Page 14 - May2021

asia

PANTONE STRIKES OUT WITH NEW PHYSICAL

STORE AND PRODUCT RANGE

Pantone has revealed its first physical store in Hong
Kong which hopes to lead customers into a “different
dimension” of colour. Billed as a Lifestyle Gallery, the
600sq ft space is located in the Cityplaza department
store in the Tai Koo district.
Alongside the launch, the colour company will
be selling its new Funmix collection which has
an expanded range of homeware products such
as bedsheets and towels. The American colour
company began in the 1950s and created its colour
matching system in 1963. It is perhaps best known
for announcing a colour of the year annually; for 2021
it chose two colours, Illuminating and Ultimate Gray.
The Hong Kong store echoes the design concept
of the new collection, according to Pantone, using
colour block patterns to mark out different displays
and islands.

STARBUCKS GOES ALL KIDZPLORER OPENS IN
TRADITIONAL THE RING, CHONGQING

Starbucks Japan has unveiled its new store design inspired by Japanese Kidzplorer is an edutainment attraction focusing on STEAM
traditional architecture. Located in Oharai-nachi, a flourishing town (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics).
near the famous 2,000 year-old Ise Jingu shrine, the new Starbucks Hongkong Land has plans to expand the play attraction across
store spans two storeys, with design blending with the local China. Kidzplorer is located within The Ring, Chongqing, a seven-
historical landscape. storey shopping mall with 74,000sq m of leasable area. The Ring
The Oharai-machi store’s design “fits seamlessly into the winding includes a huge indoor botanical garden, as well as cultural and
cobblestone streets lined with traditionally-designed buildings”, interactive offerings.
according to the business. The exterior features a traditional Edo-era Kidzplorer is designed by JRA and Star Group. It covers a floor
facade with Japanese shop door curtains at the entrance and onigawara area of nearly 3,000sq m and offers nine play zones, as well as
– Japanese gargoyle tiles – to decorate the roof. Meanwhile, the a STEAM classroom, café and retail outlet selling STEAM toys
store interior houses wooden furniture, creating a warm traditional and products. The edutainment attraction also features scientific
ambience. The second floor offers a quiet space with floor-to-ceiling installations to support learning and uses state-of-the-art
windows, providing a landscape view to the historical town. technology including smart location wristbands to track children.
The two-storey wooden building blends with the local landscape. Thomas Tam, Director/Head of Asset Management/Commercial
On the upper floor, quiet spaces set apart from the busy street offer Property at Hongkong Land, said: “Our latest development in
a tranquil place for customers to enjoy a cup of coffee while enjoying Chongqing represents our unwavering dedication to innovation,
rich natural views. coupled with our desire to enhance offerings.”

14 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL MAY 2021