Romanian sportswear retailer GRID – which has opened the first branch of a planned chain – is aimed at a target market of young shoppers. It has been launched by The Various Brands Network.
The store format has been developed by design and architecture group PickTwo, and fabricated by Atvangarde Surfaces.
The retailer’s offer is based on combining value for money with top sports brands, including Nike, Puma, and Adidas, in a physical environment appropriate for digitally-connected consumers. The design brief called for a contemporary and minimalist, semi-industrial style that would go against traditional layout trends for sporting goods.
PickTwo project co-ordinator Sebastian Mindroiu says the store design was inspired by digital environments, with the 0 and 1 binary matrix inspiring the physical grid represented in the store displays.
The units are made of electrostatically-coated steel, with each shelf featuring white LED lighting strips to highlight the merchandise. “Thus we outlined the furniture based on a square that reminds us of the digital Grid,” says Mindroiu.
The store reception and cash desk is moulded from HI-MACS material from LG Hausys, to create a one-piece seamless finish which is easy to clean and maintain.
