Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Anthropologie Gears Up for UK Growth

16 June, 2011
US fashion and homewares retailer Anthropologie has said it could have more than 10 stores in the UK as it opened its third shop in Edinburgh this week.

Louis Vuitton's Memorable Retail Spaces

Louis Vuitton, in collaboration with parent company LVMH, launches Louis Vuitton – Architecture and Interiors in an effort to promote the arts. The 304-page publication includes insights from the brand’s distinguished architects such as Peter Marino, Christian de Portzamparc, and Jun Aoki; and never-seen-before sketches, blueprints, and mock-ups of retail spaces. At $85, devoted fans can own the beautifully-bound book, or if they want to shell out $130, the limited edition features three separate photographs on the cover to coincide with the three monogrammed fabric slipcases – gold, silver, and copper. The book is available in Louis Vuitton retail locations and speciality book stores starting October 1.

Tuesday, 2 August 2011

Customers Can Create Preferences on App Tailored for In Store Experiences - PSFK

The IdentityMine store concept connects associates and consumers both inside and outside of brick and mortar stores. Designed in partnership with Microsoft, an app on shoppers’ phones allows them to create a shopping list visible to store associates. Before a store visit, customers can browse inventory while being supported by staff with targeted deals, product suggestions, and the ability to send questions to store associates. Customers check-in when they arrive at a physical store, alerting staff members and syncing their user profiles, shopping lists, and purchase history. Staff can then reach out to shoppers via intra-app messages in order to offer help and lend expertise. Connected signage and digital kiosks let shoppers ‘throw’ content and wish lists from their app to larger screens in order to enjoy enhanced browsing and customer service.

The Future of Retail - PSFK










The Retail Space - What is the Future of the Store? - PSFK

In the new Future Of Retail report, we hope to tell a story about how the use of technology has turned the corner, and forward-thinking retailers and brands are using it to put a human face back onto the shopping experience. Around the world, we’ve encountered news about the death of brick and mortar stores, struck down by the ascendency of e-commerce, but I would argue that the physical store will continue to be a vital part of our culture because of technology, not despite it.
Our research shows a promising future for shopper experiences across the entire retail landscape from big-box retailers and department stores to corner shops and independent boutiques.
We will look at the holistic shopping experience and how technology can introduce a social and vibrant market atmosphere to every retail occasion throughout the purchase path from browsing to buying.
 

Tap into Sephora's Virtual World of Beauty - PFSK

Beauty company Sephora‘s new iPad app has some innovative features to keep you up-to-date with all the latest trends. The free app has a magazine-like Beauty Report, with expert tips, animation and articles on hair, make-up, skincare and fragrances. There is also a social media hub where users can get real-time updates from social channels on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and BeautyTalk.
A video library lets you watch expert how-to’s and discover new product innovations, and you can browse and buy products in the shop without having to leave the app. The clever Virtual Mirror feature transforms your iPad into a split-screen mirror and video player so you can watch how to achieve a certain look and follow along. This beauty app for the iPad presents the different aspects of social media, editorial and retail in one neat package.

News - 26/07/11 - 2/08/11

Jaeger Boosts Store Portfolio
Premium retailer Jaeger is to launch seven standalone concessions for its younger, lower-priced sub brand Boutique by Jaeger as the retailer expands its UK store portfolio with two further stores.

American Apparel to Launch Online Ebay Shop
US fashion chain American Apparel is to launch an e-commerce shop on eBay in September in an effort to expand its distribution base beyond its own stores.

Vogue.com to Launch Online Fashion Week
Vogue.com is to launch Online Fashion Week, a five day event that will see retailers offer exclusive deals to customers ahead of Christmas, later this year.

Tom Ford's Shop-in-Shop Harrods
Fashion designer Tom Ford has opened a new womenswear shop-in-shop in Harrods. The shop, Ford’s first in the UK, opened Tuesday and offers the designer’s complete ready to wear line alongside sunglasses, accessories and jewellery. The shop partners Ford’s existing men’s wear shop-in-shop, which is housed in the Knightsbridge department store’s basement.

Nicole Farhi Relocates Flagship Store
Luxury womenswear retailer Nicole Farhi is to open its new flagship store on Conduit Street this week, relocating from New Bond Street after 17 years.