Archive - May, 2012
May 15th, 2012
Cadw unveils new retail and visitor centre at Conwy Castle
This week sees the launch of our designs for the new 150 square metre retail and visitor centre at UNESCO World Heritage Site Conwy Castle in Wales. Cadw, the Welsh Government’s Historic Environment Service, asked us to develop a flexible new approach to retail and visitor centre site design for Cadw’s many and varied historic visitor attractions.
Our challenge? To create a set of high level design principles to be applied at Cadw’s properties, working alongside our long-time partner Datum Contracts International (http://www.datum-contracts.co.uk) who fit out and implement those designs.
The aim is to create shops and visitor centres that reflect the uniqueness of each of the historic properties, contribute to the visitor experience, increase sales and encourage return visits. This isn’t about creating a ‘cookie cutter’ approach for all the properties. It’s about getting some consistency and functionality in the way things are presented, but having enough flexibility to be sympathetic to each individual site. Visitors want to see each historical attraction reflected through the first or last part of their journey, so relevancy of the product and of the environment in which it is presented was a primary driver.
Our client Jayne Rowlands, Head of Visitor & Business Services at Cadw, said: “We manage and maintain a hugely diverse range of building types, none of which were originally designed with retail spaces. M Worlwide and Datum Contracts have created an incredibly flexible and cost-effective approach that can be adapted to different spaces, different periods and different styles of architecture.”
See the full case study and photos
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May 4th, 2012
Somebody’s watching you – technology and the retail customer experience
We’re thrilled with David’s contribution to a great article about technology and the retail customer experience in the May 2012 issue of Director magazine.
He believes that while more of the transactional cut and thrust of shopping will inevitably happen online in the future, traditional stores still have an important part to play in terms of retail theatre, and provides some interesting examples.
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May 4th, 2012
The New Retail Revolution – from Clicks to Bricks
Like London buses, our press coverage this month seems to be storming along. David wrote a two page article about whether traditional town centre retail is doomed for Retail & Leisure International’s May 2012 issue.
Citing examples including Amazon, NetFlorist, Lloydspharmacy, Citibank and ING Direct, he suggests that town centres will be saved by pure play etailers who are increasingly moving into into physical environments.
Download The New Retail Revolution here
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May 2nd, 2012
Engaging customers in retail – The Brand Trilogy
The Brand Trilogy (TBT) blog has recently published a three-part serialised piece about engaging customers in retail, which is co-authored by our very own Chris Hill and the blog’s creator Ian P Buckingham.
The site is an open-source resource created as a dialogue about the link between employees and brand.
Why not take a look?
Part 1: Let’s get physical – The critical importance of space and place to brand engagement
Part 2: Let’s get physical – It’s all about culture
Part 3: Let’s get physical – The Future
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March 30th, 2012
Retail Times Interview: Predicting Retail Trends
We’re very excited about Retail Times’ editor Fiona Briggs recently interview with our co-managing partner David about future retail trends.
The interview covers our recent audit of UK grocery stores, discusses the importance of the customer experience, predicts future challenges and opportunities and provides examples of clients such as Waitrose and 10-11.
We also like the way Fiona says we have hawk-eye view of the latest retail trends and concepts!
See the full interview on Retail Times.
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March 13th, 2012
Bath Visitor Information Centre completely transformed
This week sees the official relaunch of our work on a completely redesigned and refurbished Bath Visitor Information Centre, attended by UK Minister for Tourism & Heritage John Penrose. Operated by Bath Tourism Plus, the Centre is the second busiest of its kind in the UK, providing comprehensive visitor information on Bath, as well as offering accommodation bookings, ticket sales and a retail shop.
The new Centre is now a state-of-the-art destination for visitors to Bath, and also preserves a flavour of Bath’s heritage which is in line with the local council’s long term strategy and master plan for the city. The revamp also provides functional solutions to increase ticket and retail sales, improve visitor flow especially during peak times, and enhance the visitor experience.
David Martin, our Co-Managing Partner says: “We needed to apply a huge amount of inventiveness to make everything work for visitors, given the external listed building status, internal structural and layout limitations, the multi-functional nature of the site, and Bath Council’s master plan strategy, combined with limited budgets. We think we’ve struck the right balance between the practicalities of making sure the Centre stands the test of time, that it feels inviting and welcoming, and reflects the materials and finishes of a wider city strategy.”
See the full case study and photos
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March 8th, 2012
The Retail Revolution: E-tailers poised to lead high street revolution
We think e-tailers are poised to lead a resurgence in UK high streets – and so does Retail Times, who just published our very own David Martin’s article on this subject.
High street occupancy levels are at an all-time low, internet shopping is increasing exponentially, slick comfortable shopping centres are the retail therapy medium of choice. Is the high street and traditional retail doomed? Will bricks and mortar retailing truly be replaced by the online experience, leaving shops bare and high streets deserted as we all shop from home or work?
David says no. But it’s not about a Mary Portas back to the future revival of traditional retailers. A new phenomenon is gaining momentum. That of e-tailers moving into retail – from clicks to mortar. It’s still in its infancy, but given the number of conversations we’re having with online retailers on this subject right now, a retail revolution is at hand. And the e-tailers may very well hold the trump card.
See David’s full article on Retail Times.
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January 23rd, 2012
Reinvigorating 10-11 convenience stores in Iceland
We’re currently developing the retail strategy, customer experience, store environment and some packaging for 10-11 convenience stores based in Iceland. We were appointed on the strength of our very successful 2004 work for the chain , which achieved a 20% increase in earnings before EBITDA one year post redesign.
10-11 dominates the convenience market in Iceland; its shops are open 24-7 and are central to people’s everyday shopping needs. The decision to reinvigorate the stores comes as a result of the sale of the chain by Arion Bank to Icelandic entrepreneur Árni Pétur Jónsson in 2011.
We’re reviewing everything to do with the retail strategy, customer experience and store environment in order to increase basket size and drive sales. This includes how to make the most of promotional offers in-store, advising on range development and offers such as “food to go”, packaging for specific products and the 10-11 bags and presentation of fresh food categories.
David Martin, our co-managing partner says: “While frequency and number of visits remains high, 10-11’s once edgy and energetic positioning has become less so in customers’ minds. This is a fantastic opportunity move our 2004 work forward to create the next generation 10-11 convenience store concept.”
Árni Pétur Jónsson, CEO at 10-11 says: “As 10-11 heads into a new era with new ownership, so too should our offer and environments. M Worldwide’s customer-centric approach is just the thing we need to stay firmly in the hearts and minds of our shoppers.”
The solution is due to be initially be trialled at a large store in Lagmuli in early 2012 with a view to rolling out the elements in other stores after that.