which enticed visitors to discover the brand’s fragrances and scented products. Focusing on the art of gifting and showcasing oriental perfumes and their floral interpretation, MAD About Design combined different materials to create an impactful and luxurious site that took over the space by cladding the existing Harrods furniture. Every corner of the site was used to display the beautiful ornaments. Textured panels covered the counter with white branded overlays that held marble trays and silver tester stands, creating a playful layered display. Slim, elegant, black shelving displays on each side of the back wall exhibited the scented products. Illuminated Christian Dior lettering as well as a large central counter overlay with an inviting Christian Dior lightbox brought radiance to the site. The display was enhanced by a TV that played 24-hour video content.

www.themadpeople.com

Best foot forward This high impact collaboration between ASICSTIGER and Footpatrol drew inspiration from 90’s Japanese animé — a world of glowing 2D effects, dynamic camera angles and intense fight sequences.

After a social influencer-led campaign, the collaboration had created huge hype to attract fans to the in-store launch. At the brand’s Soho store, the window was transformed into an archive set where the GELSAGA shoe was rediscovered. A 7ft robot greeted customers, set against a backdrop of explosive neon pop inspired by the shoe’s colourways. In Paris, a 2D robot mirrored the window display execution, continuing the shopper’s journey from the street throughout the store. The influencer-driven seeding box campaign and both in-store executions were designed, created and executed

by IPOS.

www.ipos-design.com

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pop & display Colour blast In celebration of the new Cartier Carat perfume, the brand has unveiled a colourful window display and in-store counter at Harrods. The brand worked alongside LED lighting specialist Ledridge to produce the eye-catching scheme. On the main wall, 44 LED extrusions were programmed to custom RAL numbers to exact client specification. ‘This was a highly bespoke design for a prestigious client and installation. We worked closely with Kenneth Green Associates to create a premium display on a rapid turnaround that has been incredibly well received by the client.

We are now already working on similar displays for Cartier and KGA,’ says Jamie Harper, general manager at Ledridge.

The scheme was taken from initial brief to production and installation on the display manufacturer’s premises within a week.

www.ledridge.com/uk

Finishing touches Kesslers has worked alongside makeup brand MYKITCO, taking the products within one of the brand’s current stockists, dedicated beauty emporium Indulge Beauty, and improving the shopper journey, product navigation and making the products sing. The challenge was to get customers more engaged with the products, provide educational opportunities and keep the brushes in an orderly fashion. Kesslers developed this smart, updatable and bespoke fixture to ensure that enthusiasts and professionals get a great product in a simple-to-shop and informative stand. Kesslers has also used the design intent to support and create the fixture for the MYKITCO brand launch in the newly developed Selfridges Beauty Hall in Manchester.

Top scorer Merit Display has created this retail display with a football theme for Joie. The stands are being used to present a special range of pushchairs and car seats as part of Joie’s partnership with Liverpool FC, with a portion of all proceeds going to the Liverpool Foundation charity. The displays can be found in five Mothercare stores in the Liverpool area. The stands have been constructed using a range of quality materials and feature dark wood along with red and white laminates. The Liverpool FC logo is used strongly but without overpowering the Joie brand.

www.merit-display.com

www.kesslers.com

Touch of a button Turkish mother and baby product retailer, ebebek and Istanbulbased digital retail specialist, Phygital Mind have selected Zytronic durable, high performance Projected Capacitive Technology (PCT and MPCT) touch sensors to form the in-store front end of a major clicks-to-bricks project in 116 stores, rising to 132 by the end of 2018. In each store, the interactive kiosk is central to a completely new concept for the customer journey created by Phygital Mind for ebebek, fully integrating e-commerce with assisted sale and endless aisle. Each ebebek store has a 32in kiosk, which allows a customer’s details and interests to be recorded even if no sale is made. The entire sales process can be completed at the terminal, including scanning of products selected in the physical store, ordering additional products for home delivery and payment.

Customers can also check-out on their phones.

www.zytronic.co.uk

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directory

DIREcTORIES

www.retail-focus.co.uk/directory Visit the Retail Focus online directory at www.retail-focus.co.uk to discover a comprehensive list of the 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

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directory

Aluminium Fittings

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

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

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

Aluminium Fittings

Bespoke Display

Bespoke Display

Design Consultancies

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

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

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

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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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

T 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

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

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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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Maintenance

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

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

pop/pos

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.

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

vm

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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.

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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.

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

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Q&A

John Vincent Fast food chain Leon launched in 2004 on London’s Carnaby Street and has since opened more than 50 stores across the UK and The Netherlands. Here, co-founder John Vincent sits down with Retail Exchange podcast host Ben Bland to discuss challenges, opportunities and motivating staff.

BB. What have been the biggest challenges you faced in growing within the food and beverage bit of the retail industry?

JV. There have probably been two. One is trying to reinvent fast food. There’s a conundrum of taking fresh ingredients based on Mediterranean diet and getting those through a fast food process and getting the gross profit right, getting the wastage right. The ability to still deliver fresh to the customer, as opposed to others who have, I guess, a frozen supply chain.

That’s probably been the ultimate challenge. We’ve also grown up in an environment in the UK where property is not only less available than elsewhere, say America, France even, but is also much more expensive.

BB. I t’s interesting because in 2014 you took on the role of designing and choosing the menus, is that right?

JV. All of us were involved from 2004, but I think 2014 is a year that’s mentioned because that’s the year that I became CEO. Henry [Dimbleby] and I were joint CEOs for four or so years, at the start. Then there was a period where Henry was the CEO and I was more of a sort of semi-exec. Then in 2014, Henry and I decided it might be right for me to have a go.

BB. Tell me a little bit about how you run your business. How do you motivate staff, because a lot of the time, working in fast food can feel a bit uninspiring.

JV. I think you make a good point. The first thing to recognise is that the pay is not high. Secondly, it can be very early starts, very late nights; it can be quite monotonous. We think about it a lot [and] the biggest thing that we find is that camaraderie and the sense of family is the reason that people stay at Leon.

The culture is very much based on positivity; catching people doing things right. There’s a huge amount of celebrating when a customer writes in. We keep something called the GOB book, which is a Glimpse of Brilliance book, which is all the great things that have happened.

BB. The issues of sustainability; being ethically responsible and environmentally responsible are now very much in fashion.

Does it frustrate you that others are joining that movement, and perhaps eating away at what you might have been able to flag up as a unique offering from Leon?

JV. I learn a martial art called Wing Chun, and, really, you just want everyone to do your martial art because you’re always going to be a bit better than them at it because they’re coming at it second. I’m delighted if others do it. I’m only ever frustrated if others pretend they’re doing it and they’re not doing it.

At the heart of what we’re trying to do is to match the

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nutritional and, I guess, spiritual needs of the individual with the ecological needs of the planet. So we’re saying, first and foremost, we want this food to nourish, nurture and to make people feel good after they’ve eaten it. When it comes to the environment, we have four major things that we’re looking at and that we continue to look at. One is moving away from red meat consumption. The second is going from oil-based fuels to renewable. Thirdly, we have been progressively eliminating plastics, even ahead of the current craze to do so. And then we’re also looking at a huge focus on waste, so by the end of this year we will not be putting any waste to landfill.

BB. Have you always been passionate about the food and beverage side of things? Is that where you see your career staying?

JV. I’m someone that understands the value of focus and that isn’t always good at doing it. We’re about to launch a Thai version of Leon with a chef called David Thompson who’s undoubtedly the best Thai chef in the world. That is an opportunity, I think, for me to have my play pen or my sandpit without compromising the main business. I do think that anything which feeds the human spirit and protects the planet is in scope for me in the future, but I have to follow through on quite a lot of operational changes in Leon, a lot of geographical growth in Leon before I can have too big a sandpit elsewhere.

BB. Where might that growth come? Where are the opportunities?

JV. The opportunity for Leon with the database that we have is to offer broader food and wellbeing services. The opportunity to do food in grocery that allows people to eat well, so a whole category that allows people to enjoy vegetables more, I can see that. Also, I can see there being a whole bunch of other cuisines that we can address with fast food — Chinese, Mexican, Indian.

BB. Looking broadly at World Retail Congress, which is where we’re speaking in Madrid, what made you come here?

JV. This is a brilliant congress. What I’m struck by is the vision that is offered here about what retailing can be and the gulf that exists between that and what you still see on the high street. I’m fascinated by the pace of, and route of change.

To listen to the full interview, visit www.theretailexchange.co.uk

www.retail-focus.co.uk

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