Retail Focus January/February 2019

retail focus

Jan/feb 2019 : £6.75

#106

January/February 2019

retail focus

www.retail-focus.co.uk @retailfocus

Italian style

Valextra, has opened a new store in the chic enclave of Bal Harbour

WWW.RETAIL-FOCUS.CO.UK @RETAILFOCUS

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H.O.L. are a London based leading provider of Retail Design, Shop Fitting and Retailer Supplies. We provide a creative and effective retail display environment to engage your customers and enhance your brand.

INTRODUCING OUR NEW COLLECTION FARRINGDON LAUNCHED AT THE VM & DISPLAY SHOW We worked with one of the UK’s leading body language experts to create a range of mannequins that convey a contemporary attitude. The collection includes male, female, urban and plus size adults along with playful children.

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contents

CONTENTS 29 Farrow and Ball

22 Window Shopping 7

Leader

8

Diary

11-16

News

55 In & Around

68 Focus on: Surfaces

19-20 Window shopping 25

Centre Stage

27

Karl McKeever

29

Project Focus

49

Opinion.

55

In & Around...

57-66 Products 74

Q&A

www.retail-focus.co.uk

32 Harrods Superbrands

THIS IS US Barthelmess GmbH is the European market leader for holistic visual marketing.

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diary

DIARY

Surface Design Show Business Design Centre, London 5-7 February 2019 Surface Design Show will showcase the best in interior and exterior surface materials. The 2019 event will have a special focus on two areas — the workplace and the public realm. Visitors will also be able to explore more than 150 exhibitor stands and enjoy a packed programme of talks comprising 39 presentations across three different stages. Other highlights include the 2019 Surface Design Awards, Light School section, the Stone Gallery and Stone Hub, Opening Night Live Debate and the famous PechaKucha evening. A first at this year’s show will be the New Talent area featuring 16 of the brightest new talents showing off their designs. surfacethinking

www.surfacedesignshow.com

The Retail Shopfitting & Display Summit Radisson Blu, London Stansted 4-5 February 2019 A highly focused event that is entirely free to attend for the 65 participating senior retail professionals. The format of the event is unlike any traditional expo or conference. Visitors are matched for a series of face-to-face meetings with suppliers who match their requirements — no hard sell and no time wasted.

RSDSummit www.retailshopfittingsummit.co.uk

VM & Display Show RetailEXPO Business Design Centre, London Olympia London 3-4 April 2019 1-2 May 2019 The VM & Display Show returns to Islington in April, bringing together everything from mannequins, print and props to POP, lighting and fabrics — and everything in-between — under one roof across two days. Launched in 2018, the Retail Focus Forum will offer visitors insight on the latest trends in visual merchandising and design from industry experts.

Retail Design Expo, Retail Business Technology Expo and Retail Digital Signage Expo will unify under one name for 2019 - RetailEXPO. The new format will bring together more than 15,000 retailers, tech exhibitors and retail design businesses, alongside an extensive line-up of speakers across a number of stages,

VMDisplayShow www.vmanddisplayshow.com

TheRetailExpo

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RETAIL SPECIFIERS AND SUPPLIERS COME TOGETHER AT THE

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THE FINAL AND MOST IMPORTANT PART OF ANY RETAIL PUZZLE Mannequins - Props - Christmas Decorations - Fabrics - Artificial Plants - Design - Print - Large format print - 3D print - Signage Audio Visual - Polystyrene - Foam Sculpture - Designers - Finishes - Christmas Trees - Artificial Snow - Antique Furniture Floor Coverings - Bespoke Joinery - Turnkey Operations - Window Dressing - Wigs and Make Up - Display Cabinet - Shelving Lighting - Neon Lighting - Surfaces - Wall coverings - POS - Digital Screens - Neon signage - Hangers - Graphics & MORE

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Flash to go here

Art Basel Miami 2018: Highlights Store design, pop-up retail and visual merchandising inspiration from the annual North American art show Text: Samar Younes, Samaritual Studios Between the plethora of art shows, exhibits and pop-up events around Art Basel Miami, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the visual stimuli that takes over the city during Art Week. There were some distinct prevailing themes that dominated the latest event in December, such as feminism, LGBT and subversive clever takes on pretty much everything and everyone. I found that the greatest visual pleasures were off the beaten path.

Immersive spaces Several galleries and pop-up spaces created immersive, floor-to-ceiling installations, providing an engaging theatrical experience through the use of colour saturation, shape repetition and reinforcing lighting.

Storytelling From bodegas to a fruit stall and demountable house-turned-boxing-gym, these made for interesting storytelling in a cohesive context and use of material, composition and prints.

Interaction In an effort to engage onlookers and invite them into their world, multiple artists used kinetic or digital sensorial installations and objects in a variety of different ways, from a giant rainbow bridge that offered a breathtaking bird’s eye view of Miami’s art district with a 360 degree photo booth to a wheel of fortune.

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art basel miami Scale Larger-than-life pieces exploring blown up pieces has always been a tried and true part of Art Basel. This year, however, the pieces felt a bit more dainty and unexpected in the space.

Playful props and spaces Tapping into nostalgia, fantasy and play, artists created pieces that engage our child within and evoke a sense of warmth and humour.

Cool craft props A plethora of craft techniques was wonderfully explored, using a combination of recycled materials and incredibly detailed soft sculptures.

Type play Typography was greatly explored in every way imaginable. I particularly enjoyed these pieces as they translate very well in store designs, pop-up and VM.

Subverted branding Some artists took on luxury and covetable brands and gave them their own twist. They borrowed logos, branding and items to re-invent them meme style, and in funny disruptive ways.

Soft versus hard The juxtaposition of soft materials layered over hard materials created beautifully balanced pieces that felt particularly strong and interesting.

11

the loNg-term effects

F Ca er

When you think of cancer, you may not think of it as a long-term condition. However 65% of cancer survivors say they’ve had to deal with long-term side effects during and after treatment. These long-term effects – such as persistent hair loss, depression, fatigue, nausea and loss of confidence – can impact their everyday lives, including at work.

Each year, almost 120,000 people of working age are diagnosed with cancer in the UK, and with survival rates improving and people retiring later, this figure is set to rise. 85% of people in work when they were diagnosed with cancer say that continuing work is important to them.

However, 47% of people had to give work up or change roles, highlighting the importance of ensuring that the right support and advice is available early on to prevent staff falling out of work.

However despite the need for this support, line managers are often ill equipped to offer the right level of information to help manage employees affected by cancer.

Organisations urgently need to develop a health and wellbeing at work strategy that recognises the needs of rising numbers of employees with long-term conditions. This is why Macmillan has developed Macmillan at Work, which offers workplace training, consultancy and resources to help HR and line managers support people affected by cancer.

a positive impact not only on wellbeing and helping to preserve livelihoods of those with long-term conditions, but also benefits organisations in retaining knowledgeable staff, as well as fostering a positive work culture and loyal workforce.

The building blocks of a good health and wellbeing at work strategy include policy, training and support programmes that raise awareness and address the needs of employees, and ensuring that relevant staff (such as line managers and HR) are equipped to support colleagues affected by cancer.

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

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

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29/03/2017 10:07

news

NEWS

Stanfords opens London flagship Iconic travel bookstore, Stanfords has opened its new London flagship at 7 Mercer Walk. Designed by Caulder Moore and fitted out by Bluecrow Projects, the 386 sq m store concept has been specially designed to accommodate the brand’s numerous book launches and signings. Expanding on the much-loved café Stanfords has also introduced an adventurous menu, with space for more than 25 covers including an al-fresco seating area.

The store offers the world’s largest stock of maps and travel guides under one roof. Featuring ‘travel inspired’ installations and photography of explorers, the space establishes a more modern, urban aesthetic.

‘We are excited to kick start 2019 with the opening of our new store. Our move has allowed us to expand our offering as well as give our store a much-needed refresh. We are very privileged to have such a loyal customer base, and many tell us they make a pilgrimage to Stanfords when visiting the capital; I am sure they will be delighted to see our new home,’ says Vivien Godfrey, chairman and CEO at Stanfords. .

Lush opens plastic packaging-free Naked store On Friday 18 January, the Lush store at 10 Market Street, Manchester opened again afer a renovation, revealing the first plastic packaging-free cosmetics store in the country. With awareness of plastic pollution at an all time high, Lush’s newest Naked shop will host an abundance of plastic packaging-free alternatives. The new Naked shop in Manchester follows the success of Lush’s first Naked sites in Milan and Berlin.

New tech innovations have been introduced, allowing visitors to scan products directly rather than the label using the recently launched #LushLabs app, replacing packaging with a digital solution. Lush Lens is an in-development experiment feature that enables Lush to reduce their impact on the environment by using the phone’s camera and Machine Learning to recognise products through the user’s smartphone camera, and give the customer detailed ingredient information and ‘how to use’ demonstrations via the app.

‘In Lush we work in an industry where the

packaging costs the customer more than the product. Now, the customer needs to worry about how to recycle something they didn’t want to buy in the first place. This seems like a raw deal to us. If we can cut

out all the plastic packaging, we can give our customers better value for money,’ says Mark Constantine OBE, Lush co-founder and managing director.

13

Flash news to go here

Centre:MK welcomes Virgin Holidays store Virgin Holidays has launched its largest and most experience-led store concept at Centre: MK in Milton Keynes. Designed by YourStudio, the 157 sq m space is focused around optimising the guest experience within the store. Customers will not only arrive feeling greeted and hosted at the Taste Your Holiday bar, there is also the opportunity of having a complimentary signature Virgin red manicure at the store’s Clubhouse Spa too.

With a thirst to continually evolve and excite its customers, YourStudio has built on the successful v-room store concepts launched earlier this year in Cardiff and Norwich, continuing to elevate the guest experience.

The Virgin VR rollercoaster at front of the store attracts passersby, giving them a theatrical and immersive way to travel the globe and visit some of Virgin Holiday’s iconic destinations. Other ‘try before you buy’ features include Virgin’s Premium and Upper Class seats, where shoppers can relax back into with a glass of bubbly and

a consultation with a travel expert. The environment itself is designed to feel like one of the brand’s hospitality environments with a warm and inviting palette of neutral oak, soft upholstery and warm lighting that is designed to frame the Virgin Holiday’s team in their cherry red uniforms.

Élan London unveils new concept Élan London, one of London’s most instagrammable cafés, has opened at 42 Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge. The latest opening on The Knightsbridge Estate, this is Élan’s largest site to date at 325 sq m and boasts a new store concept. Élan London has worked alongside Holland Harvey Architects on all of its stores.

The café brings its devoted coffee culture to The Knightsbridge Estate in partnership with London’s award-winning Union coffee roasters.

This latest Élan London store marks the fifth location for the brand in the capital, adding to existing sites in Mayfair, South Kensington, Oxford Circus and Selfridges London.

14

The space empowers customers to imagine the possibilities of travel and live the experiences provided by Virgin Holidays, so the ‘holiday ready’ feeling is brought to life through all of the senses. Children can enjoy their own dedicated mini-travel area with entertainment and games.

news

NikeTown unveils experiential Tech Pack membership space With the build up to Nike’s SS19 Teck Pack launch, NikeTown in London has unveiled an experiential membership space where the brand celebrates the design behind the design.

Members get early access to the product and exclusive services, allowing them to try on the product as well as the opportunity to get a personalised digital take-away.

Designed by Seen Displays, the space features dull polished steel scaffolding that frames clear acrylic and blue hued campaign shots throughout the space, creating a framework for the interactive hub and showcasing the collection, highlighting Run, Train and Live looks.

Makeover plans announced for intu Merry Hill intu has announced plans for a multimillion-pound investment to transform the external facade at intu Merry Hill in the Midlands, as part of its latest redevelopment phase. intu Merry Hill, which attracts around 18 million visitors a year, will benefit from an investment of more than £10 million to transform the external entrance. The plans include the installation of a large format screen above the main entrance, as well as energy saving LED lighting that can change the colour of the centre’s exterior walls. Work is set to begin in February 2019, subject to planning approval.

‘This £10 million investment at intu Merry Hill reflects our long-term commitment to the centre and the confidence that exists in it as a destination where brands can really

flourish. In the last year we’ve welcomed 20 new retailers to the centre, including huge new stores for Next and Primark, making this an even more attractive destination for shoppers. Our plans are to attract even more great brands and create compelling experiences for customers across the West Midlands,’ says Nick Round, regional manager director for intu.

Over the past year, the centre has also expanded its food and drink offering with PIZZASQR and Little Dessert Shop opening in the mall’s food court. The Garrison Saloon Bar, a Peaky Blinders themed micro-pub named after the BBC series, is the latest bar to open its doors on the centre’s Waterfront.

In brief...

• The Co-op has plans to open 100 new food stores during 2019 as it builds on its convenience strategy to get closer to its members and customers. In addition to opening new stores, the retailer – which has seen over four years of consecutive like-for-like convenience growth – will provide major makeovers for a further 200 stores. The Co-op’s combined £200 million store investment programme could lead to around 1,500 new local jobs.

• The Bullring Estate has announced that Edinburgh pizza brand, @pizza has signed for its second restaurant, and first in England at Grand Central in Birmingham. Designed by Fusion by Design, the interior fit out will feature urban materials and monochrome decor, with an open kitchen allowing the food to stand out. In-line with @ pizza’s commitment to sustainability and the environment, all packaging is made from vegetables and is 100% compostable. The restaurant’s pizza oven also incorporates a catalytic converter to help reduce emissions.

• Fortnum & Mason enjoyed a recordbreaking trading performance in the 2018 Christmas period. Driven by an ever-increasing number of domestic customers and supported by impressive growth of 16 per cent year-on-year in its international audience, Fortnum’s experienced more than 12 per cent yearon-year growth in the five-week period ending 31 December, with double digit growth across all channels.

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news

Construction begins at new Kingsmere Retail Park in Bicester Construction of the new Kingsmere Retail Park, formerly called Bicester Gateway Retail Park, in Oxford Road, Bicester has started, with completion scheduled for late October 2019. Jehu Project Services, part of the Jehu Group based in Bridgend, South Wales has been appinted to undertake the construction works.

‘It’s great news to finally get onsite and see the retail park take shape. Being adjacent to Countryside Properties’ Kingsmere Village we decided to change its name to reflect its true location,’ says Martin Ridgway, group managing director of Consolidated Property Group, the

developer promoting the new Kingsmere Retail Park. ‘Since the development was first proposed there has been a radical change in the retail market but some big names have already signed-up for units and others are eager to follow. Next and M&S Simply Food have now signed with their latest format flagship stores and there are others in the pipeline.

‘Kingsmere Retail Park will build on the success of Bicester as an attractive retail, residential and commercial centre. The scheme is designed to meet the needs of local residents who will no longer have to travel outside of the area to shop and will

at last be able to visit well-known modern high street stores on their doorstep.’

The development will see a total capital investment of £40 million making it one of the most expensive retail schemes built in the uk with extensive use of natural stone, structural glazing and high quality materials.

Andrew Carrington, director of Countryside Properties (Bicester), adds: ‘One of the major benefits of living at Kingsmere is that residents can enjoy access to high class leisure and retail facilities.

Converse ERX by Don C. collaboration launches at Footlocker Marble Arch The first collaboration between Converse and Don C, which reinterprets the iconic ERX 260, has launched at Footlocker at Marble Arch. Seen Displays transformed the promotional space into an urban jungle.

Scaffolding structures housed exotic plants and framed campaign imagery that showcased the collection. Footwear risers were utilised from branded Converse breeze blocks, which contrasted the pockets of greenery throughout the space adding to the urban jungle environment. In Don C.’s hands, the ERX-260 is a celebration of the sneaker’s playground past and a revamped classic for the fashion-forward tribe.

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international news

international

NEWS Ted Baker womenswear store opens in Dubai Mall Ted Baker has opened a womenswear store at City Walk Mall in Dubai. The store design is rich and opulent, and the theme for the VM and props was based on deep sea pearl diving. The store was designed by the Ted Baker Store Design team who worked with Hello Flamingo and a number of external suppliers to manufacture the shop fit. Hello Flamingo manufactured a 3m-diameter gold net chandelier filled with gold treasures pearls, lobsters and ‘kitchenalia’ and many sourced vintage items.

The items were sprayed and glittered to add a touch of glitz.

Longo’s opens Canada’s first sustainable grocery store Longo’s has transformed its suburban format, opening a new store in Stoufville, Ontario, the chain’s 33rd location and Canada’s first sustainable grocery store. Retail strategy and design firm Ampersand Studio Inc. spearheaded the transformation of the new suburban format.

To stand out, it was critical for Longo’s to create a proprietary experience that reflected the brand’s 60-year history while feeling modern, relevant, fresh, but also familiar to its loyal customers.

‘The unsolicited response we are looking for is ’”feels like a Longo’s”,’ says Glen Kerr, principal of Ampersand Studio.

‘Through our experience and research, we’ve learned what consumers want to see, do, and feel in this kind of space, so we’re able to raise the bar and create an immersive retail environment where customers engage, experience and shop,’ says Ferial Rahbari, principal of Ampersand Studio.

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Tommy Hilfiger re-opens Premium concept store Tommy Hilfiger has re-opened its Premium concept store on Amsterdam’s Hoofstraat. The premises have undergone a dramatic evolution with the help of rpa:group, as part of a two-phase delivery of the progression of the retailer’s Sportswear 16 concept. High-end fixtures and fittings are key features throughout the retail space, with hanging rails and shelving that are fully adaptable, to deliver flexible retail display solutions. The store is supported by a host of digital technology, including numerous interactive screens and touch screens. RFID also frees up space, which would otherwise be used for cash desks and helps to deliver a truly experiential brand environment to shoppers.

The space also features The People’s Place, Tommy Hilfiger’s own branded café and coffee shop.

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Selfridges Selfridges has partnered with IKON Gallery, Gagosian Gallery and the Manchester School of Art, among others, for its new creative campaign, State of the Arts. The campaign harnesses the collective power of dozens of contributing artists, galleries and arts collaborators to present art in unexpected places and make it accessible to all, whether within the Selfridges store, online or on the go.

Harnessing the visual power of its windows, shop floors and selected spaces, Selfridges has invited a number of artists to contribute to State of the Arts and see their work exhibited and, at times, created in full sight of passing trade.

Loewe Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe collaborated with Acierta on its latest window scheme, which is designed to celebrate the launch of the brand's new collection 'Eye/LOEWE/Nature'.

The new menswear line is inspired by a utopian vision of the great outdoors, and is handcrafted using technical materials, superior detailing and a palette of vibrant colours. The window display, pictured here at Loewe's flagship store in Calle Goya, Madrid, features layered felt plinths together with wood frames and shelves.

Joseph This month Joseph has created a window scheme at its London flagship store showcasing a capsule collection from the Altuzarra archives to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the luxury women's ready-to-wear and accessories brand.

Entitled 'The one that got away', the scheme is inspired by architectural and sculptural forms, and uses a mix of materials to create a conceptual landscape.

See more window schemes at

www.retail-focus.co.uk/vm

Mulberry French luxury fashion brand Moynat has started the new year with a bright and colourful window scheme at its Mount Street store in London. Inspired by American painter, sculptor and printmaker Frank Stella, who is known for his minimalist work and abstract paintings, the windows feature a series of colourful pinwheels, each with their own unique artwork.

Smythson of Bond Street Lifestyle and stationery brand Smythson of Bond Street has kicked off 2019 with a pop of colour for its January campaign. A series of shapes feature throughout the windows and in-store. Block colour and playful stripe semi circles, finished in a high gloss or matt spray are alternated and stacked with no visible supports. The scheme was produced in collaboration with Millington Associates and has been rolled out across five retail locations.

Harrods Entitled 'The Colour Supermarket', the current window display at Harrods is part of a store-wide celebration of The Art of Colour. The department store has partnered with Pantone, the authority on colour for the design industry, to create a bespoke palette inspired by the leading colours of SS19.

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CENTRE STAGE pop & display

Standout POP displays from around the globe Dr. Martens at Schuh IPOS created a versatile space for the Dr. Martens Wintergrip campaign executed in Schuh’s Oxford Street flagship store at a critical point in the winter retail season.

The display used height and depth to highlight the layered product benefits of the Wintergrip range. The range uses the original Dr. Martens boot technology with added elements to suit the colder winter climate.

Highlighting the heritage of the brand, the base of the display gave a nod to the boots’ famous black and yellow laces. The concrete effect units, mesh background and frosted window highlighted the strength of the boots against the cold exterior.

Ensuring the brand was front of mind to consumers, the display used bold, block levels to hero the products at the focal interior point of the store. www.ipos-design.co.uk

Moncler Bardula has designed two installations for Moncler’s Stockholm and Mexico stores.

The four-metre tall art pieces, which form a pair and installed permanently for Moncler, have been created through successions of golden metal blades producing a kinetic volume constructed from curves, changing as the viewer moves around them. The progression of the layers follows as exponential movement based on oval curves, magnifying the objects with an undulating lighting scenario.

As a tribute to the Renaisaance’s humanist ideas, the artwork serves as a representation of Man and his ability to discover, understand and create.

The artworks are made of golden aluminium blades, together forming a suspended oval space within a rectangle.

www.bardula.com

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column

Karl McKeever

So what are they doing that others can learn from?

What is retail’s 2019 resolution?

W Confidence breeds success. This is not another motivational new year cliché; this is fact.

2018 ended with ‘consumer confidence at five-year low’. The results of GfK’s long-running monthly Consumer Confidence Index signedoff a year, that provided few moments of comfort and joy for retail, on another pessimistic note. This was good news for some. The media naturally gravitates towards bad news. Industry pundits are also keen to jump on the same gloomy, self-defeating bandwagon.

Shoppers remain understandably cautious, what with current and post-Brexit economic uncertainty clearly weighing heavy.

Setting economic factors aside, there is also the lesser-told story of low consumer confidence in retailers themselves. One reason is the absence of ‘price confidence’ among shoppers. Retailers have spent years conditioning us to seek out and shop with those who offer discounts and can’t-miss ‘bargains’. The always-on nature of promotional discounting has instilled in shoppers’ minds the idea that holding out on planned purchases pays off, with desirable products almost guaranteed to have their prices slashed, if you wait long enough – there’s always a deal around the corner. Retail’s equivalent of fake news has bred delayed gratification and lower levels of brand trust among shoppers. Heavy discounting is great for boosting sales in the short-term, but it continues to hurt retailers too and is, arguably, one bad habit more should try to kick in 2019.

Focus on the negative, however, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Positive thought (and action) is the only way to avoid losing focus or faith in 2019. So let’s do more of that. Starting right here and now.

The results from Super Thursday earlier this month may have been a mix bag, but contrary to the ‘retail is dying’ narrative that the media continues to obsess over, Christmas 2018 was not all bad.

There were many examples of good performance sector-wide from the likes of Tesco, Aldi, John Lewis & Partners, Ted Baker, Dunelm, Joules and Dobbies. Wherever you look, there are retail brands doing great things.

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

There is real evidence that shoppers are turning away from extreme discounting in favour of retailers who deliver a more positive, shopping experience. Poor customer service and in-store experiences are damaging consumer confidence in brands. Fail to grasp and deal with this, and is it any wonder that customers will choose to shop elsewhere? Instead of offering money-off, delivering greater value overall in terms of how you serve customers’ needs is the formula for success that struggling retailers must adopt. That means investing focus, time and energy on creating the perfect customer journey. For me, delivering outstanding service and standards tips ‘experiential’. It’s no cost, all benefit and its positive effect lasts longer. It’s confidence building, life affirming.

Surviving the January ‘hangover’ can be the toughest of months, both for shoppers and retailers alike. Aside from the complete loss of Christmas cheer, January can result in all manner of un-pleasantries when it comes to finances. For countless retailers, there will likely be tight controls of capex in the coming months. As we start 2019, retailers that urgently need to transform their businesses must be quick out of the blocks to ensure real changes are seen in store, if they are to see the gains in retail performance that are required to survive and thrive. But this is no time for high stakes risks. What retailers need are sure-bets and proven solutions that will positively impact on retail performance across the entire retail estate, not just a small handful of stores.

The good news is that there are plenty of ways they can do more to make their investment stretch further this January, and beyond.

High impact, focused and scalable solutions that have been proven to deliver an immediate upturn in fortunes, time and again. From delivering an inspirational browsing experience to logical, expertly delivered product presentation, and consistent brand delivery in every store, every day. Now is the time to reignite shopper confidence in your brand and stores, by improving visual merchandising, delivering consistent retail standards, and building engaged, motivated and highly competent store teams. In many ways, these are the forgotten basics of good retail and they are as relevant to today’s shoppers as they’ve ever been. The correlation between well-managed, well-presented stores and sales cannot be ignored.

Those that get it right will win out over weak demand and cautious shoppers, every time.

So, if you only make one new year’s resolution, make it about instilling confidence – in your brand, your stores and your people – to overcome the challenges that lie ahead. Do that and I’m confident that even those retailers who have endured recent struggles can look forward with hope to a year of opportunity.

karlmckeever www.visualthinking.co.uk 27

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Farrow & Ball La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles

Photography Laure Joliet

Design: Project Room Opening date: November 2018 Store size: 242 sq m

A In West Hollywood, in the heart of the La Cienega Design Quarter, stands a new Farrow & Ball showroom that is designed to transform the way customers experience and interact with the British brand's premium paint and handcrafted wallpaper.

Designed by Isaac Resnikoff and Sandy Yum of local design studio, Project Room, the two-storey showroom celebrates Farrow & Ball's world-renowned colour expertise as well as the local design scene in Los Angeles.

On the exterior of the space, a vibrant, striped facade showcases each of the brand's full range of colours.

The ground floor invites architects, interior designers and visitors to "see" rather than just "look" at colour through an innovative display that brings paint to life in three dimensional surfaces.

Taking inspiration from Farrow & Ball’s poetic approach to colour naming – ranging from Elephant’s Breath and Arsenic to Dead Salmon – Project Room carefully

studied each of the 132 colours in the brand's palette, along with its back story and historical references.

The result is a display of 132 unique design objects, each painted in the Farrow & Ball colour the object represents.

'The new Farrow & Ball Los Angeles showroom incorporates the rich storytelling elements of the heritage brand with pioneering displays for the modern customer,' says Isaac Resnikoff, co-founder of Project Room. 'We worked closely with

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Farrow & Ball to create an interactive shopping experience that will serve as a destination for design-minded people in Los Angeles.'

The LA showroom is the first in North America to showcase the full breadth of the Farrow & Ball product offering by allowing customers to experience every colour in every available finish. Through a special magnetic system, customers have a more tactile and personalised way to view subtle differences and pair colour schemes.

'With this new showroom, we wanted to create an innovative space and rethink what a paint and wallpaper showroom can be,' says Farrow & Ball CEO Anthony Davey. 'Los Angeles has such a an exciting design scene, it seemed right to create a dynamic space that takes a new approach at how we experience colour. Together with Project Room, I believe we have achieved something that will really surprise and amaze our customers.'

The showroom incorporates a series of modular tables that can be used as work stations and places to review samples, alongside other material finishes.

The second floor has a lounge space, complete with a design library, where designers and clients can work and take meetings. In addition, a roof deck, slated to open in early 2019, will host a regular series of private events for the local design community.

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project

Harrods Men's Superbrands Brompton Road, London Design: David Collins Studio Opening date: December 2018 Store size: 3,809 sq m

Welcome to Men's Superbrands: the new destination for menswear at Harrods and the debut of a seven-phase complete redevelopment of menswear and sports at the London department store.

Opened in December, the department has moved from the ground floor to the second floor and features 19 brand boutiques from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Balenciaga and Ermengildo Zegna, with Burberry and Dior set to follow in 2019. ‘We wanted to create a menswear destination like no other,' says Simon Longland, head of menswear at Harrods.

'Somewhere that men want to visit, will enjoy visiting, a space to inspire and excite, but most importantly offers an excellent

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service and product proposition. The boutiques are flagship store concepts, not department store concepts. We’ve focused on furniture, not fixtures, to elevate the boutique experience to something that feels domestic with lounge chairs and side tables.'

Berluti's boutique features a bar, a football table and virtual reality screens, while Louis Vuitton has designed a personal shopping suite that can be privatised or opened to provide additional seating areas for clients.

Designed by David Collins Studio (the firm behind the renovated Harrods Food Hall), the new 3,809 sq m menswear department combines the aesthetic of classic men's

tailoring with mid-century architectural references. ‘My vision was to create a series of experiences throughout the design to ensure there is always a sense of drama, intrigue and excitement,' explains Simon Rawlings, creative director at David Collins Studio. 'Classic club interiors and traditional British architectural styles were extracted and adapted to result in a very unexpected combination of discreet calm and bold energy.'

The starting point, according to the team, was research into the shopping patterns of men, with the findings then incorporated into the design and planning, interior architecture and visual

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merchandising.

The department's lift lobby arrival areas are demarcated by a large-scale checkerboard of Nero Marquina and Carrera marbles, with back-lit alabaster ceilings framed in bronze. These areas lead visitors into the retail colonnades and boutiques, where the walls are finished in a linen-weave textured navy blue lacquer and the vitrines feature walnut wood and Nero Marquina marble.

The walkway colonnades between the boutiques have a smaller-scale Bardiglio and Carrara marble checkerboard floor to the arrival areas with entrances to the boutiques demarcated with Nero arquina marble thresholds.

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The junctions, which are hidden from view until the customer enters the colonnade, are lined with vitrines and offer seating upholstered in bold fabrics, inspired by bold tailoring and lining fabrics.

These areas appear in red, black and navy, where the colour has been applied to the architectural niches, the furniture, the vitrines and the ceiling cornice.

The Harrods logo subtly permeates design details throughout the space, appearing in stitched leather, marquetry and bronze inlay in stone.

Over the next two years, Harrods is undertaking the complete redevelopment of menswear, as part of its store-wide ÂŁ200m investment project and upon completion

in 2020, the entire second floor will house menswear and sports.

'Menswear has experienced a quiet revolution over the past few years in terms of innovation and customer demand,' notes Michael Ward, managing director at Harrods. 'Menswear within Harrods has gone from strength to strength, and we want to match this growth with the investment in a truly unique destination.

The launch of Mens Superbrands is the first step in this exciting journey, which will create a new home for the Harrods Man by 2020.

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Valextra Bal Harbour, Miami

Photography Robin Hill

Design: Aranda/Lasch Opening date: October 2018 Store size: 90 sq m

Valextra, the Italian luxury leather goods brand based in Milan, has opened a new store in the chic enclave of Bal Harbour at the northern tip of Miami Beach, Florida. Designed by New York and Tucson-based Aranda/Lasch, the 90 sq m interior is inspired by the entryways of Milan's palazzo's: gates, lobbies and corridors connecting the indoors with outdoors.

'Valextra is rooted in its Milanese history, the detailing of their products is unparalleled in its execution,' says Benjamin Aranda of Aranda/Lasch. 'They are sophisticated in their understatement, but at the same time sensual in their colours and patterns.'

This Milanese tradition serves as the direction for the store's design and material explorations.

Visitors first encounter the design approach in the facade, which is clad in the city's signature porous stone, Ceppo di Gre. Inside, the store reinterprets the fundamental elements of a classic palazzo lobby: marbles, metals, rare wood and reflective surfaces, all presented in a combination of sophistication and abstraction.

The collections are presented on stone pedestals, which use Arzo marble blocks (the same material which can be found in the Via Manzoni flagship in Milan), floating on a light metal mesh. 'The metal is a common industrial material made graceful through a reflective polish and meticulous detailing,' explain the design team.

'The heavy Italian stones appear to be floating on a net.'

Monolithic marble shelves flank the space and provide a

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cantilevered surface for display and storage of Valextra's small leather goods.

One distinctive feature of the store is a long metal coil used to organise the leather products.

Beyond this, at the rear of the store, is a display designed as two wing walls, clad in Alpi laminate by Ettore Sottsass. The composition is typical of Aranda/Lasch: geometric modules whose repetition creates an effect reminiscent of crystals and minerals.

To complete the space, a fabric ceiling softens the light alongside hidden spotlights, a combination typical to a museum or art gallery.

'Overall, there is a simplicity in the details with a maximum material impact,' says Aranda/Lasch. 'It is an environment that is contemporary and flexible, fluid and refined, that emphasises the small Valextra masterpieces as exemplars of Milanese craft.'.

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Photo Credit: SLVHCS ‘Project Legacy’, New Orleans, USA © Sean Airhart/NBBJ

CSMRetail.com

CREATE STRIKING RETAIL EXPERIENCES

shopping centres Text: Lyndsey Dennis

HEALTH & BEAUTY 2019: EDUCATE, PLAY, SHARE Health and beauty shopping experiences are becoming more social, inclusive and experiential, with sustainability and personalisation gaining even more momentum, finds Retail Focus.

With an army of beauty bloggers and vloggers, the world of makeup and styling has exploded, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Instagram-savvy Millenials are in search of the perfect selfie and tripping over each other to buy makeup, lotions and potions used by the likes of the Kardashians. They also seem to trust YouTube sensations over the large corporations when it comes to advice.

Never has there been so much emphasis and importance on our health and wellbeing too. From Peleton’s home fitness cycle classes to FaceGym treatments, even greater emphasis is being placed on what we put in our bodies and our lifestyles, and that means a whole host of new retail experiences opening up. Take Benefit for example, which has partnered with southern fried chicken brand Mother Clucker to launch the JUST Wing-IT pop-up in Shoreditch in celebration of its new Roller Liner eyeliner. Not your average partnership, but sure to blow up on social media and sell out.

Printemps in Paris has introduced Le Green Market, a new section that offers products and brands specifically selected for having more than 99 per cent natural ingredients. This highly educational section brings together all the representatives of natural beauty in a single place, making it easier than ever to revolutionise beauty routines.

An experience bar and aromatherapy concept complete the wide range of face and hair treatments, makeup, nutritional supplements and fragrances. Printemps

designed this dedicated section to be a playground of experiences, allowing shoppers to test, touch and smell the ethical products of tomorrow while taking care of themselves today.

FaceGym has opened its latest site at Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross. The concept is about balancing the confidence and glamour of the beauty sector with the energy and utility of the sports sector. The space planning is based on the FaceGym process – preparation, workout, cool down.

Key signatures were pulled from typical gym environments such as the lockers, jump boxes and ballet barre.

The space offers a variety of facial workouts by a team of specialised trainers.

The Make It Bar provides an opportunity to blend a custom Training Serum with vegan, cold pressed oils to produce natural skincare fresh on the premises. ‘It’s the first studio to boast a highly innovative and unique workout proposition – “a freestyle barre” offering a facial exercise class schedule for those wanting to learn facial workout techniques for themselves,’ says Becky Phillips, senior designer at Checkland Kindleysides, the agency responsible for the design. There is a selection of third party products specifically sourced by FaceGym founder Inge Theron who studies, travels and tries all products to ensure quality and fit with the brand, as well as FaceGym own products.

‘We are seeing the continued rise of participative retail within the beauty sector – innovation will increasingly extend

beyond cosmetics into skincare and haircare. High-end/personalised services will become increasingly accessible. This is a trend being led by the founders of Drybar who are set to launch Squeeze – a service that will transform massage in the same way we saw with blow dry bars.

Squeeze is an accessible and highly personalised massage concept with a tech-savvy booking system and the ability to select music, lighting and temperature to personalise the ambience of the treatment space,’ says Phillips.

She says we can also expect to see increased commitment towards sustainability, and beauty regimes are set to become more streamlined with consumers adopting ‘skincare diets’ and focusing on simple yet highly effective results-driven products. ‘This will have a direct effect on merchandising and education within retail spaces. Modern hybrid medicalised-spa spaces will continue to emerge, offering the latest wellness services and medical beauty treatments in a warmer, less intimidating environment.’

Personalisation will be pushed into exciting new areas in 2019. ‘In terms of personalisation based on human biology, we expect the use of biomes to really take off and, potentially, to eclipse DNA. It’s easier to understand, more analogue, and extends beyond beauty into more general health issues, so the biome conversation will be supported by adjacent categories – diet, gut health, clean eating, self-medication etc – yet the subject is still

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The Miller Harris store is designed by Fabled around the theme of ‘The Botanist’.

grounded in solid science. Gallinee is a great example of this,’ says Kate Ancketill, CEO and founder of GDR. Sustainability and transparency will continue to move more and more into the mainstream and it will be increasingly important for brands to bake this into their core purpose. ‘While this is happening, we’ll be interested to see how activist-led start-ups continue to push the envelope.

Boie USA, a personal care brand with reusable and recyclable body scrubbers and toothbrushes; Nécessaire, which lists their “obsessively researched ingredients” in The Yes List and those they don’t use in The No List; and chemical-free, eco-friendly Sustain have all caught our eye recently,’ says Ancketill.

So what does today’s consumer want from health and beauty brands?

‘Consumers want brands to fit within the wider context of their lives. Consumers don’t view their health and beauty treatments in isolation; they see them as something that supports their overall health or lifestyle goals. Brands need to position themselves within this space.

‘Interestingly, there is an inherent tension between the two most popular approaches to achieving this. Some solutions, influenced by Korean step-based beauty routines, are about slowing things down and engaging consumers in long, thoughtful, mindful engagements, while others, like Recess (single-use products “that go where you go,”) and Fenty Beauty Matchstix Trio (magnetic packaging that sticks together, making it easy to find in the handbag) are all about the quick fix for on-

Photography: Melvyn Vincent

Top left: The space planning at FaceGym, Coal Drops Yard is based on the brand’s process – preparation, workout, cool down.

Top right: Benefit has partnered with Mother Clucker to launch the JUST Wing-IT pop-up in Shoreditch in celebration of its new Roller Liner eyeliner.

Left: The new Bloomingdale’s playground for beauty and fragrances is the next phase of the flagship store’s complete transformation.

Below: Skinsmiths’ stores provide an environment that the staff feel proud of and enjoy being in, and makes customers feel relaxed and comfortable.

shopping Flash to go centres here Right: The new Glossier NYC flagship is a social club for the like-minded.

the-go consumers,’ says Ancketill.

Over in New York City, Bloomingdale’s has put the finishing touches to its reimagined beauty floor at its 59th Street flagship. New features include a luxe fragrance hall, a vast array of beauty services and spa rooms, innovative beauty shopping service and a multitude of new brands. The new playground for beauty and fragrances is the next phase of the store’s complete transformation.

‘The beauty department is the first stop on every customer’s journey upon entering the store, and in renovating the space we had to ensure that it would capture and engage our shoppers. The revamped department has all the sought-after brands, a spectacular luxury fragrance hall and enhanced service offerings. In addition, through state-of-the-art installations we have created an environment like no other beauty floor in the world,’ says Francine Klein, vice chairman and GMM for shoes, handbags, fashion accessories, fashion and fine jewellery, cosmetics and outlets.

The department spans 3,382 sq m of the flagship’s main floor, with an additional 102 sq m of beauty outposts located across multiple floors of the store. It houses more than 200 beauty brands including 75 new and noteworthy names. The new floor boasts state-of-the-art counters, interactive spaces and tech enhancements to elevate the shopper’s experience in a fun, dynamic atmosphere synonymous with Bloomingdale’s DNA. There are modern product displays in open sell environments and multiple play stations to encourage shoppers to touch, feel and try out products.

The space is also home to a multitude

of shop-in-shops, where brand partners created environments reflective of their brand image. These include a new design concept by Tom Ford Beauty, integrating digital technology and private consultation stations. The brand created a sleek, state-of-the-art boutique with high-tech mirrors, virtual make-up try-on tools and an interactive scent experience.

In May last year, Saks Fifth Avenue relocated its beauty department to the second floor, with a significant focus on experiences. The 2,973 sq m beauty space houses more than 120 colour cosmetics, skincare, fragrance and wellness brands as well as 15 spa rooms along with services such as facials, massages and a flower shop.

Established in 2014, online beauty retailer Glossier has by-passed department stores entirely, with 90 per cent of the brand’s revenue coming from online sales.

In December 2016, Emily Weiss, Glossier founder and chief executive, turned the penthouse at 123 Lafayette Street – the address where it all started – into a shoppable showroom where the brand’s community could meet Glossier in real life.

Almost two years later, Glossier opened a permanent flagship there in November, designed by Gachot Studios alongside architectural studio P.R.O. Glossier is a social club for the likeminded, an auto-body shop for the human body, says The New York Times. Customers are encouraged to interact with experiential rooms such as the Boy Brow Room and the staff, called offline editors, who wear mechanic’s jumpsuits in ‘Millenial pink’.

For Skinsmiths’ store rollout in the UK,

YourStudio designed an environment that the staff feel proud of and enjoy being in, as well as making customers feel relaxed and comfortable. The lighting is adjustable so the treatment rooms can change between treatment mode and consultation mode, moving from task lighting to indirect soft coffer lighting. The materials have been chosen for acoustic qualities so conversations can remain private, whilst others like the Timber terrazzo have been chosen for the sustainability credentials, as the timber is London Plane using offcuts recycled from local sawmills. ‘The palette and materiality has been developed so that Skinsmiths can standalone and be recognisable, with strong visual intentity across all channels from digital to physical,’ says Tom Edington, associate director of experiential at YourStudio.

He says the health and beauty sector is going through change, with brands starting to discover some individuality and wanting to be more expressive again, after years of health and beauty being paired back to be accessible for all. ‘It’s a really exciting time, with innovation and creativity at the forefront, so we predict we’ll see some very fresh approaches soon. Affordable beauty is a huge trend at the moment, and a store has to set the tone for being affordable and accessible while showcasing the product in the best way possible.’

2019 will see more social spaces open up for like-minded brand ambassadors to share tips, meet the makers behind products and gain knowledge, with more transparency and sustainable credentials.

All in an environment that is oozing with Instagram-ready moments to share.

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SDS 2019:

Text: Lyndsey Dennis

EDUCATION, ENTERTAINMENT, ENGAGEMENT

Immerse yourselves in the latest materials and finishes at the Surface Design Show next month. Returning once again to the Business Design Centre in Islington, the show offers visitors the opportunity to gain new insights and network with like-minded designers, architects and suppliers about all things surfaces.

Each year a full schedule of presentations, talks, open discussions, CPDs and even a live debate by experts across the industry keep visitors to the show informed and entertained. ‘It will be an exciting Surface Design Show next month. Not only do we have some 150 companies exhibiting but also 47 different presentations featuring some 60 speakers,’ says Christopher Newton, show director.

Opening the programme of discussions, the Opening Night Debate on Tuesday 5 February will see New London Archutecture and RIBA host a panel discussion called ‘Factory Housing: Is this the solution to building better homes long-term?’

The ever-popular PechaKucha will return on the evening of Wednesday 6 February, a fast-paced style of live presentation.

The PechaKucha line-up of speakers will discuss ‘Identities and Boundaries – Site Specific Responses to Modern Architecture’.

A first for 2019 will be 16 ‘New Talents’ each displaying an exciting range of surface materials and designs. A centrepiece for 2019 will be Surface Spotlight Live, curated in collaboration by trend expert Sally Angharad and trend, colour and material forecast agency Colour Hive. The theme, One of a Kind, will aim to inspire a kinder approach to design,’ says Newton.

On the last day of the show, the winners of the Surface Design Awards will be revealed over breakfast. A total of 48 finalists from eight countries will be competing for a prize.

To register for the show, visit www.surfacedesignshow.com

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surface design show

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS NEW TALENT New to Surface Design Show is the New Talent area curated by internationally acclaimed speaker and chief creative director at Trendease International, Jennifer Castoldi. New Talent exhibitors can only have been in the industry for five years or less and will be hand selected by Castoldi. Participants include experimental materials studio, MUUNA; Laura Evans Designs; Yi-Han Fu, textile designer; Orla Lawn, decorative panelling and Tomasz Maker, woodworking and metalwork.

SURFACE SPOTLIGHT LIVE Curated by trend consultant Sally Angharad and trend and colour forecaster Colour Hive, Surface Spotlight Live is a ‘library’ of innovative and inspiring materials for visitors to touch and feel.

LIGHT SCHOOL Now in its fifth year, Light School is the home of architectural lighting and allows architects and designers to touch, compare and learn about innovative lighting and technology products. Confirmed returning exhibitors include Appelec, Optelma, and Pixalux. The Light School arena, Light Talks, will return once again supported by the Institution of Lighting Professionals. Industry experts from Hoare Lea, Nulty+, Atelier Ten and 18 Degrees have already confirmed to share their knowledge at Light Talks.

STONE GALLERY Stone Gallery, which is officially supported by Stone Federation GB whose Stone Knowledge Hub forms a focal point for the event, will also be returning to Surface Design Show 2019. Stone Gallery is an industry-leading event for architects and designers to meet and specify natural stone. The 2019 edition welcomes back returning exhibitors as well as new additions, such as Piedra Paloma, Airemarmores and Marmi Faedo. The Stone Hub hosts a series of presentations bringing the A&D professionals to listen and learn from the leading designers in the sector.

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When & Where Tuesday 5 February 6pm - 9pm (Opening Night Debate 6.30pm - 7.30pm) Wednesday 6 February 11am - 9pm (PechaKucha Evening 6.30pm - 8pm) Thursday 7 February 11am - 5pm Business Design Centre, London

www.surfacedesignshow.com

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opinion

Value or Values?

As retail consumer profiling becomes more granular, with increasing generations and shopper tribes demanding immediacy in meeting their specific needs, how do brands and designers hope to deliver an inclusive and compelling brand experience, asks James Breaks, associate director of design at rpa:group.

The speed at which retail theory evolves has meant that the language and terms we use quickly become overused, obsolete and obfuscated. This means goodbye to ‘experiences’, ‘omnichannel’ and ‘phygital’ and our associations with them. This also reduces our ability to clearly define our brief and brand expectations.

However, there is some enduring retail language worth investigating further, to gain a more insightful view of how we might approach this evolution.

Let’s consider ‘value / values’ as a persistent term, associated with retail.

A brand’s value could be said to refer to its customer’s relationship to the product or service and the financial worth attributed to it. As this is calculated on investment in marketing versus uplift, and is exclusive of cost and margin, it is sufficient to measure return on investment.

However it begs the question: Where is the longevity in the relationship?

In this sense, value is subjective and reliant wholly on a brand’s marketing skills to establish and maintain this. The ‘storytelling’ is unilateral, non-interactive and lacks true engagement.

We experience this historically in the cosmetics industry, witnessing a pot of cold-cream, increasingly miniaturised, slathered with impenetrable pseudoscientific jargon and afforded an exorbitant price tag related to perception, but not necessarily performance. Brand loyalty in this case is garnered only by the psychology of limitation and the need for ‘the latest’, not necessarily ‘the best’.

A brand’s values however, when carefully considered and delivered, can significantly alter this dynamic.

Values are inherent components of the human individual that govern selection in

most things. They are subconscious and can be subjective, but share commonality that is regardless of gender, race and social background.

If you are able to appeal to the fundamental psychological level of shared human values, empathy is generated, inclusivity prevails and lasting engagement is the result.

Let’s not forget that humans process their relationships with brands, with the same part of the brain that they use to generate and evaluate friendships and social bonds. If brands and designers engage with, and stimulate, this process in the same way, through generating genuine empathy and understanding, a lasting retention of the brand experience is created. It results in authentic engagement, and trust – friendship in other words.

So, the ultimate question no doubt is, how do designers appeal to these values?

Reflecting on the time-poor nature of many consumers, the brand message needs to be focused both on individual relevance and wider cultural inclusion. Generosity, inclusivity and wellbeing are just three arenas in which we battle for the hearts and minds of customers.

We see brand generosity increasingly reflected in conversion of prime retail space, into complimentary service areas. L’Occitane and Lululemon, both on London’s premium Regent Street estate, dedicate their first floors to a focused extension of the main brand.

Make no mistake, these are conceptually indulgent, committed, beautifully designed environments, devoid of direct sales and suggesting a wider world beyond the brand.

Inclusivity and empathy with alternative social and cultural sectors generates that fundamental feel-good factor, especially alongside the feelings of indulgence during purchasing. US online retailer Zappos understands this and parallel with their retail website has a compelling,

but most importantly, easily realised methodology of donating used goods. The customer simply prints and attaches their own label to a box of donations and drops them in the post. Domestic and foreign charities benefit, and allow selection of specific destinations. Physical ease and altruism are a winning formula.

Wellbeing and social conscience continue to be enduringly historic on the high street. Arguably, Anita Roddick began to extol the virtues of brand values with the first UK Body Shops in the late seventies, infusing the brand with ethical sourcing and moral leadership. That trend extended to physical health over a decade ago with Innocent Smoothies 5 for 5 cafes, aiming to serve 5,000 people their 5-a-day for a fiver.

We now see slowly increasing focus on mental wellbeing, with active-wear brand Ivy Park consulting mental health charity MIND, to help positively empower women by increasing self-esteem. Similarly, Boots is focusing on positive engagement with teens regarding their mental and physical wellbeing.

How do designers initiate this process with clients? It all leads back to values.

We need to remember that our clients are human too. Engagement and empathy with their brand aspirations is just as important as translating it for their customer. Understanding the traditional ‘goods-for-money’ transaction is dead. We need to embrace the fact that information is the new currency and investing in understanding any customer or client, taking time to listen and empathise is going to give us a return on experience.

www.therpagroup.com

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TECHNOLOGY

NEVER

ADVANCE YOURSELF. Order tickets now: www.eurocis.com/e-shop EuroShop

Trade Fairs

19 – 21 FEB 2019 The Leading Trade Fair for Retail Technology Düsseldorf, Germany · www.eurocis.com

Sponsor:

www.ehi.org

International Trade Shows Link Ltd. (UK Representative of Messe Düsseldorf) Exhibition House _ 12 Hockley Court Hockley Heath _ Solihull West Midlands _ B94 6NW Tel: +44(0)1564 781871 DDI: +44(0)1564 781870 E-mail: laura@itsluk.com Website: www.itsluk.com

2018-11-08 EuroCIS 2019_Großbritannien_Retail Technology_86 x 262_Retail Focus_4c_7163.indd 1

2018-11-08 EuroCIS 2019_Großbritannien_Retail Technology_86 x 262_Retail Focus_4c_7163

SLEEPS

08.11.18 13:57

event

Preview: EuroCIS 2019 The European event for retail technology returns in February with new ideas, innovations and solutions.

Payment systems, POS software and hardware, digital signage, loss prevention, checkouts and mobile solutions are just some of the topics being covered at next month’s EuroCIS, the annual European trade fair for retail technology. Taking place at Messe Dusseldorf in Germany, the event will host some 500 exhibitors from 29 countries and, this year, is expected to welcome more than 12,000 international visitors.

UK companies including Zebra Technologies, Star Micronics, ShopperTrak, Displaydata and Cisco Meraki will exhibit alongside the likes of Epson, Microsoft, NCR, Toshiba Global Commerce and Pricer in halls 9 and 10 of the trade fair centre. The event will also host an extensive educational programme across six different stages throughout the three days, with topics including markdown management for fashion retailers, smart payment, and service robots, as well as case studies from Rossmann drugstores, Coop Switzerland and Kroger.

Following a successful debut in 2018, the Start-Up Hub will also return with its own forum, where newcomers will present innovative ideas, products and solutions in the field of retail technology.

Show highlights Start-Up Hub Located in hall 10, the Start-Up Hub provides a platform for newly established businesses to demonstrate emerging technologies, products and services.

Retail Technology Awards Europe Taking place on Tuesday 19 February at 7pm, the evening gala hosted by EHI Retail Institute will present awards in four categories: Best Customer Experience, Best In-Store Solution, Best Enterprise Solution and Best Omnichannel Solution.

Guided Innovation Tour Following a brief introduction covering the latest industry trends, groups will visit a selection of exhibitors with a wide-ranging focus, from in-store and analytics technologies to the latest in product protection and gesture recognition. English speaking tours will take place on the first two days of the event at 2.30pm and will last 90 minutes.

When and where Messe Dusseldorf (Halls 9 and 10), Germany Tuesday 19 February 10:00-18:00 Wednesday 20 February 10:00-18:00 Thursday 21 February 10:00-18:00

www.eurocis.com

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project focus

feature

The changing definition of luxury

What defines luxury in 2019? Is it the heritage of a brand? Is it authenticity?

Exclusivity? The definition of luxury continues to evolve and while these qualities are all markers of luxury, it is now also very much about experience.

As highlighted in a recent luxury goods webinar, hosted by Fflur Roberts and An Hodgson of market research firm Euromonitor International, 'materialism, as a determinant of status, is likely to persist in the short term, but a shift toward experiences will be more visible'.

'Often with luxury, the product is the keepsake that reminds you of a unique, memorable experience,' says Helen Brocklebank, CEO of Walpole, the official sector body for UK luxury. 'Luxury has always been about the way you feel, but that is more important than ever before. Create a compelling experience and a purchase will

52

follow,' she argues.

'Harrods continues to set the benchmark for luxury retail experiences and its new Food Hall is one of the latest instore innovations following the launch of its hugely successful Wellness Centre a couple of years ago,' continues Brocklebank. 'The Food Hall comprises a new Roastery and Bake Hall which deliver an immersive and theatrical experience where tea, coffee and bread are all brewed, roasted and baked on-site, taking the customer on a journey with the option to personalise, taste and learn about the produce.' '[Luxury] has become more about a holistic service,' agrees Simon Rawlings, creative director at David Collins Studio - the design firm behind the new Harrods Food Hall. 'It is the ease and enjoyment of the journey, from the very first touchpoint, throughout the physical space, even to the moment

you return home and beyond. In today's fast-paced world, more than ever time is a commodity that has become a luxury, and to feel that your time is well spent in a beautiful location, from which when you leave you continue to feel uplifted and inspired is so important.'

David Collins Studio also designed the new Men's Superbrands department at Harrods, which features 19 of the finest menswear labels set in an inspiring, residential environment (see pages 3234). ‘We wanted to create a menswear destination like no other,' explains Simon Longland, head of menswear at Harrods.

'A space to inspire and excite, but most importantly offer an excellent service and product proposition.'

For Rebecca Robins, global chief learning and culture officer at Interbrand and co-author of the book Meta-luxury, the

feature

currency of luxury retail is increasingly about knowledge, learning, community and exchange. 'It's space as a service, space as experimentation, theatre and play,' she says.

Last autumn, Matchesfashion.com opened a new store in Mayfair that combines a new retail experience, cultural and lifestyle event programme and creative broadcasting hub in one physical permanent residence. The five-storey townhouse is described as both a physical location and global digital destination with an inclusive and exclusive approach - inclusive events which customers can sign up to attend and exclusive content to inspire them. 'Our mission is to create the most personal luxury shopping experience in the world, so we wanted an environment where we could initiate conversations with our customers and create a global sense of community enabled through the power

of technology,' says Ulric Jerome, CEO at Matchesfashion.com.

The retailer is an early example of luxury brands behaving like media entities in order to establish a standout, socially aware voice, believes Katie Baron, head of retail at trends intelligence company, Stylus.

'In 2019, we'll see the notion of retailer as media brand explode, as the lines between selling, guidance and entertainment blur, disturbing traditional retail calendars and delivering new avenues of consumption,' claims Baron.

It's important for brands to understand their customers and be in the spaces that they inhabit, whether that's a bricks-andmortar flagship, web, mobile or social media platforms, and having a cohesive marketing and retail strategy for each of those consumer groups, notes Brocklebank.

'It is not enough to just be a shop front. It's about finding what will engage and retain

your customers, and give them a reason to come into the store rather than shop online.

'The millennialisation of luxury is driving a great deal of change,' adds Brocklebank. '[In 2019], we'll see greater transparency from brands around sustainability and their environmental impact, and social purpose.

[We'll also see] experiential retail beyond traditional showrooms, likely encompassing a VR or AI element and continuation of the health and wellness trend, which for so many, is the ultimate luxury.'

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cambridge

CAMBRIDGE

Text: Lyndsey Dennis

Steeped in history, the city of Cambridge has had an injection of cash to redevelop its retail offering.

Home to the prestigious University of Cambridge dating back to 1209, and a whole host of archeological sites, Cambridge is a compact city with a vast choice of stores. From the hustle and bustle of the city’s seven-days-a-week market in Market Square and the Saturday All Saint’s Garden Art and Craft market, to an abundance of boutiques and independent shops as well as high street brands, designer labels and shopping centres. Cambridge has it all.

Disposable income in Cambridge is 30 per cent above the national average and, across the past year, consumer expenditure in the city grew by two per cent, above the national average.

Legal & General acquired The Grafton in 2015 with a vision to modernise the centre and create major improvements to the shopping environment throughout the centre. £28.5 million has been invested, across a 24-month refurbishment programme, to reconfigure retail space, create new units and a bright and modern environment to attract new retailers, improve the visitor experience and increase footfall to the centre,’ says Tom Williams, Fund Manager at LGIM Real Assets (Legal & General).

The Fitzroy Street entrance at The Grafton has reopened having undergone a major refurbishment. The entrance now features a striking double height glazed roof with feature lighting installed, which along with a new floor, creates a bright and spacious environment for visitors. Double height shop fronts have been installed to some of the larger stores and new shops have been created at this part of the centre.

The former BHS unit, which spreads across three floors, is now home to a brand-new H&M store, PureGym and Food Social, the new casual dining quarter. Designed to complement The Grafton’s existing leisure offer, Food Social on the first floor features an eight-screen Vue cinema and restaurants including Bella Italia, Amélie, an independent French operator has opened its first restaurant, bringing Flammekueche, a concept new to the UK. H&M expanded its store on the ground floor, upsizing by 60 per cent

and introducing its H&M Home concept, joined by PureGym on the second floor,’ says Williams.

River Island has opened its reconfigured 846 sq m anchor unit, taking a prominent position within the mall. The space has been redesigned to meet the brand’s specification requirements, as part of the refurbishment to create new units, attract new retailers and increase footfall to the centre.

‘As the only shopping destination in Cambridge to offer a retail, leisure and F&B mix, The Grafton provides a destination for locals with something that appeals to everyone. This, combined with the enhanced retail and boosted leisure offer, has created an attractive and appealing environment which has encouraged more frequent visits and boosted dwell time. The Grafton has an affluent and growing catchment with 20 per cent more people in the most prosperous ACORN categories compared with the national average. There are over 30,000 students in the city, plus some 12,000 office workers within a 10-minute walk of The Grafton, adding to the diversity of the customer base,’ says Williams.

2019 is going to be an exciting year for The Grafton. ‘This year we’ve already announced that Vue Cinema has renewed its lease for 20 years and we in on-going discussions with a number of retail brands and dining operators. We’re also pursuing conversations with further leisure operators, building on The Grafton’s position as a retail-led mixed-use destination for the people of Cambridge, where they can shop, eat out, relax and socialise,’ adds Williams.

Cambridge is home to a diverse economy, and is home to the UK headquarters of several major companies, including Marshall Aerospace, Microsoft Research and AstraZeneca. It has witnessed economic growth well above the national average over the last five years and is predicted to continue to grow steadily.

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products

SURFACE DESIGN SHOW Armourcoat - Stand 102 Armourcoat’s new Acoustic Plaster System has been granted the Quiet Mark Award — the international mark of approval from the Noise Abatement Society Charitable Foundation.

Designed to optimise the acoustics of interior spaces, the Armourcoat Acoustic plaster system offers a clean and smooth mineral surface that can be applied seamlessly over large expanses to both flat and curved surfaces. Comprising of a special mineral wool composite panel that is bonded onto the substrate and finished with a seamless layer, the system presents an elegant marble-based plaster finish while allowing sound energy to pass through the surface. Poppy Szkiler, founder and managing director of Quiet Mark, will share seasoned insights on the main stage at the Surface Design Show on Wednesday 6 February at 5:40pm.

T. +44 (0)1732 460 668 E: sales@armourcoat.co.uk www.armourcoat.com Twitter: armourcoat

Applelec - Stand LS432 Applelec will be exhibiting in the Light School section of the Surface Design Show. Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) technology provides similar benefits to LEDs but with significant additional features that make it ideal for designers of retail lighting. Light from OLED modules has spectral power distribution that is very close to natural daylight, making it exceptionally human-friendly. Light produced has lower blue light levels than non-organic LEDs and is more comfortable, being virtually free from glare or shadow. The flexible modules are cool to the touch, with an impressive bending radius of 20mm.

T. +44 (0)1274 774 477 E. oled@applelec.co.uk www.designwitholed.co.uk Twitter: ApplelecLight

Blueprint Ceramics - Stand 202

Surface Styling - Stand 408

Blueprint Ceramics will exhibit an array of different materials in one of the company’s most ambitious stands to date. The company is a UK tile supplier and distributor to commercial clients in the UK and internationally. Items distributed include high quality ceramic tilles, porcelain tiles, mosaic tiles and natural stone. Blueprint Ceramics has an extensive project portfolio including Hilton, Primark and Westfield London.

Surface Styling returns to the Surface Design Show to showcase innovative new products from its expansive portfolio. With multiple surfaces required for interior projects, Surface Styling offers architects and designers access to more than 12,000 products from over 40 prestigious surface material brands, supported by a 24-48 hour sampling service. On show will be a wide selection of solid surface, decorative panel, flooring and wall panelling products to demonstrate the wealth of design opportunities available. All product areas offer fully certified FSC or PEFC options for full design flexibility. Among the leading brands on show are FORESCOLOR, an innovative new coloured throughout wood fibre board; CamuStyleTX, a collection from Swiss Krono with a unique texture; Malmo luxury vinyl flooring; Hanex and Elements3 solid surface ranges; the ultra-matt Fenix NTM and brushed metal Fenix NTA materials; and ClicWall, the decorative wall panelling product from Unilin.

T. +44 (0)121 268 3240 E. info@blueprintceramics.com www.blueprintceramics.com Twitter: blueprintceram

T. +44 (0)845 603 7811 E. info@surfacestyling.co.uk www.surfacestyling.co.uk Twitter: SurfaceStyling

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@retailfocus

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

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34

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products

SURFACE DESIGN SHOW Innerspace Cheshire - Stand 376 Innersapce bark panels are made by hand from real bark. The panels look and feel authentic and can help create a real biophilic connection between nature and the built environment. The panels are easy to install and specify. The bark for the panels is sustainably sourced and is ideal for architects and designers that want to create something unique.

T. +44 (0)1270 625 043 E.office@innerspacecheshire.co.uk www.innerspacecheshire.co.uk Twitter: Innerspace ich

SIBU Design - Stand 520 S U will exhibiti a number of products at the show. ath Art is newly launched in 201 as a result of a specially developed process. The materials in the S U ath Art range are entirely impervious to water and steam, and are therefore ideal for use throughout the bathroom. The oard Collection, for the first time ma es fashionable S U Design patterns available on readypressed MDF boards. Antigrav is an innovative, lightweight material that comes from the automotive industry and which, in combination with decorative S U Design surfaces, can be used as wall panelling.

T. +43 725660250 E. info@sibu.at www.sibu.at

Pixalux - Stand LS436

James Latham - Stand 208

Pixalux will exhibit as part of the Light School area. Pixalux LED double sided illuminated shelves have been installed in custom watch company Bamford’s first store designed

by Crawford ray Architects, targeted to male grooming opposite the Bank of England. The brand image was a key part of the design and elegant bespoke black wooden cabinets where designed to make maximise the use of the space, taking into account the high ceiling. All shelves were illuminated on both sides, throwing light onto the products from above and below. The shelves are supported on adjustable brackets built into the side panels, which also serve to provide power to the shelves.

ames Latham returns to Surface Design Show where it will be showcasing one of the biggest and most varied collections of surface solutions for both interior and exterior solutions.

Created to inspire architects and designers when loo ing to specify materials, the collection of decorative panels and timber reinforces Latham s status as a single-source supplier, and has been carefully selected to provide innovative ideas for design and product specification. During the show, Lathams will be featuring a number of exciting new products and range additions for 201 , both on its usual, eye-catching stand on the ground level as well as in its permanent Product Specification Showroom, which is located upstairs on the allery level of the usiness Design Centre at Suite 301.

T. +44 (0)845 2 6466 E: info@pixalux.co.uk www.pixalux.co.uk Twitter: pixaluxuk

T. +44 (0)116 257 3415 E: marketing@lathams.co.uk www.lathamtimber.co.uk Twitter: lathamsltd

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products

A ERIA S

SURFACES

Metalier Metalier Coatings are a sprayable liquid metal system that can make any substrate look like solid metal. They can be used instead of metallic paint, chrome spray finishes, powder coating, metal paint, chrome paint, sheet metal and Corten steel. The liquid metal coatings can be applied to any surface, even the unexpected ones, and are suitable for use both indoors and outside. The light-weight, real metal finish can be applied over complex surfaces.

T. +64 376 70 E: mary@metaliercoatings.com www.metaliercoatings.com Instagram: metaliercoatings

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

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

T. +44 (0)113 217 7177 E: sales@lawcris.co.uk www.lawcris.co.uk Twitter: Lawcris1 82

International Decorative Surfaces Available from this month from IDS, the new Elements3 collection is a 3mm mineral-based solid surface material that is easy to fabricate for the creation of high-end signature designs. Ideal for retail interior projects, Elements3 is suitable for both horizontal and vertical applications and can be cut, shaped, moulded, thermoformed and seamlessly jointed, offering unlimited design possibilities. In addition, an existing 12mm solid surface product can be colour matched creating an identical 3mm version at a fraction of the cost. The material can be used with standard woodworking tools to create countertops, cash and wrap desks, displays, furniture and has a myriad of other uses with sheet sizes of up to 4,100mm x 1,250mm available for added design flexibility.

Elements3 copes easily with the demands of high traffic retail environments.

T. 0845 603 7811 E. info@elements3.co.uk www.elements3.co.uk Twitter: SurfaceStyling

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SileatherUK Introduced to the UK for the first time, Sileather is a pioneer in performance upholstery fabrics with the surface made of 100 silicone. Sileather redefines high performance fabrics through the best combination of leather texture and the superior advantages of silicone. The eco-friendly, sustainable, easy to clean, weatherproof, and highly durable performance fabrics can be used in numerous applications.

T. +44 (0)1274 75 00 E: info@sileatheruk.com www.sileatheruk.com

Photo Credit: SLVHCS ‘Project Legacy’, New Orleans, USA © Sean Airhart/NBBJ

CHRIST

LONGCHAMP

GALERIA KAUFHOF

R I M OWA

COMMA

M O LT O N B R O W N

W E T A K E A H O L I S T I C , F U L LY I N T E G R AT E D A P P R O A C H T O T H E I M P L E M E N TAT I O N O F O U R V I S U A L M A R K E T I N G C O N C E P T S .

AN APPROACH CHARACTERISED BY INTENSITY OF FEELING, AT T E N T I O N T O D E TA I L A N D C L E A R , U N M I S TA K A B L E P O S I T I O N I N G .

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products

F OORING Polyflor Polyflor’s Sport 67 in Maple was the flooring of choice for T3 Architects when completing the new £7 million Brinnington Park Leisure Complex in Stockport.

In the four court sports hall, a number of Polyflor products were fitted including Polysafe Hydro, Polysafe Standard PU , Polysafe Wood F Acoustic in Silver Oak and 6 0 sq m of Sports 67 in Maple. Polysafe Standard PU in Nordic rey has been fitted in high traffic areas such as the reception, lobby and stairways.

Its high durability and sustainable slip resistance makes it highly suited for high traffic areas such as these and benefits from the added protection from water spillages or contaminants.

T. +44 (0)161 767 1111 E: info@polyflor.com www.polyflor.com Twitter: Polyflorltd

Forbo Flooring Systems Forbo Flooring Systems has launched its award winning Allura Fusion; a luxury vinyl tile L T collection that uses innovative colouring techniques to create a fresh unique loo , with no pattern repeats. The trend collection, which was recently decorated with the prestigious international Red Dot Design Award, features four plan and three tile designs, with every piece of the Allura Fusion range completely unique. No two plan s or tiles are the same, resulting in an organic and truly individual aesthetic.

T. +44 (0)1773 744 121 E. info.flooring.uk@forbo.com www.forbo-flooring.co.uk allurafusion Twitter: forboflooring

Amtico

Karndean Designflooring

Amtico has launched Colour Anchor, a stri ing new palette of carpet tiles that provides designers and specifiers with a wider range of possibilities for commercial interiors. Consisting of 1 different shades, from neutrals to brights, the versatile tiles are the ideal accompaniment to Amtico s existing carpet collection, while offering more playful and adventurous design possibilities. y introducing new bold single colours, such as Poppy , Meadow or Abu , designers can add contrasting accents to a scheme, or alternatively blend stronger shades with neutral tones to deliver a visually inspiring space.

lacier Oa is one of four contemporary oa designs recently introduced to Karndean Designflooring s sophisticated Art Select wood collection. Featuring an array of pastel grey shades, this pale contemporary shade offers a stylish alternative to traditional oa flooring. A realistic hand-scraped emboss and intricate patterns create an authentic loo of traditional crafted plan s with impressive variation across the floor. Available in a choice of extra-large plan s in x in and parquet format 18in x 3in , the new design features a preferred 3.0mm thic ness, 0. mm wear layer and enhanced R11 slip resistance rating. Pictured is Karndean Designflooring Art Select lacier Oa RL21.

T. +44 (0)121 745 0800 E: info@amtico.com www.amtico.com commercial Twitter: AmticoFlooring

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

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Designed and manufactured in the UK by Hacel, the New Linear Light5 is a clean understated LED system, delivering exceptional levels of light quality and performance. Linear Light 5 offers a UGR <19, maximising visual comfort whilst promoting energy efficiency. A range of versatile control options are available, Hacelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dedicated and experienced Lighting Design Consultants can assist and advise on your lighting control requirements.

Integrating new technology with imaginative and intelligent lighting schemes ensures every need is met.

Our stunning Product Portfolio and Catalogue presents a dynamic range of architecturally inspired, class leading LED luminaires with superior performance.

Request your high quality catalogue at marketing@hacel.co.uk or Download Now at www.hacel.co.uk/downloads

www.hacel.co.uk

Linear Light5

products

IGH ING Signify Signify (formerly Philips Lighting) lets you experience lighting before you buy with virtual reality. Customers simply download the new Philips Fashion Lighting iOS or Android app to their phone and place their device in a headset. Accurate 3D renderings enable them to then immerse themselves in a virtual fashion store and see first-hand how lighting can make shop windows more dynamic to attract a shopper’s attention and draw footfall into the store.

The app lets them visualise the power of lighting to make whites brighter, blacks crispier and colours more vibrant.

T. +44 (0)845 601 1283 www.signify.com Twitter: Signify Press

Fitzgerald Lighting The LED Polaris is a new generation of low bay luminaire from Fitzgerald Lighting. With a slim design, the Polaris industrial luminaire incorporates the latest LED technology with a branded European driver, which when used with the optional sensors can save up to 0 per cent energy compared with traditional alternatives. With a 50,000 hour life and a five year warranty, maintenance costs are virtually eliminated. Ideal for warehouses, factories, workshops and retail back of house’, the LED Polaris is easy to install with a plug and play system to minimise installation costs and future maintenance requirements.

T. +44 (0)1208 7 524 E: info@fitzlight.co.uk www.fitzlight.co.uk Twitter: fitzlighting

Megaman

iGuzzini

Megaman has launched its patented Dual Beam Technology (DBT). The innovative technology offers a flexible choice of beam angles that can be changed easily on site. This latest innovation will also enable wholesalers to rationalise stock.

DBT is currently available with Megaman’s PA 16 Dimmable 5.5W LEDs, in colour temperatures of 2,800K or 4,000K, and also with the 24W MA CO MIDI integrated LED white tracklight, available in 3,000K and 4,000K. All LEDs with DBT have a narrow and a wide flood setting, catering for any lighting plan and changeable at a moments notice. The PA 16 LEDs have beam angle options of 24 on the narrow flood setting and 35 on the wider beam angle.

The newest addition to Belfast’s growing City Quays development is the AC Marriott Hotel, designed by Mark Higgins with the interior design by Karen Crookes, both of obinson Patterson Partnership. The designers worked closely with Chroma Lighting — i uzzini’s partner in Northern Ireland — to make lighting a key feature of the project extensive use of the i uzzini Laser Blade and System 53 ensures that the light is effective yet discreet, while the use of concealed Underscore LED strips helps reveal the architectural details and interior finishes without drawing attention to the luminaires. Externally, the public spaces around the hotel are illuminated using a combination of i uzzini Wow outdoor luminaires, which have been adopted throughout the project, and small Woody projectors mounted on bespoke columns which illuminate the open areas. As with the interior, concealed Underscore InOut is used to give shape to the landscape details.

T. +44 (0)1707 386 000 E: sales@megamanuk.com www.megamanuk.com Twitter: MegamanUKLtd

T. +44 (0)1483 468 000 E. info.uk@iguzzini.com www.iguzzini.com Twitter: i uzziniUK

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products

SE EC ION NEC Display Solutions Europe The latest MultiSync Series from NEC Display Solutions Europe is a family of huge display surfaces designed to provide the most natural and realistic image rendition. The new pixel-free’ displays are designed for digital signage in retail, entertainment, museums, meeting and conferencing, and industries such as manufacturing, engineering, leisure and hospitality, and many more. The Series is available in three extraordinarily-large sizes: 75in, 86in and 8in.

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

Forbo Flooring Systems Inspired by the colours and textures found within natural landscapes, Forbo Flooring Systems has re-launched its Marmoleum Marbled collection. With an independent Environmental Product Declaration confirming carbon neutral status in the production phase, Marmoleum (2.5mm) helps to minimise the embodied carbon of a building — with this latest collection designed to help users feel at one with nature.

Forbo’s new Marmoleum Marbled range is inspired by Mother Nature’s colour palette.

T. +44 (0)1773 744 121 E. info.flooring.uk@forbo.com www.forbo-flooring.co.uk allurafusion Twitter: forboflooring

Mul-T-Lock Mul-T-Loc has launched its new CL o access control system for small to medium si ed retailers, allowing businesses to remotely manage security on the go . The new and advanced CL o technology allows retailers to both grant and remove access permissions from anywhere via the CL o app. This includes the ability to schedule individual access permissions for each ey, as well as to provide time-limited access. f a ey is lost, access can also be revo ed using the CL o app. Mul-T-Loc CL o system is particularly useful for retailers that often suffer from a high staff turnover. Having the ability to revo e access permissions when a member of staff leaves allows retailers to uphold their security. The high security eCL cylinders are easy to configure, are suitable for all door types and can be easily fitted by a local loc smith.

Reggiani UK A wide range of luminaires from eggiani have been installed in the new aguar Land over showroom and servicing centre in Slough, Berkshire. Both aguar and Land over occupy their own showroom space within the new facility with both areas utilising eggiani’s soft recessed ori L linear fittings to provide the desired uniform ambient lighting. All vehicles are highlighted by two suspended linear Mood fittings with a brighter and cooler colour temperature of 4,000K. Fittings are positioned at an equidistant 1.4m from the centre of every vehicle to ensure an efficient scheme with no shaded areas.

T. +44 (0)20 8236 3000 E.reggiani@reggiani.co.uk

T. +44 (0)1 02 364 200 E. internalsales@mul-t-lock.co.uk www.mul-t-lock.co.uk Twitter: MulTLockUK

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www.reggiani.net Twitter: reggianilight

surfaces

focus on MATERIALS & FINISHES

Busy environments like stores mean high levels of wear and tear, so keeping up appearances is crucial. From counters and furniture to flooring and wallcladding, we bring you a variety of materials that will stand the test of time within busy environments.

Back to nature M Finsa has launched a new UK range of special veneers. The Studio Natur range includes nine new veneers that move away from the standards, offering a closer approach to high-end design.

One of the characteristics that defines wood veneer, in addition to the species, is the design itself. The collection aims to be a must when inspiring designers to create special interiors that are full of personality. www.finsa.com

Make an impact Havwoods has launched new cladding designs from its Vertical collection. Suitable for walls, surfaces and ceilings, each plank within this versatile range is designed for both vertical and horizontal fitting to create an impactful covering within any interior space. www.havwoods.co.uk

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surfaces

Full strength Lundhs Emerald is an extremely versatile real stone that works particularly well when paired with deep grey or black cabinetry.

Boasting high heat, water, scratch, UV and stain resistance, Lundhs Emerald is extremely easy to maintain. It is made from one of the most strongest materials in the world, Larvikite. A complex blend of feldspar crystals, each piece of rock from Lundhs is completely individual with its own individual fingerprint.

www.lundhsrealstone.com

The choice is yourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A frequent exhibitor at Surface Design Show, Innerspace Cheshire brings designers together with authentic, easy to use materials for design. Products include acoustic surfaces, carpets, decorative surfaces, flooring, illuminated surfaces, veneers, and real moss to name a few. The company can help clients source hard-to-find materials from its broad network of material manufacturers. www.innerspacecheshire.co.uk

Perfect partnership Egger has announced a partnership with Material Lab. One of the finest design resource studios and material libraries in the UK. Created by tile manufacturer Johnson Tiles, Material Lab specialises in high quality materials and surface coverings.

Egger will have a dedicated display area showcasing the Egger Decorative Collection 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2019. The range comprises 297 decors across woodgrain, uni-colour and material finishes. It is a onestop shop for decorative surfaces, providing a cost effective option for almost every interior that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t compromise on finish or performance.

www.egger.com

Focal point The definition of Daedalian encapsulates why it is the ideal name for this glass studio. Daedalian is art, inventive design, innovative production, intricacy and attention to detail. The studio produces individual creations using a variety of glass working techniques.

Items include architectural mouldings, cladding, decorative surfaces, international walls and partitions, lighting and tiles. www.daedalianglassstudios.com

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directory

DIREcTORIES

www.retail-focus.co.uk/directory Visit the Retail Focus online directory at www.retail-focus.co.uk to discover a comprehensive list of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading retail suppliers. Each listing contains indepth company information together with inspirational images, video footage and informative press material. You can also link through to company websites and connect with suppliers through Twitter and Facebook.

The Retail Supplier Directory is divided into a number of categories, such as design agencies, point-of-purchase, lighting, props and surfaces, to make the site easy to navigate.

To feature in the online directory, contact Terry Clark on 0845 6807405 or email terry@retailfocus.co

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directory

Aluminium Fittings

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

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

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

Aluminium Fittings

Bespoke Display

Bespoke Display

Design Consultancies

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

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

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

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

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

Bespoke Display

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

Bespoke Display

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

Design Consultancies

MicroSlat is a strong versatile 25mm fine pitched aluminium slatwall system.

With a bespoke range of components it can be used to build unique and interesting displays or add value to existing designs.

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

Walker Bros (Elland) Ltd is an Engineering Manufacturing company specialising in sheet metalwork and plastic fabrication.

We supply precision metal and plastic products, components and light fabrications to a broad range of industries and markets throughout the UK and Europe.

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

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

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

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

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

Audio Visual Integration

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

Bespoke Display

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

Brochure Holders

Design Consultancies

Brochure Holders International Limited is part of the global Taymar group recognised as a leading manufacturer of premium quality injection moulded leaflet holders and display solutions.

Committed to on-going product development the Taymar group offers one of the world’s largest collections of ‘clear view’ wall, floor and counter standing brochure displays.

We are TWO Visual, the retail agency specialising in visual merchandising.

Led by brand directors Jeanette Cheetham and Brendan Gordon we provide everything retailers need to make their brands visually dynamic, whilst improving team and commercial performance.

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

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

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

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

Balloons & Bunting

Bespoke Display

Climate Control

Display

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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directory

Display

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

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

Display

Display - DIGITAL

FURNITURE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Display

Display

Display - DIGITAL

FURNITURE

Durable have been one of Europe’s largest business supplies manufacturers for almost 100 years.

We’re pioneers in developing and producing innovative solutions designed for retail from literature displays and POS to signage and display solutions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Display

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

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

Display

EPOS

GRAPHICS

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

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

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

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

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

Display

Display

Impulse POP specialises in Point of Purchase display systems for the Retail sector.

We offer many years of experience in all aspects of retail design, with in house manufacture - including quick turnaround prototypes, or overseas manufacture, delivery, installation and retail merchandising.

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

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

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

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

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

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Finishes

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

GRAPHICS

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

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

directory

interactive displays

MANNEQUINS

pop/pos

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

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

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

We are IPOS. A creative design agency whose extensive and impressive client list speaks volumes for the professional services we offer.

We design, produce and install all aspects of our client’s POS. From instore graphics, window vinyls and 3D bespoke window displays to full multi location campaign roll outs.

Durable have been one of Europe’s largest business supplies manufacturers for almost 100 years.

We’re pioneers in developing and producing innovative solutions designed for retail from literature displays and POS to signage and display solutions.

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

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

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

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

LED LIGHTING

pop/pos

Addlux supplies high-tech LED lighting and display technologies for the retail sector, including the largest, thinnest and most cost-effective light sheet on the market today.

Fast turnaround of deliveries and prototypes at competitive prices.

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

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

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

Literature Display

Brochure Holders International Limited is part of the global Taymar group recognised as a leading manufacturer of premium quality injection moulded leaflet holders and display solutions.

Committed to on-going product development the Taymar group offers one of the world’s largest collections of ‘clear view’ wall, floor and counter standing brochure displays.

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

Maintenance

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

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

pop/pos

Durable have been one of Europe’s largest business supplies manufacturers for almost 100 years.

We’re pioneers in developing and producing innovative solutions designed for retail from literature displays and POS to signage and display solutions.

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

pop/pos

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

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

signage

pop up

vm

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

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

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

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

Retail Consultancy

vm

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

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

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

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

slatwall

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

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

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

VM TOOLS AND TRAINING

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

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

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Q&A

STEPHEN BRIARS Prior to joining The Conran Shop in 2016, Stephen Briars’ career was focused in fashion, from C&A to Paul Smith, onto Louis Vuitton as visual director and Urban Outfitters as creative director. In his current role as creative director of The Conran Shop, Briars leads all creative functions of the brand globally. Here, he talks challenges, collaborations and what’s on the cards for 2019.

RF. What drew you to Conran?

RF. Where do you go for inspiration?

SB. For the most part, I’ve worked for brands with a unique point of view, singular concepts with a strong heritage or the founder still active in the business. The Conran Shop is one of those pinnacle brands, created by Sir Terence Conran; an incredible tastemaker, who shaped Britain throughout the second half of the twentieth century. His passion for design and foundation of a lifestyle store with a uniquely personal and curated edit, makes for one of the best design stores in the world.

RF. What does your day to day look like?

SB. Each day is different dependent on the season, current challenges, and future planning. Mondays tend to be very analytical and set the tone for the week. Our diverse stores in Chelsea, Marylebone and Selfridges, along with the store in Paris create seasonal demands that result in differing creative solutions. We are always working a season ahead and are currently also designing new stores. It is January and we are already into Christmas 2019.

RF. What challenges do you face in your role as creative director?

SB. Awareness and relevance. We’re a 40-year old retailer who needs to continually evolve and appeal to current and new customers in an ever-changing world. The stores crave change and seasonality, and our websites are continually evolving both in terms of functionality and content. It’s essential that we continue to push the brand forward by being courageous and mindful of the insatiable demand for retail to be more engaging and influential.

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SB. Physical spaces mostly. London is an amazing city for museums and exhibitions of incredible variety. The Barbican is a great architectural institution, offering exhibitions, theatre and film with great curation. Conversely, I adore the Royal Academy for the same reasons. Beyond that, the V&A, both Tate museums and The Wellcome Foundation, all offer varying ways of presenting ideas and bringing adventure. I’ve been lucky to have travel at the core of many previous brands, and I’d say that nothing expands the mind like the experience of travel and encountering cities and cultures. The Conran Shop has taken me to Japan, where we have six franchise stores, as well as Hong Kong and Korea. Closer to home, Milan brings much inspiration through its annual Salone del Mobile exhibition, and cities such as Stockholm and Paris also host annual design weeks.

RF. What other plans do you have for the year ahead?

SB. We have two new retail spaces opening in 2019. March sees the arrival of The Conran Shop in the iconic Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris. In November 2019 we are planning to open a two-storey Conran Shop in Lotte department store in Seoul Korea. It will be the most modern Conran Shop in the world and a template for future stores. The retail space is as large as our iconic Chelsea store in the Michelin building.

h a r l e quin - d e sig n . c o m