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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Pop-up Retail: Making Diet Coke synonymous with style
Pop-up retail is all about generating excitement and buzz. Guerilla marketing at its ubiquitous best, pop-ups rely on a product-relevant location, well-placed PR and word of mouth amplified through social media. Now popular with retailers entering new markets (Target), testing new waters (Nordstrom), leveraging seasonal demand (Ebay) or launching limited edition collections (Roots XL) they…
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Gentrification of Leslieville – Good for retail!
As the news circulated this week that a new store, Good Neighbour, is opening soon in Leslieville, it’s apparent that the neighbourhood is continuing on its expected gentrification trajectory. Critics might say that this is one more nail in the coffin, for the accessibility of the neighbourhood. I believe it’s a natural and positive progression….
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Retail Visibility = Customer Accessibility
Vision is what propels us forward in the world. When something enticing is within our sight line, we automatically believe that it is accessible to us and we will move consciously or unconsciously towards it. So, in the world of retail, what is visible to the customer is accessible to the customer: visibility = accessibility.From…