Late last year, Spacing, the magazine that focuses on urban issues, and Toronto’s concerns in particular, opened their first bricks-and-mortar retail location on Richmond St West. Beyond the obvious, being a publisher turned retailer – a significant brand extension venture in itself – Spacing is fueling Torontonians newly found city pride. Expanding their reach With the opening of the store, which features urban and city related products previously available primarily through their on-line store, Spacing has tread into relatively new and untested territory. Few magazines have made this necessary leap to extend their brand and their reach. In our digital world,[…]
Pop-up shops here to stay
Pop-up shops are now a fixture in the retail landscape – and they’re not going anywhere soon. Bridging the worlds of e-commerce and bricks and mortar, while leveraging social media to build hype, this relatively new retail channel provides retailers with the opportunity to engage customers in new and interactive ways. On-line retailers, from Amazon and Ebay to smaller retailers, like Frank & Oak and OVO, can experiment with physical outlets and increase their exposure to target markets. Established retailers, such as Target or Roots, can launch new products, test new markets and simply build hype – even inducing a[…]
Best products at IIDEX for retail applications
Typically exhibitors at the IIDEX Canada industry trade show, which took place last week, are geared towards commercial sectors other than retail; but that doesn’t mean that the show is short of interesting new products suited to retail applications. Here are 3 of the best from this year’s show: 1. Luminous Textile with Kvadrat Soft Cells [Philips] This intriguing product, awarded Bronze Innovation Award in the category of Innovative Lighting, is a Luminous Textile fabric panel lit with integrated LEDs. It’s a completely customizable modular product available in a variety of colours and ready for whatever content you wish[…]
Muji TO disappoints: the no-brand brand strays
Having become a fan of Muji from my travels abroad, I always looked forward to visiting their stores and perusing their fascinating line of understated and functional product. So, it was with great anticipation that I awaited the opening of the Toronto store last week – however, I was left unimpressed and disappointed. Muji: The brand Muji is all about simplicity. They are the ultimate anti-brand, forgoing splashy labels, packaging and advertising – yet by doing so they have become one of the most successful brands in the world. Muji which means “no brand quality goods” has built an[…]
War of the holiday windows
When it comes to holiday windows it can be all out war. For retailers, holiday windows are not just about celebrating the season; they are about winning over shoppers. Today, many chain stores and independent retailers have forgone elaborate displays, instead turning to a minimal approach, relying on large scale graphics, catchy verbiage and select product, simply displayed. The truly fantastical windows remain a holiday tradition only for department stores, who pull out all the stops with big budgets. The beginnings Although holiday windows have been a hallmark of the season for most retailers since the late 1800’s, it[…]
Retail is all about Location, Location, Location!
It has long been believed that the three most important factors in retailing are “location, location, location”. Often attributed to Sir Charles Clore (the founder of Sears), this assertion has been a guiding principle for successful retailers everywhere, for much of the last century. Yet, does it still it ring true today in our increasingly digital world? Clicks & Mortar One might think that the physical location of bricks and mortar retail is less of a concern in this age of on-line retailing, when you can shop virtually and to your heart’s content on your home computer or mobile[…]
Retail Signage: The art of the blade sign
The sign brings customers Jean de La Fontaine (French Poet) For retail, signage is not the only thing that brings customers, but it is one of the most important elements in a complex equation. Regardless of whether a retail business is selling a service or product, signage, particularly storefront signage, is an essential identifier of both the brand and the offering. For maximum effect, signage needs to be highly visible to approaching shoppers. However, all too often, retailers in urban settings rely on signage that is affixed across their storefront façade rather than blade signs which hang perpendicular to[…]
Retail for Men: Targeting male shoppers – Part 2
In my last post, I shared some insight into the changing men’s market and the basic differences between female shoppers and male shoppers. So now, how does Holt Renfrew’s first stand-alone men’s store shape up relative to the male shopper? Holt Renfrew has already recognized the unique state of mind of male shoppers, by giving them a separate experience at their flagship along with their own dedicated entrance. However, this new men’s-only store goes further to reach the male shopper on his terms. Why the stand-alone Holt Renfrew Men works: The Synergy of Location Synergy happens when similar retailers[…]
Men’s Retail: Targeting male shoppers
After much anticipation, Holt Renfrew opened their first stand-alone men’s store a couple of weeks ago on coveted Bloor St. in Toronto. Only a block away from their flagship, the men’s-only store is a brave new venture targeting male shoppers with an approach directly suited to men. Why now? There is change afoot. Retailers have discovered that while the women’s fashion market is nearing saturation, the men’s fashion market has not realized its full potential. Always ahead of the curve, luxury brands including Hermes, Coach and Ralph Lauren have been opening stand-alone men’s stores in major cities, for the[…]
5 Retail Learnings from Cirque du Soleil
Recently while enjoying the current Cirque du Soleil show, Kurios, it struck me that many of the principles behind their success could be applicable to the world of retail. Behind the wildly creative costumes, clever sets and spectacular performances lay some very simple ideas that create some of the magic that is Cirque du Soleil: in particular 5 simple ideas that retailers can learn from to make their own magic. 1. Change it up From their beginning in 1984, Cirque du Soleil has never rested on their laurels, instead continuing to reinvent and innovate year after year. They have constantly[…]