Recently, Toronto-based brand, Nobis, opened their first North American store on trendy Queen St. West in Toronto. In fact, for the hot outerwear brand that sells primarily through wholesale, it is their only branded store, outside of a stand-alone in the Marais area of Paris. Yet, what could have been and should have been an ultimate flagship, one that was unique and proprietary to Nobis and launch them as a bona fide retailer, fails to deliver! The power of a flagship Regardless of the sector, successful retailers know that their retail locations need to be anything but ordinary. And that[…]
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[…]
Why retailers should care about their washrooms
Washrooms are neither a glamorous subject, nor one that immediately comes to mind in the retail world – yet washrooms, restrooms, bathrooms or toilets, depending upon where you are in the world, are an essential amenity for large footprint retailers such as department stores, housewares or bookstores. In these cases, they need to be thought of as more than a simple customer convenience. They are an opportunity. Over the years, my work has taken me to major cities (New York, London, Paris, Berlin) to explore and research world-class department stores (Bloomingdales, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Au Printemps, etc.).[…]
Retail Flagship? Roots misses opportunity
For retailers, a retail flagship is an opportunity to make a big statement by creating a unique and elevated brand experience – one not found in the rest of their chain. Often the largest store in the chain and located in a prominent location, it can offer something unique, whether it be the full line of merchandise, exclusive merchandise or a more upscale merchandise mix. When well-conceived, spectacular design, engaging customer experience and innovation meet to bring the brand to life in a relevant and resonating way for the customer: think Prada in Soho and Saks on Fifth Ave in[…]