Retail Focus June 2016

June 2016 £4.00

Three floors ens new London

Chelsea Flower Show

Department stores

June 2016/issue 76 CDW review : Project Focus on UGG: Sephora: Michael Kors : Children’s retail : Chelsea Flower Show : Department stores : Focus on Fixtures & Fittings : Q&A with Michelle Jarrold, Jarrolds Norwich

Children’s retail

flagship

of Kors Michael Kors op

www.retail-focus.co.uk

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31-32

Features Regulars Three floors of Kors

The new Michael Kors flagship store on London’s Regent Street combines an elegant, historic facade with a sophisticated, modern interior that showcases the luxury fashion brand’s signature glamorous aesthetic.

11 Review: Clerkenwell Design Week

35 Children’s retail: Room to grow 7

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Leader

17-18 Window shopping Chelsea in Bloom.

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Top of the POPS Karl McKeever When it comes to getting shoppers to say ‘I do’ in store, are retailers on the high street missing a trick by not exploiting sales opportunities from wedding shopping, asks Karl.

60 Focus on: Fixtures & fittings

45 Department stores

25-32 Project Focus UGG : Sephora : Michael Kors

Diary

13-16 News

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42 Chelsea Flower Show

39

Opinion

Designers are thinking outside the box to create a customer experience, and lighting is a key component argues Sally Storey, design director at Lighting Design International.

66

Q&A

Michelle Jarrold, a seventh generation family member of Jarrold department store in Norwich, talks customer service, renovations and moving with the times.

49-58 P roducts Products and services for the retail industry.

www.retail-focus.co.uk

12. 13. 14 SEPT 2016 PARIS EXPO PORTE DE VERSAILLES

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JOIN PARIS RETAIL WEEK AND BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY OF GLOBAL COMMERCE PARIS RETAIL WEEK highlights French Expertise and is the only event in Europe to address the crosschannel issues facing retailers and e-retailers in a global market place.

It brings together, under one roof, EQUIPMAG, France’s leading trade show dedicated to global solutions for retail and distribution; and E-COMMERCE PARIS, Europe’s major cross-channel event.

This unique “brick and click” concept showcases all the aspects of today’s retail and encompasses the entire value chain: big data, omnichannel CRM, mobile interactions, indoor geolocation, new distribution models etc. PARIS RETAIL WEEK will also host special side events: Awards, store tours, partners’ events, a networking evening… and so much more!

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June ‘16 ‘Delighting global travellers at home and away’ was the topic of discussion at the Global Department Store Summit 2016, which took place in Zürich in May. The unprecedented rise in travel and tourism paired with fast-pace changes in technologies is opening up an amazing new world for customers, and promises untapped opportunities for many businesses and brands, especially department stores, says summit organiser IGDS. Harvey Nichols and Selfridges both walked away with awards at the biennial event, for World’s Best Store Window Campaign at a Department Store and World’s Best Sustainability/CSR Campaign by a Department Store, respectively.

The retailers - along with other leading department stores - are investing heavily in their retail environments to cater to changing consumer attitudes and behaviours, with exciting results (pages 45-46).

And in our Q&A this month, Michelle Jarrold, development director for Jarrold Retail in Norwich, explains why she believes department stores are more relevant than ever (page 66).

Also in this issue, Murillo Meireles, junior planner at retail and brand design agency Missouri Creative, looks back on the seventh edition of Clerkenwell Design Week, which took place in May (page 11) and Lyndsey Dennis wanders through some of this year’s retailer gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (pages 42-43).

Our regular Window Shopping feature also has a floral theme with highlights from the annual Chelsea in Bloom competition, which this year was inspired by the Rio de Janeiro Carnival (pages 17-18).

Enjoy!

Gemma Balmford Editor

Managing Editor

Display Sales

Gemma Balmford e. gemma@retailfocus.co t. +44 (0)7908 895 906

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

Editor

Production & Web

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

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

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Retail Focus is published 12 times a year by Retail Focus Promotions Ltd, Yeomans, Bassetts Lane, Woodham Walter, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6RZ.

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7

diary

Zaha Hadid exhibition Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti, Venice, Italy 27 May - 27 November 2016 In celebration of Zaha Hadid’s career in architecture and design that spans four decades, Fondazione Berengo will host a retrospective exhibition of her work at the 16th century Palazzo Franchetti.

The exhibition, which coincides with this year’s Venice Architectural Biennele, showcases many of the seminal paintings, drawings and models of Hadid’s repertoire, conveying the ingenuity and dynamism of her architectural projects in a variety of media including photography and film. The exhibition displays the pioneering research and investigation that instigates and defines Zaha Hadid Architects’ work.

Photography

New Designers BDC, London Part 1 29 June - 2 July 2016 Part 2 6 - 9 July 2016 Now in its 31st year, New Designers is an important date in the diary for discovering emerging talent. Every year, more than 3,000 of the most promising graduate talents from Britain’s leading design courses exhibit. The event features everything from illustration and animation to furniture and fashion.

©Luke Hayes

ZHA_News

www.zaha-hadid.com

Europe’s Customer Festival BDC, London 13-14 September 2016

London Design Festival London, Citywide 17-25 September 2016

With a re-modelled agenda, Europe’s Customer Festival will focus on every aspect of the customer journey from start to finish. Visitors can take advantage of various speaker sessions and four dedicated tracks, focusing on: loyalty, experience, analytics and digital.

Speakers include M&S,

The annual London Design Festival celebrates and promotes London as the design capital of the world and as the gateway to the international creative community. The Festival programme is made up of more than 400 events and exhibitions staged by hundreds of partner organisations, including 100% Design on 21-24 September 2016.

customerss

www.terrapinn.com/conference/ customer-festival

NewDesigners

www.newdesigners.com

Photography

L_D_F

www.londondesignfestival.com

©Mark Cocksedge

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Recognising and celebrating the work of our innovative and talented industry, the 12th VM & Display Awards will be held at the Bloomsbury Big Top, London on the 24th November 2016.

We are currently accepting entries - deadline is the 19th August 2016. For full entry details please see: www.vmanddisplayawards.com Tables and tickets are selling out fast so to avoid disappointment please contact us asap.

Call 01945 420 068 or email enquiries@rvmww.com

harlequin-design.com | twitter.com/HarlequinLondon | facebook.com/harlequindesignlondon | +44(0)20 7253 6238 | London EC1V 0DS

show review

Review: Clerkenwell Design Week

2016 Clerkenwell Design Week was, above everything else, a celebration of the artisan claims Murillo Meireles, junior planner at retail and brand design agency, Missouri Creative.

Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) 2016 once again brought together the design community in a now well-established annual festival, celebrating the best and brightest in the creative industry.

Now in its seventh year, the three-day event in May was the biggest since its launch, covering a larger area and connected by almost twice the number of exhibitors and workshops compared to last year.

Clerkenwell itself is steeped in centuries of tradition in arts and crafts, and is still home to some of the best-known and well-established furniture brands and designers. The neighbourhood also claims to house more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else in the world.

One of the pleasures of CDW is that visitors can hear directly from the creators themselves; the stories behind the inception and realisation of each piece. These narratives were a constant reminder of the extent to which the artisan’s input is vital in the

Above:

Billboards sculpture by Giles Miller Studio.

Above:

Tom Dixon installed a large central chandelier in the main space of St James’ Church.

production process.

Installation pieces – ‘Billboards’ – made of thousands of handcrafted metallic glass tiles by Gilles Miller Studio adorned the streets and beautifully guided visitors through this year’s extended site, notably featuring a space dedicated to showcasing lighting, furniture and product design from home-grown talent, the British Collection.

Renault, the headline sponsor of CDW 2016, provided a bespoke showcase for work by the finalists of a competition run in partnership with Central Saint Martins. Tapping into the growing trend for collaborative working, and recognising the modern consumer’s desire to co-create products with the brands they buy into, Renault asked students from the Central Saint Martins’ Industrial Design Masters course for submissions on how they imagine the emergence of autonomous driving will impact on the car’s interior environments. It was fascinating to view some of the surprising and unexpected results - from the psychedelic to the scientific.

Another highlight this year was ‘The Church’, which marked Tom Dixon’s return to the event after years of absence, setting Dixon’s pieces against the historic backdrop of the 17th century church and its religious imagery. While providing a spectacular setting for the exhibition, perhaps more meaningfully, this partnership will live on in the venue beyond the exhibition and many of the products on display will be donated to charity.

‘Platform’, the atmospheric setting of an old Victorian subterranean House of Detention, provided some of the world’s most exciting up-and-coming talent the opportunity to display their uber-contemporary creations against this gritty backdrop.

One of the most exciting pieces at CDW was Benjamin Hubert’s ‘GO’, the world’s first 3D printed wheelchair. ‘GO’ is personalised, built entirely around each individual user’s needs, to fit their own specific body measurements.

Although much has been written recently about the imminent death of ‘craft’, the ideal of the craftsman could be seen everywhere at the festival this year. CDW was, above everything else, a celebration of the artisan, even when the craftsmanship displayed had been augmented by technology — the interesting stuff is happening at the intersection where the maker meets the machine.

www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com www.missouri-creative.com 11

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news

Dior opens new London boutique French fashion house Dior has opened the doors to its new London boutique at 160-162 New Bond Street. Conceived by architect Peter Marino, the House of Dior is said to be a fusion of emblematic Christian Dior codes with British tradition.

Extending over four floors — the largest in the UK — the boutique houses women’s ready-to-wear and accessories, alongside jewellery, timepieces, Baby Dior and childrenswear. On the lower level, a Dior Homme space provides a demi-mesure service for the first time in the country.

The store also incorporates three private salons for VIP clients, as well as a perfume area in which exclusive creations and the Collection Privée Christian Dior will be presented.

Monsieur Dior’s taste for art is expressed through the presence of important artworks, including one titled

‘Distant Cousin’ by the sculptor Tony Cragg, positioned at the foot of the light-drenched stairwell, and a metal sculpture by Rado Kirov installed in the dedicated shoe salon.

The stone interior is softened with silk carpets and furniture in the neo-Louis XVI style to evoke the atmosphere of a Parisian ‘hôtel particulier’, while the addition of a conservatory is in keeping with the spirit of the original building.

The new boutique offers an exclusive Dior HOME collection as well as a limited edition selection of iconic Lady Dior bags and small leather accessories, reinterpreted by the artist Marc Quinn.

The fashion house also opened a new standalone women’s boutique in the Design District of Miami, Florida in March.

New Jigsaw store to build on Duke Street Emporium concept Jigsaw’s new flagship store in the St James’s Market development in London’s West End will reportedly be the British fashion brand’s most luxurious

statement to date when in opens in August.

Designed by Dalziel & Pow, the store will build on the Duke Street Emporium concept, which opened in May 2014.

The interior will feature statement artworks and lighting familiar from Duke Street, in addition to a press room on the lower ground floor.

A floating mezzanine layer, bold messages in relief text, and contrasting layers of terrazzo marble and skimmed plaster are also part of the upscale design for the St James’s Emporium.

At approximately 280 sq m, the store will house Jigsaw’s full range of men’s and women’s clothing, footwear and accessories as well as a 90 sq m shop-in-shop for sister brand, The Shop at Bluebird.

Jigsaw joins lifestyle brand Smeg and Swedish cycling brand ASSOS in St James’s Market, a £400 million joint venture between The Crown Estate and Oxford Properties to create a new world class retail, business and leisure destination in the heart of London’s West End.

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news

In brief...

Plans have been unveiled for a Nickelodeon-branded family entertainment centre at intu Lakeside shopping centre in Essex for 2018. The new 4,645 sq m space will be highly interactive with a large variety of adventure zones, dedicated space for the younger members of the family, numerous attractions and Nickelodeon-themed rooms ideal for birthday parties and family get-togethers.

Boxpark Croydon, London’s first dedicated street food and entertainment-led Boxpark development, is now fully let and set to open in September 2016. The Croydon site will also be made up of shipping containers, like its sister site in Shoreditch.

New plans unveiled for Elephant and Castle town centre Plans have been unveiled to deliver an educational and cultural destination in Elephant and Castle town centre, comprising shops, leisure venues, restaurants and homes.

The proposed masterplan by architecture and urban planning practice, Allies and Morrison aims to deliver a must-visit town centre destination, with a combination of national and independent Londonbased shops, bars, cafes and restaurants, interspersed between 10,033 sq m of accessible public space

with improved access, wider walkways and a new entrance and ticket hall for the Northern Line.

The Elephant and Castle town centre redevelopment is the lynchpin to the wider £3 billion regeneration underway in the area and integral to Southwark’s wider regeneration plan, which includes the creation of a new pedestrianised town centre, brand new park, 5,000 new and replacement homes, approximatey 41,806 sq m of retail and leisure space, and an integrated public transport hub.

weather. The lawn will also play host to various games and events throughout the summer with boules tournaments and family events for the summer holidays.

Kicking off the series on 27 May was The Dairy, bringing the restaurant to central London for the very first time. Next up from 28 June is B.O.B, followed by Shotgun from 2 August. Adapting to reflect

each restaurant, cocktails curated by Background Bars will incorporate herbs grown and freshly picked each day from The Gardening Society’s garden. Catering for all tastes, a selection of healthy juices will also be available throughout the day, while Tuesday mornings will see instructors from Fat Buddha yoga saluting the sun on the lawn.

Asda is working with architectural practice WCEC to implement its latest store refurbishment programme, bringing a new look to chilled areas, delicatessen and fish counters at an initial four stores nationwide. Fresh of the Future is a new trial concept for the supermarket chain to complement the introduction of new suppliers and services, including McGee’s Butchers to selected stores.

Home furnishing company IKEA has announced plans to open its first Order and Collection Point at Westfield Stratford.

The store will also be the retailer’s first unit to open inside a UK shopping centre.

Scheduled to open in summer 2016, it has been designed to bring the IKEA home furnishing range and expertise closer to more customers.

John Lewis hosts high rise restaurant residencies on Oxford Street rooftop John Lewis is collaborating with pop-up specialist Night Tales to bring three London food offerings to the rooftop of its flagship Oxford Street store this summer.

The Gardening Society opened on 27 May and runs until 4 September, hosting three diverse high-rise residences; The Dairy, B.O.B’s Lobster and Shotgun.

Designed by renowned gardener Tony Woods — previously awarded RHS National Young Garden Designer of the Year — the rooftop garden will make home to the pop-up restaurant, adjoining bar and award winning blooms and vegetables.

The lawn will offer an all-day venue for lunch, as well as coffee and fresh juices, with a covered area in case of bad

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news

Absurd Bird restaurant arrives in Spitalfields Absurd Bird has opened a restaurant on Commercial Street, Spitalfields, boasting a quirky interior. The design captures Absurd Bird’s characterful brand identity, while creating a relaxed environment for diners to enjoy the comforts of Southern hospitality and food.

FormRoom worked with hospitality design firm designLSM on the interior design of the restaurant. The assembled look of the furniture, reclaimed wood flooring and corrugated iron panels create an urban aesthetic.

Playful finishes such as cement tables brandished with bird footprints, neon signage and birdhouse lighting injects the space with a youthful twist.

boutique.Goldsmiths concept launched in six prime retail destinations Aurum Holdings has launched its boutique.Goldsmiths concept in six prime UK retail destinations. Designed by Green Room, the design puts younger, trenddriven consumers centre stage, giving them an aspirational and glamorous

Plans unveiled for £10m Centre:mk refurbishment Hermes Investment Management has unveiled plans for a £10 million refurbishment programme for Centre:mk’s Sunset Walk to create a new premium quarter. Designed by Rawls, work is already underway on the new space, which is due to complete in late October.

The design will include new white Emperador marble flooring, ceilings, bespoke hexagonal pendant lighting and large glazed entrances to the north and south of Sunset Walk. A bespoke mesh sculpture, created by Locker Group, will serve as a visual identifier for the area.

Together, the works will create a contemporary environment for premium brands, many of whom have already chosen Sunset Walk for their regional flagships. In the last 18 months, Jigsaw, Hobbs, Joules, White Stuff, The White Company and Pandora have all opened on Sunset Walk. They join brands such as House of Fraser, L’Occitane, Phase Eight and Kurt Geiger in creating a concentration of premium fashion and lifestyle brands on Sunset Walk. Joining the mix this spring will be Kiehl’s, which has chosen Centre:mk to make its regional debut. Complementing the retail brands is a strong line-up of restaurants, including Jamie’s Italian, Carluccio’s, Byron, Yo! Sushi and Wagamama.

‘These works are only one part of a five-year investment programme for Centre:mk and demonstrate our ambitious vision and commitment to maintaining the centre’s status as the region’s leading retail destination. Sunset Walk already has a strong reputation amongst some of the UK’s most highly regarded premium brands, and our plans are set to further increase its appeal,’ says Ed Sellick, asset manager at Hermes Investment Management.

retail experience. The space is inviting, modernised and bridges the gap between fashion and luxury.

‘Our redesign of the trend-driven, fashion jewellery boutique.Goldsmiths is stylish, luxurious and works to seed a love of watch and jewellery purchasing amongst a younger target audience,’ says Mike Roberts, chief creative office at Green Room. boutique.Goldsmiths includes brands

such as Swarovski, Michael Kors and Olivia Burton. Each brand has its own area in which they can be distinct while also being enveloped within the smooth overall experience of the boutique. To accommodate different brands, a flexible, modular layout with dstinctive lighting has been designed. Freestanding bespoke display cases also enable brands to be relocated in store with ease, with new releases or the latest trends in mind.

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news

SDEA appoints new director

G-Star RAW boutique opens in Paris A new G-Star RAW boutique has opened at 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine in the heart of the Bastille district of Paris.

Dynamic Resource was responsible for the main contractor work on the 276 sq m store, which is spread across three floors.

From the entrance, visitors are fully immersed in the G-Star RAW universe.

Jeans are standing on mannequins and their cuts and shapes are enhanced by light spots, which put an accent on the various nuances of grey, blue and green.

The store design is both raw and functional, allowing the denim items to be the hero of the decor on each of the three floors. Customers can experience the product by reaching an understanding of the material itself, the craftsmanship

True Religion unveils new retail concept on Carnaby Street Global denim brand True Religion has opened a flagship store on London’s Carnaby Street featuring a new retail concept. The 230 sq m store is purposely designed to be a more intimate space than most flagship locations and centres around a reinvention of the brand’s iconic denim bar that showcases the latest styles for men and women.

The two-level location is designed to appeal to savvy, digitally connected consumers through an omnichannel approach.

True Religion aims to merge the benefits of ecommerce with the in-store shopping experience, with less product on the sales floor and digital support through ipads and touch screens, as well as the new Band technology to access product from around the world.

‘Carnaby’s rich history of music and fashion connects to the core of the

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involved and the new technologies of the G-Star RAW range.

‘This ancient building juxtaposes traditional Parisian architecture with contemporary industrial design. The modernistic approach of the interior retail design allows for an innovative exploration of G-Star’s product range,’ explains Laurie Chalmers, deputy managing director of Dynamic Resource. ‘This store, in the heart of the Bastille area and on the busy shopping street of Faubourg SaintAntoine, commands attention. With a wrought iron staircase, dating from the 18th century, the old style of the building is offset by G-Star’s industrial accents: a place that combines the charm of the old with contemporary design and industrial influences.’

True Religion brand,’ says CEO John Ermatinger, who joined the company a year ago. ‘Home to the best boutiques from across the globe, we are excited to open our flagship location in this historic, pedestrian shopping area. The store design and customer experience will be the first of its kind in the Carnaby location. Simultaneously, we will launch truereligion.com/uk as a digital compliment to our established presence in the UK marketplace.’

After 40 years as director of Shop and Display Equipment Association (SDEA), Lawrence Cutler is stepping down from the role and handing over the reins to a younger replacement. Antony Behiels has been appinted the new director of SDEA. He was a previous member of the association and was on the Executive Council for seven years. He has a high level of digital skills and business acumen that will drive the association to a new level of growth.

‘I have thoroughly enjoyed my time guiding the association through the successes as well as the challenges we’ve faced in the last 40 years. I am delighted that Antony Behiels has agreed to take over from me as director of SDEA. Youthful enthusiasm and an intimate knowledge of our industry make him a vital asset for the association’s future development,’ says Cutler.

‘It is with great pleasure and pride that I take over the running of the association that Lawrence has expertly managed for the past 40 years. I have always felt a strong affiliation with SDEA and I am delighted that I can now put all my passion to work for the benefit of our members and promote our vibrant industry. I am joining at an exciting time for the association as we reach the final development of our new sustainability software, Convert Plus, which will be an invaluable tool for our members,’ says Behiels.

SDEA is offering grants to UK companies in the retail display industry to help them boost exports through exhibiting at EuroShop 2017 in Düsseldorf. Grants worth £45,000 are available through the association to SMEs taking on the Government’s challenge to double exports by 2020. Details of the grants and how to apply for them are available from SDEA. Contact enquiries@sdea.co.uk for more information.

visual merchandising

Window Glorious carnival-themed floral installations spilled from retail store windows onto the pavements in West London in May for the annual Chelsea in Bloom competition. The winning displays, which included Monica Vinader, La Perla and Sarah Chapman, were judged on their creative interpretation of the carnival theme as well as their style, flair and relevance to brand and use of fresh flowers. Here is a small selection of the 36 participating Chelsea in Bloom displays 2016.

shopping Inspiring window displays from around the globe

Monica Vinader Monica Vinader took the coveted prize for Best Floral Display. Designed in partnership with Neeva Jay Flowers, the display was inspired by the traditional Brazilian carnival flag bearers. The installation featured a two-metre high mannequin, reminiscent of tropical jungles, with a dress adorned in vibrant plants.

La Perla La Perla’s tree-like installation was highly commended.

Designed by Elizabeth Marsh Floral Design, the display used an abundance of flowers for impact, contrasting beautifully against the delicate themes.

Sarah Chapman Skincare specialist Sarah Chapman won the Innovation Award.

The display featured blushing bride protea, roses, carnations and chrysanthemums and contrasting small succulents to create a geometric pattern inspired by the technology behind the skincare line Skinesis.

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visual merchandising

Hackett The Little White Company

Moyses Stevens Dubarry

Liz Earle

Kiki McDonough See more window installations online:

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Agent Provocateur 18

Distributed in the UK by SMITH VC - SW6 1SJ LONDON. - Phone: 00 44 777 55 00 964 - michael@smithvc.com

© Copyright 2016. SARL MAPI WINDOW FRANCE. All rights reserved.

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Retail Focus A4_June_2016_2.qxp_Layout 1 15/06/2016 15:51 Page1

e v o l u t i o n inspiration revolution innovation

POP

p o t POPS e h t f o

Company: Cirka

Client: Akzo Nobel

Display name: Homebase Cuprinol Garden Shades Promotional End 2016

Sector: DIY

Location: Homebase stores nationwide

The brief: To raise awareness of the different colours available in the Garden Shades range in Homebase and show the product on real wood samples. Also, to include content promoting the Shed of the Year competition.

Cirka was asked to design and produce units for more than 600 Homebase and B&Q stores nationwide.

The solution: Building on the new ‘Colour in the Garden’ proposition created by Cirka earlier this year, a new promotional end has been installed in 265 Homebase stores across the country. Cirka created the Homebaseexclusive Shades unit to showcase the great finish available with the paint, on a Homebase wooden planter to promote cross-selling opportunities. Cirka included a leaflet, giving a how-to as well as featuring the range of colours available. On the left of the unit it features the Shed of the Year competition, and on the right is an instructional board on how to recreate the hero painted planter. These panels are interchangeable and will allow projects to be updated during the life of the unit.

The Homebase team described the unit as ‘excellent execution’ of retail POS.

www.cirka.co.uk

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Q&A column

Karl McKeever Popping the big question The next few months are going to be a defining time in the lives of many couples. It’s wedding season. It’s a huge market, worth millions to all the dressmakers, venues, florists and Dave’s Discos out there. But, when it comes to getting shoppers to say ‘I do’ in store, are retailers on the high street missing a trick by not exploiting sales opportunities from wedding shopping?

Over in Italy, the nation’s biggest department store, La Rinascente, strives to make the experience memorable, something that some UK retailers seem to have forgotten. Wander around the major stores and you could be forgiven for thinking that no one gets married in the summer. Maybe it’s because a couple’s wedding day should be just that — ‘their special day’ — but in store it seems to be a seasonal event, with mass appeal, that’s underplayed far too much.

Looking at what the leading department stores now offer, the picture is certainly mixed. While some offer a full service, most retailers are only dipping their toe in the water and failing to fully tap into this lucrative market.

Debenhams is one retailer that’s extremely active in promoting its wedding offer, selling bridal gowns and clothes for the mother of the bride and bridesmaids, honeymoons, along with its gift-buying service and even insurance in case it all goes wrong.

John Lewis may not have a dedicated bridal department in stores (although a small selection of its gowns are available online and in selected outlets), however, it outshines many of its competitors with its credible and straightforward wedding gift shopping service, via a dedicated web page. Six to eight weeks ahead of the wedding, couples go around the store with a hand-held barcode scanner choosing the items they would like to receive from guests.

Other departments, for instance homeware or cosmetics, have store teams with specialist knowledge of the product, but there is no dedicated wedding gift team to guide brides and grooms through the process. They may be offered a hot drink and cake but why not make the experience feel more special with a glass of champagne, as Tiffany & Co. does?

Excellent customer service should always be top of the agenda Karl McKeever is creative director of visual merchandising and brand delivery consultancy Visual Thinking.

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

for all retailers, but even more so when they are helping people plan this once-in-a-lifetime event. There is no reason why a similar service to that provided by wedding and venue planners shouldn’t be extended to retail, with store assistants receiving specialist training to make the shopping experience as memorable as the big day itself. In other words, it needs to go above and beyond normal, day-to-day service.

In my opinion, the failure of some retailers to capitalise on the wedding gift market is perhaps indicative of the trend towards giving cash rather than presents. Research from First Direct indicates that as many as 35 per cent of engaged couples choose hard cash over traditional wedding presents. This, combined with the fact that the majority of couples now live together before they get married, means the tradition of a wedding gift list may look a little outdated. But cash, or more accurately, an electronic transfer, can seem a little impersonal. Therefore, the answer often lies in combining money with something the newlyweds will treasure.

Wedding gift shopping could and should be a big earner for retailers. Though the couple spends many thousands of pounds, each wedding sees guests spend an average of £377 on gifts, according to a survey by the Nationwide Building Society.

By being more creative in their delivery of this key summer event, with considered product presentation, imaginative use of VM propping and strong messaging, retailers could create a powerful shopping experience that feels special, personal and generates real customer engagement.

As store customers go, wedding guests are a unique species: full of steely determination and absolute focus, many will fear they will make the ‘happy couple’ anything but by not giving the right gift. Recently, I heard a piece on Radio 4 about a couple who wrote to a guest that sent them a cash gift card, asking them, based on their professional status and likely income, to reevaluate their contribution to the wedding fund, and to ‘top it up accordingly’.

Bridezilla is very much alive, and kicking.

Getting shoppers out of autopilot to fully engage in the shopping experience is a challenge at the best of times, let alone when they are choosing from a wedding gift list. It’s a very prescriptive shopping mission, defined by the specific needs and wants of someone else.

In many ways, the gift list creates an inherent problem for retailers. Everyone knows that when shoppers enter a store with a list, impulse sales will suffer. So, although there is a clear need to make the process of buying a wedding gift in store effortless, for me, there is also an opportunity for retailers to do more to encourage shoppers to reward themselves for a job well done, by buying a little something extra before they leave the store.

It doesn’t take much to convince us to spend a small fortune when it comes to weddings. So what’s a few more pounds?

Factor that up by the number of guests going to weddings this summer and for retailers, the answer is a huge slice of incremental revenue.

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0207 377 1776 + info@blacks-vm.com + www.blacks-vm.com +

project focus

UGG Florida, USA Design: Checkland Kindleysides Opening date: May 2016 Store size: 260 sq m

American footwear brand UGG has unveiled a new global retail concept as part of its biggest relaunch in 37 years. Marking the 10th anniversary of the company’s first flagship store in SoHo, New York, the new design is said to blend together the many ways that UGG fits into its customers’ lives, from home to work to play.

The new concept, developed in collaboration with UK-based retail design consultancy Checkland Kindleysides, was unveiled in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida in May and will inspire future openings in key markets later this year, including Shanghai, New York City and Tokyo.

‘Our new retail environment is the pinnacle UGG brand experience,’ says Stefano Caroti, president of omnichannel,

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Deckers Brands, which owns UGG. ‘It honours our history, celebrates the present and offers a glimpse into our exciting future.’

The 260 sq m open-plan retail space is designed to create a sense of discovery and modern casual living.

Panoramic views of dramatic scenery paired with cinemagraphs and ambient lighting promote a feeling of tranquility and rejuvenation.

‘Inspiration came from the Californian roots of the brand, its connections to nature and its modernist vibe - a sense of stylish living that’s both “off duty” and “on air”,’ explains Joe Evans, creative director at Checkland Kindleysides. ‘The store is a relaxing social environment that radiates the UGG brand’s luxurious warmth, engages through sensorial brand storytelling and invites you to enjoy the good things in life with good people.’

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The store is punctuated with brand signatures, such as the sunflake pattern classically found on the sole of the boot, which has been deconstructed and applied in a way that radiates warmth, style and a spectrum of seasons.

The materials and finishes were chosen in harmony with the UGG brand and its products, while the colour palette is inspired by ‘skyscapes’ across the world.

‘The gradients in store evoke a calming sense of warmth and comfort, emotionally representing moments of time throughout the day, true to the brand’s 24/7 aptitude,’

says Checkland Kindleysides.

Set at the back of the store, the so-called ‘classics bar’ houses the iconic UGG Classic sheepskin boot and pays homage to the company’s rich history.

Alongside these storytelling elements sits a customisation bar and a digital platform that allows access to exclusive UGG content.

To ensure global brand consistency, the design concept is scalable for further development into different formats and smaller spaces, including wholesale, shop-in-shops and showrooms.

project focus

Sephora San Francisco, USA Design: UXUS Opening date: November 2015 Store size: 510 sq m

French beauty chain Sephora unveiled a new store concept on Powell Street in San Francisco towards the end of 2015 that is built on its ‘teach, inspire and play’ approach. Designed in partnership with UXUS, the 510 sq m Sephora Beauty TIP (teach, inspire, play) Workshop aims to offer a 360-degree experience, where every purchase is a learning moment tailored to different customer needs.

At the heart of the store is the beauty workshop, where customers can take part in group beauty classes and gather inspiration from the beauty board. The central workstation can accommodate up to 12 people, with each place equipped with its own product, iPad, USB port and wifi so that visitors can play, browse and share looks on the large digital screen and online.

At the front of the store is the beauty studio, which serves as the place for one-to-one makeovers. The space features larger stations, Sephora + Pantone Color IQ touchscreens, and new mirror and canopy lighting fixtures for maximum light exposure.

The new concept store also incorporates a skincare studio, complete

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with working sink and well-lit seated stations, and Fragrance IQ, which has been enhanced with a new sensory technology called InstaScent.

Elsewhere, larger, multibranded interactive areas — including the new hair play station and trend tables — encourage customers to explore, play and try curated assortments of best-selling products.

‘To create Sephora’s Beauty TIP Workshop, we completely redesigned our store experience to reimagine it for our client today and into the future,’ says Calvin McDonald, president and CEO of Sephora Americas. ‘By fusing exceptional hands-on service and technology, we’re creating a

new experience that will teach and inspire, while allowing clients to play with beauty.’

The store design takes a refined and contemporary approach, focusing on simple materials. ‘The colour and materials were an evolution of the original store concept,’ explains George Gotti, CEO of UXUS. ‘The objective was to create a branded use of materials.’

Red has been introduced to the colour palette as a call-out for the masterclass area and for key Sephora customer touch points.

Open sight lines throughout the store as well as high-level area category and service signage help customers to

project focus

Photography: Anton van der Linden

navigate the space. ‘Around the central energy core, we designed opportunities for self-led discovery moments, associate-led educational consultations, and community driven education,’ says Gotti. ‘Then we inserted highly merchandised gondola units, interspersed in the midfloor to support experiential moments and give easy access to supporting merchandise.’

The main point-of-sale, at the back of the store, is branded with Sephora’s signature stripes and features impulse purchase merchandising units to encourage the up-sell of last-minute add-ons.

The Beauty T.I.P. Workshop is said to evolve Sephora from a house of brands to the ultimate peer-to-peer education hub for the beauty community.

A second Beauty T.I.P. Workshop opened in Boston earlier this year and the concept is now expected to be rolled out to further sites in the USA throughout 2016 and beyond.

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project focus

Michael Regent Street,Kors London Design: In-house Opening date: May 2016 Store size: 1,512 sq m London’s Regent Street is home to several remarkable flagship stores, including the largest Michael Kors store in Europe.

Set over three floors, the new 1,512 sq m retail space is said to combine the best of two worlds: an elegant, historic facade with a sophisticated, modern interior that showcases the luxury fashion brand’s signature glamorous aesthetic.

Created in-house, the new design represents an evolution of Michael Kors’ signature store aesthetic, with dark Macassar wood floors and tables, shelves of brushed stainless steel, Venetian wallpaper and Calacutta marble fixtures.

A pale, weathered limestone ‘runway’ leads visitors from the entrance through the entire store. ‘The palette of soft browns and greys, mixed with warm woods, textural finishes and luxe materials, reflects the label’s refined take on glamour while providing a modern and inviting ambience in which customers can browse, shop and enjoy the brand’s exceptional personal styling and service,’ says a spokesperson for Michael Kors.

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The store houses every category of Michael Kors product with distinctive design elements used to highlight and separate key areas of the interior.

The ground floor is home to accessories from the brand’s Michael Kors Collection and MICHAEL Michael Kors labels, including handbags, small leather goods, watches, jewellery and eyewear, while there are separate salons for the two shoe collections.

A striking, floating staircase of clear acrylic tile embedded with lights connects

32

the ground and first floors, alongside a two-storey wall which is dedicated to Michael Kors Collection handbags.

The first floor houses the brand’s ready-to-wear, with separate areas and dressing rooms for Michael Kors Collection and MICHAEL Michael Kors.

The men’s shop is located on the lower level and features custom-built, polished and blackened stainless steel fixtures with grey smoked mirrors and grey marble display cases. Other design elements on

the men’s floor include black-and-white photography, custom seating, a bar and a full-size pool table.

‘Our Regent Street flagship illustrates the evolution of the Michael Kors brand and the scope of our commitment to the business in Europe,’ says John. D. Idol, chairman and CEO of Michael Kors. ‘This new European flagship enables us to present the full range of our luxury offering, including our exciting and fast-growing menswear line.’

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Retailers specialising in goods for parents and children are introducing store concepts that blur the lines between retail environment and play area, finds Retail Focus.

Text: Gemma Balmford

According to a report by market research firm Technavio, the global childrenswear market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than six per cent by 2020. Factors such as the rise in high income and working women population, and the growing purchasing power of the populace in developing countries is expected to bolster the sale of children’s apparel.

In the UK specifically, Euromonitor International found that childrenswear continued to grow in both current value and volume terms in 2015, to £5.8 billion; a figure it expects to rise by 2020.

In terms of design however, baby and children’s retail is behind the curve compared to other sectors, believes Richard Bennett, design director at Dalziel & Pow. ‘There is a real opportunity for brands to take market share by acting now to carve out a position for them,’ he says.

The London-based design agency worked with Mamas & Papas on its new retail concept, which launched at Westfield London in March. Developed with millennials in mind, the new store provides

Above: Kurt Geiger footwear at Harrods, designed by Campaign.

a digitally enhanced, full-service shopping experience to ‘inspire confidence and support young families’ as they navigate the world of parenting. ‘[We tailored] the store concept to Mamas & Papas’ core customer demographic of tech-savvy, experiencedriven 28-35 year olds, delivering the superior service, interactivity and community that these consumers have come to expect from retail today,’ explains Bennett.

The interior is designed to create a sense of calmness and clarity, and is organised into ‘worlds’ based around new parents’ key shopping missions. ‘Our retail vision was to create a concept that gives parents and their baby the best start in life,’ adds Bennett. ‘This vision was a benchmark for design features that are visible throughout the store.

‘Millennials, used to a certain level of aesthetic and fashionability in their lives, don’t want to give this up just because they become parents, so we’re seeing brands respond to this by creating fashion-relevant concepts for baby and children. Our Mamas & Papas concept is a baby store that takes cues from high-street fashion and creates a comfortable transition to parenthood.’

Mothercare is two years into its turnaround strategy, which includes the roll out of a new store design concept by 20.20.

In its full-year results for the 52-week period

to 26 March 2016, the company recorded a 51 per cent growth in underlying profit before tax; something which Mark Newton-Jones, chief executive of Mothercare, puts down to improvements in the brand’s customer offer, both in store and online, and the look and feel of the store estate. ‘In the UK, almost 40 per cent of space is now in the new and much-improved format,’ says Newton-Jones.

‘We have invested in product, service, systems and the team which is delivering a significantly improved experience for our customers both in store and online.

Our vision remains clear: to be the leading global retailer for parents and young children.’

Earlier this year, Harrods unveiled its Mini Superbrands destination for children’s designerwear, following the successful launch of Superbrands in womenswear in 2014. Designed in collaboration with B&R Architects and Woods Hardwick, the space houses ‘mini-me’ designer clothing in a fun environment. ‘Creating a playful environment was paramount during the design process,’ says the retailer. ‘The life-sized Fendi robot monsters, colouring tables, and tablets loaded with games will ensure that children, too, will love Mini Superbrands.’

Kids footwear is another area of

35

children’s retail

retail that is growing fast. To reflect this, British footwear and accessories brand Kurt Geiger opened two very individual store environments in Harrods and Selfridges, designed by Campaign to capture the imagination of both kids and parents. In Harrods, the luxurious and magical space is inspired by the Japanese animation ‘My neighbor Totoro’, with white abstract trees that reach up to the ceiling canopy of a folded chrome leaf installation. Floating into the space are large furry creatures in green mink that children can climb into and play on iPads while their parents shop. In Selfridges, the playful, modern retail space is inspired by Monsters & Dr Seuss’s ‘The Cat in the Hat’.

‘The two biggest children’s store design trends I currently see are the rise of in-store digital in conjunction with a sensorial rediscovery,’ notes John Regan, creative director at retail design and brand consultancy FITCH. ‘It implies a return to playing; a need for disconnection of the mundane day-to-day reality. Clearly these two are increasing at a rapid pace.

‘Mamas & Papas is a great example of how digital has been used to create key touch points along the customer journey, enhancing the store experience,’ he says.

‘For example, how they project cloud animations on the wall that take on animal shapes.

‘A truly immersive experience is also on the rise; getting back to basics, where experiences are playful and naturally engaging.’

This was the aim of The Great Little Trading Co’s (GLTC) first physical retail space, which opened in London’s Wandsworth in April. Designed by Resolution Interiors, the showroom features a series of inspirational room sets where children can interact, discover and play

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Above: GLTC opened its first physical retail space in Wandsworth, London in April, designed by Resolution Interiors.

Right & below: Harrods has opened a Mini Superbrands destination for children’s designerwear, following the successful launch of Superbrands in womenswear in 2014.

with the products.

‘By using familiar and premium materials, it allows parents to visualise the GLTC products in their own home,’ says Laura Burnside, creative designer at Resolution Interiors. ‘GLTC products and the beautifully considered room sets immediately create a wonderland for all children. They get lost within each space and are happy and content in their own little world interacting with the products, which in turn makes very happy parents.

‘Spaces designed for children are

evolving into all-encompassing spaces for various activities, including crafting, relaxing and engaging in role play,’ states Burnside. ‘Large spaces are being brought into the playroom and smaller spaces are becoming secret spaces providing a special hide out for kids.’

The new GLTC showroom, along with a growing number of other stores designed for parents and children, are blurring the boundaries between retail space and play area to enhance the overall shopping experience.

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opinion

Shining a light on store design Designers are thinking outside the box to create a customer experience, and lighting is a key component argues Sally Storey, design director at Lighting Design International.

In the age of online shopping, where people are always connected, the high-street shopping experience has been redefined. Consumers can see a product in a magazine or online and buy it immediately without hitting the pavement and fighting the crowds. Retailers have responded to this, creating strong brands and identities that sell a lifestyle, not just a product. This is reflected across all levels of their brand, and retailers are now focusing on creating this experience in their bricks-and-mortar stores too.

With 80 per cent of sensory information the brain receives coming through our eyes, creating a well-lit environment is vital. Our visual experience is influenced by colour, light and texture. This taps into the emotive experience of shopping that is influenced not only by the rush of chemicals that comes when making a purchase, but also by the environment. Creating a stimulating and engaging environment encourages customers to stay in store and therefore increases the prospect of a sale.

The rules are changing, with shops becoming more diverse and offering other lifestyle elements to create a total experience.

Topshop has hosted pop-ups from nail bars to cafés, and Gap has recently opened a pop-up record store and café with the aim of enticing the consumer in and keeping them there. It’s about offering more. More added value, more of an experience and more of a lifestyle.

So, how does lighting play a role in this? Well-lit spaces will naturally attract people, especially in an environment where there are other shop fronts to compete with. The same applies to how you light the inside retail space. Lighting the back of a store well will draw people through the interior. If one display is lit more brightly than others in the store, people’s attention will naturally gravitate in that direction. Lighting is the silent partner. It doesn’t have to scream its presence, instead it can sit quietly and discretely out of view playing its game with the consumer.

Take Primark for example, a low price point clothing brand that relies on volume of sales. The environment is bright with uniform light and there is very little personal contact with staff.

It is lit brightly so that all of the products are clearly visible at a glance. The ease of viewing product coupled with a low price point promotes quick decision making.

In contrast, Abercrombie & Fitch is lit with a very low level of light, with products highlighted with a concentrated level of light.

It is an alluring environment that appeals to the younger shopper, who takes their time and easily becomes immersed in the experience. The mood is cool and the imagery seductive, creating a desire for the product and lifestyle.

Louis Vuitton and other luxury brands tend to be aimed at the older and more affluent customer, and personal contact is key to their brand. There is time to linger and make decisions. The lighting has a more subtle and domestic feel with softer ambient light and integrated lighting into product displays.

At the other end of the shopping scale, we have recently

completed the lighting of the food courts at Lakeside and Bluewater shopping centres. We were tasked with creating interesting and vibrant spaces that would keep the customer in the mall and would also contribute to the customers overall shopping experience. Although each mall has its own unique personality, we took elements of hospitality and theatre lighting, meshing them together to create dynamic spaces that create a distinctive experience and gives the eye a reprieve from the wider retail environment.

Intelligent lighting is well on its way with lighting that reacts to sounds, movement and time. With the development of LED and control technologies, what used to be the realm of theatre lighting is now hitting the mainstream. Smaller compact fittings that offer the flexibility of colour and automated control can now be easily integrated into retail environments.

Taking this a step further, The Internet of Things is rapidly finding its feet in our everyday environments. Built on cloud computing and networks of data-gathering sensors, this instant connection to the consumer and what they desire will create a new wave of cutting-edge retail spaces. The value in this new technology is in the gathering of data and then leveraging it immediately in real time.

Imagine entering a store and getting a personalised welcome on your phone. As you approach a display, a sensor in the lighting tracks you and the lighting changes intensity, highlighting a product. A message pops up on your phone giving you a discount on the product if you buy it today.

The possibilities are endless and with no sign of the rapid development of lighting technology slowing down, it may well happen sooner than we think. I don’t know about you, but we’re excited about what’s to come.

www.lightingdesigninternational.com 39

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RHS Chelsea Flower Show

RETAIL IN BLOOM Highlights of the retailer gardens at last month’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show was a hive of inspiration for all things floral. Several retailers took part in the show with their own garden creations, including Harrods which returned for a second consecutive year. The event saw the likes of Harrods, Asda, L’Occitane, Interflora and Marks & Spencer collaborating on inspirational spaces, providing a fully immersive, sensorial experience for visitors.

The Harrods British Eccentrics Garden

The L’Occitane Garden

Designer: Diarmuid Gavin This garden was inspired by the creations of some of the UK’s most imaginative minds, most notably cartoonist and illustrator William Heath Robinson. The plot was planned as a beautiful, gentle garden of terraces and topiary, with an octagonal folly and sunken Italianate pond, but was also active, entertaining and playful.

Every 15 minutes, the garden put on a performance. Box balls bobbed up and down in carefully choreographed movements, while conical bay trees twirled. The circular beds, which were overflowing with herbs, and small troughs with colourful planting rose from the ground by means of scissor lifts to dress the first floor windows. An elegant set of patio furniture also emerged through a trap door. A domed topiary was trimmed by mechanical shears.

At the rear of the garden was a potting shed housing contraptions created from cogs, wheels, straps and parts of an old bicycle, which formed the automated machines that operate the mechanical topiary trimming machinery.

Designer: James Basson The L’Occitane Garden, which was awarded a Gold medal, celebrated the brand’s 40th anniversary by going back to its roots — the landscape of Haute Provence when in 1976 a young Olivier Baussan found a discarded old steam distiller and started producing essential oils from local rosemary and lavender growers, which he then sold at the local market.

The garden design reflected a passion for the beauty of the natural landscape that thrives in the harsh environment of Haute Provence and traditional techniques.

Visitors were transported, as though standing at the edge of a lavender field, looking onto the rolling hills and stunted woodland of Provence, before opening up into the pains and representing local agriculture with the lavender and almonds typical of this area. Scent and colour played an important part and added to the sensorial atmosphere of the garden.

42

RHS Chelsea Flower Show Interflora

The Garden Bed in association with Asda

Designer: Mynt Design Interflora partnered with design agency Mynt Design on its Open Church stand concept, which won a Gold award. The elegant structure stood five metres high, allowing visitors to walk through the floral church and take in every aspect of the design.

Standing tall in the Great Pavillion, the award-winning installation featured two floral bells, feature windows and three suspended floral chandeliers.

‘Interflora wanted to create a welcoming and open exhibit giving visitors to the show the option of walking through and experiencing the exhibit in a 360-degree environment. Interflora was keen to demonstrate a number of floristry techniques and so needed a structure that could showcase these and also the beautiful array of flowers they would be using,’ says Ollie Patterson, marketing and new business at Mynt Design.

There was a lot of consideration when designing the structure as it had to carry large amounts of water-soaked floral oasis. The framework design functionality had to be shrouded in a simple white finish that maintained the delicate visual appearance.

Detailed LED lighting is used to draw attraction, while the floor was a rich wooden herringbone effect, mirroring a traditional church aisle, which became the walkway for visitors to pass through the exhibit. The windows were a contemporary take on traditional stained glass. The etched details were inspired by St Denys Parish church in Sleaford where Interflora’s head office is based.

Designers: Alison Doxey & Stephen Welch The Garden Bed was a collaboration of two lifelong friends, a landscape architect and a florist. It was inspired by the garden at Les Bourgs Hospice in Guernsey, designed by Welch, in which patients’ beds can be taken into the garden: a simple concept that has proven crucial to the wellbeing of patients and their families.

Visitors viewed the garden as if from a patient’s perspective.

Doxey constructed more than 15m of intricately interwoven plant material, a structure that replicated the quilt covering the hospice bed, which was within the garden. A ceramic water feature mirrored floral displays located inside the Hospice, using flowers and foliages which can be cut from the garden.

Plants that are commonly found within domestic gardens were used to reinforce the feeling of a safe and reassuringly homely environment. Drifts of herbaceous plants, bulbs and grasses set against a lush clipped yew hedge featured, and the soft colour palette accommodated a multitude of tastes.

Marks & Spencer Spirit of summer: carnival of flowers Designed and built by Sallis Chandler This was the fourth year Marks & Spencer exhibited at Chelsea. The Spirit of Summer exhibit was split into four sections to represent four cultures: Britain, Europe, Africa and South America. The displays depicted vibrant market stalls and street parties, evoking a sense of celebration. At the centre of the garden, visitors were drawn to a spectacular arrangement that fused flowers from each section, celebrating the coming together of people and cultures.

The garden, which won a Gold medal, was also designed to help educate and raise awareness on the importance of flower production for economies around the world.

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department stores

RETAIL

PLAYGROUND With several big names announcing plans for major refurbishment work, department stores of the future will be destinations where customers can engage, experience and explore.

Text: Lyndsey Dennis

According to the Global Department Store Summit 2016 in Zürich last month, the unprecedented rise in travel and tourism paired with fast-pace changes in technologies is opening up an amazing new world for customers. It promises untapped opportunities for many businesses and brands — department stores especially.

Department stores aren’t shying away from big launches. At Selfridges London there’s a hive of activity. A £300 milion investment will see the eastern side of the store transformed, including a new double-height entrance. The plans include the now open 3,440 sq m Body Studio and a new Accessories Hall, which Selfridges says will be ‘magnificent’. The store also recently unveiled a new candle and fragrance location on the ground floor.

Harvey Nichols is undergoing an ambitious masterplan in Knightsbridge. ‘The new menswear destination showcases the new design concept that was first unveiled at Birmingham last summer.

It was a milestone moment for the brand and showcases the new design concept in which Harvey Nichols moves away from the traditional shop-in-shop format. Next on the agenda is the ground floor including the Beauty Hall, International Accessories and Jewellery Box, showcasing a curated edit of fine jewellery brands.

The entire Knightsbridge store will look like a very different Harvey Nichols once the refurbishment has been completed,’ says Paul Finucane, group stores director at Harvey Nichols.

‘Most recently in the new menswear destination we have displayed product by category, regardless of brand and price point, taking away the element of browsing, which our customer insights told us men didn’t like,’ says Finucane. ‘Today’s retail market is about catering to your customers’ every need, providing an environment not only where they want to shop but eat, drink, be groomed, meet with friends or use as place to work,’ says Finucane.

At Liberty, refurbishment work is currently underway in the Jewellery Hall. ‘We will have new selling props and POS, counter treatments and bio graphics, and the overall look will be much softer and elegant,’ says Ed Bustell, managing director of Liberty. ‘A hand-drawn theme will be applied — gilding and leafing — and we will use marble for the creation of key selling stations and displays.

It’s going to look amazing! Then it’s the makeover of our central atrium, from just a scarf hall to an accessory concept shop, selling bags and sunglasses, and a special in-store shop for our own Liberty London Iphis brand.’

The store is planning to hold an ‘In Conversation’ series so customers can go in store and meet designers, suppliers and creators and ask them questions. ‘It’s all about interaction and offering something unique; that’s the Liberty way,’ says Burstell.

John Lewis is continuing its expansion programme with two new store openings in Leeds and Chelmsford, the latter its first to open in Essex. ‘Our shop in Leeds is creating 550 jobs for the local community and will be our most service-led shop yet, with more than 30 in-store services such as the &Beauty spa, a foreign

Above: Liberty is currently refurbishing its jewellery hall and will then makeover its central atrium from just a scarf hall to an accessory concept shop selling bags and sunglasses.

Below: A Bombay Sapphire Rooftop Retreat is currently residing at Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge.

45

department stores concludes Cassidy.

Left: John Lewis will open new stores in Chelmsford (left) and Leeds later this year.

Below: Selfridges has unveiled a new candle and fragrance location on the ground floor, as part of its £300 million transformation. exchange and home design service. The breadth of services that will be available in John Lewis Leeds reflects our ambition to expand the experiences within our shops,’ says a spokesperson from John Lewis. The retailer plans to open shops in Westfield White City, Cheltenham and Oxford in 2017.

Mark Broadhead, centre director at Queensgate Shopping Centre in Peterborough, says department stores bring a huge amount of benefits to shopping centres. ‘Choice, brands, depth of range, exclusivity and the convenience all under one roof.

Coupled with a shopping experience and theatre within the store presentation. Reliability and confidence for the customer is key,’ he says.

Marks & Spencer Queensgate has undergone a major refurbishment to improve customer service, including a new third floor. The store now includes a refreshed 929 sq m womenswear department and 464 sq m menswear area alongside refreshed lingerie, kidswear and homeware offerings.

‘Department stores are considered a trusted source,’ notes Broadhead. ‘Customer trust and loyalty are often a big draw.

Although customers will test the market, and look around especially online, they will often revert to their comfort zone to make the purchase with total confidence in the whole customer service experience all under one roof.’

Several department stores are using their rooftop spaces to offer a variety of experiences. Selfridges London has been doing this for several years, and its latest venture is the Forest restaurant complete with floral-themed potting sheds on the terrace. John Lewis in Oxford Street has collaborated with pop-up specialist Night Tales to bring three restaurants to its roof throughout the summer months, while a Bombay Sapphire Rooftop Retreat is currently residing at Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge.

Over in America, architectural firm CallisonRTKL captured architectural elements that are signature to Hawaii throughout the new Bloomingdales store at Ala Moana shopping mall. The challenge was to localise the store without destroying the roots of the iconic New York department store. ‘There’s a lot of wood beam ceilings and tropical wood shutter designs that we used as accents throughout the store,’ explains David Cassidy, senior vice president and department stores sector leader at Callison RTKL. In terms of how department stores have evolved, Cassidy says he is seeing smaller footprints and more offerings. ‘They’re looking at trying to attract that next customer. The department store customer is a very loyal and destination-type shopper and now we’re trying to adapt stores to a younger generation; high tech, social media, things like that. All those aspects have to be woven into the department store. We can’t alienate the current customer; we’re training the next generation customer.

‘In store theatre is an important part of retail today. With shoppers constantly taking in new experiences via social media and web surfing, it’s essential to feed this appetite in store too; it needs to be a place of discovery. It’s about offering the customer a sensory experience, in which they can relate with the product, feel at ease with the surroundings and want to explore,’

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Above: To celebrate its 125th anniversary, Fenwick of Bond Street organised a Decade of Drama Millinery exhibition in May and June.

Below: Callison captured architectural elements that are signature to Hawaii throughout Bloomingdales at Ala Moana shopping mall.

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Discover A plethora of shopfittings, display, PoS, PoP, lighting, signage, visual merchandising, props, accessories and other retail services Loaded with creative concepts, innovative ideas and compelling content, the Retail Display Directory showcases over 100 specialist manufacturers and suppliers.

For your free copy call us now on 01883 348911 or email directory@sdea.co.uk and quote this advert.

Shop and Display Equipment Association T: 01883 348911 E: enquiries@sdea.co.uk W: www.shopdisplay.org

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Perspex Naturals Advert draft.pdf 10/17/2014 3:51:25 PM

Introducing PerspexÂŽ Naturals Bringing Beauty to the Surface

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CM

MY

CY

CMY

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- Inspired by the simple beauty of nature - Textured surface with the aesthetic appeal of stone - 6 standard colours - Hard wearing & ideal for the retail environment For more information visit www.perspex.co.uk

PerspexÂŽ is a registered trademark of Lucite International, a member of the Mitsubishi Rayon Group.

products

SURFACES + FINISHES Formica The Formica Door Collection brings an extensive selection of new patterns, tactile textures and colours to meet the design demands of retail environments. Introducing 27 new decors and 30 colours in Linewood surface finish, in addition to the existing 120 colours, 45 woods designs and 18 patterns, it brings the total collection to 186 decors. The inherent properties of Formica high pressure laminate means the Formica Door Collection is highly resistant to stains, impact and scratches and is maintainable, hygienic and FSC Certified.

T. +44 (0)191 259 3512 E: samples.uk@formica.com www.formica.com Twitter: FormicaGroupEU

Fila Surface Care Solutions FILA’s surface care range includes a variety of treatments for floor renovation, from robust, textured porcelain to original quarry tiles and encaustics. All products are designed to provide high coverage and performance, whilst providing a safe application and protecting original surface characteristics.

There are 36 surface care treatments — from stone and ceramic stain proofers, to grout protectors and cleaners. The range is recommended by 220+ leading tile manufacturers and stone suppliers.

T. +44 (0)1584 877 286 E: filauk@filasolutions.com www.filasolutions.com/en Twitter: Filasurfacecare

Armourcoat Armourcoat has announced the introduction of a refreshed company website and logo to coincide wiht the launch of a major new product for exterior wall applications. PPX (Polished Plaster eXternal) is a polymer-filled limestone render system suitable for new build and renovation projects, producing stunning honed and textured finishes for external spaces. The introduction of PPX represents entry into a significant new market for the company. Armourcoat also offers a complete PPX External Wall Insulation (EWI) system to provide outstanding thermal insulation tested to stringent ETAG standards.

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

Perspex Distribution Perspex Sweet Pastels is a newly developed cast acrylic sheet collection made up of eight vibrant pastel colours available now from Perspex Distribution. This selection of fresh colours are set to tempt designers and point of sale specialists by offering a pick ‘n’ mix of mouth-watering vibrant flavours from Lemon Bonbon to Parma Violet. Eight pastel shades are available in a standard 3m x 2m sheet size with 3mm thickness.

An additional benefit of each sheet is that it offers the best of both worlds with a different finish on each side offering both matt and gloss surfaces all in one sheet. The colours were specifically developed with bright signage and retail display in mind; lightweight and easy to install for pop-up displays, yet strong, durable and hard wearing for more demanding needs.

T. +44 (0)1254 874 000 E. info@perspex.com www.perspex.co.uk/sweetpastels Twitter: @LuciteIntl

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DESIGN LED CONTINUOUS VINYL FLOORING

A unique addition to the Expona Family Introducing the latest edition to the Expona family of floorcoverings, Expona Flow is a collection of 50 commercial vinyl sheet products encompassing authentically reproduced natural materials and innovative, eye catching designs. Contact us for your free copies of the new brochure and fully sampled presentation book.

POLYFLOR LTD. PO BOX 3 RADCLIFFE NEW RD WHITEFIELD MANCHESTER M45 7NR TEL: 0161 767 1122 FAX: 0161 767 1128 E-MAIL: INFO@POLYFLOR.COM WWW.POLYFLOR.COM

products

FLOORING Amtico Amtico has launched a refreshed version of its Signature Collection.

Carefully curated to reflect both customer demands and changing interior needs. Thirty new designs make up the 163-strong collection within the Wood, Stone and Abstract palettes. Amtico’s design team has scoured the globe for inspiration, creating exciting new palettes focusing on tone and texture; changing expectations of LVT. Now, Amtico presents its new Innovation Products — Umbra and Chroma — that will both inspire and excite. Pictured is Umbra Dusk in a broken bond laying pattern.

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

Polyflor High design luxury vinyl tiles from Polyflor’s 2mm gauge Affinity255 PUR collection were recently installed at Tredz cycle shop in Swansea to give a brand new look to the shop floor area. Approximately 400 sq m of Affinity255 luxury vinyl tiles in Flamed Chestnut were installed by local flooring contractor, Artisan Flooring in the specialist shop selling bikes, cycling equipment and accessories. The 16 authentically reproduced wood plank designs within the range replicate the natural variations found in solid wood through the use of tonal hues and surface textures. The Flamed Chestnut design includes prominent knots and markings to give the effect of natural timber.

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

EGGER (UK) The Feelwood range from EGGER (UK) brings together a new, carefully curated collection of its most authentic, deeply textured, melamine-faced chipboard panels. Since the introduction of more realistic Feelwood decors with their deep synchronised textures, and the look and feel of rustic raw timber, demand has soared in the furniture interiors market.

EGGER believes that bringing the 10 premium MFC decors together with perfectly-matching laminates and ABS edging in one collection will make it easier for designers and specifiers.

T. +44 (0)1434 602 191 E. zoom.uk@egger.com www.egger.com

Gradus Contract interiors specialist Gradus has extended its primary barrier matting collection with the launch of Esplanade 9000, a heavy duty mat suitable for use in demanding environments.

Esplanade 9000 has been specially developed for use in areas subject to heavy foot and wheeled traffic, such as airports, railway stations and supermarkets. Available in 12mm and 18mm thicknesses and in open and closed construction, the new matting system is constructed from rubber wipers and aluminium scraper linking strips which are held together with galvanised steel wires. The rubber wipers are available as either plain PVC, which are ideal for use in external environments, or are available interwoven with grey polyester fibres for use in interior environments.

T. +44 (0)1625 428 922 E. info@gradusworld.com www.gradusworld.com Twitter: @Gradus_World

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products

FLOORING Karndean Designflooring Karndean Designflooring is introducing 11 new stone designs and five complementary borders to its popular Da Vinci collection. Bringing the natural beauty and intricate textures of real stone indoors, the distinct 457mm x 305mm tile designs take inspiration from weathered steel, natural stone and woven fabric and offer a fresh palette of colours to suit any retail space. The three groups — Weathered Steel, Natural Stone and Woven Fabric — explore latest trends in interior design including natural weathering, fossilisation and woven fabrics, and reflect Karndean’s unrivalled ability to take products from the natural world and recreate them in LVT. From the striking rust and weathered tones of Molten to the subtle, dark hues of Carbon, all four colourways — Molten, Iron Ore, Eisen and Carbon — present the transformation of weathered steel over time, and are ideally placed against plain walls, exposed brick and simple furnishings for a stark, on-trend industrial feel. Designed to offer a sophisticated and understated look, the four natural stone designs feature the realistic grain and fossilisation of limestone. Perfect for both residential and commercial specifications, there’s the creamy tones of Dune and Bluff to the darker, grainer Sable and Drift. The final three designs in the collection — Burnet, Cambric and Sindon — challenge what ‘we’ see as stone and offers modern, natural colours with a minimalistic look and subtle strands across each tile.

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

Moduleo

International Decorative Surfaces

Luxury vinyl flooring from the new Moduleo Moods collection is proving popular within the hospitality and leisure sector, after being selected in the latest refurbishment of Young’s Pubs’ Lass O’Richmond Hill pub in Surrey. The Country Oak 54880 and Country Oak 54991 from the manufacturer’s Impress collection, in the exclusive new chevron format — a shape which is now available through Moduleo Moods — were chosen by commercial interior designers, Fusion by Design, thanks to the product’s high-quality finish.

Featuring 15 new designs, the Tuscan wood flooring collection from IDS has been relaunched. The 37-strong collection includes the most popular sellers with the added injection of fashionable greys, smoked woods and herringbone parquet that keep it on point for the latest trends. Enhancing any new build or renovation project, the FSC certified collection comes with the assurance of a 10 year warranty for solid wood and a 25 year warranty for all other décors. Offering wide design and installation flexibility, the complete Tuscan range offers solid wood, multiply, engineered and Elite engineered flooring, together with wide planked and agedistressed options in Vintage and Grandé.

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

T. +44 (0)8457 298 298 E. info@idsurfaces.co.uk www.idsurfaces.co.uk Twitter: idsurfaces

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TM

The World’s 1st Combined Bluetooth Printer and Cash Drawer Star is known worldwide as the most dominant printer manufacturer for mPOS with connectivity at all levels, so it is only natural for Star to create the world’s 1st Bluetooth all-in-one mPOS printer and cash drawer. mPOP delivers outstanding connectivity and design, plus intuitive functionality and simple integration with your chosen mobile, software and card payment system. Welcome to a new era for mPOS. Welcome to mPOP.

Stylish, functional cash drawer Reliable 100mm/second print speed Classic Bluetooth Connectivity Compact, mobile POS design Effective cable management with one power source for mPOP and two mobile devices

NEW

Tablet and phone not included

Use with YOUR choice of mobile device

Device stand

Plug and play Star scanner

Star Micronics EMEA, Star House, Peregrine Business Park, Gomm Road, High Wycombe, Bucks. HP13 7DL, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1494 471111 • Fax: +44 (0) 1494 473333 • Email: Sales@Star-EMEA.com • www.Star-EMEA.com

products

TECHNOLOGY Futura Retail Solutions British menswear brand Steel and Jelly, previously available only through selected retail partners, has opened its first flagship store in Birmingham’s Grand Central shopping centre. Steel and Jelly has selected the Futura EPOS and retail management platform with the goal of supporting future expansion at key shopping destinations and to guarantee real time integration in store and online. The company selected Futura as ‘a more in depth and complete solution compared to many other EPOS offerings’ and one that is fully scalable — supporting the brand’s expansion plans.

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

Avire Avire has supplied LCD displays to two buildings in Shenyang, China, in partnership with Schindler. The lift safety and communication specialist has provided 37 C1 E-Motive displays for the China Resources MixC Shopping Mall, in Shenyang’s Golden Corridor Plaza. The 7in displays are installed in both the landing areas and lift cars. The 250,000 sq m, seven-storey structure features more than 200 shops, as well as catering and entertainment facilities.

T. +44 (0)1628 540 100 E. pr@avire-global.com www.avire-global.com Twitter: Halmaelevators

Info-CTRL Cath Kidston has selected Info-CTRL for Retail to manage all of its merchandising data, providing greater accuracy, security, visibility and efficiency for all of its merchandising operations. Info-CTRL is a unique system that enables master data to be held securely in the cloud and then downloaded directly into users’ spreadsheets. It means that each person in the merchandising, finance or supply chain teams can access information in real time, while continuing to use their own spreadsheets.

T. +44 (0)845 5205 233 E: hello@info-ctrl.com www.info-ctrl.com Twitter: InfoCTRL1

Toshiba SignStix has formed a partnership with Toshiba to provide an end-to-end digital engagement solution to the retail and hospitality sectors. SignStix is a Toshiba Innovation Partner for Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, helping retailers to build digital engagement solutions that are fully scalable and built to drive customer engagement and enhance in-store customer experiences. By combining SignStix’s digital signage software expertise with Toshiba’s impressive portfolio of innovative in-store solutions, support, and systems integration services for the retail sector, this relationship allows SignStix to operate across a global market, whilst supporting existing digital engagement projects.

T. +44 (0)843 224 4944 E: info@toshibatec.co.uk www.toshibacommerce.com Twitter: toshibagcs

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URBAN VINTAGE RETAIL DISPLAY

56 PAGE CATALOGUE ON REQUEST The Urban Vintage collection from Andy Thornton includes a complete range of industrial-style retail display products including shelving units, garment rails, drawer units, cabinets, trolleys and display tables, plus furniture, decorative lighting and tin tiles.

Send for your copy.

Call: 01422 376000 Email: marketing@andythornton.com Online: andythornton.com

THE ORIGINAL

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS IN BUSINESS

AT-RetailFocus-2015-June2015.indd 1

29/06/2015 16:19

products

SELECTION Bright Goods A new catalogue has been published by Bright Goods — the acclaimed brand of vintagestyle, filament retrofit LED lamps. The 28-page, full colour catalogue features newly released lamps, beautiful LED installations and an enviable client list including Burger and Lobster, DF Mexico, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Fresh Cosmetics, Fuller’s Pubs, Handmade Burger Company, Jamie’s Italian, Nando’s, Next and Pizza Express, to name a few. This is the second catalogue publication for Bright Goods since the brand launched at the Retail Design Expo 2015. Within a year, Bright Goods LED filament lamps can be seen up and down any high street in retail stores, restaurants, bars and pubs.

T. +44 (0)1276 691 230 E: saima@ledecolights.com www.brightgoods.co.uk Twitter: Bright_Goods

Display Lighting North West jewellery emporium Mococo chose bespoke lighting from Display Lighting for its stores across the region. Mococo has opened a new store every year since 2006 and lighting is key to store design. One of the luminaires specified was the CSVL Tubelight Multi, which is manufactured with two 1.5W LED spotlights mounted at 90 degrees to each other so that it can be mounted into the corners of counters and circular showcases.

T. +44 (0)161 207 3355 E. sales@display-lighting.com www.display-lighting.com Twitter: DisplayLighting

arken POP arken POP has introduced a new forecourt Bannerview display. Designed to provide massive impact for exterior roadside and retail spaces, it offers great opportunities for advertising messages to be clearly viewed when placed strategically in large open areas. Available as 7m wide x 1m and finished in robust powder coated steel with fully updateable printed canvas banners, this sign provides great future-proof and ROI benefits. Bannerview can be supplied in any colour finish with small or large quantities available in four weeks, T. +44 (0)1638 565 656 E. info@arken-pop.com www.arken-pop.com Twitter: arkenPOP

GEZE UK Like all new supermarkets, Waitrose’s flagship store in Chester required good access. Architectural glazing specialist Glassolutions had created a unique curtain wall system that allows the glass facades to visually float. So when it came to the automatic doors for the Waitrose building, it needed a partner renowned for elegant, integrated solutions and GEZE UK fitted the bill perfectly. Creating the gateway between the canal district and Chester’s new Central Business Quarter, the Waitrose building, which has been commended at the 2015 WAN Metal in Architecture Award, features large expanses of glass with bronze cladding to reflect the site’s industrial heritage. Six sets of expansive glass sliding doors have been positioned on the upper and lower floors to provide convenient access and enhance sustainability through the creation of two atriums.

T. +44 (0)1543 443 000 E. info.uk@geze.com www.geze.co.uk Twitter: @GEZE_UK

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products

SIGNaGE + DISPLAY Signwaves The Signwaves POW! Sign addresses the need for vivid and versatile brand positioning in forecourt promotion. The double-sided POW! fascia sleeve can be cut to custom shapes and vibrantly printed in three different sizes — the largest being up to 1.67m high. This sleeve is ideal for tactical marketing as anyone can replace it within a minute. With no need to re-purchase the base, and with three installation-friendly base options, huge savings can be made on purchasing additional sleeves alone. POW! is available very soon. Capture public attention and raise footfall by registering your interest with Signwaves today.

T. +44 (0)1493 419 300 E: enquiries@signwaves.co.uk www.signwaves.co.uk/pow-sign Twitter: Signwaves_Ltd

The Alan Nuttall Partnership The Alan Nuttall Partnership has launched a new website to showcase its diverse range of services and solutions, from store fitting to complete design and build projects. Visitors to www.nuttalls.co.uk are able to find out about everything from its award-winning innovative store fit-outs for retail spaces to its main and principal contractor service, as well as its comprehensive range of refrigeration, foodservice and signage and display solutions.

T. +44 (0)1455 638 300 E. info@nuttalls.co.uk www.nuttalls.co.uk Twitter: nuttall_ltd

ONELAN ONELAN has launched its new System-on-Chip (SOC) software solution enabling its software to be installed directly onto either a Samsung Smart Signage display or LG’s webOS platform. While the traditional Net-Top-Box will still offer enhanced functionality, the SOC solution facilitates direct integration with Samsung and LG’s displays making installation simpler, with no external player and reduced cabling. In addition, the total cost of ownership for the end user can be reduced, making it a more attractive proposition in some installations. The solution is delivered by the ONELAN CMS 3.0 which enables content to be published to a mixed network of integrated small screens, SOC displays and the full range of NTB signage players. This offers complete flexibility in content display to the end-user.

T. +44 (0)1491 411 400 E. sales@onelan.com www.onelan.com Twitter: onelan_ltd

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Messagemaker LED specialist, Messagemaker has signed a distributor agreement with Telefax Data Systems to provide real-time digital information and media for its LED displays. Ideally suited to the financial and foreign exchange industries, the OmniDisplay software developed and used by Telefax allows live information to be streamed direct into offices, receptions, retail centres and more. OmniDisplay delivers real-time digital media and live information to audiences via Messagemaker’s LED screen technology, integrating with leading information providers to receive data feeds.

T. +44 (0)800 170 7780 E. sales@messagemaker.co.uk www.messagemaker.co.uk Twitter: messagemakerLED

MODELLING & PROTOTYPE

fixtures & fittings

focus on: FIXTURES + FITTINGS When it comes to the fixtures and fittings of a store, flexibility and easy set-up are vital, allowing for display changes and adaptations in the future. We explore a range of solutions, from aluminium profiles and modular systems to video screens and vintage display cabinets.

All white Shopfitting and display specialist Displaysense has added a new White Collection to its revamped website, ideal for spring/summer displays.

The display solutions are designed to appeal to a diverse range of consumer preferences and tastes, with both high white gloss and white distressed options available.

www.displaysense.co.uk

Made you look For New Look’s spring window displays, SFD played on the changes in natural light by incorporating a grid system of iridescent panels. These added eye-catching animation to the windows and emitted colourful reflections and refractions onto the pavement that provided further movement.

www.sfd.co.uk

Endless possibilities Made up of a 25mm box section aluminium profile, the Unibox 25|25 system can be used to create a multitude of lightweight, flat-pack structures. Using an array of angled or perpendicular connectors, the system lets users create both straight and non-perpendicular arrangements. The aluminium can be finished in a variety of looks, including powder coated, anodised and plated finishes, or it can be left in its raw state for a more industrial feel.

www.unibox.co.uk

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fixtures & fittings Brief encounter DIA Systems specialises in aluminium extrusions for retail, joinery and shopfitting. The company worked with Boux Avenue to design and manufacture a competitively priced system that would complement the high spec store design and lingerie. Products supplied included FMR002 slotted tracks, forward arms and a range of side and front hanging rails. The equipment provided has been constantly developed to meet changing needs.

www.diagroup.co.uk

Flexible friend WBC has announced several new additions to the BRIX range, its pioneering modular display system. BRIX has the versatility that allows retailers to effortlessly change design as and when space or seasonality demands.

An off-the-shelf solution, BRIX offers a more flexible merchandising solution than previously available on the market. New products launching within the BRIX range include wooden cradles to display bottles, shelves that suspend wine glasses, wall display fixtures with deep shelves in a variety of sizes, and moveable mid-floor tables with bays.

www.wbc.co.uk/brix

Past and present Vintage shopfittings specialist Andy Thornton has a large showroom near Halifax that displays original shopfittings of every description.

Whether you are looking for a complete pharmacy interior with counters, back fittings and apothecary drawers, ornate jewellers display cabinets or vintage counters for point of sale, Andy Thornton has an extensive range from all periods. Pictured is an Edwardian display cabinet in mahogany rescued from an old Co-op, dating from around 1915. Andy Thornton has restored it and added carved corbels and a box section of drawers in the middle. It is on sale for £4750.00 and would work well in any traditional retail environment such as jewellers, pharmacies or even a delicatessen.

www.andythornton.com

Command attention Omnichannel retail technology specialist One iota offers a range of video walls to help retailers bridge the gap between online and in-store in today’s modern world. Available in multiple sizes with moving images and sound, video walls attract shoppers’ attention as soon as they walk into the store, displaying high impact digital media in any format. Bespoke for each store’s requirements, they can be configured to display videos across all of the screens or adapted to show different content on each. The opportunities for promotion are endless, from exclusive offers to product launches; they can even convert to a touchscreen kiosk for customers to make purchases.

www.itsoneiota.com

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Directory

Retail Supplier Directory, find the specialist retail products and services you are looking for from leading suppliers around the world.

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

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

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

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Directory

Aluminium Fittings

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

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

T: 01273 582241 E: info@d-i-a.net W: www.d-i-a.net S. www.twitter.com/DesignsinAlumin

Bespoke Display

Bespoke Display

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.

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

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

Design Consultancies

H Squared Limited are display specialists in creating brand presence at the point of purchase.

Through a holistic approach to the development of display... strategic led creative design and cost effective manufacture, supply and installation, H Squared are able to offer clients an experience to nurture an idea as well as the capability to realise and deliver these ideas.

T: 01530 814200 E: studio@hsquared.co.uk W: www.hsquaredltd.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/HSquaredLtd

Aluminium Fittings

Bespoke Display

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

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

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

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

Aluminium Fittings

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.

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

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.

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

Bespoke Display

Brochure Holders

Design Consultancies

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

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

KSF provides retail merchandising display solutions to retailers, brands and trade customers from CONCEPT to COMPLETION via our global supply chain (China/UK/East EU) to deliver LOWER total cost of ownership. YOU’VE TRIED THE REST; NOW PUT US TO THE TEST.

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

T: +44 (0)8450 944 699 E: ben.wang@ksf-global.com W: www.ksf-global.com S: www.twitter.com/KSFGlobal

T 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

63

Directory

Display

Are you looking to increase your product sales, re-brand or launch a new product? If you’re not already talking to us, you should.

Our group offer an unprecedented level of experience coupled with a comprehensive range of products and services. Our aim is to make your products sell and your service the best on the market.

T: +44(0)113 265 0093 E: sales@concept-data.com W: www.concept-data.com S. www.twitter.com/GDProjects

Display

Internationally acclaimed, award winning unique magnetic wall system offers instant flexibility & creative choice to architects, interiors & store designers.

Since launching the magnIQ system in 2006 the response has been quite phenomenal. To date the system has won 13 prestigious awards and is now internationally recognised justifying the many years Rare Basic spent on research and development.

T +44 (0)20 8348 9888 E: mail@rarebasic.com W: www.rarebasic.com S: www.twitter.com/rarebasic

Display - Digital

Furniture

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

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

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

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

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

Furniture

Display

Display

Display - Digital

GDP display, manufactures, delivers and installs world-class retail environments, store fixtures, displays and visual merchandising equipment.

GDP is truly Global, through its activities in many parts of the world.

We have supplied high-end displays and furniture to successful retail brands throughout Europe, North America, South Africa and South East Asia.

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

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

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

T: +44 (0)1582 433 771 E: info@gdprojects.eu W: www.gdprojects.eu S. www.twitter.com/GDProjects

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

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

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

Display

Display

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

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

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

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

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

EPOS

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

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

Finishes

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

64

Graphics

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

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

Graphics

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

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

Directory

Slatwall

Interactive Displays

Permanent POS

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.

> In house design and manufacture of permanent displays > Powder coated steel, stainless steel, plastics and print used in any combination > Rapid prototyping and batch manufacture > Confidentiality assured > Let us help you improve your product sales` Find out why our customers keep returning for more………

> In house design and manufacture of permanent displays > Powder coated steel, stainless steel, plastics and print used in any combination > Rapid prototyping and batch manufacture > Confidentiality assured > Let us help you improve your product sales` Find out why our customers keep returning for more………

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

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

T: 01482 345067 E: sales@jcrpos.co.uk W: www.jcrpos.co.uk S. @JCR_POS

T: 01482 345067 E: sales@jcrpos.co.uk W: www.jcrpos.co.uk S. @JCR_POS

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

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

Lighting

POP/POS

LED Solutions are a specialist LED lighting supplier who can offer you a wide variety of bespoke lighting solutions for the sign, shop fitting and display industries.

Custom made, 20mm deep LED Edge lit ‘Diamond’ light boxes, and 8mm deep ‘Garnet’ light panels for retail display, signage and advertising.

T: 0116 262 5933 E: sales@ledsolutions.co.uk W: www.ledsolutions.co.uk S. www.twitter.com/ LEDSolutionsUK

Literature Display Solutions

T: 0333 123 0345 E: Sales@ways2display.com W www.artillus.com Web: www.ways2display.com

POP/POS

POP UP

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.

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

Retail Consultancy

VM

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

VM

Panache revised logo 1

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

We specialise in Point of Sale (POS) and Point of Purchase (POP). We design, manufacture and fit retail fixtures and store displays and we’re good at it. For over 55 years Axiom has been designing and producing exciting and innovative retail displays for well known brands and retail groups.

T: +44 (0)161 681 1371 E: info@axiom-displays.co.uk W: www.axiom-displays.co.uk

Since the ‘glam’ days of the 1970s, Panache Display has been a lead player in the global fashion business producing ever-changing looks to set its own trends in mannequin design and visual display - while establishing an enviable reputation for quality, as well as, creativity.

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

T: +44 (0) 20 8752 2520 E: info@panachedispay.co.uk W: www.panachedisplay.co.uk S: www.twitter.com/PANACHEDISPLAY

Maintenance

POP/POS

Slatwall

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.

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.

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

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

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

DISPLAY

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

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

T: 01273 582241 E: info@d-i-a.net W: www.d-i-a.net S. www.twitter.com/DesignsinAlumin

VM - Training & Tools

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

65

Q&A

Michelle Jarrold is a seventh-generation family member of Jarrold department store in Norwich. As well as a main board director, Jarrold is responsible for developing the image and brand portfolio of the store, as well as overseeing womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, accessories, beauty and books. Here, she talks customer service, renovations and moving with the times.

RF. Where did your career begin?

MJ. I started working in publishing in London then Norwich, and then I switched to retail when I was 28. I had previously done work experience as a student in the store. I came in as assistant merchandise manager.

RF. What does your role as development director for Jarrold retail entail exactly?

MJ. Currently, I have various different roles. The day job is mainly overseeing my departments, which are fashion, beauty, menswear, accessories and books — 60 per cent of the store turnover is under me. I have a broad reaching role which is to look at the overall strategy of the retail division to help ensure that we are moving the business on in the right direction, and we’re recruiting the right brands for the business.

RF. How does Jarrold maintain its position as one of the best independent department stores in the UK? MJ. That’s been a real challenge for us because in Norwich we have a lot of competition, and in order to survive we have to ensure that we have a compelling and different brand composition. We compete with John Lewis, House of Fraser and Debenhams, and the largest M&S outside of London so we’re used to having that as competition and we welcome it. What we’ve done differently is focus very much on customer service.

We haven’t cut back on the staffing levels in a way that would affect our customer service levels at all [and] we still have lots of tills around the shop floor.

We’ve spent a lot of money over the last 10-15 years in continually reinventing the look of the store. It’s very elegant, contemporary and welcoming. We’ve got a beautiful building and we’re very lucky with the location of the store right in the heart of the city. We are also online so you can buy about 70 per cent of what we sell online. We’ve recognised the need to move with the times. We’re computerised and continue using EPOS so we can analyse how our sales are going and we can react very quickly and be very efficient in how we move stock around the business.

RF. How have the recent renovations improved the in-store shopping experience?

MJ. It has completely changed. We refurbished the ground floor three years ago and sales have really increased. We refurbished and moved our book department downstairs to the lower ground floor, which has also done really well, and

66

last year we completed a £750,000 makeover of fashion, and again we had amazing feedback about it. We have worked closely with the same designer — Simon May at Furniss and May — on different parts of the store to create a really compelling, calm, sophisticated atmosphere.

RF. What are your thoughts on integrating digital into the in-store experience?

MJ. We are looking at whether we can introduce e-receipts and also changing our tills. We’re trying to master our CRM capabilities so that we can make sure we’re marketing directly to the right people about the right things.

RF. Why are department stores still relevant today?

MJ. I think they are even more relevant now. I think people are so overwhelmed with choice, particularly online. Coming into a department store, where they feel comfortable with the range that has been curated for them, then that actually makes their life a lot easier. Take our book department. Why should a book department survive when you’ve got Amazon? It survives because half of the time people come in here and don’t know exactly what they want and we help them by showing them the latest releases or inspiring them and giving them ideas.

RF. What’s next for Jarrold?

MJ. We are always developing. The immediate next thing is Charlotte Tilbury coming in store in July, followed by Bobbi Brown joining us in September. We are expanding beauty again on the ground floor and then medium-term we are looking to expand our furniture offer, and growing menswear, shoes and womenswear. The fashion element of the store is the medium-term plan. We never stop.

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