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Formerly a bank, the new Issey Miyake store on London’s Brook Street has been stripped back to its original structure and transformed into a visually enticing exploration of old and new elements.
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45 POPAI Awards
VM & Display Awards
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Leader Diary
11-14 N ews
18-19 Window shopping Inspiring window displays from around the globe.
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Top of the POPS Karl McKeever Whether we realise it or not, retail is often a reflection of what’s going on in our broader society as a whole, says Karl this month.
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for the 37 Bookshops 21st century
In-store navigation
27-34 P roject Focus
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Nixon: Issey Miyake: 3.1 Phillip Lim
Opinion
It’s time to think differently about the in-store digital experience, argues Steve James-Royle, founder and creative director at design agency, The Yard Creative.
Focus on: Digital display
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Q&A
Samar Younes, global visual director at Coach, talks craftsmanship, the hybrid customer experience and emerging trends.
47-57 Products Products and services for the retail industry, including a preview of next month’s Retail Design Collective in New York.
www.retail-focus.co.uk
Image: Antony Crolla
Features Regulars Something old, something new
The Retail Shopfitting & Display Summit will provide you with a platform to enhance your company and share the long-term vision of the retail shopfitting business by setting tomorrow’s standards today, and to prepare for future developments, innovations and technology. Network with fellow experts within this industry, listen to case studies, meet and discuss ideas with retail shopfitting service providers, hear personal experiences and find solutions to issues facing this ever changing industry.
For further information or to book your place contact: Delegate: Paige Aitken Supplier: Courtney Brown 01992 374100 rds@forumevents.co.uk www.forumevents.co.uk @Retail_Summit
Media Partner
9th - 10th February 2015 Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted
leader
November ‘14 The design awards season is in full swing with the VM & Display, POPAI and Bar & Restaurant Design Award winners announced, and the Surface Design Awards approaching. The World Festival of Interiors also took place in October, in which Brazilian bookstore Livraria Cultura was named best retail interior of 2014. The grand yet modest shop, designed by studio mk27, is said to be a bookstore for the 21st century, where socialising, relaxing and purchasing are all combined. This month we look at the role of physical bookshops in the digital age (pages 37-38). In our regular Window Shopping feature this month, we marvel at some of the autumn VM schemes in the UK & Europe, which are now gradually being replaced with those all-important festive displays. We also take an in-depth look at Italian luxury menswear brand, Ermenegildo Zegna Couture’s spectacular installation at Harrods, which took over the entire front run of windows at the department store in Knightsbridge, London (pages 18-20). A well designed VM scheme that is clever and beautifully crafted will work no matter what the budget, maintains Samar Younes, global visual director at Coach, in our Q&A this month. ‘You just need to have the patience, attention to detail and eye for good composition to execute simply and really well,’ she says (page 66). This is my last issue as editor of Retail Focus for a while as I begin my maternity leave, but I leave you in the very capable hands of Lyndsey Dennis, who has many years experience writing and editing for B2B titles (lyndsey@retailfocus.co). Happy festive season and see you in 2015!
Gemma Balmford Editor
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Gemma Balmford e. gemma@retailfocus.co t. +44 (0)7500 138 810
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Retail Focus is published 12 times a year by Retail Focus Promotions Ltd, Yeomans, Bassetts Lane, Woodham Walter, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6RZ. No part of Retail Focus may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
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opinions expressed in Retail Focus are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the information contained in these pages. We will assume permission to publish any unsolicited material unless otherwise stated. ©Retail Focus Promotions Ltd 2013.
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diary
Photo credit: ALU showroom
Retail Design Collective New York City 3-5 December 2014 Taking place at the Metropolitan Pavilion as well as showrooms throughout New York, the A.R.E. Retail Design Collective brings together three days of product presentations, conference sessions and networking events. New for 2014 is a free WindowsWear Fashion Window Walking Tour as well as a collaborative installation at the Metropolitan Pavilion that will showcase products from participating showrooms. The Retail Design Collective coincides with the 18th edition of the PAVE Gala, a fundraising and awards event that benefits students pursuing careers in retail design and visual merchandising.
A_RE www.retaildesigncollective.com
Retail’s BIG Show Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City 11-14 January 2015 Retail’s BIG Show is the National Retail Federation’s flagship industry event held annually in New York City. The four-day event incorporates conference sessions, networking opportunities and an Expo hall showcasing new technologies. Speakers for 2015 will include Chip Bergh, president and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co.
RetailsBIGShow bigshow15.nrf.com
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Retail Trust Celebration Old Billingsgate, London 29 January 2015
Surface Design Show BDC, London 10-12 February 2015
The Retail Trust Celebration, formerly known as the Retail Trust London Ball, is moving to a new venue for 2015. The 62nd fundraising event will take place at Old Billingsgate on Thursday 29 January 2015. Retail Trust is a charity that provides a range of services for all three million people working in retail, including debt advice and career development.
The Surface Design Show gives architects and interior designers the opportunity to touch, see and discover the latest surface products for the built environment. Evening events will include a live debate, hosted by RIBA Journal, and a PechaKucha. Winners of the Surface Design Awards will also be announced during the show.
RetailTrust www.retailtrust.org.uk
surfacethinking www.surfacedesignshow.co.uk
Leaving a big impression The Visual Merchandising and Display Show is celebrating its anniversary next year as it returns to the Business Design Centre for three fabulous days in April. 25 Years of inspiring new ideas 21st to 23rd April 2015 at the Business Design Centre London Stand space very limited Call: 01945 420 068 Email: enquiries@rvmww.com www.vmanddisplay.com
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Perspex速 is a registered trademark of Lucite International, a member of the Mitsubishi Rayon Group.
news
John Lewis opens first train station shop John Lewis has opened its first ever railway station shop, at London’s St Pancras International. The 278 sq m space offers an edited selection of electronics, gifts, beauty, home and fashion accessories as well as its click and collect service. Maggie Porteous, director of selling at John Lewis, comments: ‘Our customers show us that they want different ways to shop that are most convenient for them.
John Lewis St Pancras is our latest shop format innovation to meet our customers evolving needs serving the station’s travellers.’ Wendy Spinks, commercial director of HS1 (owners of St Pancras International), adds: ‘With the same proud Victorian heritage as St Pancras International, it is fitting that John Lewis has chosen to open its first train station store at one of
FITCH rejuvenates Dogs Trust experience
FITCH has developed a new design concept for dog welfare charity Dogs Trust’s new rehoming centre in Manchester. Working
London’s most historic and well-loved terminals. We have no doubt that the click and collect service will be a big hit with the 48 million people who visit the station every year and we are proud to welcome one of Britain’s best-loved retailers to join the broad range of retail available at St Pancras.’ The opening follows the launch of the first ever John Lewis airport shop at Heathrow Terminal 2 in June 2014.
with an expansive open space, the retail and brand consultancy has created a warm atmosphere with a distinct ‘village’ feel, bringing the outside in. Harnessing a sense of community, FITCH has used the typical language of a village to create a place that could entertain, inform and educate all at once. The development includes a visitor’s centre with staff providing information and advice, and a village green where visitors can have consultations with Dogs Trust team members. A village hall and park allows dog training and interaction to take place, and a village shop sells merchandise, food and gifts. ‘Being able to work with a charity is always a great experience for us as a branding and design agency,’ says Gemma McDonnell, design director at FITCH. ‘With the animals’ welfare front of mind, we have helped create something truly different that not only challenges the negative perceptions associated with the dog rehoming process, but also helps create happy and memorable experiences for both visitors and resident dogs.’
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news
Pentagram develops new visual identity and interiors for Moss Bros.
In brief... Portview Fit-Out has completed the interior shopfit for Diesel Black Gold’s first concept store on Conduit Street in central London. The 212 sq m space represents the first global concept store for the line and the only retail location in the UK to exclusively showcase the Diesel Black Gold women’s and men’s collections. To bring the brand’s signature to life, Diesel Black Gold teamed up with the founders of Architecture and Associés, Pierre Beucler and Jean Christophe Poggioli. Gulf Related, a regional development company and joint venture between Gulf Capital and Related Companies, and Al Tayer Group, a diversified regional business, have signed a landmark agreement that will see the opening of two iconic US department stores, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, at Al Maryah Central, a 213,676 sq m shopping centre being developed on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Fashion retailer New Look is set to open a 1,830 sq m store at intu Victoria Centre, Nottingham before Christmas 2014. intu is currently mid-way through a £40 million upgrade of intu Victoria Centre, which includes new interiors, new entrances and a new two-tiered catering cluster around the Grade II listed Clock Tower. Fortnum & Mason has announced a partnership with luxury department store, Lane Crawford in Hong Kong. The partnership follows the opening of Fortnum & Mason outlets in Dubai and St Pancras. CDS Group Services has worked with the Carphone Warehouse team to help fit out and install shop-in-shops across seven Currys and PC World stores, following the merger of Dixons and Carphone Warehouse. The stores feature the latest mobile phones and associated technologies, apps and offers, and is the first step towards the Dixons Carphone connected world offering.
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Pentagram partners Harry Pearce and Naresh Ramchandani have created a new visual identity for formal menswear brand, Moss Bros. with new interiors by William Russell. In order to make all 150 stores consistent with the rebrand, Russell and his team have developed a design that is suitable for different store sizes, formats and locations. Building on the existing environment, Russell and the team at Pentagram have used European oak to create a light and warm interior that contrasts with the typically dark colours of suits. The colours of the brand
identity have been incorporated into the material palette, which has been simplified and clarified, helping to reinforce the quality and heritage of the brand. The perimeter merchandise display is broken up into smaller bays, producing a rational journey through the store, with key pieces highlighted using large graphic panels. Technology has also been integrated as small moments in the stores to allow cross-platform shopping for the customer. The concept is being rolled out across the company’s store portfolio. Photography: Nick Turner
Bond Street to undergo £20 million improvement plan London’s Bond Street is set to undergo a £20 million improvement plan to secure its future as a globally competitive luxury destination. The new scheme, which was announced in October by New West End Company’s Bond Street Development Group together with Westminster City Council and Transport for London, will provide greater connectivity for pedestrians to the new Crossrail station at Hanover Square with high quality finishes and public realm enhancements. The plans include the redesign of the carriageway on Old and New Bond Street, which will increase pedestrian space by up to 50 per cent, as well as the introduction of new street lighting and a new suite of street furniture. Commenting on the improvement plan, Beverley Aspinall, managing director of Bond Street, part of New West End Company, says: ‘Bond Street is one of the strongest luxury destinations in
the world. This is demonstrated through an ever-increasing demand from luxury powerhouse brands to locate here. Our plan will deliver significant commercial return as seen in other areas of London that have undergone a similar remodelling and investment over the last decade.’ Mark Fenwick, chairman of Fenwick and deputy chairman of New West End Company’s Bond Street Development Group, adds: ‘Fenwick has been on the corner of Bond Street and Brook Street for over a hundred years and has experienced first-hand the unique complexities of the multiple property ownership on the street. Our improvement plan is a significant milestone towards making this street a phenomenal world leading luxury destination.’ The project, which is expected to complete in time for the opening of Crossrail in 2018, signals the first major public realm improvement Bond Street has undergone in more than 30 years.
news
Dalziel & Pow creates hospitality offer for Nottcutts
As part of Dalziel & Pow’s ongoing work with garden centre group, Nottcutts, the design consultancy has created a dining offer that has transformed the Wheatcroft branch in Nottingham into a complete lifestyle destination. A trio of reconditioned Citroen H vans takes centre stage in the new street food-inspired hospitality offer designed with each van individually named,
branded and themed around a different type of cuisine. A series of further food stalls complete the vibrant market ambience, and throughout there’s a strong emphasis on traditional British specialties and local produce. The concept is an evolution of the food hall market launched at Nottcutts’ Pembury store earlier this year.
Hackett to open City of London store British menswear brand, Hackett London is set to open a new store on Old Broad Street in the City of London in November. The 150 sq m space will incorporate Hackett’s signature Georgian influences as well as introduce new sleek and modern elements. The store will be divided into five
different rooms, all joined by panelled Georgian archways. Granite and limestone flooring will welcome visitors as they enter the store. To add to the new interiors concept, contemporary handmade light wooden polished chairs from British furniture designer, James Harrison will sit alongside
Ted Baker opens at Heathrow Terminal 4 Fashion brand Ted Baker has opened a new store at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4. Housing the AW14 menswear, womenswear and accessories collections, the 81 sq m store takes customers through Ted’s wayfaring adventures of yesteryear. Highlighting the brand’s love affair with the 1950s, materials such as walnut and brass adorn the interior of the store, offset by striking tones of peach, blue and green. Clothing and accessories collections seamlessly continue the theme with vintage-inspired floral prints in a lavish palette of pinks, and dapper geo and paisley prints. A central design element of the space is the quirky cash desk, which houses Ted Baker’s grooming on-thego travel essentials, including camera, comb and shaving kit, all neatly laid out in vintage suitcases. In addition, 3D globe fixtures allow customers to track Ted’s favourite destinations, while pigeons clutch onto cherished finds.
and complement the more traditional pieces in store. In addition, a selection of the late Brian Blow’s artwork, a British artist renowned for his 1950/60’s graphic prints, will feature among an eclectic mix of artist sketches, period prints and campaign photography. Hackett’s extensive Bespoke, Made-toMeasure and Personal Tailoring services will all be available in the new store.
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news
Packaging design consultancy opens own shop Brand and packaging design consultancy, Pure has opened a new store in its hometown of Nottingham called The Collectorium. Opened on 1 November, the shop houses an eclectic mix of items and home furnishings, as well as hosting creative workshops. Pure director, David Rogers says it will be more of an experience than a shop. ‘Our suppliers have real passion for their arts and crafts, and will be helping us create something quite unique. We’re in the city centre but a million miles from high street chain stores. ‘At Pure, we work with some of the biggest names in retail, now it’s our turn to put our own advice into practice. It’s quite unique for a brand and packaging design agency to open its own store,’ says Rogers.
Four-by-Two designs new Phase Eight flagship
Wind calls on allen international for new store design Telecommunications brand Wind has launched the first of its new generation of retail stores in Athens, Greece. Developed in collaboration with allen international, the new retail experience presents the latest in mobile, internet and fixed line telephony through a combination of live product and interactive digital displays. At the heart of each store, the Affinity hub helps staff better engage with customers, offer expert advice and demonstrate the latest products and services. Wind opened the first 10 stores in September following a trial with a further 40 stores due to be completed this year before rolling out to the remainder of the 220 store network.
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Following the launch of its new store design concept at London’s James Street, Phase Eight has opened a new flagship store in Guildford with a contemporary, elegant, soft and feminine interior. Working with design consultancy Four-by-Two, the women’s fashion brand has taken the building back to its natural and original state, with layers removed from the walls to reveal beautiful brickwork. Services on the ceiling have also been left visible. ‘It’s about individuality, beauty and honesty,’ says a spokesperson for Four-by-Two. A mix of vintage furniture finds and old haberdashery units have been re-sprayed and used as merchandising points, while brass fittings, hangers and hand-blown decorative glass pendant lighting add a luxurious richness to the space. ‘It’s a comfortable and inviting environment for customers, one that is not overly designed, too minimal, sleek or intimidating,’ says the spokesperson for Four-by-Two. Phase Eight has more than 100 stand-alone stores in the UK, with an international presence in 12 countries across Europe, Australia and the Middle East.
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awards
VM + Display Awards 2014 The Grand Connaught Rooms in London’s Covent Garden played host one last time to the VM & Display Awards in October, before the event moves to a new, undisclosed venue in 2015. Now in its tenth year, the awards aim to highlight the skills and commitment of those teams and individuals working tirelessly to enhance the image, products and services of retailers and brands, with ever-more fun, meaningful and engaging displays. Winners on the night included Hackett for its ‘Dial S for Sale’ window display, Joseph for its exquisite interactive lace tunnel and Harvey Nichols for its graphic monochrome story. Sarah Southgate, head of window design at Harrods, was also named most innovative person in VM. For a full list of winners, visit: www.retail-focus.co.uk/blog
Top Left, running clockwise: The tenth annual VM & Display Awards took place at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms in October; Writer, broadcaster and actor, Gyles Brandreth hosted the event; Joseph won Best Window in a Multiple for its lace tunnel, created in collaboration with Harlequin Design and HQ Graphics;
Sarah Southgate was named most innovative person in VM; Bloomingdales walked away with the award for Best International Window; Harvey Nichols won the award for Best Window Graphic; Award trophies; The Harvey Nichols ‘Texty’ scheme won the award for Best Window Graphic.
Photography: Melvyn Vincent
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visual merchandising
Window Fred Perry This recent display at Fred Perry drew inspiration from the bright lights of Soho. The pink and orange scheme adopts brightly coloured strip lights and live-edge acrylic shelving to make the colours pop and glow against the dark box graphic and light box backdrops. The scheme was produced in collaboration with StudioXAG.
shopping Inspiring window displays from around the globe
Fendi Fendi collaborated with Berlin-based Italian art duo, Fabio La Fauci and Daniele Sigalot of Blue and Joy for its recent paper airplanes window scheme. Crafted from aluminium, the multicoloured sculptures were installed in 27 Fendi boutiques worldwide, creating a vortex of shapes and colours.
Adidas Originals StudioXAG designed and installed linear forced perspective cityscapes in the Adidas Originals flagship stores in London and Berlin for the Adidas Blue collection. Made from cut steel, Foubert’s Place in London incorporated Tate Modern, Battersea Power Station and The Shard in it’s skyline while the Berlin store windows included TV Tower and Brandenburg Gate.
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visual merchandising
Austin Reed Austin Reed’s autumn scheme incorporated multiple cones of various yarns in a repetition format across an industrial brushed steel backdrop. The new season campaign images were used in large format in each window, with the yarn colours reflecting the brands and collections shown in each window. The display was created in collaboration with Lucky Fox.
Duo Boots Duo Boots collaborated with Kath Roberts, designer at Inside Interiors, Laura Reed of Things by Laura and visual stylist Maggie Coker to create a winter window display for its stores in London, Edinburgh and Bath. Inspired by a wintry walk through Somerset woodlands, the ‘Catch your winter look’ display features an owl catching a Duo ankle boot called Mandel.
Harvey Nichols In this recent retro-futuristic scheme at Harvey Nichols, a landscape of pulsating light boxes unify the window run with each box creating a different lighting effect or illusion with the use of infinity boxes and two-way mirrors giving a sense of movement. Glitch-Art prints have been art worked into the scheme linking the tech interference elements with the effects.
See more window installations from London and Paris on the blog:
Lee To celebrate Lee Jeans’ 125th anniversary, PLANarama designed and produced in-store hotspots for London department stores Harrods and Selfridges. The hotspots were created to highlight the Lee Jeans womenswear collaboration with Belgium designer label, Filles à Papa. The collection is influenced by classic American sportswear with bold slogans and the designer’s signature sequinned embellishment.
Loreak Mendian This recent window display at Basque streetwear brand, Loreak Mendian brings together elements of Arantzazu Basilica, creating shapes and shadows with two wine racks in wood and metal presenting items from the AW 2014 women’s accessories collection. The display was created in collaboration with ja! studio.
www.retail-focus.co.uk/blog 19
visual merchandising Photography: Jamie McGregor Smith
Ermenegildo Zegna Couture In October, Ermenegildo Zegna Couture became the first menswear brand to take over the entire front run of windows at Harrods in London. The series of high tech displays, produced in collaboration with Elemental Design, were inspired by the brand’s Autumn Winter 2014 collection and the astrological film that featured as the backdrop to the fashion show during Milan Fashion Week. Created in partnership with Ermenegildo Zegna’s head of design, Stefano Pilati, the film depicts a real scientific path that is traced by astrophysicist Fiorella Terenzi, professor of astronomy at Florida International University, and professor Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of Hayden Planetarium, who together formulated a set of trajectories created in unique movement that fuse the primordial universe with the Milan CityLife Palace, where the collection debuted. The soundtrack captured the waves from space, which were converted into sound and then transformed into music, blended with Tchaikovsky and the sound of contemporary life in the cities of Milan, New York and Shanghai, selected by Pilati. Whispering window technology was used to project the sounds onto Brompton Road, encouraging shoppers to stop and engage with the displays. The opening series of 23 windows commenced with a number of angled mirrors, creating a sphere effect to capture
the essence of the scientific path. Frenetic energy, inspired from the film, was reflected through faded city backdrops, juxtaposed against mannequins that were either stationary or revolving rapidly to symbolise the fast pace of city life. The journey through the primordial universe continued with a digital rotating 3D shoe that responded to movement of passers-by on the street, allowing for a 360degree view of the hero Double Monk shoe. ‘From the unknown wonders of the intergalactic to the minutiae on the street, the windows encompass the inspiration of the film and the spirit of the collection,’ says a spokesperson for Elemental Design. The windows were installed from 2-19 October 2014 to coincide with the launch of Pilati’s first ‘couture’ bag for Ermenegildo Zegna Couture. See more window installations from London and Paris on the blog:
www.retail-focus.co.uk/blog 20
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POP
p o t POPS e h t f o
Company: HRG
Client: Ordnance Survey
Display Title: ‘Explore More’ Campaign
Sector: Travel & Leisure
Locations: WHSmith and Go Outdoors, nationwide
The brief: The challenge was to reposition Ordnance Survey brand, increasing its relevance as an essential companion among outdoor audiences. In addition, the campaign aimed to create a stand-out destination area for the map category in-store, and increase sales of paper maps in key retail outlets by five per cent.
The result: By highlighting the emotional value of enjoying great outdoor experiences, HRG has breathed new life into the brand. For WHSmith, HRG designed and implemented a modular bay fixture that could be adapted to fit a variety of store formats and sizes as part of a 555-store rollout, while for Go Outdoors, a two-stage roll out was implemented with wall bay fixtures and gondola ends installed into 40 stores across the UK. Ordnance Survey also launched a PR campaign to ‘Win Your Chance to be the New Face of Ordnance Survey’, with an online competition encouraging consumers to send in photos of themselves enjoying the outdoors and details of why they love using Ordnance Survey maps.
www.hrg.co.uk
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Q&A column
Karl McKeever How much is retail just a sign of the times? Whether we realise it or not, retail is often a reflection of what’s going on in our broader society as a whole. Until recent times, as consumers, we were largely unaware of what was happening in other parts of the world. Now, with 24-hour news available anywhere and anytime - and even about our person - we have vast access to world events at our fingertips. Here’s a question then: To what extent do the events in other parts of the world shape consumers’ day-to-day thinking and shopping behaviour? Are we free thinkers when we shop, or just heavily influenced by events in the news and wider world? A brief look at our recent history shows that world events do have a significant influence on the shopping experience. In the year 2000, the new Millennium, the global society saw a fresh start with new opportunities. Film and literature had, in the year before the Millennium, played out many doomsday scenarios, but retail was optimistic, and minimal store design and white box trends became the norm. In 2010 the global recession was really starting to bite and retail reflected this. Society’s austerity and thrift culture was matched by retail, where there was a resurgence in the charity sector and a very noticeable demise in celebrity culture and ostentatiousness on the high street. We also saw the rise of the challenger discount brands, who are still bashing out their increased market shares today and causing headaches for long established, mid-tier brands. I think next year will be known for uncertainty. We’ll be having a general election and there is political unrest in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and even in the South China Sea. Add to this the many anxieties still fresh in consumers’ minds, deriving from the lack of trust in banks, certain retailers, sporting bodies and even churches - the picture paints itself! Consumers now are seeking sanctuary and they’re finding this through the rise of artisan, local food and craft. This sanctuary is almost the antithesis of consumerism and our thinking of 15 years ago. There is a paradox though, in that we’re seeing booming tech sales, and declining confidence in former goliath supermarket
brands such as Tesco, Morrisons and Carrefour. Consumers are seeking confidence from brands, and they trust and will pay for this in an uncertain world - think the success of Next, Burberry, Louis Vuitton and John Lewis. Therefore, as retailers, to what extent do brands try to ‘go with’ the current zeitgeist or set their own agenda thus riding above whatever’s going on? How can retail brands keep their concepts relevant and on top, without access to costly market research and insight programmes? I think that the answer is to do the same things that the big companies do, but on a more modest scale. Retailers need to promote dialogue and talk to consumers, asking staff to engage, share and feedback what’s on the customers’ minds. They need to consider what’s happening in the world, and tune into what and how this is likely to affect consumers. They should develop a ‘six months from now’ philosophy to anticipate how people will be thinking then, and plan buying and marketing activity accordingly. Spotting trends early and getting in (and out) of them in good time will be crucial. This can be achieved by reading articles from a wide source to understand how people are thinking, and anticipate the things they will want and need. Essentially, don’t get stuck in the mindset that everything will always stay the same. Subtle changes in customers’ wants and needs can have a big impact on sales performance. John Lewis has always sold sewing machines and haberdashery, but in recent years it has capitalised on the resurgence in home crafts and sewing as a result of changes in society and consumer tastes. As a result, the brand is now the ‘destination’ for many people seeking out these specialist items. As yet, nobody can predict the future, but we can all look out for and feel subtle changes in the market. It doesn’t always take a huge budget, research project to see what future trends will be. It can be done by watching the news, listening to customers and thinking about how societal changes will affect brands, how they present themselves and what they offer the consumer.
Karl McKeever is creative director of visual merchandising and brand delivery consultancy Visual Thinking.
Email Karl at karl@retailfocus.co www.visualthinking.co.uk
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project focus
NixonNewburgh Street, London
Photography: Benjamin Wu Tiu Yen
Design: Checkland Kindleysides Opening date: October 2014 Store size: 24 sq m California-based watch and accessories brand Nixon has landed in Europe with two new standalone stores, in Paris and London. Designed in collaboration with Checkland Kindleysides, each site features the new ‘horizon’ interior concept that references outdoor sports activities, such as surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding. ‘For their retail concept, we created an architectural horizon line, which is a device that lets us own any space in a simple way and becomes the canvas for the Nixon story, allowing us to showcase Nixon’s perspective and product in a bold, distinct way,’ explains the design team at Checkland Kindleysides. At the London store, this manifests itself in a confident black and white facade that follows through to a stained black and raw matt grey concrete interior. In a departure from traditional watch merchandising, where the products are displayed behind glass, the new Nixon store features a range of innovative merchandise displays, including an
open watch table formed in the shape of an undulating wave that enables customers to interact with the products. ‘The Nixon store is a story about immersion; a subtle reference to the ocean rhythm and flow, but this also relates to product immersion,’ says Checkland Kindleysides. ‘This is reflected in the merchandising, where we created an artful watch presentation, which provides a sculptural centrepiece in the store.’ Here, watches are displayed rhythmically on undulating plinths, partly immersed below the surface of an under-lit aqua blue tank while appearing to float on the surface. ‘Nixon felt it was really important that their watches were accessible, encouraging customers to play with the product unassisted,’ says the design team. Adjacent to the display table is a large footwear-inspired watch wall that showcases more than 100 watches in an open format on a tinted glass matrix, set against a watch tile backdrop. Opposite this, in the compact space, raw steel peg boards are used to display soft goods, which sit alongside brand and campaign art and imagery. At the back of the store is a workshop-inspired
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customisation area that appears to have been dropped into place like a wooden packing case. Constructed from plywood panels and punched steel pegboard, it provides a material reference to skate and street culture. Following the ‘horizon’ line design, the plywood has been partly varnished, giving the illusion that it has been dipped into water up to the datum. It is here where customers are invited to create their own one-of-a-kind timepiece from a palette of component parts and engraved detailing options.
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Commenting on the new horizon design concept, Nixon’s creative director, Tom Jones says: ‘In an often overly cluttered retail landscape, the new Nixon retail locations are simple, bold and curated; allowing for a more immersive and inspiring retail experience’. The Paris store opened in September, followed by London with further sites expected to launch in Australia and Hong Kong before the end of the year.
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Issey Miyake Brook Street, London
Photography: Antony Crolla
Design: Tokujin Yoshioka Opening date: October 2014 Store size: 470 sq m Formerly a bank, the new Issey Miyake London flagship store on Mayfair’s Brook Street has been stripped back to its original structure and transformed into a visually enticing exploration of old and new elements. Created in collaboration with Japanese artist and designer, Tokujin Yoshioka and fitted out by Belfast-based Portview, the 470 sq m space occupies the two lower levels of the 1950s building and incorporates contrasting finishes to form a fascinating open structure that heightens visual interest and appeal. Rough concrete columns throughout the space contrast with bright blue anodised aluminium panels, which highlight the display areas and clad the lift shaft. ‘With unprecedented attention to detail, the panels were fabricated in Germany, then anodised by a specialist company in Switzerland, each panel taking more than four hours to anodise,’ explains a spokesperson for Portview. The flooring, meanwhile, is a poured screed with specialist bespoke 2mm layers of micro-top applied in a hand-finished six
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coat process. Issey Miyake’s own IN-EL folded lamps along with cove lighting by iGuzzini are used to illuminate the store, while glass balustrading on the doglegged staircase allows light from the street to fill the basement. Yoshioka, who has designed more than 20 stores for Issey Miyake, also created all of the furniture and fittings for the space, including display tables that appear to balance precariously on angled stands and the ‘Brook Ottoman’, which is expected to be put into future production by Italian company, Moroso. ‘Incorporating the trace of time cultivated in the space, the contrast between the texture of bare walls and the futuristic surface of aluminium is designed to express the contract of innovative creation and continued history,’ explains Yoshioka. ‘With fragments of memory spread in the space, the contingent beauty exists which cannot be recreated ever again. History and future are to be encountered upon memories in Issey Miyake 10 Brook Street.’ Opened in October, the new flagship brings together many of the Japanese fashion label’s collections under one roof, including Homme Plissé Issey Miyake, which is available for the first time outside of Japan exclusively at the Brook Street store.
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3.1 Phillip Lim Great Jones Street, New York Design: Campaign Opening date: September 2014 Store size: 325 sq m
Photography: Scottie Cameron
Following the launch of his first standalone UK boutique in London towards the end of 2013, American fashion designer Phillip Lim has opened a flagship store on Great Jones Street in Manhattan’s NoHo district that houses the 3.1 Phillip Lim collection of womenswear, menswear and accessories. Developed in collaboration with London-based design studio Campaign, the 325 sq m space takes inspiration from the concept of ‘studio luxury’, creatively combining high-end materials such as marble, onyx, Corian and green mink with everyday elements such as MDF, ply and plasterboard. ‘The design of the flagship boutique brings together contradictory materials, mixing the luxurious with the humble in unexpected ways,’ says the design team at Campaign. Minimalist metal rails in a champagne gold finish along with white Corian and mint-hued marble tables are used throughout the interior to showcase the collections, while accessories are displayed on plinths that make playful use of
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utilitarian materials. The unconventional and unexpected use of mixed materials is also evident in the flooring, with grey limestone and exquisite blue Bahia marble tiles at the entrance juxtaposed with poured concrete that features throughout the rest of the space. The tiles are used in a classic chequered pattern with inlaid brass strips adding a note of classical refinement. Groups of large studio canvases, inspired by the work of renowned photographer Bill Jacobson, are carefully curated to appear effortlessly and casually placed along the walls, while oversized stone steps along the back of the store provide a platform for installations and performances. Lit with abundant natural light from the skylight above, the steps are also used to display shoes and accessories. Meanwhile, a freestanding architectural block has been inserted into half the length of the store to create space for the fitting rooms. The Great Jones Street boutique is the latest in a global roll out of 3.1 Phillip Lim stores and concessions designed in collaboration with Campaign over the last two years. The studio luxury retail concept is expected to evolve, with further openings planned in Macau, Bangkok and Jakarta over the next 12 months.
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Bookshops: A novel approach In the digital age, bookstores need to offer rich, memorable and engaging experiences in order to survive, finds Retail Focus.
At the Inside World Festival of Interiors in October, Brazilian bookstore Livraria Cultura overcame competition from the likes of Harrods and Just Cavalli to win Best Retail Interior of 2014. The grand yet modest bookstore in Sao Paulo was designed by studio mk27 as a multiuse, social meeting space; a ‘bookstore for the 21st century’, where socialising, relaxing and purchasing are all combined. Likewise, Foyles considered what a bookshop in the 21st century should offer
when it opened its new flagship store on London’s Charing Cross Road earlier this year. ‘It’s about discoverability, a chance to interact with authors and artists, to listen to great music in one of our many performance spaces and forging partnerships right across the cultural sector,’ said Foyles CEO, Sam Husain at the launch. Up the road in Piccadilly, in a building designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, luxury book publisher Assouline is celebrating its twentieth anniversary by opening the doors,
for the first time, to its complete world of culture and lifestyle. Launched in October, Maison Assouline houses the company’s exclusive line of furniture elements, from lamps and carpets, sofas and desks, to its entire collection of books. In addition, it offers a bindery service for individual orders and personalisation of notebooks and book bags, and a bar serving breakfast to early dinner. ‘Books have always been about so much more than the raw content within
This page: Brazilian bookshop Livraria Cultura won Best Retail Interior 2014 at the Inside World Festival of Interiors in October.
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bookshops
them, especially when dealing with any material of a creative or visual nature,’ says Katie Baron, head of retail at innovation advisory service Stylus. ‘Whether it’s the storytelling aspect of novels or the shared interest angle concerning reference material on almost any subject, books and bookstores are innately tethered to the idea of shared experiences, which makes it still entirely appropriate that they command compelling physical environments.’ In the digital age, physical bookshops need to create compelling reasons for consumers to visit, in order to survive. ‘The core business of a bookshop is still viable,’ maintains Nicole Wilson, narrative strategist at design consultancy 20.20. ‘For all the great things ebooks accomplish convenience, selection, portability - there will always be fundamental qualities that customers appreciate in print - beauty, collectability, tactility. The printed word and the ebook have a bright future together;
encouraging surprise and discovery, and freeing up space for exclusive events and conversation. Stories today are not something to be consumed, but discovered, shared, celebrated and enriched.’ For designer Callum Lumsden, one of the biggest challenges for bookshops today is coping with the depth of stock required to be taken seriously. ‘How can a local
Bookshops therefore do have a future, so long as they are managed and presented imaginatively, claims Lumsden. ‘Bookshops need to be more outward looking and reach out to an audience, which will be receptive if they are given the right message. Yes, we have seen coffee shops as well as jazz and poetry renditions. But, maybe a more specialist and curated approach would be different enough to capture the attention of book readers.’ Lumsden is behind the design of the new bookshop at the National Theatre in London, which incorporates touchscreen technology, a dedicated reading area and a 20m-long wall of books. The retail space references key elements of Denys Lasdun’s iconic architecture and interior, and has a material palette of dark wenge, grey engineered coloured wood and red lacquered oak, contrasting with the concrete walls and floors. ‘The National Theatre is one of Britain’s
Top & middle: Lumsden Design created the new bookshop at the National Theatre as part of the NT Future redevelopment of the South Bank site in London.
Bottom: Foyles opened its new flagship store on London’s Charing Cross Road earlier this year. The space was designed in collaboration with Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands.
and so does the bookshop, even if its role becomes, in part, facilitating digital sales.’ If 20.20 were to design an independent bookshop for the 21st century, it would create a space that celebrates stories in every state, imagines Wilson. ‘We believe that a love of literature today is less about the books you own and more about the stories you remember,’ she says. ‘We would showcase stories from raw sketchbooks to lectures, workshops and live readings, using technology to complement our in-store experience by delivering timely crowdsourced reviews and ebooks with the purchase of a hard copy. ‘Our shop would be a responsive, flexible and social space full of printing presses, writing desks, beautiful hardbacks, carefully curated paperbacks and the buzz of people excited about stories,’ continues Wilson. ‘The VM principles would be simple and bold, using practical storage solutions to display front covers rather than spines,
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bookshop compete with online retailers, who can delve into their backlog of books without having to cope with a high street presence,’ he asks. ‘The good news is that we are still reading books and even with the onslaught of kindles and tablets, the evidence shows that there is still a desire to own physical books as well as to use digital versions.’
great national treasures,’ says Lumsden. ‘The shop had to respect that heritage, capture its unique personality and appeal to the wide variety of visitors and theatre goers on the South Bank.’ Unlike online retailers, physical stores can instantly get the product into the hands of the customer and that is an important advantage for the latest must-have book launch or simply an impulse purchase, argues Jim Whyte, senior insights analyst at FITCH. ‘Bookshops can also be a comfortable destination that people go to browse and explore in more detail. Events, workshops or simply an environment that helps people share their interests can all create a more convivial experience.’ According to Whyte, ‘Experience’ should be the watchword of traditional bookshops. ‘The physical store can provide rich, engaging and memorable experiences that online retailers struggle to replicate,’ he says.
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10.10.14 12:16
navigation
In-store navigation: to
Technology is progressively directing how retailers track shopper behaviour and communicate with customers in store. As stores morph into brand hubs that are as focused on seduction as they are on selling, the store threshold is becoming increasingly important. That’s according to a trend report by innovation advisory service, Stylus which predicts a shift towards ‘mood recalibrating’ entry zones that set the tone for the entire brand experience. ‘As the pressure to differentiate steps up, the experience of entering the store space will become as essential as the one delivered once inside,’ says the report on future store environments. The entrance, it claims, should be considered a physical portal in which to establish a brand new journey. The study, which focuses on store layout, mood and ambience, quotes a number of retail designers who believe that future stores will embrace more agile and exploration-focused formats, rejecting traditional retail logic. ‘These days we all imagine ourselves as networks, not grids and aisles like traditional stores, so it makes total sense to bring a looser mentality into the store space,’ says Ron Pompei of New York-based Pompei AD in the study. More explorative approaches to retailing are already prompting alternative concepts in which store interiors are carved up according to time or changing functions, for example, and not according to traditional product groupings, notes Stylus. For Green Room Retail, planning a store layout starts before the store threshold. ‘As brand experience experts with digital expertise, we always consider the holistic journey of the consumer in the multichannel world,’ says insights manager, Samuel Langley-Swain. Earlier this year, the design consultancy worked with online sportswear retailer, Pro-Direct to bring its brand experience to life with a new ‘digital mortar’ store in London. The flexible environment is made up of grid systems of digital screens and product display panels, which flex to present brand product stories, themed collections or full store takeovers. As the store evolves, Pro-Direct intends to launch a mobile app to interact with the space using beacon technology to create a personalised experience for the consumer. ‘An effective way technology can be incorporated into store navigation is through digital signage,’ says Langley-Swain. ‘This is particularly useful if product displays are likely to move around the store when re-merchandising or re-zoning products. The Pro-Direct store is packed with technology and digital signage, allowing for
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go?
Way
Which
the store’s ambience to be changed instantly to reflect new product launches or campaigns.’ With the ability to now complete a transaction anywhere in store, using either staff handheld devices or shoppers’ NFC-enabled mobile phone of wearable devices will reduce the importance of the traditional ‘cash and wrap’ counter, believes Craig Phillipson, managing director of Shopworks. This, he says, will create challenges as well as opportunities in store layout planning as the journey through store becomes more fluid without the necessity for the traditional ‘end point’ provided by tills. ‘This in itself is a huge opportunity to provide a more dynamic experience, with staff free to interact with shoppers where and when it is most relevant in their journey through the store with the shopper able to avoid queues and transact where and when they are ready,’ says Phillipson.
Navigation technology A trend report by Planet Retail suggests that shopper tracking and indoor navigation technology is set to radically redefine interaction between the retailer and the consumer. ‘Static retailers have been investing in traditional methods of shopper tracking technologies, such as camera monitoring [and] infrared motion sensors for quite some time,’ says Sarah Herrlein, senior retail technology analyst at Planet Retail and author of the report. However, with the rise in smartphone usage, operators are now able to track shopper movements through their store while simultaneously being capable of facilitating customer convenience through indoor navigation features and bespoke promotional opportunities,’ she adds. ‘With smartphones, retailers can initiate a one-to-one communication with the shopper, delivering personalised messages and tailored offers along every step of the path-topurchase,’ says Herrlein. ‘By offering indoor navigation as well, retailers can actually kill two birds with one stone. They can provide shoppers with convenience facilitating tools and collect valuable
navigation
Top : Online sportswear retailer, Pro-Direct worked with Green Room Retail to bring its brand experience to life with a physical store. Middle: Shopworks has used a combination of clear layout, low level floor units and simple colour-coded navigation to aid wayfinding in Akzonobel large format paint stores. shopper insights at the same time.’ This summer, Paris department store Galeries Lafayette launched its first mobile application designed to help shoppers plan their trip and navigate their way around the 70,000 sq m space. It joins a growing number of department stores and shopping centres, in particular, that are offering wayfinding apps to enhance the consumer experience. ‘While wayfinding apps give consumers a smoother in-store experience, for brands they deliver a substantial source of
Bottom: Galeries Lafayette launched its first mobile app designed to aid wayfinding in 2014.
consumer data and a route to more accurately targeted in-store marketing,’ says Stylus. According to the research and advisory firm, the future of wayfinding is closely linked to the prospect of the ‘Internet of spaces’, hyper-connected spaces in which buildings and interiors will be able to communicate directly with mobile data. ‘Advances in this field will not only help consumers navigate in store, but also help drive them into the store,’ says Stylus. Marketing solutions agency, Cheil has three questions that its answers before putting any new technology in store: Does it enhance the shopping experience? Will it improve convenience? And, is there an opportunity for dynamic pricing? If in-store navigation delivers against this, then there is value to the technology, says Simon Hathaway, president and global head of RX (retail experience) at Cheil. ‘We are already using store traffic data to improve layout and as we get more detailed data on shopper behaviour this will only get better,’ he says. For David Poole, joint managing director at integrated agency, LIFE the application of technology solutions such as Bytelight, iBeacons, RFID and GeoFencing has so far been questionable. ‘The enabling piece of technology that makes any solution work is the device in shoppers’ hands or pockets - their mobile phone,’ he says. ‘Technology innovations are exciting and potentially game changing,’ adds Poole, ‘but it’s not technology alone that will drive retail revolutions. It is the well informed and intelligent application, consistently delivered.’
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opinion
Rethinking the digital experience It’s time to think differently about the in-store digital experience, argues Steve James-Royle, founder and creative director at design agency The Yard Creative. We just don’t see the point of doing in-store digital experiences. That is, we don’t if you’re just going to stick in an iPad or a touch screen to give customers access to your website. What’s the point? We’d much rather surf the web from the comfort of a sofa with a beer, safe in the knowledge the kids are, at last, in bed. At EuroShop earlier this year, everyone was talking about the impact of digital on the physical space. Yet, few were saying anything new (unless it was back-end operational processes....yawn). This got us thinking and we reckon there is an answer that makes digital in the real world totally unique: tactile digital experiences. Think about the main reasons we flock to physical retail spaces; we like to touch, smell and discover things. Plus, it’s convenient and social. Now think about pretty much every digital experience you’ve ever had in store. It’s cold. You’re never really in it or part of it, just a mere controller of pre-determined routes. Try to imagine a digital experience that is activated by something physical rather than touching a button or a screen. A digital experience that you can - or almost believe you can - feel. This is a tactile digital experience. Our first ever experience of this was Disney’s Alien ride in Florida, back in 1992. As you sat in an auditorium, the audience ‘felt’ the virtual alien as it supposedly ran around the room through synced surround sound and high pressure air jets. We now know this as haptic technology and it will become part of the home 4D cinema experience within the next five years. Although this is a theme park ride, its parallels with retail are vast. Landlords and brands want theatre in the retail world. They want experiences that you are a part of, that you can feel. Get up to speed with 2014 and there have been some superb examples of tactile digital experiences. Audi City’s RFID-enabled car configurator has changed the way you buy an Audi today. Pick up any colour swatch, place it on the table and your personalised Audi, which is displayed on screen, instantly changes colour. You didn’t touch any buttons, it just did. Klepierre’s inspiration tunnel is another wonderful example, whereby a whole new immersive experience is kick started by the products you have just bought. Through ID recognition and push notification messaging you are invited to a world of inspiration that again would be impossible to do within the restrictions of the real world. Also worth mentioning is a recent experimental installation at the Digital Revolution exhibit at the Barbican. The last room was almost pitch black, filled with smoke and had lasers pointing downwards. Step up to the laser and you could knock it away from you by pushing it, kicking it or bumping it. You could almost feel it
as you touched it; it felt like it had a physical entity. What made it a true tactile digital experience is that it’s impossible to recreate online. Not all tactile digital experiences work out though. A high profile example of this is Burberry Live on Regent Street. Pick up a handbag and hold it in front of a magic mirror, which becomes a screen and shows you the bag....turning around. That’s it. The same bag you’re holding is now turning around on a screen. The content of the digital has to go way past what the physical space will allow to truly heighten the shopping experience, or it just feels gimmicky. Worse still, savvy customers feel price tags are bloated to pay for the unhelpful technology. Don’t get us wrong, there are some awesome digital experiences out there that aren’t just touch screens that work beautifully. Inamo’s projection tables, the Boots app, the Pepsi Max bus shelter, Disney MagicBand, Emart Sale Navigation; they all offer more to enhance the real world experience. Tactile digital experiences just go that bit further and push it in a whole new direction. So, how do we define a truly worthwhile tactile digital experience? There are three key components:
1. It has to be initiated by something physical 2. It has to go further than the limitations of physical space 3. It can’t be recreated online We are currently working on a tactile digital experience for one of our clients, who is striving to change the UK public perception of health retail. This experience will allow customers to engage in a sector that currently seems almost impossible to understand and in a way that just seems natural. At a time when everyone is talking about saving the high street and reshaping the physical space with digital, these types of experiences may very well bring the excitement back to bricks and mortar, and provide a reason to step away from the mouse. Go the real world!
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Top to Bottom: POPAI 2014 awards trophy; Argos with Dalziel & Pow won Gold in the flagship and store category; Best Temporary Display of the Year went to Asda for its Halloween POS campaign; Best Permanent Display of the Year went to Camelot Group’s counter lottery terminal; The team involved in the Temporary Display of the Year.
The retail marketing industry gathered in London in October to celebrate point-of-purchase excellence and creativity. Martin Kingdon, director general of not-for-profit trade association POPAI UK & Ireland, said he was ‘delighted and inspired’ by the best practice showcased at this year’s POPAI Awards, which recognise the importance of point-of-purchase display and shopper marketing in driving commercial success in store. Winners of the eighth annual event were announced in October at a celebratory gala dinner, hosted by comedian Marcus Brigstocke at Tower Hotel in London. Speaking previously, Kingdon said the awards do more than simply recognise great work already done; they also provide encouragement and inspiration across the sector to push new boundaries in retail marketing. The winners of each category were selected by a panel of judges made up of leading retail marketing practitioners from both brands and retailers, including the likes of Unilever, Marks & Spencer, L’Oreal, Heineken, Boots and Tesco. The Delta Group and Gratterpalm walked away with the award for Best Temporary Display of the Year 2014 for their Asda Halloween POS campaign, while Fastrak Retail UK was awarded Best Permanent Display of the Year 2014 for its counter Lottery terminal for Camelot Group. Other gold winners on the night included Argos with Dalziel & Pow in the flagship & store category, APS Group for the Ford Showroom upgrade in the travel, leisure & automotive category, and Green Room Retail for its British Gas retail kiosks in the short run category. Congratulating the winners, Kingdon said: ‘We have seen some shining examples from companies who have demonstrated outstanding creativity at the point-of-purchase and as a result have delivered clear benefits in terms of retail performance improvement and shopper engagement.’ For full information on this year’s gold, silver and bronze award winners, visit: www.popai.co.uk/awards
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Retail design collective 3-5 December 2014, New York City Visplay Forget about boring tables when it comes to creating mid-floor merchandise displays. The new structural system Kado 15 from Visplay offers flexible, modular configurations even for wall displays! The base elements can be combined in any manner, and extended or modified to suit your needs. Don’t miss your chance to see Visplay’s latest innovations at the A.R.E. Retail Design Collective from 3-5 December in New York City. The company will also be exhibiting for the first time in the UK in 2015, at the new Retail Design Expo, which takes place from 10-11 March at Olympia London. T. +44 (0)207 288 9570 www.visplay.com E. visplay-uk@visplay.com www.youtube.com/shopfittingsystems
Retail Design Collective Taking place at the Metropolitan Pavilion as well as showrooms throughout New York, the A.R.E. Retail Design Collective brings together three days of product presentations, conference sessions and networking events. New for 2014 is a free WindowsWear Fashion Window Walking Tour as well as a collaborative installation at the Metropolitan Pavilion that will showcase products from participating showrooms. www.retaildesigncollective.com Twitter: A_RE
CNL Mannequins CNL Mannequins will showcase its premium mannequins, forms and display items during the Retail Design Collective at the Metropolitan Pavilion on the second floor, room 2E. As one of the leading global mannequin companies, based in Southern California, CNL produces high-quality, fashionable mannequins, forms and display products in a wide range of materials. E. hilary@barthelmessuk.com (UK) www.barthelmessuk.com E. larry@cnlmannequins.com (USA) www.cnlmannequins.com
ALU With a portfolio of ready-made ALU products and fully customised fixtures, ALU is an international company that offers end-to-end retail services, including product and production engineering, manufacturing and logistics, and retail store execution. Since December 2012, ALU is also the exclusive distributor of the timeless and elegant ABC Mannequin collections in America. With headquarters in Italy, ALU serves its customers through a worldwide network of distributors as well as through subsidiaries in New York, Paris, Amsterdam, São Paulo and Mexico City. For United States, Canada, and Mexico, ALU’s head office and showroom is located at 50 Greene Street, New York, NY. T. (212) 924 8713 E. alu.us@alu.com www.alu.com Twitter: ALU_Italy
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VM + DISPLAY ONELAN ONELAN has enhanced its digital signage range and now offers audience measurement integration powered by Quividi. It delivers a rich set of data to understand how passers by engage with digital signage content. Reporting covers, for example, the number of opportunities to see, the number of real viewers, attention time and dwell time. This data can then be analysed by gender and age class. It provides a real-time video analytics solution that helps media owners, retailers and brands to finely count and qualify their audiences. VidiCentre automatically builds an informative graphical dashboard accessible via a simple web browser to reveal trends and correlations. The audience measurement solution uses the latest face and body detection technique and runs on ONELAN’s 24/7 Net-Top-Box. T. +44 (0)1491 411 400 www.onelan.com E. sales@onelan.com Twitter: onelan_ds
Cooke Brothers Cooke Brothers has introduced two new shelving strip options in addition to its ever-popular shelf support range of products. The Shelving Lite range is made from lightweight anodised aluminium and is available in a wide selection of finishes and profiles, including both surface-mounted or rebate fixing. Further requests from customers for shorter lengths of shelving strip has led to the company supplying the Shelving Lite in new standard lengths of 1,140mm, thereby reducing wastage and the necessity to crop down the usual 1,829mm length. A further addition to the shelving system is the option of solid stainless steel patterns, which is now available across the company’s two most popular profiles, flat (7470) and raised (7472).
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T. +44 (0)1922 740 011 E. sales@cookebrothers.co.uk www.cookebrothers.co.uk
arken P-O-P International arken’s wide range of illuminated displays includes the Purelite LED light box line, now the company’s best-seller. It has a contemporary aluminium frame (shown in powder coated black), making it ideal for a wide selection of outlets, from fashion retailers to cinemas and nightclubs. Purelite is low maintenance, cheap to run and uses 60 per cent less energy than traditional tube light boxes. T. +44 (0)1638 565 656 E. info@arken-pop.com www.arken-pop.com
Call us now about the new Shelving-Lite range
01922 740011 www.cookebrothers.co.uk sales@cookebrothers.co.uk
Practical shelving and bookcase solutions. Suitable for retail environments, libraries, schools, offices, institutions, and more.
Andy Thornton Andy Thornton offers a selection of display carts and trolleys, like this industrial mill cart in reclaimed pine with cast iron wheels. These versatile carts are ideal for displaying merchandise such as fashion items and decorative accessories. They offer plenty of storage space and can be easily moved around a store. The carts are part of the company’s rapidly expanding Urban Vintage range of visual merchandising display equipment, which includes shelving units, cabinets, drawers, tables and garment rails. Andy Thornton also supplies original shop counters and cabinets, industrial style lighting and decorative metal tiles for cladding ceilings and walls. T. +44 (0)1422 376 000 E. marketing@andythornton.com www.andythornton.com Twitter: andythorntonltd
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products
lighting Greenstock The Greenstock lamp company has launched a first in the shatterproof market of affordable IEC standard T5 and T8 shatterproof fluorescent tubes. Companies that need the glass retention of shatterproof lamps in their industry now have the assurance of IEC standard lamps at the same price as non-compliant lamps being offered elsewhere in the market. The EcoCoat shatterproof tubes from Greenstock are fully approved following IEC testing. Greenstock is able to supply a copy of the independent Certificate of Conformity and Drop Test results. T. +44 (0)845 2570 444 E. sales@greenstock.co.uk www.greenstock.co.uk
Display Lighting Jewellery lighting specialist Display Lighting has introduced the Quantum III Miniature compact LED spotlight, with three integral LEDs emitting a 45-degree beam, The fitting bathes displays in a powerful spotlight of illumination, and the 50mm diameter head is highly adjustable through 350 degrees. It has customisable LED colour temperature options; cool, neutral and warm white or a mixture of the three. T. +44 (0)161 207 3355 www.display-lighting.com Twitter: DisplayLighting
Reggiani A complete refurbishment of the New Look store at Westfield West London has made extensive use of Reggiani’s comprehensive range of luminaires, as well as the company’s design expertise. The store has also just been announced as the winner of the World Retail Awards Store Design 2014 category. The general lighting brief was relatively non-prescriptive, with a requirement simply to use a series of horizontal and vertical track in broken lines on the ceiling to avoid creating a tunnel-like finish, along with extensive use of barn door fittings to create a dramatic theatrical effect. Working in partnership with New Look creatives, Reggiani was able to select the most appropriate luminaires for each space in creating the overall lighting design. T. +44 (0)20 8236 3000 E. sales@reggiani.co.uk www.reggiani.net
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Universal Fibre Optics Universal Fibre Optics’ versatile MetroLED lighting system is ideal for display case illumination. Whether you require spotlights that can be independently moved and tilted to highlight specific aspects of your display, linear lights that provide a complete wash of light or a combination of the two, the MetroLED system can be assembled to meet your exact requirements and reconfigured as often as required. 3000K, 4000K and 6500K colour temperatures are available and can be dimmed independently of one another thanks to the dual circuit power that the MetroLED system incorporates. T. +44 (0)1890 883 416 E.info@fibreopticlighting.com www.fibreopticlighting.com Twitter: universalfo
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products
flooring Sika Sika has provided a robust and impressive flooring solution for a hair and beauty wholesaler in Greater Manchester. Alan Howard Hair and Beauty Supplies in Stockport required easy-to-maintain and aesthetically pleasing flooring for its 750 sq m trade supply warehouse. Specialist installer, Quest Industrial Flooring turned to Sika to provide the ideal solution, which began with Sikafloor 161 - an economic, two-part low viscosity epoxy resin primer for the concrete substrate, offering easy application and short wait times. Sika Comfortfloor in pure white was then applied. T. +44 (0)800 112 3863 E. enquiries@uk.sika.com www.sikaflooring.co.uk Twitter: SikaLimited
Gradus Gradus has launched an online resource that offers informative advice to help users select the correct stair nosing. The mini website is designed to show how correctly specified and installed stair nosings can help to prevent accidents on stairs, providing a safer and more inclusive environment for building users. The site includes a three-step guide to selecting the correct stair nosing, important extracts from key guidance and videos from industry experts. T. +44 (0)1625 428 922 E. imail@gradusworld.com www.createsafestairs.uk Twitter: Gradus_World
Junckers Karndean The original conveyor belt sushi bar restaurant, YO! Sushi, has specified the UK’s market leader in luxury vinyl flooring Karndean Designflooring in place of real wood at various locations throughout the country. Its new restaurant on Kensington High Street features Karndean’s Da Vinci Australian Walnut in all walkways and individual restaurant booths. The deep chocolatey tones and ebony lowlights of Australian Walnut successfully create a rich backdrop in key areas. ‘Not only is Karndean harder wearing than wood and doesn’t suffer from expansion and contraction, but it’s also easy to maintain and retains its appearance beautifully,’ says Jon Parry, construction manager at YO! Sushi. T. +44 (0)845 605 5880 E. commercial@karndean.co.uk www.karndean.com Twitter: KarndeanComm
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When fashion company Noa Noa needed a new floor for its concept store on Strøget in the centre of Copenhagen, it turned to Junckers for high quality, solid hardwood floor. To add a natural, warm feel to the monochrome interiors scheme, the store designers opted for Single Stave Blocks in Black Oak; Junckers’ updated take on the traditional parquet floor, using longer than average staves. The floor has been finished in Rustic Black Oil for a matt finish, which gives an instant vintage feel to the wood, with a patina that will only get better with time. T. +44 (0)1376 534 700 www.junckers.co.uk Twitter: junckersfloors
Opening a new store ? We can supply all your needs in just one delivery... saving you money! Vist our online shop with over a thousand products available and in stock or call our Sales Team today
• Distribution • Shop fittings • Bespoke design • Display systems • Mannequins • Point of sale • Printed bags • Printed hangers
Call now 0844 8009 305 www.theretailfactory.co.uk
products
surfaces + finishes Muraspec Muraspec is an international leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of wallcoverings and interior surfaces. With more than 125 years of British heritage, its name is synonymous with inspiring design and quality. Muraspec wallcoverings are designed and manufactured in the factory in Kent and can be found in the finest hotels, shops, offices and residences worldwide. The company has thousands of different designs and colours in its range. Other decorative solutions include Impressions 3D Sculptured panels, Lumicor decorative resin panels Strataflex laminate film and coated fabrics. T. +44 (0)8705 117 118 E. customerservices@muraspec.com www.muraspec.com Twitter: Muraspec.
Formica Formica Group presents its refreshed ColorCore by Formica Group range, featuring an extended colour palette and texture choice. The updated range includes a high FSC product claim, combining environmentally conscious design with greater creative scope. With the homogenous colour eliminating the dark line associated with conventional laminates, ColorCore has earned its reputation as an innovative material, used by architects and designers as well as artists, jewellers and furniture makers. T. +44 (0)191 259 3512 E. samples.uk@formica.com www.formica.com
Avonite Junckers The beauty of wood is often used to add warmth and texture to an interior, not only on floors but increasingly on walls and other vertical surfaces. This emerging trend has been used in several Waitrose branches, where Junckers Walnut planks add a lively, natural element to the shop interior. Waitrose’s in-house store design team incorporated Junckers’ Walnut and Beech planks on the bakery and juice bar counters, juxtaposing timber with on-trend metro tiles, steel detailing and pendant lighting to stunning effect. T. +44 (0)1376 534 700 www.junckers.co.uk Twitter: junckersfloors
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When you want your project to stand out from the crowd, why not custom specify the colour of the solid surfacing as in this elliptical reception desk for Bayern Munich football club. The solid surface was manufactured to the club’s corporate red using the Chromatix colour matching service from Avonite. With Chromatix, the Glass and Petals translucent solid surface in the Studio Collection can be custom-matched to a specified colour using the Pantone Matching System. The translucent material can also be back lit for added individuality. Chromatix by Avonite is available from International Decorative Surfaces, the UK’s largest surface materials distributor with 12 branches nationwide. T. +44 (0)0845 603 7811 E. info@avonitesolidsurface.co.uk www.avonitesolidsurface.co.uk
The Retail Factory provide a unique...
source · store · deliver “Our team of warehouse professionals will accurately pack the items you require for delivery, getting you everything you need, when you need it and where you need it.”
source · Consolidating your order process
· · · · ·
Store opening and closure service... We can now offer retailers a way to consolidate and simplify the process of new store set-up, the refurbishment of existing stores and the closure of any unwanted locations. Our service removes the organisational and logistical burden during a new store opening, significantly decreasing the stress, hassle and cost involved, allowing you to shift your focus onto the more crucial issues relating to establishing a successful retail environment. We will source all the products you need for your store openings, supplying everything you require from our retail, stationary and back office range of over 40,000 products. We organise the delivery of the items centrally into our 25,000 square foot warehouse, to be stored ready for dispatch to your locations, on the dates you specify. Before dispatch, all the items needed for a particular store are picked and packed onto pallets for delivery to you simultaneously, significantly reducing onsite traffic and the confusion that can be caused by multiple drops from several different suppliers.
Save hassle of dealing with multiple suppliers Significant cost savings Reduce your financial outlay on the project One point of contact for all matters relating to your order Invoicing and administration streamlined
store · · · ·
Central storage point for all your items Delivered direct to our warehouse and stored until needed Deliveries unpacked, checked and inventoried Picked and packed on a store by store basis
deliver · Delivering on demand · No ordering in bulk · Distributing to stores, only when required · Fewer deliveries
store closures · · · · ·
Help in the event of store closure Organise pick up, sorting and secure storage of equipment Recycling and disposal of unwanted and damaged items Collect directly and transport to our warehouse Undamaged items inventoried, repacked and stored
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products
selection PEL Services PEL Services has been appointed by three world famous luxury fashion brands to fit our their stores with sound, security and fire alarm systems in New Bond Street, London, one of the most expensive strips of real estate in the world. Fire alarm and access control systems have been installed by PEL in Hugo Boss, Fendi and Jimmy Choo, with CCTV, intruder alarm and Electronic Article Surveillance systems, plus Bose music systems fitted at Hugo Boss and Jimmy Choo. Hugo Boss also benefits from a state-of-the-art video wall. T. +44 (0)0333 123 2100 E. info@pel.co.uk www.pel.co.uk www.pelav.co.uk
JS Air Curtains Essensse from JS Air Curtains is an attractive and economic air curtain suitable for a range of environments, including small shops, restaurants and banks. Essensse can deliver up to 2,900 cu m of air, enabling it to seal doorways up to 2.5m high when mounted above an entrance. Easy to install,the compact unit is finished in white RAL 9010 as standard with other colours available on request. The air curtain is controlled via a wall-mounted controller with multiple units able to be operated from the same control system.
T. +44 (0)1903 858 656 E. info@jsaircurtains.com www.jsaircurtains.com Twitter: JSAirCurtains
IDS The new website, www.surfacestyling.co.uk, from International Decorative Surfaces (IDS) puts paid to time-consuming trawling around multiple websites for the right interior surfaces. Now they are all in one easy to navigate site offering thousands of different finishes, textures, sizes and specifications. The website offers a one-stop-site for leading interior surface material brands and is compatible for easy viewing on all platforms, including smartphones, tablets and computers. T. +44 (0)845 603 7811 E. info@surfacestyling.co.uk www.surfacestyling.co.uk
PC Abaclix PC Abaclix specialises in intricate cutting for bespoke products in the retail and building refurbishment industry. The company’s high precision machines have the capability to cut complex patterns from wood, acrylic and metals through to solid surfaces, allowing for custom-made detail on any application, be it a ceiling, wall, counter or floor. PC Abaclix has also developed seamless inlay skills with various materials perfect for corporate logos and bespoke patterns. Recent projects include Boodles, Commonwealth Games, Arabian Oud and Museum of Bologna. T. +44 (0)1702 299540 E. Sales@ProCutuk.co.uk www.ProCutuk.co.uk
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digital display
focus on: Digital Display Debenhams goes digital As part of the transformation of Debenhams on Oxford Street, London, AV specialist AVMI supplied a range of digital media solutions, including four nine-screen video walls at the main entrance, above the ground floor escalators and in the homewares department. The ground floor feature area also incorporates a cluster of five ceiling suspended displays. The screens are used for promotions, as well as showcasing new product lines, entertaining shoppers and inspiring the customer journey, and can be viewed and updated easily from a remote location.
www.debenhams.com
www.avmi.com
From self-service kiosks to large format video walls, digital signage is becoming commonplace in retail stores and shopping centres. In fact, the total digital signage market is expected to be worth $14.87 billion by 2020, an estimated CAGR of 8.94 per cent from 2014 to 2020, according to a report by MarketsandMarkets. The technology is often used in retail to inform and entertain consumers, with the aim of boosting sales and enhancing the overall shopping experience. This month, we browse some of the latest in-store installations, from Virgin Media’s window displays to Debenhams’ ninescreen video walls. Case in point Digital display is at the heart of the new Case store at Heathrow Terminal 2. The travel goods retailer worked with experience design company, Mood Media to build a store that would showcase the ranges of some of its premium brand partners, including TUMI and RIMOWA, and engage with consumers. The content is seamlessly synchronised across five visual columns, made up of 25 46-inch screens. The new Case store concept was developed in collaboration with Raylian Store Design.
www.caseluggage.com www.moodmedia.com www.raylian.co.uk
From Russia with love European value fashion retailer, Takko Fashion is using some 168 BrightSign XD230 players to drive video walls and screens in its 28 new Russian stores. Interactive Multimedia Solutions (the BrightSign reseller in Russia), has supplied six players in each store, which drive a 3x3 video wall in the window and a similar wall placed centrally in the store. An additional four screens are located around the store, with content uploaded regularly via the BrightSign network. ‘This is a completely new market for us, and we are keen to create a strong presence,’ says Evgeniy Kozlovskiy of Takko. ‘Takko uses digital signage extensively in its Russian stores to enhance the experience of its young and fashion-conscious customers.’
www.takko-fashion.com
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www.brightsign.biz
digital display
Sweet charity Age UK is using digital screens in 150 of its charity shops to display live news and weather as well as highlight its various products and services. The digital signage, from Amscreen, uses simple plug-and-play technology, meaning there is no disruption to business operations on installation. ‘The OptimEyes technology has really allowed Age UK to understand customer demographics and tweak marketing communications to target those customers appropriately,’ says Helena King, head of affinity and product development at Age UK.
www.ageuk.org.uk www.amscreen.eu
Touch point NEC Display Solutions Europe has added ShadowSense touch technology to five displays in its Professional (P) Series large format range, enabling them to work in bright ambient light conditions. Ideal for interactive retail signage, wayfinding and selfservice kiosks in shopping centres, the multitouch displays are built with a robust design and allow fine tuning of the touchscreen parameters to suit specific customer requirements and application uses.
www.nec-display-solutions.com
Bright and clear In the last 12 months, Virgin Media has introduced a number of in-store interactive touchscreen video walls to enable customers to browse and compare the various products and services on offer. The company has also installed digital screens in its stores windows nationwide, following a successful trial in January 2014. The bespoke screens, from Esprit Digital, are designed for all light conditions, meaning consumers will not experience any viewing difficulties through exterior shop windows in ambient sunlight. ‘These bespoke screens from Esprit are a key part of our strategy to attract new customers and drive them into our stores,’ says Paul Williams, retail director for Virgin Media. ‘The brightness and clarity are excellent.’
www.virginmedia.com www.espritdigital.com
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comment
Keep it simple At a time when consumers are hit hard by multichannel campaigns, it’s important to keep the message simple, argues Mark McKeown of Impulse POP It is widely accepted that the retail buying culture is changing. In our industry, this is what differentiates the good and the great, whether it be the brands themselves or the experts advising them. What is so intriguing about our industry is the necessity to evolve. When we started Impulse, the criteria for success was simpler. We could get away with relying on good looking displays located well within the store, to achieve its intended ROI. We are now in a world where most purchases are researched and the main problem for brands is keeping engagement of clients in store, to the point of purchase. Consumers are now hit by multichannel campaigns as they enter a store, so brands have a harder time engaging and keeping interest to the point of purchase. I think we, as a society, run the risk of over complicating the process, and regardless of the target market or cost of the product, just keep it simple. Our business operates at both ends of the spectrum regarding product, and whereas the premium brands may inspire more exciting creative, employing a good mix of digital and physical assets in store, it is also as demanding and potentially rewarding to be given briefs for some of the more budget FMCG brands. Our shopper research still maintains that you must keep the message simple. It’s refreshing to see a shift in consumer loyalty. Where the likes of Tesco were monopolising grocery, we have realised we can get better ‘value’ by looking at alternatives. A large extent of our volume work now goes into emerging budget stores, including The Range, B&M Stores and Poundland. It appears from our own research that the buying process is more old fashioned here. Dwell times are longer in store, and due to out-of-town location, easy parking promotes visits to these stores being more of a planned outing rather than an impulse visit. So consumers will be expected to make the purchase in one visit – display mechanics are designed around this principle. This ‘value’ may not always be price driven. John Lewis has proven this, and although its mantra about price is accepted, I think we also accept that we will end up spending more in a John Lewis store, and are happy to, based on the trust the brand exudes. This requires a different approach in store. My point in all of this is that the best success still comes from keeping it simple. By all means spend money on shopper marketing (it’s important to know your customers), and employ multichannel resources, but don’t lose sight of the fundamentals. When screens were first used in store, a lot of the messaging was lost as customers were completely swamped by digital
content on entering a store. We now run the risk of doing this in the newly evolved digital marketplace, and how this is used will determine the next generation of shopper.
www.impulsepop.co.uk
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Directory
Retail Supplier Directory, find the specialist retail products and services you are looking for from leading suppliers around the world. Retail Supplier Directory Visit the Retail Focus online directory at www.retail-focus.co.uk to discover a comprehensive list of the UK’s leading retail suppliers. Each listing contains indepth company information together with inspirational images, video footage and informative press material. You can also link through to company websites and connect with suppliers through Twitter and Facebook. The Retail Supplier Directory is divided into a number of categories, such as design agencies, point-of-purchase, lighting, props and surfaces, to make the site easy to navigate. To feature in the online directory, contact Terry Clark on 0845 6807405 or email terry@retailfocus.co
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Directory
Aluminium Fittings
Bespoke Display
Bespoke Display
Design Consultancies
RGB Products Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry. Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service. T: 01273 582241 E: info@d-i-a.net W: www.d-i-a.net S. www.twitter.com/DesignsinAlumin
Axis design, develop, manufacture and install bespoke retail display solutions. We’ve worked with the biggest names on the high street, but approach every project in the same way, with the maximum thought for your brand, products and sales environment.
We provide a bespoke manufacturing service for Point of Purchase and Exhibition Display products. Using our CNC Router and other machinery, we can prototype and produce your merchandising displays and products.
H Squared Limited are display specialists in creating brand presence at the point of purchase. Through a holistic approach to the development of display... strategic led creative design and cost effective manufacture, supply and installation, H Squared are able to offer clients an experience to nurture an idea as well as the capability to realise and deliver these ideas.
T, 020 3260 3888 E. info@axiseurope.com W.www.axiseurope.com/retail S. www.twitter.com/AxisEuropePlc
T, 01403 783670 E. sales@rgbproducts.co.uk W. www.rgbproducts.co.uk
T: 01530 814200 E: studio@hsquared.co.uk W: www.hsquaredltd.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/HSquaredLtd
Aluminium Fittings
Bespoke Display
MicroSlat is a strong versatile 25mm fine pitched aluminium slatwall system. With a bespoke range of components it can be used to build unique and interesting displays or add value to existing designs.
Original suppliers of display fabrics, textiles, PVC and polycarbonates for retail displays and exhibition stands since 1934 Backgrounds have been our background since backgrounds began and B Brown have more than 400 in stock.
Spur Creative Workshop deliver unique visual merchandising solutions for retail brands. Boasting a wealth of experience in high quality prop making we create display concepts for window staging, POS and brand awareness campaigns.
IGNITION is an independent creative company Our multi-disciplined team work together to deliver exceptional retail and commercial environments, global exhibitions and brands.
T. 01325 351 276 E. sales@microslat.com W. www.microslat.com S. www.twitter.com/MicroSlat
T, 08705 340 340 E. customerservices@bbrown.co.uk W. www.bbrown.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/luvbbrown
T 01892 890608 E: phil@spurcreative.co.uk W www.spurcreative.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/ spur_creative
T, +44 (0) 1179 725168 E. victoria@ignitiondg.com W. www.ignitiondg.com
Aluminium Fittings
Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry. Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service. T: 0 01422 310767 E: sales@wbelland.com W: www.wbelland.com
Balloons & Bunting
Bespoke Display
Bespoke Display
Bespoke Display
H Squared Limited are display specialists in creating brand presence at the point of purchase. Through a holistic approach to the development of display... strategic led creative design and cost effective manufacture, supply and installation, H Squared are able to offer clients an experience to nurture an idea as well as the capability to realise and deliver these ideas.
Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry.
T: 01530 814200 E: studio@hsquared.co.uk W: www.hsquaredltd.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/HSquaredLtd
T: 0 01422 310767 E: sales@wbelland.com W: www.wbelland.com
Bespoke Display
Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service.
CNC Routing
Design Consultancies
Design Consultancies
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) 1858 414275 E. hello@twovisual.co.uk W. www. twovisual.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/TWO_Visual
Display
RGB Products No.1 Advertising Balloon Service: • Printed Latex and Foil Balloons • Helium Gas delivery and collection • Flags, Bunting and Banners • Promotional Sashes and T-shirts • Multi-store distribution nationwide
KSF provides retail merchandising display solutions to retailers, brands and trade customers from CONCEPT to COMPLETION via our global supply chain (China/UK/East EU) to deliver LOWER total cost of ownership. YOU’VE TRIED THE REST; NOW PUT US TO THE TEST.
We provide a bespoke manufacturing service for Point of Purchase and Exhibition Display products. Using our CNC Router and other machinery, we can prototype and produce your merchandising displays and products.
arken are a UK design and manufacturing facility creating bespoke poster display solutions. As well as our bespoke offer, we provide off the shelf products such as poster frames, light boxes, poster hanging systems, pavement signs, forecourt signs, all available in a range of colours and sizes.
T, 01494 774376 E. sales@b-loony.com W. www.b-loony.com
T: +44 (0)8450 944 699 E: ben.wang@ksf-global.com W: www.ksf-global.com S: www.twitter.com/KSFGlobal
T, 01403 783670 E. sales@rgbproducts.co.uk W. www.rgbproducts.co.uk
T: +44 (0)1638 565656 E: info@arken-pop.com W: www.arken-pop.com
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Directory
Display
Are you looking to increase your product sales, re-brand or launch a new product? If you’re not already talking to us, you should. Our group offer an unprecedented level of experience coupled with a comprehensive range of products and services. Our aim is to make your products sell and your service the best on the market.
T: +44(0)113 265 0093 E: sales@concept-data.com W: www.concept-data.com S. www.twitter.com/GDProjects
Display
Internationally acclaimed, award winning unique magnetic wall system offers instant flexibility & creative choice to architects, interiors & store designers. Since launching the magnIQ system in 2006 the response has been quite phenomenal. To date the system has won 13 prestigious awards and is now internationally recognised justifying the many years Rare Basic spent on research and development. T +44 (0)20 8348 9888 E: mail@rarebasic.com W: www.rarebasic.com S: www.twitter.com/rarebasic
Display - Digital
Furniture
Crystal Display Systems is already a leading UK designer, distributor and value added reseller of flat panel display solutions. We have a vast array of media players, interactive displays, videowalls and shelf edge displays. Our knowledge and expertise has also led to us being one of the European leaders in transparent LCD.
Spur Creative Workshop deliver unique visual merchandising solutions for retail brands. Boasting a wealth of experience in high quality prop making we create display concepts for window staging, POS and brand awareness campaigns.
T: +44 (0) 1634 292 025 E: info@crystal-display.com W: www.crystal-display.com S. www.twitter.com/CrystalDisplays
T 01892 890608 E: phil@spurcreative.co.uk W www.spurcreative.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/ spur_creative
Furniture
Display
Display
Display - Digital
GDP designs, manufactures, delivers and installs world-class retail environments, store fixtures, displays and visual merchandising equipment. GDP is truly Global, through its activities in many parts of the world. We have supplied high-end displays and furniture to successful retail brands throughout Europe, North America, South Africa and South East Asia.
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: +44 (0)1582 433 771 E: info@gdprojects.eu W: www.gdprojects.eu S. www.twitter.com/GDProjects
T 01892 890608 E: phil@spurcreative.co.uk W www.spurcreative.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/ spur_creative
T, +44 (0)845 481 8020 E. info@screenmediatechnology.com W.screenmediatechnology.com S. www.twitter.com/ScreenMediaTech
T: 01923 800666 E: info@stylographics.co.uk W: www.stylographics.com S. www.twitter.com/hellostylo
Display
Display
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.
We create bespoke tailored solutions for retail, interiors, exhibitions, museums and 3D and we know one size does not fit all. Our teams are always ready for the challenges, big or small.
T: 0161 477 8501 E: info@ipos-design.co.uk W: www.ipos-design.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/iposdesign
T: 01923 800666 E: info@stylographics.co.uk W: www.stylographics.com S. www.twitter.com/hellostylo
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.
T, 01767 682756 E. sales@impulsepop.co.uk W.www.impulsepop.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/impulsepop
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Display
Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry.
EPOS
Offering an extensive range of EPOS hardware from world class suppliers such as Star Micronics, Honeywell and Posiflex, DED offer the complete EPOS hardware solution alongside a unique rewritable loyalty system.
T: 01797 320636 E: sales@ded.co.uk W: www.ded.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/dedltd
Finishes
Armourcoat is the world’s foremost supplier of polished plasters, sculptural effects and innovative surface finishes.
Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service. T: 0 01422 310767 E: sales@wbelland.com W: www.wbelland.com
T. +44 (0)1732 460 668 E. sales@armourcoat.co.uk W. www.armourcoat.com S. www.twitter.com/Armourcoat
Graphics
Graphica Display print, produce and install retail graphics including till point graphics, window graphics, LED lightboxes, cut & printed vinyl and much more. Nationwide & Euorpean delivery and installation.
T: 0845 3730073 E: info@graphicadisplay.co.uk W:www.graphicadisplay.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/graphicatweet
Graphics
We create bespoke tailored solutions for retail, interiors, exhibitions, museums and 3D and we know one size does not fit all. Our teams are always ready for the challenges, big or small.
T: 01923 800666 E: info@stylographics.co.uk W: www.stylographics.com S. www.twitter.com/hellostylo
Directory
Interactive Displays
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.
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.
T: +44 (0) 1634 292 025 E: info@crystal-display.com W: www.crystal-display.com S. www.twitter.com/CrystalDisplays
Lighting
T, 01767 682756 E. sales@impulsepop.co.uk W.www.impulsepop.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/impulsepop
POP/POS
LED Solutions are a specialist LED lighting supplier who can offer you a wide variety of bespoke lighting solutions for the sign, shop fitting and display industries.
We are IPOS. A creative design agency whose extensive and impressive client list speaks volumes for the professional services we offer. We design, produce and install all aspects of our client’s POS. From instore graphics, window vinyls and 3D bespoke window displays to full multi location campaign roll outs.
T: 0116 262 5933 E: sales@ledsolutions.co.uk W: www.ledsolutions.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/ LEDSolutionsUK
T: 0161 477 8501 E: info@ipos-design.co.uk W: www.ipos-design.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/iposdesign
POP/POS
We are creative-led manufacturers of highly innovative and effective point of purchase displays. We understand the importance of increasing sales and encouraging interaction at the point of purchase and specialise in creating retail display stands for a number of sectors including Consumer Electronics, Cosmetics, Health & Beauty, & Tobacco. T: +44 (0)1638 565656 E: info@arken-pop.com W: www.arken-pop.com
POP/POS
From small, lightweight point-of-sale display turntables for short term use, to larger turntables designed for durability and reliability over many years, Movetech UK has a turntable to meet your needs.
T: 01204 537680 E: display@movetechuk.com W:www.movetechuk.com S. www.twitter.com/movetechuk
POP Install
100% provides services in the UK & Europe covering: • • • • • •
Display Installation POS Updates & Maintenance Store Audits Transport & Warehousing Project Management Online Reporting
T: +44 (0)161 929 9599 E: dan.williams@100percentgroup.com W: www.100percentgroup.com S. www.twitter.com/ 100percentgroup
POP Install
Slatwall
MicroSlat is a strong versatile 25mm fine pitched aluminium slatwall system. With a bespoke range of components it can be used to build unique and interesting displays or add value to existing designs.
T. 01325 351 276 E. sales@microslat.com W. www.microslat.com S. www.twitter.com/MicroSlat
Slatwall
We are the leading retail implementation agency with unrivalled expertise in Installation, Retail Audits, Merchandising and Field Marketing. If you think your campaigns might benefit from a complete service, you should talk to us.
Specialist Stockist of Aluminium Extrusions and Mild Steel Fittings for the shopfitting industry.
T: +44 (0) 1625 569 200 E: instore@momentuminstore.com W: www.momentuminstore.com S: www.twitter.com/momentuminstore
T: 0 01422 310767 E: sales@wbelland.com W: www.wbelland.com
POP Install
Our aim is simple: To provide GOLD STANDARD Installation and Merchandising of Display Equipment at competitive prices.
T: 0161 941 2239 E: mike.kirchin@plan2install.co.uk W: www.plan2install.co.uk
Extensive stock held of: *Slotted uprights *Aluminium slatwall *Perimeter Sections *Corner sections *Design and bespoke service.
VM
With over 24 years experience and knowledge within the industry, we pride ourselves on offering a tailored service for retail solutions such as Mannequins, LED Lighting & magnIQ our patented magnetic wall system. We work with many different sectors, including; Designers, Stylists, Architects and Visual concept team buyers. T +44 (0)20 8348 9888 E: mail@rarebasic.com W: www.rarebasic.com S: www.twitter.com/rarebasic
POP/POS
POP/POS
Retail Consultancy
VM - Training & Tools
We specialise in Point of Sale (POS) and Point of Purchase (POP). We design, manufacture and fit retail fixtures and store displays and we’re good at it. For over 55 years Axiom has been designing and producing exciting and innovative retail displays for well known brands and retail groups.
Spur Creative Workshop deliver unique visual merchandising solutions for retail brands. Boasting a wealth of experience in high quality prop making we create display concepts for window staging, POS and brand awareness campaigns.
We are 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.
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)161 681 1371 E: info@axiom-displays.co.uk W: www.axiom-displays.co.uk
T 01892 890608 E: phil@spurcreative.co.uk W www.spurcreative.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/ spur_creative
T, +44 (0) 1858 414275 E. hello@twovisual.co.uk W. www. twovisual.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/TWO_Visual
T, +44 (0) 1858 414275 E. hello@twovisual.co.uk W. www. twovisual.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/TWO_Visual
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Photography by Pedro Motta
Q&A
New York luxury design house, Coach is in the process of transforming from an international accessories business to a global lifestyle brand, across all product categories, store environments and brand imagery. Here, the brand’s global visual director, Samar Younes talks craftsmanship, the hybrid customer experience and emerging trends.
RF. How long have you been global visual director at Coach? SY. Two years and four months. RF. What drew you to the brand? SY. I was always a big fan of the Bonnie Cashin Coach designs and learned that the classic silhouettes were getting relaunched in stores and reinvented as part of Coach’s early stages of brand transformation. I decided to join Coach because I was excited about the revival of a quintessential American brand with such a rich heritage. I’m especially excited by the current chapter of transformation under the creative direction of designer Stuart Vevers that focuses on a new effortless, younger, cooler, edgier direction and is absolutely something I’m very inspired by and relate to well. RF. How important is it for you and the team at Coach to collaborate with artists, designers and craftsmen on your schemes? SY. Since Coach was established in 1941, it began as a family run workshop. In a Manhattan loft, six artisans handcrafted a collection of leather goods using skills handed down from generation [to generation]. In essence, cross collaboration with artists, designers and artisans is second nature to Coach and a huge part of its DNA, and I highly value taking on a collaborative and integrated approach to all designs I work on. RF. Who or what inspires you? SY. Art with a capital A! I’m passionate about architecture, sculptures and art installations. I have such admiration of old world craftsmanship, which is often a huge source of inspiration. I love traveling whenever I can, within the US or around the globe exploring new cities and towns, discovering places and immersing myself in various cultures that engage all my senses. I’m always inspired by Beirut, my birth city and it’s imperfect charm, similarly NYC for it’s cultural diversity and energy. I find inspiration and beauty in the imperfect, the mundane or in the most gritty or unexpected places. I’m also obsessed with form and raw materials, and love exploring and hands-on testing the potential and qualities of their characteristics; I’m a very tactile person! RF. What are your thoughts on integrating digital into the store experience?
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SY. The future is all about the hybrid customer experience; the experience in which customers engage with a brand in store in the new ‘digital, interactive, mobile, social’ realm. It is particularly useful when targeting multiple demographics and cultures, and reaching a global audience. I do believe it adds a valuable new dimension in engaging the customer and has tons of potential. However, the digital experience has to be so purposeful and be an integral part of the design as well as strike the perfect balance of high tech and low tech/touch of hand for it to work well. It also needs to be very brand specific and avoid a cookie cutter formula, so that it feels catered and personalised to the brand. RF. What advice would you give to small, independent retailers that don’t have large budgets? SY. It’s really simple. If it’s good design, clever and beautifully crafted, it will work no matter what the budget is. Craftsmanship and strong composition is key, so the product is presented in the best possible light. For 10 years of my career I worked for Anthropologie, a retailer known for creating gobsmacking windows on a very low budget. The formula for the success of the windows is reinventing mundane humble material in artful installations that are beautifully crafted and well composed to frame and highlight the product effectively. You just need to have the patience, attention to detail and eye for good composition to execute simply and really well. RF. What trends do you see emerging in 2015? SY. The biggest trends I see emerging are pop-ups that focus on experimental spaces that integrate art, culture and events. Implementing art and culture into retail spaces is becoming a major means of driving foot traffic into stores and pop-ups. Flexible store design concepts are another growing trend that allow retailers to change pop-up themes and windows frequently. In some cases pop-ups encourage repeat visits with art-themed events such as live art installations and interactive art workshops, which take place on a weekly basis for example.
in everything you do
experts retail audits THE FIRST STEP TO IMPLEMENTING THE PERFECT INSTORE CAMPAIGN IS COMPLETELY UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS IN YOUR STORE ESTATE. OUR RETAIL AUDIT SERVICE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH THE CLARITY & VISION YOUR CAMPAIGNS NEED TO FLOURISH. We can deliver the intelligence your business needs to reduce costs and drive compliance, just in time to execute a seamless instore campaign.
At Momentum Instore we pride ourselves on managing every stage of the instore journey with a level of service and attention to detail that is unsurpassed in our industry, so let us take the first step with you.
...with the perfect end
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For more information about what our Retail Audits can achieve for you, please contact Tim Ellis. 07957 175 406 | tim.ellis@momentuminstore.com | momentuminstore.com
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FIELD MARKETING 23/09/2014 15:22