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UNDER CONSTRUCTION This is Christian Louboutin’s latest boutique, where the artisans have left but the store is not yet finished.

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CONTENTS CONTACT: Terry Clark terry@retail-focus.co.uk Lee Cullumbine lee@retail-focus.co.uk

FOLLOW RF:

PROMOTIONAL info@retail-focus.co.uk Published by Phygital Media & Events Ltd

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21 adidas originals CELEBRATING - NETWORKING - WINNING

a night like no other Christian

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24 levi’s HAUS

09-11 News

21-23 Project Focus

13-15 Project Focus Christian Louboutin

18-19 Project Focus H Beauty

RoLLING

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adidas Originals

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Levi’s Haus

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Feature Loyalty

Feature In beauty we trust

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H&LD Hospitality and Leisure

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DIARY

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CREATIVE RETAIL AWARDS Proud Embankment, London, UK 10 June 2021 The Creative Retail Awards recognise and reward excellence in retail. Moving away from the traditional awards ceremony the Creative Retail Awards offer a night full of exuberance.

The Awards span a number of disciplines, including store design, Visual Merchandising, inspired technology, Omni-channel innovations, bar and restaurant design, shopfitting and much more. The Awards will be judged by a panel of industry leaders and experts. creativeRawards Open for entries at www.creativeretailawards.com

LuxLive Virtual Event 11-12 November 2020

TFWA China Reborn Virtual Event 1-3 December 2020

Virtual Interiors Virtual Event 8-12 February 2021

Taking place during the original LuxLive dates of 11 and 12 November, the LuxLive Digital Festival will be representing the most ambitious and comprehensive digital education programme ever seen in the industry, focusing on a central theme of Health and Wellbeing.

TFWA has announced it will host a 3-day virtual event focussing on the recovery of the duty free and travel retail industry in China. The event will take place between 1st and 3rd December, and will be anchored by a range of seminar sessions.

Virtual Interiors will enable us all to source, communicate and interact with the industry in a virtual world during a 5-day event accessible on any platform and device.

You can view and engage with product launches, Showroom and factory video presentations, products and services, all never seen before on a global scale.

lux_live

www.luxlive.co.uk

ise_show

www.iseurope.org

CREATIVE RETAIL AWARDS NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES WWW.creativeretailawards.com 6

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www.virtualretailinteriorsexpo.com/

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How to support staff with cancer Did you know that an estimated one in three people with cancer in the UK are of working age? Research by Macmillan Cancer Support found that 87% of people who are working at diagnosis say it’s important to them to keep doing so.1 The effect of cancer and its treatment on someone’s ability to work can vary widely.

Some people keep working, and others may need time off or may need to leave work completely.

The impact of cancer After treatment, many people recover well and can go back to their normal working life.

But having the illness and recovering from it can have a big physical and emotional impact. Employers need to consider how they can support people to return to work and support them over time.

You may not think of cancer as a long-term condition, but some treatments leave people with long-term side effects. For example, they may experience fatigue for months and sometimes years. After breast surgery, they may have pain in their arm. They may need to use the toilet more often if they’ve had bladder or bowel cancer treatment.

Keep the conversation going Macmillan found that one in ten people with cancer employed when diagnosed felt the need to cover up cancer symptoms, like fatigue and sickness, at work.2 So it’s important for line managers to keep talking to employees to make sure they are getting the support they need and know that it’s ok to ask for it.

Legal obligations Cancer is classed as a disability under the Equality Act 2010 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. That means employers are required to make reasonable adjustments to make it easier for someone with cancer to work.

Support for employers Macmillan at Work offers workplace training, guidance and resources to help managers and HR professionals feel confident and equipped to support employees affected by cancer. Find out more about how our expertise can help you.

Sign up at macmillan.org.uk/atwork Email us at workandcancer@macmillan.org.uk Or call us on 020 7840 4725

1, 2 YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,507 respondents who were in work when diagnosed with cancer. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29/06/2018 – 22/07/2018.

The survey was carried out online.

Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. Printed on sustainable materials. Please recycle. MAC15903_10.19

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news

NEWS

Skin Laundry opens its first stand-alone UK store American skincare brand and facial clinic, Skin Laundry, has expanded its international footprint with the opening of its first freestanding location in Newburgh Street, Soho.

Opened on 22 October, the inside of the 150 sqm centralLondon property has been completely overhauled by European construction firm, Agilité Solutions – in order to create the ideal base for the expanding beauty brand.

Douglas Deptula, project manager at Agilité Solutions, explained: “This is the first time we have worked with Skin Laundry, but we are delighted to be asked to oversee the company’s expansion into London.

“While our focus has previously been on helping brands to expand into mainland Europe – particularly across France, Italy and Germany – the UK plays a significant role in our growth plans for 2021. And what a way to begin!”

Launched in 2013, the brand has coined the phrase ‘we made laser facials a thing’ and now has its own skincare line and 16 clinics across the globe, with sites in the US, Hong Kong, Dubai, and London.

Kurt Geiger and Carvela step into St James Quarter St James Quarter will welcome fashion brands Kurt Geiger and Carvela to its line-up when it opens in spring 2021. The brands have signed a combined 3,394 sq ft space.

The fashion footwear brands, which have taken 1,991 sq ft, and 1,403 sq ft respectively, will be situated on level three of St James Quarter, together with Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Russell & Bromley, Peloton, Zara and H&M. Chris Pyne, head of leasing for St James Quarter, commented: “Kurt Geiger and Carvela are outstanding brands, complementing our now unrivalled line-up at St James Quarter. We’re very excited to add two more leading names in fashion to the mix at St James Quarter.”

Kurt Geiger Retail Director, Ross Warden, said: “We’re excited to be joining this incredible development to Edinburgh’s retail scene as we continue to expand our retail offering throughout the UK. We look forward to opening both our Kurt Geiger and exciting new Carvela stores at St James Quarter.”

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Flash to go here NEWS

Sky to open first retail shop in Liverpool ONE Grosvenor Europe and Sky have announced that Sky is opening its first ever bricks and mortar retail shop in Liverpool ONE on 26 October. The new Sky flagship retail concept on South John Street will bring Sky’s leading customer service and innovative pay TV, mobile and broadband products to the UK high street, under one roof, for the first time.

The flagship shop will allow potential customers to test out Sky’s latest innovations first-hand, and will also feature an in-shop partnership with iSmash, the popular tech repair chain that currently operates 32 locations across the UK.

Selfridges unveils its greenest Christmas shop ever Selfridges has announced the opening of its Christmas shop in London and on Selfridges.com, with selected products available in Manchester and Birmingham.

With many customers focusing on family and traditions this year, Selfridges have created a destination to capture the magical feeling of ‘Once Upon A Christmas’ enabling customers to make new memories and moments, either in store or from the comfort of their homes online.

The Christmas Shop builds on Selfridges on-going commitment to change the way we shop with a product offer with a difference.

Half of all products in the Christmas Shop, including decorations, crackers, cards and wrapping paper have one or more sustainable attributes, making it easier than ever for customers to shop for beautiful and original Christmas decorations this festive season whilst being kinder to the planet.

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NEWS

Creative Design & Display Connections launched The organisers behind the Creative Retail Awards have launched the inaugural Creative Design & Display Connections (CDDC) meet the buyer event. To be held in September 2021 at Bounce Old Street in London, the event consists of 14 pre-matched one-to-one meetings between buyers and suppliers over the course of the day. With Supplier

entry from just ÂŁ1,750 + VAT, the event could provide the highest ever ROI for companies at this difficult trading period. Approved delegates receive free entry plus two complimentary tickets to the world renowned Creative Retail Awards taking place in June 2021.

Visit www.cddconnections.com

Danish global home brand JYSK announces six new UK stores JYSK, is set to open six new stores by the end of its financial year in August 2021, creating 100 jobs and taking the total number of UK stores to 26.

The first store of the UK expansion to open will be in Liverpool and it will be the biggest store in the country to date.

Founded in Denmark in 1979 by Lars Larsen, over the past four decades JYSK has expanded to 51 countries with more than 2,900 stores worldwide employing more than 24,000 people.

Creative Retail Awards postpone ceremony until 10th June 2021.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and for the safety and enjoyment of all participants, the organisers have decided to postpone the upcoming Creative Retail Awards ceremony until 10th June 2021.

The Creative Retail Awards are truly unique in their blend of celebration, networking and entertainment. Following government guidelines there is significant doubt that large scale indoor events will be able to operate in September, even with social distancing observed.

Since their inception, the Creative

Retail Awards have always been an experience led occasion with their characteristic twist on conventional Award ceremonies, and the organisers strongly feel if they are unable to provide the highest quality event it will do a disservice to all entrants, their projects and those attending. With a truly worldwide audience, the Awards attract attendees from all over EMEA and North America who wish to celebrate the industry’s achievements which would not be possible in the current environment.

STAY CONNECTED GET THE LATEST RETAIL NEWS AT WWW.retail-focus.co.uk

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

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project

Christian Louboutin paris, france

This is Christian Louboutin’s latest boutique, where the artisans have left but the store is not yet finished. Located on Paris’s exclusive Rue Saint-Honoré and situated over three floors, the 260m2 space embodies the essence of the Maison’s signature style and playful approach.

StudioXAG worked with the team at Christian Louboutin to define the creative concept for the store, designed to occupy the space for 1-2 years. The concept speaks to the ephemeral nature of the space, offering elevated storytelling and rich materiality the Louboutin consumer would expect, but without the constraints of a permanent shopfit. >>>

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PROJECT

Drawing inspiration from the rich heritage of the brand and the quick turnaround of the project, StudioXAG imagined a store celebrating the beauty of a ‘work in progress’, the craftsmen and artisans working on the store have left in a hurry, giving the illusion that the store is in mid- execution! Their abandoned ladders and toolboxes have been hijacked to show the latest collection.

Soaked in rich vermillion, Louboutin’s signature red hue is present throughout the store, with arches and hand-painted designs from the designer’s very first boutique in Paris’s Galerie Vero Dodat punctuating the space.

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Product plinths elaborately sculpted in lacquered Kraft paper are yet to be unwrapped, sculpturally tied with red rope. Meticulously handcrafted Abyssinian tigers, Siam elephants and Madagascan lemurs have been set loose in the store, some cheekily climbing the walls whilst others delicately balance footwear and accessories from the collection.

In collaboration with the Christian Louboutin Architecture team, StudioXAG created the identity for the store, designing the full store treatment and the fixtures. The creative studio fabricated each piece in their London workshop over an 8-week period, from decorative display items to store fixtures.

PROJECT

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Flash to go here

H BEAUTY

LAKESIDE, ESSEX, UK

Harrods has announced its very first standalone beauty concept, H beauty which is now open in Intu Lakeside, Essex. The 23,000 sq. ft. space is designed to embody the future of beauty, providing an open and expansive space for customers to safely shop some of the most coveted and forward-thinking brands in the world, from legacy brands such as Chanel, La Prairie and Creed to pioneering, new generation beauty brands such as Huda Beauty, 111Skin and Uoma, H beauty is the destination for all things beauty.

Designed by global design agency Virgile + Partners, H beauty aims to disrupt the UK beauty retail industry by creating an unparalleled wonderland that combines a diverse portfolio of premium and luxury brands with Harrods famous experiential beauty retail environment. H Beauty will offer exclusive, experiential services, everchanging retail innovation and timeless products to create a sensational world for beauty lovers to discover and enjoy.

Annalise Fard, director of beauty, fine jewellery & watches and home at Harrods said “As Harrods very first beauty specialist retail space, H beauty is going

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to be a significant addition to the beauty landscape and will be a game-changing, destinational, beauty emporium offering experience, make-up, skin care, hair care and fragrance.

I see beauty as the entry point into luxury and it’s very exciting to be able to take the excitement and engagement for beauty and really deliver it to a customer on a wider platform. Harrods has vast authority and strong brand relationships within the beauty industry which has provided us with the opportunity to offer H beauty customer’s both well-recognised brands that they know and love very much directly from Knightsbridge as well as an exciting array of entirely new brands that can only be found at H beauty.

By opening the first H beauty store in Lakeside and the second closely following in Milton Keynes, we are bringing beauty to an incredibly responsive community of existing beauty lovers. Although the brand portfolio will be similar across both locations, the edit will be slightly different according to the culture of that location, city or that particular client and will allow H beauty to be the central beauty hub in

each destination.”

With inclusivity and self-expression at the heart of H beauty’s ethos, the H beauty buying team, led by Annalise Fard and Mia Collins, carefully curated an exceptional offering that will deliver something for every customer’s desire, in one accessible hub.

The store will come alive with a series of exclusive and distinctive on-counter services including bespoke fast facials from Sisley, using a selection of the brands most nourishing products as well as product personalisation from Dior, Givenchy, and Atelier Cologne.

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project

adidas Originals Carnaby Street, London

adidas has opened the doors to the new adidas Originals’ flagship store on Carnaby Street, London – a ‘Home of Originals’. The store will house the most exclusive and latest adidas Originals product, and is a space for London’s creatives to come together, whilst retaining the cultural aesthetic and design that is true to the heart of Soho.

The flagship will offer some of the brand’s most exclusive product releases, including Spezial, Ivy Park and YEEZY, as well as hyper local product stories and collections – becoming the destination for adidas Originals product in London. This includes the limited-edition Elland SPZL trainer release as part of the Creator Club week, available to collect and also buy exclusively from the Carnaby Street store.

With London’s creativity front of mind, throughout the store there are installations

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PROJECT

PROJECT

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designed by local artists. Designers Paolina Russo and Bethany Williams with Melissa Kitty Jaram have one-off pieces, and neon lights have been produced by the familiar God’s Own Junkyard. Archive products are on display across both floors, which nod to adidas Originals’ connection to music, fashion and terrace culture and celebrate the history of adidas as a creator brand.

Further spaces include a DJ set up and vintage encased speaker system made

by Pioneer DJ available to be used by consumers, and interchangeable spaces for the latest city and brand stories to come to life with gender inclusive merchandising.

A dedicated area for the adidas Spezial collection has a custom-designed

Spezial pool table available for all to use. Consumers will also be able to purchase a limited-edition adidas Spezial pool sets later in the year, only available at the Carnaby store.

Reinforcing the brands commitment to sustainability, the store has been created with BREEAM certified materials, alongside the reclaimed wooden flooring and upcycled furniture. In a nod to the brand’s vision to be carbon neutral by 2050, the store’s design includes an eye-catching Stan Smith 3D printed trefoil mural containing living plants.

Chis Walsh, VP Brand adidas, North Europe, said: “The new adidas Originals flagship is one of the best expressions

of our brand, combining creativity and sustainability with commerce, and creating a Home of Originals for London Creators. The store will become the destination for the most in demand adidas Originals product in London, and we look forward to joining the Carnaby neighbourhood in welcoming our adidas consumers and community”.

The Home of London’s Originals is a space to inspire people to embrace their originality and create change via new products, experiences, icons and networks, and will invite consumers to an ongoing programme of live and digital events, including broadcasts and digital workshops whilst following the latest COVID-19 guidelines. RF

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Flash to go here

Levi’s® Haus Soho, LONDON

Levi’s® have launched a unique concept store and the first of its kind within the brand’s retail portfolio – Levi’s® Haus serves as a new blueprint for an in-store consumer experience; a physical brand hub defined by creativity, and a circular-economy concept, making Levi’s® last even longer.

Levi’s® by Levi’s®, a new product solution made from entirely repaired, reimagined and recycled Levi’s® product, will be exclusively available at the brand’s new Soho concept store.

Levi’s® by Levi’s® is a product range that celebrates sustainable product solutions and style for the next generation. Levi’s® by Levi’s® looks to encourage us all to rethink how we shop by repairing, reimagining and recycling old products for a new beginning.

Made exclusively of Levi’s® back catalogue – namely faulty and returned items that could never sell, as well as donations from employees and consumers.

Levi’s® will offer a 10% discount for any donation made via the in-store digital donation experience to consumers donating their previously loved Levi’® via the interactive donation wall. The user receives a direct deposit of ‘500 coins’ which

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translates into 10% off new purchases via the Levi’s® 24/7 app which also can be used in-store or online at levi.com.

The product range aims to encourage shoppers to purchase more thoughtfully and sustainably. As part of the brand’s continued drive to help love what you wear and live with it longer, a team of in-house expert tailors will help extend the life of old Levi’s® no matter what condition they’re in.

They can do this instore in any of 3 ways:` Repair Customers are invited to bring their wellworn denim into Levi’s® Haus, London, where expert in-house tailors are on hand to stitch, patch repair and customize your favourite Levi’s® adding a stylish reminder that your Levi’s® get better with age.

Repurposing and repairing clothes requires minimal additional energy input: no water, no dyes, no global transportation, and no power needed to make more jeans.

Reimagine To further celebrate the Levi’s® by Levi’s®

launch at Levi’s® Haus, London, the brand is partnering with Indigowares, a company dedicated to making well-crafted, low environmental impact designs using organic indigo dye. Founded by textile artist Lisa Reddings, Indigowares brings its unique dip-dying and shibori techniques to reimagine a range of Levi’s® iconic products from trucker jackets and 501® jeans, ensuring that each piece is truly oneof-a-kind.

Recycle Levi’s® by Levi’s® also incorporates recycled product and materials sourced from both consumer donations and the Levi’s® back catalogue to create accessories including bucket hats, tote bags and bum bags.

Hand crafted by the Worker Well Trust in Tower Hamlets, London, no two accessories are the same.

The new store opened its doors on 5th October. Customers can drop in or book an appointment via the 247 app to talk about the possibilities of reworking your denim with one of the in-house tailors.

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project

Rolling Stones CARNABY, LONDON

The rock ‘n’ roll legends that are the Rolling Stones open their world-first flagship store, ‘RS No. 9 Carnaby ’ tomorrow on 9th September at 9 Carnaby Street in London’s Soho.

The new store, created in partnership with Bravado, Universal Music Group’s merchandise and brand management company, features all of the hallmarks of the iconic band and includes exclusive new fashion label ‘RS No. 9 Carnaby'.

The band’s continuing album and single releases will be at the heart of the shop’s pulse. Music will be available to buy including the Goats Head Soup album and Scarlet single along with an exclusive 500 copies of the Goats Head Soup 2020 album in the Stones Red colour.

The store’s windows feature a worldfirst soundwave installation – taken from the opening to the 1966 hit track ‘Paint It

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PROJECT

Black’. The audio of the beginning of the iconic song is visualised as a soundwave and reinterpreted into a striking red metal sculpture.

Jointly curated by the Rolling Stones and Bravado, the shop fit follows the brand colours of red and black. The glass floor features many of the bands lyrics, and the fitting rooms are adorned with iconic album artwork; Exile on Main Street (1972) and Some Girls (1978).

Inside, there is an exclusive and curated mix of collections and collaborations for fans of all ages. The store will also introduce ‘Stones Red,’ the official colour from Pantone which is seen in the design elements of the store as well as an exclusive apparel and accessories collection.

Sound, vision, and lighting are key store components. Five, 90-inch portrait screens display a film made exclusively for the store showing footage across the rich history of the band. Speakers from high end British audio brand Bowers & Wilkins will play tracks from the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band in the world.

Exclusive store collaborations include Chateau Baccarat, from French luxury

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brand Baccarat, a collection of crystal wine glasses, champagne flutes, tumblers, wine decanter, and a beer glass engraved with the Tongue and Lips of the Rolling Stones. Other exclusives include The Soloist chairs and scarves and from premium Swedish raincoat brand Stutterheim there is a handcrafted high quality rubberised cotton raincoat which features the Rolling Stones logo. More exciting collabs will be announced soon.

One for superfans are the 10 limited edition signed and numbered framed artworks by John Pasche, the original creator of the iconic Rolling Stones logo, which was first used on the Sticky Fingers LP in 1971.

The store also features a bespoke T-shirt customisation station – choose from an array of exclusive designs on the touch screen menu to create something unique.

The Rolling Stones said: “Soho has always encapsulated Rock ’n’ Roll so Carnaby Street was the perfect spot for our own store. We are confident this exciting project that our friends at Bravado have created will be an unrivalled experience for everyone to come to London and enjoy.”

PROJECT

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FEATURE

The end of the world as we know it and I feel fine James Breaks - Design Director at rpa:group

A sense of proportion can be hard to maintain when the events we directly experience are wide-ranging enough to be truly global. Our sense of personal scale becomes distorted and we find it difficult to align with our world-view and maintain a sense of normality and order in everyday life. We become disorientated and lose focus in a whirlwind of fight-orflight instincts.

Let’s not for a moment believe that people queuing patiently for hours outside re-opened shops is a return to normality; but rather a genuine human desire for instinctive and recognisable patterns of behaviour and finding comfort in the familiar. It’s understandable in context, but not the reignition of the economy that the country needs.

Though globally resonant, what these circumstances are doing, is accelerating and amplifying opportunities we have felt in recent years, to drive long overdue fundamental and positive changes to high street retail. Thankfully we are still in the time frame to make these, driven by several factors.

How have we as consumers reacted to the crisis?

psychological behavioural patterns come into play at a base level. We respond disproportionately, with our sensitivity to disgust increasing and so too our desire for increased cleanliness and selfdependency. This is why for instance there was a sudden rush on toilet paper, and we all reverted to home baking.

At the societal end of the scale, we measure our self-worth and revaluate our place in the world. Social identity norms are challenged – keyworkers are heroes, law enforcement vilified, and minorities coalesce in reaction. Social media, more than ever, becomes a fundamental platform to perpetuate this and expose social injustice and invoke reaction.

The more it changes the more it stays the same …

Psychologically, the elements of our brain that we use to recognise and form human friendships and attachments are the same as those which we use when interacting with brands. This is why it is now so important for brands to use the same strategies that humans use to make friends, creating a genuine attachment, and tapping into genuine emotions.

Amplified needs and desires What are the opportunities?

The crisis has amplified needs and stimulated aspiration with enforced change and helped us to revaluate what is important in our lives. A lot of our frustration now is having the means to realise these ambitions. We saw similar amplification in the last recession, where quality and experience dominated our evolution of retail, goods and services.

Increased our sensitivity (and reduced our patience?)

When threatened, it’s helpful to remember that an individual’s fundamental

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Align through Genuine Engagement Customers are evaluating and looking at brands as they would their friends – especially in behaviour during distancing.

They are assessing them, and establishing if they fit into their own belief system and are worthy of their respect. They can spot woke companies but they can also spot virtue signalling and disingenuous actions.

This evaluation has always been a rallying cry from consultancies – make genuine engagement a key requirement.

Agility (& Confidence) With Covid enforcing social distancing and controlled customer flow in the short term, brands and services will have to realign their real estate due to customer caution or a preference for online shopping. Transparent safety measures and reassurance will help deliver this confidence. Digital signage signalling air quality, customer flow, in-store head counts and store cleanliness will play an important role in this.

Long-term, ‘choice’ will be key to futureproofing against further pandemics or constantly evolving customer trends.

Supporting strategies such as BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up in Store) customers by setting up specific pick-up windows will drive a need for stock and storage to be more efficiently managed. This will support showrooming, promote experiential retailing and drive opportunity for pop-up or smaller estate requirements. Brands can stimulate their customers in fresh and interesting ways and in quicker cycles.

As our physical world became smaller due to travel restrictions we became more reliant on local shops and services, which strengthened our relationships with them.

As many of us continue to work from home, we will continue to utilise and appreciate shops in our local communities, which will drive more life and footfall onto our local high streets – though we will see an evolution of these to support local communities that are multi-faceted, and offer additional diversity. Of course, this sort of outcome requires collaboration with retailers, landlords, local authorities and the local community on a scale that hasn’t been seen before.

Confirmation It is time for retailers to reset the promotional stance. Due to the public’s

FEATURE

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ever-increasing consciousness about consumption levels – sustainability and environmental issues, brands need to carefully review discounting and focus more on quality and governance of products.

How do we respond?

Alignment There is a close focus on brands, which need to proportionately and genuinely clarify their social position, their environmental position and reflect that they understand what is important to their customer base. Most importantly of all, they need to be able to demonstrate it – an example of this being our client LEON (who amongst others) set about delivering not just free but healthy meals to the NHS workers, which reinforces its brand values about healthy fast food.

Generate genuine attachment The nation’s mental health is under increasing strain. Factors such as a feeling of isolation for some who struggle to work

from home, or those who are anxious about their financial security and future is adding to the pressure. Being cautious about expenditure is making consumers more considerate about consumption.

Brands will need to provide value and demonstrate compassion and a feeling of worth, to reassure and engage with consumers, potentially through creating membership and communities where relevant.

Be seamless – use technology Front end technology retains its role unchanged as a system of communication and delivery of the core message – nothing else.

True innovation, generated in crisis, can deliver lasting potential when executed well – virtual festivals are replacing cancelled events by celebrating live music and performance across many platforms – we know that these will never take the place of a live festival, but with current advancements in VR, may continue as events in their own right, post-covid.

More prosaically, with the increase in

home delivery, technology has allowed efficiency in supply chains and logistics that allow smaller brands and suppliers the same reach as the larger. Additionally, the increase in data around buying habits means we have more information to analyse and make positive use from.

Focussing on aligning customer needs and corresponding stock, allows for a more accurate provision of fulfilling these needs.

Whatever happens, the world has insurmountably changed, but there will always be a need for social interaction and access to goods and services. Brands that adapt quickly to answer these needs will be the ones to flourish in these new times.

www.therpagroup.com

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opinion

Staying Loyal: How can retail businesses keep customers in it for the long haul?

Matt Bird, Founder,The Shirt Society.

A loyal customer base is aspirational for all retail businesses. It means security, and gives businesses a foundation on which to grow and expand.

In the current economic climate, retail businesses face more of a challenge than ever before when battling for customer loyalty. Younger consumers in particular are demanding more from the brands they choose, and with the prevalence of so-called ‘cancel culture’, years of loyaltybuilding can be undone by a single illtimed social post.

When I founded The Shirt Society, a subscription-model menswear business, I knew that its success relied almost exclusively on building a loyal customer base – one that would stand the test of time. Asking customers to subscribe to a monthly product from us is, naturally, a real test of loyalty.

When I founded The Shirt Society, a subscription-model menswear business, I knew that its success relied almost exclusively on building a loyal customer base – one that would stand the test of time. Asking customers to subscribe to a monthly product from us is, naturally, a real test of loyalty.

Who are you, anyway?

In 2020’s climate, selling great products just isn’t enough. True loyalty comes when a customer ‘buys into’ the entire identity of a brand: its ethos, mission statement, look and feel. One of the most important things retailers (whether online-only or physical stores) should consider is what their brand ‘stands for’.

At The Shirt Society, we spent time really getting to know our target customer, building our brand after extensive consumer research into what made them

tick. We ensured all of our team were aligned on brand values, communicating these in everything from the design of our platform and packaging, to the tone of our social content. Working out what you want your business to be associated with is the first step to ensuring that customers are invested in your brand – crucial to developing loyalty.

Increasingly, it’s difficult to discuss brand values without mentioning sustainability. In the retail sector, customers are extremely conscious of a brand’s sustainability credentials: consumer loyalty towards a brand can be dictated by this. According to a 2019 Forbes report, 62% of Generation Z prefer to buy from sustainable brands, even if this means spending more. With this group entering the workforce this year, you’d be unwise not to get your business’ position on sustainability ironed out.

Whether it’s installing recycling bins in store, or tightening up your comms to ensure you’re offering a lifestyle, not just a product: establishing a clear brand identity is essential to hitting the loyal customer jackpot.

A collaborative process The world of retail is changing. In terms of fashion, the previous ‘top-down’ model was abolished with the rise of Instagram. Gone are the days where High Street brands took their cues from elite designers: the process now is far more of a collaboration between retailer and consumer. Because of this, it’s essential to create an ongoing dialogue with the customer, to inspire loyalty and prevent losing touch with rapidly changing demands.

Today, consumers expect almost instantaneous communication from the brands they engage with. With the market fiercely competitive, this can be the difference between a customer staying loyal or switching to another brand. If your business model relies on physical stores, it’s even more important to ensure that you

have a social media presence and a team that can respond to any queries promptly – and not just during store opening hours either.

Similarly: feedback is key. Find out what your customers are thinking at every opportunity, and don’t be afraid to make changes in response. At The Shirt Society, we’re always adapting our products in line with our customer feedback; we recently introduced casualwear following the shift in working styles during the pandemic.

Opening and maintaining a regular dialogue with customers is fundamental to maximising loyalty between them and your brand.

Keeping it real If the big tech companies have taught us anything, it’s the importance of transparency. Like never before, customers expect honesty from the brands they shop with – and don’t like it when this is not the case.

Speaking from personal experience, I’ve found that being totally honest with customers when we make a mistake helps to add integrity to the brand. People like vulnerability, particularly in the retail sector which for so long was dominated by large conglomerates. The more you can demonstrate that your company is made up of real people, the more likely you are to build a customer base that is loyal to a business.

Ultimately, it’s an extremely tough climate for those operating in the retail sector right now. If nurturing a loyal customer base was important before, it’s essential for survival in the post-pandemic economy. Easily identifiable brand values, combined with a regular and transparent dialogue with the customer, is a great place to start building that.

www.theshirtsociety.co.uk

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16.11.17 10:35

In beauty we trust

FEATURE

By Kate Shepherd, co-founder The Future Collective

Trust has become the most important ingredient in health and beauty retailing.

faith was becoming a thing of the past, as shoppers were able to test and try products and to feel certain of their selections in-store.

So where does that leave us today, given that it’s no longer safe to shop in this way?

Given how reliant health and beauty retailing is on tactility, test and trial, it’s unsurprising that the onset of the global pandemic has thrown the sector into disarray.

At the beginning of 2020, the beauty industry had an estimated global value of £599.5 billion, with the wellness sector coming in at £3.6 trillion, according to Euromonitor. Fast-forward to today and peoples changing needs have forced brands, formulators and laboratories to rethink the way they do things to better serve their customers in the “new abnormal”.

As physical stores reopened, a changed reality has begun, with basic protocols like social distancing, hand sanitising stations and one-way aisles taking precedence. Despite their best efforts to retain the sense of luxury and calm, for many people shopping for health and beauty products in-store just isn’t the same, and this is calling into question the purpose of the physical store and pushing brands into the digital realm.

Ultimately, the battle isn’t so much for the consumers attention, it’s an attempt to gain their trust. Because trust has always been a fundamental factor in our skincare and beauty selections. Often described as ‘hope in a jar’ we buy into new formulations and brands hoping it does what it says on the tin.

In recent years, the arrival of evermore inclusive, exploratory and discovery-centric ‘beauty playgrounds’ meant that this leap of

Recent research suggests that in our search for certainty and proof, many of us are turning to tried and trusted brands and products.

Sales figures from the beauty houses and brands mark a return to revisiting old favourites from heritage brands, and honing down the beauty cabinet to contain a new definition of “essentials”.

There is also a clear trend towards hero products, and those that are very much trusted and proven investment purchases.

Not only is the pandemic having an impact on the products we are buying, it’s also having an impact on the way we’re shopping and making our selections too.

As a much more considered mentality takes hold. How can beauty brands and retailers find new ways to instil trust in the minds of consumers?

Trusted Safe Havens Cutting edge cleanliness has become a top commodity and critical concern as ‘safety is the new luxury’.

Enhanced hygiene and cleaning practises are high on the agenda for health and beauty retailers post-covid. Brands must reposition engagement strategies to offer reassurance and resilience to nervous customers seeking transparent safe havens

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FEATURE that support their health and wellbeing.

While low-touch retail is likely to remain a priority for some time, retailers will still need to follow hygiene protocol, but look to avoid shop fit-outs that feel cold and sterile, presenting an interesting design challenge.

Surface treatments have come in for particular scrutiny during the pandemic with the need to select new antimicrobial surfaces and materials. Equally, air quality will also be a key factor, with a focus on advanced filtration systems designed to protect shoppers against airborne pollutants.

Leading the way are brands like luxury gym, Third Space, who have traded complimentary refreshments for thermal cameras that scan your core body temperature on the way in. They’ve even installed air systems integrated with bipolar ionisation technology to maximise fresh air and top of the range virucidals to obliterate germs.

It’s interesting to note that this new obsession with hygiene is naturally filtrating through to the products people are purchasing too. In a recent article published in the Financial Times it was reported that “Clean beauty will evolve to mean ‘safe beauty’”. As a result, science-led beauty brands and products will see increased demand. As Cult Beauty’s Alexia Inge wrote in her recent report: “Ecover out the window, Domestos in.” The arrival of coronavirus will further push the notion that natural isn’t always better, especially when it comes to ingredient safety and shelf life.

Trusted advice and guidance Many cautious shoppers are still too nervous to head in-store to receive beauty advice, consultations and guidance. They are, however, keen to connect with brands digitally instead.

With new habits adopted during the lockdown, our homes have taken on a very different role, becoming a new realm of customer experience, with our mobiles and laptops replacing treatment rooms and beauty counters.

With a multitude of different technologies at their fingertips the most progressive brands and retailers are embracing this new approach with force.

Social media has quickly become an invaluable way of sharing guidance and advice. Brands and beauty experts alike have been making themselves more available and gaining the trust of their customers and followers through Instagram Lives and chats where they’ve been able to respond directly to questions.

Stepping up to meet demand for expert DIY advice and virtual connection, the global haircare brand Aveda created a series of videos on Instagram, sharing tips on everything from setting textured hair to styling grown-out haircuts – and views have increased over 200 per cent since the launch.

Meanwhile, Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty turned to TikTok to keep its mostly Gen Z customers engaged, setting up an account where a select group of influencers would post brand-related content and make-up tutorials. According to the Financial Times, the #fentybeautyhouse hashtag had 86.2m views on TikTok in August 2020.

During this period, bespoke beauty advice began to take the form of virtual consultations. Fast becoming the go-to way for brands and retailers to deliver one-to-one guidance.

In beauty retailing, this has become the natural way forward as they attempt to cater for consumers who are reticent to test and try make-up in-store. Companies like Guerlain, Caudalie, Deciem and Clinique have been offering virtual one-on-one consultations with their experts and counter staff through Zoom and Skype.

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“While the explosion in online beauty consultations was born out of necessity, the boost in sales means most brands will continue doing them in a post-crisis world.’ (WWD) Not only is this approach providing much needed guidance and support for customers, it’s elevating the role of sales associates and igniting a new-found passion for their role. It’s also sparked a greater sense of familiarity and trust as sales associates transform into supportive friends, rather than simply purveyors of goods or guidance.

Having now explored the art of the possible, it’s likely that these virtual services will continue to be offered and enhanced for the convenience of customers well beyond Coronavirus.

Trusted test & trial According to a recent study from Meiyume, customers are four times more likely to buy a product when they interact with or test it.However, the unhygienic nature of beauty testers has become impossible to ignore during the pandemic.

Testers and samples naturally remain off-limits and 78% of women no longer feel safe testing and trying beauty products in-store.

Early research suggests that it’s likely that people’s attitudes towards hygiene and safety will be etched on our psyche for many years to come.

Even when it’s safe to do so, people are unlikely to return to the methods of test and trial we once had no reticence about.

From a design perspective, there is a need to explore entirely new ways to help people to experiment with products to find the perfect match in colour, consistency and tone.

A growing number of brands and retailers across the globe are turning to technology to salvage try-before-you-buy beauty.

The outbreak has encouraged - if not forced - shoppers to virtually try on products. And having got used to this tech, it’s likely it will stay with people and become mainstream.

In the longer-term, the answer to zero-touch retail is likely to lie in digital technologies, like augmented reality, which is becoming increasingly accessible to brands and consumers alike.

Given that 68% of consumers globally are comfortable with augmented reality technology when considering making a purchase (McKinsey, 2020), there is an opportunity to consider how AR and VR can heighten the experience and enhance product immersion, trial and selection.

Discovery and sample sets from companies like Sephora and UK retailer Next have also become more prevalent since the pandemic hit and are likely to continue throughout the reopening period, according to Edited research analyst Heather Ibberson.

Beauty product developers are now rushing to find solves in packaging and product ingredients that will allow for sampling to continue in stores.

Meiyume has created a motion-activated product sampler that can dispense liquids like perfume or foundation into a customer’s hand without them having to touch anything, a design which will roll into undisclosed retailers over the next few months.

The company is also experimenting with antimicrobial packaging and ingredients that could potentially lessen the risk of Covid-19’s spread as well as self-cleaning dispensers.

Trusted Beauty Community In their search for trusted advice and guidance, shoppers tend to trust one-another far more than brands and retailers.

Peer-to-peer reviews and suggestions shared amongst likeminded beauty communities remain the most powerful source of information of all. Innovations such as the Beauty Buddy app

Flash to go here are harnessing the potential of beauty communities to support unbiased product selection and choice, helping customers to look behind the marketing messages to hear stories of product proof.

Social media platforms have broken down geographical barriers to allow like-minded online communities to come together and amplify their voices at lightning speed. Research from artificial intelligence (AI) software company Yonder revealed that just 10% of internet subcultures on platforms, like Reddit, wield the influence to drive more than 70% of online narratives.

“Identifying collective customer behaviours through commerce data will be particularly powerful in fostering communities of brand superfans to deliver customer experience they will love.” Laura Ewing, Trends & Cultural Intelligence expert Understanding the nuances of the online behaviours and conversations of niche digital communities through AI will be game-changing for brands and retailers. Retail spend on AI is forecast to grow from $2 billion in 2018 to $7.3 billion by 2022, according to Juniper Research.

Beauty retail reset How can we build trust with beauty consumers in a postpandemic world?

There is no doubt that digital technology is helping us all to shop for health and beauty products in new ways. Whether it’s trusted advice we are searching for, or peace of mind that the product is right for our individual needs, there are more options and opportunities available to us digitally than we have ever had at our fingertips before.

“The virus has accelerated progress in the health and beauty industry by years. It’s been a total reset.” (Financial Times, 2020 As 5G prepares for global roll-out by 2021, the world is going to experience connectivity like never before. It’s likely that even in our post-pandemic world many of these digital advances will remain.

Consumer sentiment research suggests that people will continue to demand far more with 72% of consumers now eager to buy from digitally innovative retailers (Growcode). But all of this emphasis on digital technologies leaves us at The Future Collective thinking about those who still prefer analogue interactions and human connection. How can we build trust with people who yearn for this old-school type of engagement and interaction? What will our beauty halls and beauty stores become, post-pandemic? How will our attitudes to hygiene evolve when it’s completely safe to shop again? And, most importantly, how will all of these changes impact your brand?

Much of this will depend on the age of your customer. And this might not be as cut and dried as you think. For example, it’s younger Generation Z consumers who are missing physical retailing most of all - with 90 percent of Gen Z, the most online generation, prefering to shop for beauty products in stores.

We’ve been delving deeply into all of these questions and more. Our designers and creative thinkers at The Future Collective have been exploring many ways that the beauty retailing environment must adapt and evolve to help people to shop in new ways.

www.future-collective.co.uk

Kate Shepherd, co-founder The Future Collective

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opinion

Retail Concepts of the Future James Hay, MD of retail design agency Barrows

COVID-19 prompted a fresh wave of proclamations that “retail is dead” and “physical stores are finished”, and whilst it is inevitable that the acceleration of digital adoption will lead to a sharp rise in the penetration of e-commerce and a corresponding contraction in the number of shops in the UK, I believe it is important to take a broader, more balanced perspective on the topic. Retail is changing but it certainly isn’t dead, and with change comes opportunity.

History shows that the retail industry has been adept at meeting new and changing shopper needs and I do not expect the post-COVID era to be any different. As an example, over the past 15 years, the retail industry has grown by 55% in the UK to £450bn sales per year and there has only been one year of decline over that period of time. As we look ahead to the next 15 years, our focus at Barrows is on understanding how shoppers’ needs and behaviour is evolving, to inform our thinking on the retail concepts of the future.

We anticipate the trend of increasingly polarised shopper missions to continue as shoppers look for more convenient ways to buy low-consideration items yet, for highconsideration items, conversely invest more time on browsing and research across an increasingly complicated shopper journey.

In this context we see two specific missions gaining prominence in the way that retail formats evolve; buy for now and the browsing/research mission.

The buy for now mission >> the next wave of frictionless The frictionless experience offered by E-commerce is undeniable but it is not always the most convenient way to shop and I expect physical retailers to continue to exploit this fact by developing new

formats to deliver for immediacy. As a result, we anticipate that manless formats and nodes will become mainstream, as they offer the benefit of 24-hour convenience at a relatively low-cost operating model.

We also believe there is likely to be a rapid adoption of smart, mobile and adaptable ‘pop-ups’. At Barrows, we are proud to have developed a major breakthrough with our own Agile Retail format which we launched in 2019, enabling participating partners to host data-smart, hyper-localised, dynamic and truly agile activations in previously untapped highfootfall locations.

We expect there to be substantial investment and improvement in enhancing convenience stores to make the process of picking up food to go or completing a distress mission as fast and pain-free as possible. Amazon’s development of new palm scanning technology is yet further evidence of what is to come.

Browsing and research mission >> immersion and human enhanced For high consideration purchases, postCOVID shoppers will continue to use physical stores for research and inspiration as part of the purchase journey. In response, retailers will continue to turn up the dial on experiential, creating more informative, expressive and immersive shopping experiences. We believe that this investment will be enabled by a reset in store economics, with retailers able to access significant cost savings through rent renegotiations. NEXT boss, Lord Wolfson, recently stated that NEXT has reduced rents by 50% on average so far this year and expects to shave £9.9m a year off its rent bill this year.

Behind-the-scenes automated technologies will continue to reduce the time store staff spend on manual and low value tasks. In stark contrast to the innovation in the convenience sector, the retailers that reallocate staff time to serving customers, creating humanenhanced shopping experiences, will disproportionately win. We are social creatures and the value of human expertise and personality will always be important.

The growth of services >> multipurpose formats Beyond browsing and research, the success of Pets at Home highlights the opportunity for those that evolve beyond

simply using stores to sell products. Last year, Pets at Home CEO Peter Pritchard announced they expected 50% of revenue to come through pet services by 2024. By focusing on services that e-commerce retailers can’t provide, retailers can drive repeat foot traffic to their stores, giving customers a valuable reason to visit beyond fulfilment. This trend is also on the rise in fashion, as more and more brands offer their customers the opportunity to repair and upcycle old garments in-store, bringing customers to store, creating new revenue streams and helping protect the environment by shifting to more circular business models.

Circular formats Circularity is the principle that used or discarded products serve as raw materials for new products or materials, meaning nothing ends up as waste in landfill.

Globally, retailers are increasingly taking responsibility for their environmental impact, committing to serious goals Sainsbury’s has pledged to spend £1bn to become Carbon Neutral by 2040 - and as they inevitably shift toward circular thinking, the impact on the store experience will be profound.

IKEA’s recently announced Black Friday scheme to buy back unwanted furniture on a day designed to promote excess consumerism is a fantastic example of how retailers are starting to adapt the way they think about ‘value’ to move towards more circular models. We believe that circularity will encompass the entire store format from store design through to product design.

Survival Retail is undoubtedly going through a period of rapid change and, at Barrows, we believe that whilst this presents challenges, it also presents huge opportunities. In the face of endless change, one core truth remains consistent; the retailers that are best able to identify and meet the evolving needs of their shoppers will succeed. Encouragingly, brands and retailers are also starting to incorporate the full impact they have on the planet as part of the value equation.

This may well be the catalyst for an even bigger change in the future of retail formats www.barrowsglobal.com

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H&LD

H&LD

HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE update

The latest design projects featured on www.hospitalityandleisure.design Pantechnicon, London Now open in London, Pantechnicon is a celebration of contemporary creativity and craftmanship that explores Japanese and Nordic cultures through food, drink, retail and design.

The new shopping and dining hub on pedestrianised Motcomb Street, Belgravia, is at the heart of the Grosvenor Estate and a five-minute walk from Knightsbridge. Behind the original London heritage exterior is a raw warehouse interior.

Scarlet Lady - Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady is ready for her guests to arrive and will soon set sail in the Caribbean. Designers concrete completely changed the blueprint of traditional cruise ships by adding an actual running track and a two-story F&B pavilion as the beating heart of the Aquatic Club. The red loop floats elegantly over the upper deck and functions not just as a promenade, but also as a visual connection between the Perch at the very top of the ship and the Athletic & Aquatic Club on the decks below.

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H&LD

Pan Pacific, LONDON Opening in 2021 as the first mixed-use development of its kind in the City, Pan Pacific located opposite Liverpool Street Station, promises to combine world-class architecture, hospitality and design to encourage a new generation of guests to make the City of London their home away from home.

Designed by PLP Architecture, the practice behind some of the world’s smartest and most sustainable buildings, Pan Pacific London represents an unprecedented leap in both creativity and quality – in which PLP Architecture are facing the challenge of transcending the pre-existing standards of luxury and elegance that the Pan Pacific Hotels Group is renowned for.

Hotel Chocolat, SAINT LUCIA Previously known as Boucan (the Creole word for a traditional cacao drying shed), the hotel is reopening under a new name: Rabot Hotel, paying homage to the grounds of the beautiful cacao Rabot estate it resides in since 1745, an organic, sustainable 140acre cacao farm on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia.

Rabot Hotel comprises of 14 private eco-lodges and an openair restaurant, bar and spa. Set in the lush nature of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a place where the sounds of nature replace the noise of day-to-day life, stimulating and inspiring relaxation like no other place on earth overlooking the islands iconic Pitons. The hotel reconnects guests with nature by way of open-air architecture and sustainable earthy materials.

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products

FLOORING IDS The LiViT LVT flooring range from IDS combines a high performance specification, design and competitive price point.

The range offers seven oak plank designs of 178mm x 1244mm and three rigid tile designs of 303mm x 607mm.

Both are easy to install thanks to patented I4F click technology, are slip resistant, easy to clean and are compatible with water piped underfloor heating.

LiViT offers a 5-year warranty for light commercial use and is available for 24-48 hour delivery from all IDS branches nationwide.

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IDS The characterful look of reclaimed flooring can be easily created with the popular Brada designs, part of the Malmo™ Senses Multi-Width luxury vinyl tile collection.

Malmo™ Senses features the latest registered and embossed technology where the printed design is in line with the surface texture, enabling the material to perfectly mirror the look and feel of real wood.

The Brada multi-width designs are part of the 12-strong Malmo™ Senses LVT range available for 24-48 hour delivery from all IDS branches nationwide.

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BOLON With our new and improved sound insulation layer, our design flooring is becoming an even better acoustic choice for premises such as retail, hotels, offices and public spaces.

The innovative improvement of the flooring’s sound insulating performance can be found in the design. An insulation felt layer has been added to reduce noise and sound impact up to 21-22 dB, making Bolon market leading in woven design flooring with this feature.

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PRODUCTS

SURFACES Troldtekt Danish manufactured Troldtekt panels are commonly specified throughout the UK and Europe to improve the interior acoustic environment.

Troldtekt® line forms nine acoustic solutions that make up the “design solutions” range which combines the best ideals of form and function. Founded on the Cradle to Cradle design concept, 100% Troldtekt’s natural wood wool panels are manufactured in a new state-of-the-art production facility. With a variety of different surfaces and colours, they can be supplied in the FSC® 100% category (FSC®C115450) contributing to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB and LEED rating.

In addition to their high sound absorption and tactile surface, the panels offer high durability and low cost life cycle performance, as well as inherent sustainability.

They are also a natural, breathable material which can absorb and release moisture, which is why they have been awarded an Allergy Friendly Product Award by Allergy UK.

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Armourcoat Decorative specialists Armourcoat have provided the finishing touches to The Soak, a new bar and restaurant next to London’s Victoria Station with an all-day menu that is built around signature soaked flavours through fermenting, pickling, brining and steeping techniques.

Armourcoat’s Koncrete polished plaster finish is used to great effect on the bar front with recessed logo. Koncrete is an urban range of polished plaster colours and finishes designed for contemporary projects. The range offers a wealth of design options to achieve a distinctive modern look including distressed effects or recessed ‘shutter’ markings. Outside the building, Armourcoat PPX has been used to repeat the restaurant logo design. PPX is a low maintenance, durable external limestone render system that can create stunning honed and textured stone like finishes for both new build and renovation projects.

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Products

Flooring + Surfaces Polyflor Delivering a luxurious and bespoke design, Ark Interiors, were able to create a high-end bar and restaurant setting for staff and customers to enjoy at The Propeller Bar & Grill, Humberside Airport. Their objective, to provide a nostalgic 1960s aircraft impression in keeping with the history and location, was enhanced with the installation of Polyflor’s Affinity255 in the shades Dappled Oak, Flamed Chestnut and Seasoned Grey Oak. Affinity was the ideal choice for the project that combines nostalgic features with a contemporary finish. This beautifully engineered collection of high design luxury vinyl tiles is developed for heavy traffic environments and is an eclectic mix of authentically reproduced wood plank designs, incorporating contemporary and recycled timber patterns. The innovative 2mm gauge allows Affinity to be installed alongside 2mm vinyl sheet flooring, providing a seamless flooring solution that flows throughout any commercial installation.

Fitted throughout the entrance, main restaurant and bar areas Affinity makes the perfect addition, ideal for heavy commercial interiors, the rustic and contemporary timber designs are ideal for the retail sector, developed and presented in a practical, resilient and hygienic product construction.

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Forbo Flooring Systems

Tarkett

Forbo Flooring Systems has launched its award winning Allura Fusion; a luxury vinyl tile (LVT) collection that uses innovative colouring techniques to create a fresh unique look, with no pattern repeats. The trend collection, which was recently decorated with the prestigious international Red Dot Design Award, features four plank and three tile designs, with every piece of the Allura Fusion range completely unique. No two planks or tiles are the same, resulting in an organic and truly individual aesthetic. This is made possible by the innovative manufacturing technique, which combines traditional printing methods with freeflowing, coloured PVC streams to produce the 0.7mm wear layer. The result is a flowing, expressive appearance, which is further heightened by the realistic wood embossing on the plank options.

Cementi Click is a new category of premium mineral tiles and planks from Tarkett, for architectural spaces.

Manufactured from 95 per cent clay, cement’s main composite, Cementi Click boasts the look and feel of this raw modern material, thus embodying the timeless elegance of concrete art in architecture. The collection features a range of stone and graphical designs. Subtle marble, ethereal decors, and natural clay tone effects create a pure and refined architectural atmosphere for designers and architects looking to create inspirational spaces from mineral textures.

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products

LIGHTING Megaman Megaman has launched its patented Dual Beam Technology (DBT). Incorporated in a selected range of products, the innovative technology offers a flexible choice of beam angles that can be changed easily on site. This latest intelligent innovation from Megaman will also enable wholesalers to rationalise stock. DBT is currently available with Megaman’s PAR16 Dimmable 5.5W LEDs, in colour temperatures of 2,800K or 4,000K, and also with the 24W MARCO 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 PAR16 LEDs have beam angle options of 24° on the narrow flood setting and 35° on the wider beam angle.

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

Flos Gaku by Nendo is the latest addition to the Flos portfolio. Gaku is a frame (this is the meaning of ‘gaku’ in Japanese) hosting and interacting with lamps and a variety of matching objects, which is conceived as something inbetween accessories and furniture.

An adjustable-height pendant lamp hangs down inside a frame, while a wireless version features inductive charging functionality to power a luminescent lamp. Normally laying on the charging dock, the lamp can be moved around freely when lighting is needed elsewhere.

T. +39 03024381 E. info@flos.com www.flos.com Twitter: FlosWorldwide

Reggiani UK

iGuzzini

A wide range of luminaires from Reggiani have been installed in the new Jaguar Land Rover showroom and servicing centre in Slough, Berkshire. Both Jaguar and Land Rover occupy their own showroom space within the new facility with both areas utilising Reggiani’s soft recessed Yori 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.

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 Robinson Patterson Partnership. The designers worked closely with Chroma Lighting — iGuzzini’s partner in Northern Ireland — to make lighting a key feature of the project; extensive use of the iGuzzini 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 iGuzzini 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)20 8236 3000 E.reggiani@reggiani.co.uk www.reggiani.net Twitter: reggianilight

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

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With endless design possibilities and uniform colour changing covering the entire colour range, Explora Halo Spectrum by Hacel delivers powerful performance. Allowing engaging and imaginative concepts to be created, the elegant LED pendant is available in Midi (1236 Ă˜ ) and Micro (1077 Ă˜) sizes bringing lighting to life.

Hacels range of innovative LED luminaires can incorporate the latest Bluetooth Low Energy control platforms, offering intelligent, revolutionary wireless lighting control.

Architecturally inspired, class leading LED luminaires, superior performance.

Architecturally inspired, class leading LED luminaires, superior performance.

www.hacel.co.uk www.hacel.co.uk

opinion

The many benefits of entering awards

Antony Behiels - Shop and Display Equipment Association

A recent study by Shape-the-Future involving 400 business decision makers revealed an astonishing 82% of those taking part admitted to being influenced by awards when buying products and services for their business. Of these 400, 76% agreed with the statement “Awards are important for generating business or improving the value of a brand”.

Winning a business award provides a credible third party endorsement for your company. It gives a stamp of approval on your business whereby customers and partners will feel better about their business relationship with your company.

Awards can also be an overlooked tool in your marketing mix. Simply being listed as a nominee for an award can provide a whole host of brand awareness and promote your business to new customers.

Winning an award opens doors to new business and new contacts.

This is why the Creative Retail Awards were established – to promote entering companies to a worldwide audience.

The Awards have quickly become one of the most distinguished accolades within the industry and recognise projects and products that have demonstrated the very highest level of innovation and excellence.

The Awards put you centre stage with the world’s most visionary and influential retailers, designers and manufacturers, raising your profile across the industry and on a global scale.

Find out more and enter at

www.creativeretailawards.com

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