Page 50 - February 2022

SPECIAL FEATURE | GLOBAL SHOPFITTING & DESIGN

Reinventing Normal

THAT Concept Store, Mall of the Emirates
Dubai, UAE
Designers: Majid Al Futtaim & Cisco
After another 12 months of the world learning and adapting to a new reality, the global
shopfitting and design sector has been innovating, ready to attract customers back to
stores through a highly evolved offering in new and unique store settings. Here, RLI
takes a closer look at the industry and some standout examples of innovative shopfitting
and design.

he retail industry really has changed dramatically over the past • Comfortable & Inviting Home-Like Design - Retailers want
couple of years due to arguably the biggest disruption it has customers to feel safe and comfortable, and a lot of that stems from an
Tever faced in the form of Covid-19, the changes genuinely inviting home-like design, which is a growing retail trend that has become
cannot be overstated. Business owners and landlords alike across every increasingly popular in the interior design industry as a whole. This
continent have been forced to either adapt to these changes or face up kind of design essentially means creating a comfortable, inviting, home-
to closing up shop. like atmosphere. Many in the restaurant and hospitality industry have
The design and shopfitting of physical stores is now more important incorporated these design elements, and now retail stores are seeing the
than ever because despite the monumental increase in online shopping, appeal of creating this type of atmosphere. The idea is that if customers
physical shopping still remains an integral part of commerce. feel comfortable, they’ll want to spend time in the store and/or revisit the
According to Parterre’s Roche FitzGerald and his article ‘Watch These space in the future.
Top Retail Design Trends in 2022’, design innovation is a vital tool for
retailers to set themselves apart and draw customers into their stores. Shopfitting and Design Around the World
Each retail space, regardless of industry - department store, supermarket, Launched back in June was one of Apple’s most unique and significant
drug store and boutique are all unique and in the article Roche highlights restoration projects to date, the Apple Tower Theatre which was designed
some important trends to keep an eye out for in 2022. to inspire even more creativity in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.
• Brand Storytelling/Design for Demographics - Brand Apple Tower Theatre is Apple’s 26th location in greater Los Angeles and
storytelling is more important than ever, as the retail shopping experience the store’s nearly 100 talented retail team members join more than 3,000
has become about more than just browsing and purchasing products. Apple Store employees across the region. Apple Tower Theatre anchors
One of the top design trends for 2022 is using the power of storytelling the corner of Eighth Street and Broadway, where visitors will immediately
to showcase a brand’s values, which is crucial as retailers try to maintain recognize the fully restored clock tower, recreated Broadway marquee,
customers and attract new ones. clean terra cotta exterior, and renovated historic blade sign. After walking
• Interactive Shopping Experience - Now, as stores begin to through the Broadway doors, guests enter the monumental lobby inspired
welcome customers back in greater numbers, while trying to compete with by Charles Garnier’s Paris Opera house, featuring a grand arched stairway
the appeal of online shopping, retailers need to hone their creativity skills with bronze handrails flanked by marble Corinthian columns.
when it comes to the physical design of their stores and how they engage June also saw the opening of Google’s first-ever physical retail store
customers with their products. It’s not just about the experience of going to in New York City. Located in Chelsea on 15th street and 9th avenue,
a store in person, but the experience customers have while inside the store. the new space provides customers with hand-on interaction with

50 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL FEBRUARY 2022