Page 43 - July 2021

Google, New York City, USA Nike House of Innovation, Paris, France

store. Called The House of Rituals, it is located in the Spui in central Globally-renowned retailer H&M is making waves in the area
Amsterdam and offers Rituals complete hair, face, hand body and of sustainability with their H&M Looop model. As sustainability
homeware ranges, including several exclusive lines and wellness continues to expand in the mainstream, the brand has found a new
experiences. This concept store includes ground-floor retail space innovative way to communicate solutions. Looop by H&M is the
which takes customers on a multi-sensorial shopping experience that world’s first in-store recycling system, turning old garments into new
features plenty of interactive and Instagram-worthy installations for ones. In just eight steps, Looop shreds your old garment and knits a
visitors to discover their favourite Rituals products. The ground floor new one from the old fibres. No water, no dye. This theatrical piece
is also home to the ‘Rouhi’ restaurant and the first-level is dedicated of sustainable manufacturing has been installed into the basement of
solely to showcasing Rituals’ enhanced home range. The second H&M’s Drottninggatan store in Stockholm. The technology behind
and third floors — set to open this summer — will feature a ‘Body Looop has been developed by The Hong Kong Research Institute of
Experience’ floor and a ‘Soul Experience’ floor. The Body Experience Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) in collaboration with the non-profit
floor will be home to a body spa that will offer specialised massages, H&M Foundation.
luxury facials and professional beauty consultations and treatments. Nike is one of the biggest names in the retail world and they are
Technology giant Google has launched its first-ever physical retail now reaping the rewards of the ‘New Retail’ strategy it pioneered
store in New York City. Situated in Chelsea at 15th Street and 9th five years ago. Alongside streamlining its wholesale accounts,
Avenue, the new space provides customers with hand-on interaction Nike has also been investing in local, community stores alongside
with Google’s line-up of devices and services – from the Pixel phones innovative flagship experiences. Last year saw the opening of its thirs
and Nest products to Fitbit wearables and Pixelbooks. In-line with House of Innovation, on the historic Champ Élysées in Paris. This
what customers of today and tomorrow are more aware of the 2,200sq m flagship combines hero merchandising with immersive,
new opening has achieved LEED platinum, the highest sustainability digitally powered services. The Nike app is central to enriching
certification in design and construction that is only present in fewer the experience, allowing touch free browsing and purchasing, AI
than 215 retail spaces across the world. Visitors to the store are fitting, personalisation and expert services that are unlocked when
welcomed by physical and digital products that line the store’s you become a member. Powered entirely by clean energy and using
windows. Once inside, a light-filled space hosts a 17ft tall circular sustainable materials in its design, the brand highlights its ‘Move to
glass structure called the Google Imagination space. Here, customers Zero’ initiative throughout the store, sending a positive message the
can interact with screens and learn more about the company’s growing number of ‘conscious consumers’.
products and technologies. For those not sure where to start, an In October this year, umdasch The Store Makers will unveil Bründl
expert store team is available to answer questions, offer repairs and Sports, the most sustainable sports store in the Alps, a completely
troubleshoot issues on the spot. new and innovative shopping highlight at the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn
This article has highlighted that the store of the future will be more in Kaprun, Salzburg. The shopfitting as well as the digital solutions
experiential and be a place that will stun visitors and make them are being implemented by umdasch The Store Makers according
want to return. Well, Zhongshuge Books in China has hit the nail on to a concept by the architectural bureau blocher partners. The
the head with their store in Dujiangyan in Chengdu. The spellbinding flagship store will follow the company’s comprehensive sustainability
experience was designed by Shanghai-based architecture firm orientation. In addition to ecological aspects, the sports expert also
X+Living and the two-storey space appears cathedral-like, thanks to places a special focus on the areas of economy and social issues.
the mirrored ceilings and gleaming black tile floors which reflect the Across the 2,500sq m of total floor space, the experts from umdasch
bookcases. Upon entering, shoppers encounter C-shaped bookcases, Digital Retail in Linz have been commissioned to supply and install the
which create a series of intimate spaces. In the centre of the store, hardware for numerous technological and digital touchpoints, such as
towering arches and columns take advantage of the full height of the video walls, projectors, individual screens and sound systems.
space.

Bründl Sports, Salzburg, Austria

The Latest, Berlin, Germany