Japanese Retail Design – Top Stores in Tokyo After his recent trip to Tokyo, greater group’s Asia CEO Ryan Arrowsmith returned with dozens of photos from innovative and forward-thinking retailers who are going above and beyond to creative unique and engaging customer experiences. Our retail design blog shows your some highlights from this trip. THE WORLD’S BIGGEST STARBUCKS RESERVE ROASTERY The Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo in the elegant Nakameguro district opened its doors in February 2019, making its mark as the biggest of its kind in the world. This is the coffee giant’s fifth Reserve Roastery worldwide, taking an approach of localisation to embrace local design while maintaining the characteristic features of their coffee shops across the globe. The Tokyo installation is decked out with washi paper lanterns and more than 2 000 copper cherry blossoms to complement the origami-inspired ceiling and the centre piece 17-metre-tall copper cask, rising up from the ground floor all the way through to the fourth floor. The cask features more than a hundred copper plates that have been hand-hammered in the traditional Japanese tsuchime technique. The cask is one of those multi-functional design features that are trending the retail design world now. It’s a dramatic and theatrical focal point but also serves a practical purpose as the resting space for the coffee beans to allow the gas built up during the roasting process to escape before it can be brewed or packaged. The roastery stretches over four floors, from the main coffee bar on the first floor serving a unique selection of coffees and other signature drinks, to the full-service Arriviamo bar on the third floor where visitors can order coffee- and tea-infused cocktails. This roastery celebrates the unique aesthetics of Tokyo and serves as an excellent example of successful localisation without losing any of the brand’s ‘personality’. We love this! NEW BALANCE’S TOKYO FLAGSHIP STORE Over the last couple of years, New Balance opened a handful of flagship stores across the world, of which the Tokyo store is the largest. Greater group has worked with New Balance on 8 of their boutiques globally including the Harajuku flagship, Ginza and Roppongi stores in Tokyo. Apart from a massive range of running apparel for men, women and kids, the Harajuku flagship houses a cafe where shoppers can grab a coffee and a healthy snack. The store regularly hosts fitness events, giving it the feel of a gym. There are even shower facilities where you can freshen up after doing a yoga class! Located in the Roppongi district of midtown Tokyo, the “New Balance Roppongi 19:06″ store features a new lifestyle concept designed by the greater group Asia team in collaboration with New Balance specifically for the Japanese market. A drastic change from the traditional, it features simple, linear, and contemporary aesthetics that can easily be transformed into an event or product launch space as the floor fixtures disappears (or fits) into the walls. The store design was inspired by the Japanese concept of “MA”—the consciousness of the void between two structural parts. Strategically placed lights create separation between the ceiling and the walls, while wooden walls and sharp concrete flooring provide contrast representing raw performance. TIFFANY’S @ CAT STREET Tiffany & Co’s first concept store in Japan gives new meaning to the ‘breakfast at Tiffany’s’. This wonderland of a store presents a brand new way to experience the magical world of Tiffany’s, featuring six floors of curated products, exclusive designs and an innovative Style Studio offering custom engraving. The Tiffany Cafe @ Cat Street cafe located on the top floor of the store is a beautiful space where shoppers can kick back with a cappuccino and a croissant (in true Audrey Hepburn style!) before continuing to browse the iconic pieces of jewellery that has made this brand so famous. This cafe is only the second of its kind in the world (Tiffany’s first cafe opened in New York in 2017). The ‘cat’ in the name derives from the location of Tokyo bustling Cat Street and unfortunately doesn’t refer to any real in-store cats. But Breakfast at Tiffany’s fans can reminisce about the memory of Holly Golightly and her nameless cat while taking in the splendour of this one-of-a-kind cafe’s architecture and design features. The futuristic building in characteristic ‘Tiffany Blue’ makes it stand out among the neighbouring stores on Cat Street. Inside, each of the six levels are uniquely designed to represent the different ranges of Tiffany’s products, from jewellery and accessories to homeware collections and fragrances. We can’t wait to see this fun concept be introduced to more locations across the world! TOKYO MIDTOWN CHANDON BLOSSOM LOUNGE This is the 12th edition of an annual event to celebrate springtime in particular its famous cherry blossom season. In addition to the 200 meter long street Sakura-dori that are decked out with outdoor lounges and illuminated cherry blossom trees, the highlight of this year’s pop-up is the Chandon Blossom Lounge, a collaboration between The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo and premium sparkling wine brand Chandon, where we were lucky enough to enjoy a glass of rosé in the insta-worthy Chandon Suite, the popular tent area, featuring a larger-than-life Chandon champagne bottle. G.G. WAREHOUSE Step inside the WAREHOUSE Minamihorie store in Osaka and you will be awe at the delightful and quirky visual merchandising. One advantage for smaller niche retailers is their nimbleness to engage and excite customers through creative retail formats that relates with the local clientele. As you wander through this converted warehouse, you discover that it’s actually an eyewear shop that also houses designers, novelists, bicycle builders and aroma therapists. They are encouraged to use this space to freely express their creations which tie in with the store concept to “express your values through the glasses ” which blend in as part of the props in the various themed rooms. RIMOWA’S FIRST STAND-ALONE STORE The luxury baggage brand, Rimowa, opened their first stand-alone store in Tokyo in the beginning of 2019. Located in the heart of the tourist-packed Ginza district, this store is specifically designed to cater for an international market. The design is a blend of minimalist Western features while drawing from traditional Japanese craft aesthetics. A focal point in the design is the spiral staircase placed against a backdrop of woven baskets that seamlessly connect the two floors. The overall design reminds of Japanese rock gardens with flowing yet dynamic lines that leads shoppers from the first floor up the spiraling staircase to the second floor. We love the warm atmosphere that merges such a diverse range of design elements and cultural inspirations. The combination of Western and Japanese, the contrast between flowing and angular and the composition of modern and traditional: unexpected but somehow perfectly working together to create a beautiful, aesthetically attractive space that brings the brand’s personality to life across borders. GALAXY’S LARGEST SHOWCASE STORE Samsung, who has collaborated with greater group previously on their flagship stores in Sydney and Melbourne, launched their largest Galaxy showcase store to date in the popular Harajuku shopping neighbourhood in Tokyo. Housed in an ultra-modern six-floor building with a striking entrance design by the Japanese designer and artist, Tokujin Yoshioka, the flagship’s design reflects the cutting-edge technology Galaxy is so acclaimed for. On the first floor, visitors are welcomed by a massive LED screen where Galaxy’s latest smart products are showcased. Move to the next floor and you’ll find a cosy café where parents can enjoy a cup of coffee while their kids explore the video games and interactive installations on the next floors. The third floor is occupied by an interactive exhibit that tells the story of Galaxy’s history and partnerships. Samsung did a great job delivering a store that drives on digital innovation and experiential methods to keep us engaged and entertained. LUSH’S DIGITAL SHOPPING EXPERIENCE LUSH Shinjuku is the brand’s biggest store across all of Asia, and of its largest world-wide. Known for their fragrant treat-yourself products like scented bath bombs and luxurious bath oils, this feel-good brand’s massive Tokyo flagship store is a sensory-driven experience. The Tokyo roll-out is LUSH’s first trial of a digital shopping experience, implementing technological innovation to showcase the their wide range of beauty and lifestyle products. Keeping with the urban landscape of Tokyo’s modern, almost futuristic Shinjuku district, the store boasts with features like a giant LED screen, neon-lit background designs, touch sensors, video projections and digitalised pictograms. Employing these measures of digital tech enables the brand to operate across borders of language and culture, perfectly fitting in against the backdrop of Tokyo’s international diversity. Interactive shopping experiences that encourage brand-customer-engagement are always enthusiastically received by us, both as shoppers as well as retail space designers. Excited to see future digital innovations from LUSH! Read More
Trends Shaping The Retail Evolution: 2020 Vision On Retail Displays & Temporary Formats Technology changed the way we do everything. In retail, the rise of e-commerce has sparked worry about the relevance of brick-and-mortar and prompted retailers to reimagine the way they use tech to promote their products and engage shoppers. A ‘new normal’ has emerged, challenging us to think outside the box in exploring new formats and creating displays and activations that chase up the figures for sales, customer engagement and brand awareness while cutting down on manufacturing cost and timeframes. In this article I look into the trends shaping this retail evolution and how it impacts the way retailers experiment with product displays and in-store activations across both temporary and permanent store formats. 1. ONLINE/OFFLINE INTEGRATION Deciding between ‘online’ and ‘offline’ methods of commerce isn’t a ‘one VS the other’ argument, but rather a challenge for retailers to drive omni-channel strategies to extract the best uses of each platform. Neither of the two can work perfectly on its own; physical stores and e-commerce are reliant on each other to utlise each to their full potential. Less than 50% of customers’ overall shopping time is about the actual purchase, according to Gensler’s Experience Index for Retail. Online shopping, therefor, occupies a small place in the bigger picture of customer experience. Store design is a key driver for impactful shopping experience retailers can use it as a tool to tap into customers’ emotions, turning their physical spaces into experiential hubs while focusing transactions online. Beauty brand Kylie Cosmetics is an example of an online-born business that has been thinking outside of the internet box, expanding to traditional retail methods through pop-up events and store-in-stores. Founder and owner, reality star Kylie Jenner, has the internet and TV screens across the world to thank for her fame, so it’s a no-brainer that her brand emerged online. But with customers looking for a more personal touch on shopping, the brand entered a partnership with Topshop in 2017 to display Jenner’s makeup and beauty products in store-in-store (SIS) stations to offer their customer base an in-store shopping experience – a preference that came to light when the brand conducted in-depth market research into shoppers’ online vs in-store behaviour. The first of these pop-up stores lured hundreds of shoppers lining up outside Topshop in Midtown Manhattan to get first picks on the limited-edition products sold at the Kylie Cosmetics SIS. Right off the bat, there are two major benefits we see here: physical brand presence for the pop-up brand and increased customer traffic for the retailer hosting the pop-up. These kinds of temporary spaces bode particularly well with skincare and cosmetics brands, with market research showing close to ¾ of shoppers prefer buying cosmetic products in-store if they are first-time buyers. But it doesn’t stop with this group of retailers. The trend extends to tech and telco with Indonesian bank giant CIMB Niaga rolling out their digital branch concept across Jakarta to merge the best of both worlds: the convenience of digital banking and the personalisation of in-branch assistance. Check out their first residentially located digital branch that just launched in collaboration with greater group. 2. THE HUMAN FACTOR Amid the revolution brought about by online shopping, physical stores are still thriving. Why? The reason e-commerce will never fully replace brick-and-mortar is because it lacks the ‘human’ element and in-person interaction that cannot be achieved through technology. Online brands experimenting with temporary store formats is a pattern we see everywhere, from skincare company Glossier’s traveling pop-up store to mattress retailer Casper partnering with Target to display their mattresses in-store. Shoppers like the sensory aspects of physical formats where they can touch, test and experience products while assisted by in-store staff, knowing they can resort to online shopping methods to get bigger products delivered hassle-free or stock up on their favourite skincare and cosmetic products. Sephora, praised for their innovative and immersive customer experiences like digital try-on features in-store, has been playing around with new concepts to drive interaction with their customers. In celebration of their 20th anniversary, the brand launched Sephoria House of Beauty, a two-day event packed with activities like master classes, exclusive product demos and meet-and-greets with guest stars. This event capitalised on the air of exclusivity, creating a one-time event where attendees can socialise with major names in the industry. The design of this pop-up experience played a significant role in its success. Sephora rented The Majestic Downtown, a well-known set for movies and music videos, setting the dramatic tone for greeting guests by the grand staircase accentuated by low lighting and a carefully curated playlist. Food and drinks were passed around and two fully stocked bars waited in the basement – working with the scents and visual appeal of Sephora’s products to create a one-of-a-kind multi-sensory experience. 3. TECH INNOVATION With that being said about the importance of the personal touch, technology is making its way into every sphere of our lives and there’s nothing we can do to stop it. But instead of tech taking away from the personalisation of in-person interaction, it is a valuable tool in increasing the quality of day-to-day operations of stores and evaluating the success of new formats through social media metrics, store visit numbers and sales figures. IoT (Internet of Things) – a system of interrelated computing devices able to transfer data over a network without needing the skills or services of a person – allow customers in a shopping centre to follow a suggested route to optimise their shopping experience with relevant sales and promotions along the way. Mall operators can use this technology to determine traffic hotspots and analyse shoppers’ movements in-store, ultimately allowing individual retailers to strategize wayfinding tools like signage and product display placements that will increase sales based on the way customers are most likely to navigate the store. Samsung did a great job with The Frame, an in-store unit designed to creatively showcase their latest products by demonstrating how it can be used in home environments. Designed, manufactured and installed by X-Factor Displays, the completed unit is compact and flexible to ensure pain-free installation in a variety of spaces – a key factor for designing temp spaces. Samsung has reported that these displays are a big hit with both customers and retailers, with increased engagement as shoppers are invited to interact with the displays to curate their shopping experience. 4. SMALL & TEMPORARY FORMATS Temporary formats have become increasingly valuable as a tool for test driving new locations and products. Pop-ups, for one, hold immeasurable value by offering practical and financial benefits for brands. Target plans to open 30 small format stores annually over the next couple of years to move into smaller spaces like campuses and urban centres where the typical size of their stores cannot be accommodated. To kick off this small format project, the retail giant is opening three such stores on college campuses across the US, designed for convenience and focused on the needs of college students with grab-and-go meals and stationary supplies. Target is taking a very smart approach with this format expansion, cultivating loyalty and brand awareness among the younger demographic who will go on to become their biggest customer group in coming years. According to a report by Storefront unpacking the rise of the pop-up format, the demand for an omnichannel customer experience will be higher than ever in 2020, driven by the need for near perfect execution and seamless transition across different platforms. The report elaborates on how landlords and mall operators are providing support to brands exploring new formats through dedicated multi-purpose spaces for pop-up stores and lifestyle events, flexible lease arrangements, offering a diversifying brand mix and investing in tech infrastructure to gain more accurate insight into customer behaviour. ANZ in collaboration with X-Factor Displays is working on a temporary format project to create a space for the bank to interact with their clients across a variety of potential scenarios. The pilot kiosk was delivered in Queensland’s Riverlink shopping centre to fill the gap when the permanent branch underwent constructions and showed incredible metric success in terms of customer engagement. This kiosk is an excellent testimonial of how temp formats can up the game for retailers across all sectors. TO SUMMARISE: In 2020 and beyond we can expect to see temporary formats lead the charge in the retail evolution sparked by online shopping platforms. There is, without a doubt, still room for physical stores and traditional retail approaches, but retailers will continuously face the challenge of merging channels to create unique experiences that will make customers come back again and again. Small and temporary store formats hold incredible value in creating brand awareness in new locations while saving time and money – shorter rental periods, reduced time frames for manufacture and build, more freedom to explore sustainable and durable design options, and the ability to recycle the same units across many different locations. When it comes to creative displays and activations, technology holds the steer for creating product displays and way-finding tools that grab shoppers’ attention and can easily be adapted for different uses. Be on the lookout for a complete project showcase about ANZ’s temporary kiosk to see how these strategies play out in the field! Read More
6 Keys To Creating Amazing Retail Displays & Activations Did you know that window displays alone influence almost 25% of purchases? Can you then imagine the power of creative visual displays and activations throughout the rest of your store? Visual Merchandising (VM) is a selling tool with immeasurable value in boosting the aesthetics of your brand through striking product displays that draw shoppers into your store and drive sales. No matter how great the products are, if your displays and in-store activations lack that multi-sensory magic that play on your shoppers’ five senses, you are holding your business back from massive traffic flow and increased sales potential. While visual aspects are by far the most important to focus on (sight is responsible for more than 80% of our information processing), they are not the only useful elements in creating engaging displays. Looking back on design elements and retail formats that captured shoppers’ attention in 2019 – pop-ups, interactive displays, digital integration, texture walls and touches of nature, all work towards the goal of creating Instagrammable stores (already mentioned in our retail design blog) – retailers can draw inspiration for new visual merchandising strategies to implement in 2020. Here are 6 key features to keep in mind for creating retail displays and activations that will create a buzz around your store. 1. STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD The solution to making your store stand out from the crowd is a strategic use of a variety of elements – materials, textures, colours, lighting, signage, wayfinding, digital technology etc. Before you begin planning this visual strategy, it’s vital to evaluate the store space and location: is it in a busy shopping centre with a constant flow of bypassing foot traffic, or in a quiet street where you need to go above and beyond to draw potential customers in-store? In an already busy, cluttered environment like a shopping centre, perhaps your brand will benefit from a space that offers shoppers an oasis amid the chaos – a space where they can recharge from the noise of their surroundings. In a quiet area, a stronger ‘out-there’ approach will make shoppers aware of your store. A tip: get the basics right before you move on to anything new. Good lighting, clear wayfinding and complementing colour palettes will lay the foundation for creative features like focus walls (green walls are really popular at the moment), attention-grabbing storefront/window displays and engagement-stations like an in-store café or bar. Louis Vuitton did a great job on their latest pop-up store that ran for a short period from July to August this year in Tokyo’s bustling Ginza district. The designer used colour as a tool to lure visitors in, craftly pairing unexpected colours to draw the eye to hero products. Although Louis Vuitton already has a well-established presence in Ginza, this pop-up was a strategic move to give the brand that extra push with a design that deviates from the usual appearance of its stores. This temporary store also has increased drawing power by stocking limited edition products of which most are exclusive to Japan. 2. DESIGNING FOR DIFFERENT FORMATS Temporary formats are experiencing massive growth in popularity and are changing the game for brands capitalizing on their exclusivity to build brand presence and test new markets, and for businesses experimenting with a new approach to engaging with their client base across various scenarios. Designing and building temporary displays require a different approach to traditional permanent activations. Modularity is key to ensure simplified installation, breakdown, transport and storage. Of course, the benefits are endless: cutting down on manufacturing costs, lower rental expenses, flexibility in terms of using the same unit for multiple purposes, a boost in attention from customers in new locations… the list goes on. In Singapore, Robinsons Department Store collaborated with clothing brand, The Corner Shop, to open a modular pop-up store offering a temporary retail space for the brand to sell their signature t-shirt lines. Aside from a few clothing racks, the product displays are almost entirely built out of cardboard – an unlikely yet effective method for the construction of this pop-up. No doubt the manufacturing costs were minimal, as was the time needed to install and relocate this structure. 3. CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT Ultimately, customer engagement is what it’s all about. Capturing shoppers’ attention, increasing dwell-time and creating memorable experiences to build lasting relationships and encourage them to support the brand in the future. How do you do this? To set your brand apart from competition, you need to be able to offer customers something no one else can. A fun, fresh approach to the shopping experience can go a long way in building a loyal customer base long-term. The strategy for this will differ depending on the store format, location, target audience and brand identity. Think about this: do your customers want to see digital innovation, or do they prefer a more traditional ‘human’ touch? What does your budget allow? A survey by Ripen eCommerce found that the sensory aspects of brick-and-mortar is the primary reason customers still prefer shopping in-store instead of completely reverting to online shopping. Creating product displays that invite shoppers to touch, feel and interact with your products will encourage them to keep coming back to your store. Test devices in tech stores, tasting samples in grocery stores and try-on stations in clothing and beauty stores are a few ideas to brainstorm. Having something for kids is another great way to create a family-friendly story around your brand. Working with greater group, luxury fashion brand Carolina Herrera and PUIG delivered a new counter in Jakarta’s Seibu department store, focusing on the implementation of digital integration throughout the store to offer an improved in-store experience. On the other hand, there are many examples of online retailers who expand to physical formats – both permanent and temporary – to increase customer engagement, build awareness and test drive potential new markets. Photos: Eco Chamber 4. NEED FOR SPEED Many retailers are struggling to find their balance between traditional brick-and-mortar and e-commerce. This is where temporary formats come in handy. It offers personal touch and direct engagement that cannot be achieved digitally. Even for retailers who majorly operate through physical stores, pop-up formats pose great potential in expanding their brand presence to new locations. Temporary formats thrive on the time limit bound to it, arming it with a sense of exclusivity that encourages shoppers to engage with the brand or business in question before they miss their chance. A location in a busy shopping mall is advantageous because it disrupts the natural flow of traffic, making bypassing shoppers quite literally stop in their tracks to get a look at the latest addition to the space. For customers, the service is quick and pain-free, and for the business, bigger and better results are reaped at lower costs and less hassle. Everybody wins. X-Factor Displays collaborated with Australian bank, ANZ, on a temporary format project to provide a platform for customer engagement across a number of scenarios. After piloting the first pop-up kiosk in Riverlink shopping centre, the bank has already seen an incredible spurt in engagement figures in comparison with the permanent branch the pop-up temporarily replaced. 5. FOCUS ON THE PRODUCT Less is more – especially if you’re just starting to experiment with VM. Evaluate your store: how much ‘buzz’ can you fit into the space you’re working with? At which point does ‘out-of-the-box’ begin to clutter the box? The goal of these creative displays is essentially to promote a product, so make sure your VM doesn’t distract from what you’re actually aiming to showcase. Choose a core element and keep the rest simple. What is the first thing you want customers to see? Establish a focal point and develop the rest of the design around that through signage and touches of colour, shapes and textures that lead your shoppers’ eye towards the hero product. Estée Lauder’s #PicturePerfect Event Pad delivered in T Galleria by DFS in Singapore’s Orchard Road in collaboration with greater group offered an interactive shopping experienced that wowed shoppers without taking the focus away from the products. This digitally immersive playground was a fun way for Estee Lauder to experiment with their approach to customer experience while keeping brand consistency. Visitors could take photos in the Hollywood showbiz-style decorated space and share it on Instagram with the tag #PicturePerfect. Provision was made for peak hours with an additional HPP space showcasing the brand’s hero products to ensure the focus doesn’t shift away from the products themselves amid all the excitement. 6. CONSISTENT BRAND STORY Creative displays and activations are a fun way to experiment with your brand, especially in temporary formats, but make sure it aligns with your other in-store and online formats to stay true to the brand story. Our minds automatically want to assign meaning to what we interact with, so it’s important for the design to speak to customers’ imagination. What do your displays say about your brand? What can customers get from your brand and products that other retailers do not offer? Department store, Macy’s, has taken steps to remodel their brand to appeal to the Instagram-focused generation. Their ‘Story’ concept store has already been rolled out across a number of locations across America, operating according to their tagline “changes like a gallery, sells things like a store”. The idea is for the shop to rotate its product ranges based on a variety of themes, each accompanied by relevant events, experiences and workshops. This concept might seem counter intuitive in building a consistent brand story, but the surprise element of what will come next is ironically where the success of Story lies. Because it does not operate as a stand-alone store but houses itself within Macy’s stores, Story has the freedom to play around with its retail methods while keeping shoppers hooked and having them return every cycle to get a look at the new offerings. Story therefore serves as an ongoing in-store experience for Macy’s customers. Photos: Macy’s Inc Liked this article? Stay tuned for more industry insights, thought leadership and market news coming your way! Read More
Jewel Changi Food – How Changi’S F&B is changing airport retail? The spectacular Jewel Changi was officially opened by Singapore’s prime minister on 18 October, celebrating six months since the soft opening earlier in 2019. During this time, the dining and shopping destination has received 50 million visitors (300 000 per day), exceeding the initial goal of generating 40-50 million visitors in the first year. Although Jewel presents a fine selection of exciting new flagships like the 5-storey Apple Store and the biggest Nike store in Singapore, the F&B program is the real drawing power. The restaurant, cafe and bar line-up features a mix of home-grown and global F&B concessions who are putting their best foot forward to create exciting new dining concepts, according to our retail design blog. JEWEL CHANGI AIRPORT FOOD: FAST FACTS $1.7 billion joint venture between Changi Airport Group and CapitaLandLocated next to Changi Airport’s Terminal 1Soft opening on 17 April 2019Official opening on 18 October 201990 000 sqm retail size, comparable to CapitaLand’s Ion Orchard280 shops with 112 F&B outlets21 100 sqm of indoor gardens and attractions including the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, the 40m-high HSBC Rain Vortex RESTAURANTS AT JEWEL CHANGI: WHY THE FOCUS ON F&B? The way to a Singaporean’s heart is through their stomach, and since Changi Airport Group initially estimated 60% of the visitors will be locals, Jewel Changi’s food offering was the key factor to engage their largest predicted customer group. With the highest retail space per capita in Asia, Singapore mall operators have been increasing the space for F&B tenants to make up for lost revenue through vacancy rates and rents that have reached their weakest point in the last 6 years. According to Adam Summerville, lead partner at Ground Control, a specialised consultancy for the travel retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, the beauty of F&B tenancies in an airport location is that their captive audience allows them to become the ‘destinations’ at airports. “This is even more pronounced in Asia which has always had a strong dining out culture and so it is not surprising that millennials in the region are foodies, with many sharing their dining experiences on social media and posting reviews online,” Adam says. DINING AT JEWEL CHANGI Dining at Jewel Changi could be various and has so many options. So please find our TOP PLACES TO EAT in Changi Airport. SHAKE SHACK (#02-256) Shake Shack is one of the first places you’ll see as you walk into Jewel Changi. On its opening day, dedicated Singaporeans started queueing up at 04:30 to get a taste of Shake Shack’s legendary burgers. This is the brand’s first outlet in Singapore and the Jewel Changi location includes Singapore-exclusive items on the menu to pay tribute to local flavours with picks like the Pandan Shake and the Jewela Melaka Concrete. The two-level dining venue seats 90 customers on each floor. On the first level, a video wall displays locally inspired graphics to create a stunning visual effect and customers can enjoy a partial view of the HSBC rain vortex. The second floor is decked out in American diner-style booth seats and cool murals and lighting to offer a quiet spot away from the crowds below. STARBUCKS RESERVE (#02-204) The Starbuck flagship is a sight to behold. The hand-carved Starbucks Siren on the wall leading up to the second floor took Singapore-based artist, Sean Dunston, two months to complete. The design includes subtle references to Singaporean culture by using Peranakan patterns to decorate the Siren’s brocade and tucking a Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid behind her ear. The effect of this eye-catching wall installation extends throughout the cafe with the wooden elements and multitude of indoor plants echoing Jewel’s nature-centred design concept. The first floor boasts with an interactive Reserve Coffee Bar manned by friendly baristas who are always up for a chat. Moving up to the second floor, the feature wall is fitted out with Starbucks Reserve labels. This level is also home to an Art Room that creates the feel of a luxurious airport lounge with its bespoke wall art and comfortable seats. Aside from the occasional function or workshop hosted here, the studio is open to anyone who visits the cafe. IGER STREET LAB (#05-205) As the first global concept store for this local beer brand, the Tiger Street Lab is an exciting new concept where visitors can experience seasonal Tiger brews paired with food from local collaborators. The lab has an interactive digital customisation panel installed next to the bar, where the touch of a button allows customers to personalise their own limited-edition Tiger beer and discover merchandise designed by local artists. An innovative, experiential concept that brings the best out of local brews. PAZZION CAFE (#B1-243) Pazzion Cafe is a lifestyle extension of the contemporary footwear brand, Pazzion, aiming to create a holistic shopping experience that adds dimension to their retail platform and encourages shoppers to engage with the brand. The interior is decorated in black and white tones and sets the mood for a modern-chic retro cafe with vintage props like a typewriter, telephone and metal globe. The seating area extends to outside the cafe, where customers have an unrestricted view of the iconic waterfall. MUJI CAFE & MEAL (#02-227/228/229) The Muji store stretches over two floors, dividing the space into the retail area and the spacious in-house eatery. The lower level houses a collection of apparel, health and beauty products, travel items and food, continuing to the upper level where housekeeping items and living room, bedroom and kitchen products can be found. This floor also hosts the 88-seater Muji Cafe & Meal where customers can take a break in between their shopping. Among Changi’s top 10 markets in 2018, India and Japan registered the strongest growth, respectively rising with 12% and 10%. China and Vietnam followed shortly with an annual growth of 7%. To cater to its most dominant markets, Jewel Changi presents a strong Asian F&B offering ranging from dim sum specialists Din Tai Fung and Tim Ho Wan to local Michelin-starred roast specialist, Kam’s Roast. Worth singling out is Shang Social, a contemporary restaurant-bar-retail space, where Chinese cuisine is reimagined through a showcase kitchen, classy cocktail bar, ice cream stand and a range of seating options. Does the name sound familiar? That is because this is the first standalone concept by the Shangri-La Hotel Group. SHANG SOCIAL (#01-219 to 222) The Shang Social group has a growing presence in China and is known for its amazing Cantonese, Huaiyang and Sichuan food. The restaurant can accommodate 200+ customers and is divided in three sections to offer different dining experiences. The casual ‘Marketplace’ area is a relaxed space with a theatrical kitchen setup where customers can watch chefs prepare the signature dim sum and noodle dishes. The ‘Dining’ section caters to upmarket diners with plush booth seats and chic hanging lamps. Lastly, the old-worldly bar is lit up with light orbs on brass stands and serves exquisite cocktails alongside Chinese tapas. In a rush to buy some souvenirs before catching your flight? Jewel Changi Airport is home to many local staples like Bengawan Solo, Old Chang Kee, Bee Cheng Hiang and Rich & Good Cake Shop, all of which are sporting a refreshed look in their new outlets. BENGAWAN SOLO (#01-228/229) Bengawan Solo is a local confectionery chain who went for an upmarket vibe at its new Jewel Changi outlet where customers can feast on the signature selection of kueh found in outlets all over Singapore. Their usual no-fuss design was replaced by garden-themed interior elements to tie in with Jewel’s backdrop. At the door, customers are met with a table decked out in kueh, and the cake display inside is framed by a trellis decorated with orchids. Visitors can head over to the demonstration section where they can watch the experts behind the counter create delectable treats like kueh lapis. RICH & GOOD CAKE SHOP (#01-232) Rich & Good Cake Shop is a well-known name among Singaporeans. The popular swiss roll shop has been around for decades and took their rebranding strategy very seriously when they rolled out the new venue in Jewel. The entire look was reimagined – Millennial-ised, if you will. The sleek baby pink cake counter is rimmed with gold and LED screens were installed to display the shop’s iconic cake flavours and trusted baking process. 10 flavours of the famed Swiss rolls are currently available, sold in two size variations. Changi Food : a new challenge? When Jewel Changi first opened its doors, it remained to be seen whether the ambitious goal of drawing 40-50 million visitors in the first year would be reached. But barely after the six-month mark, Jewel already exceeded its own expectations. The key takeaway from this experiential F&B journey is that social media is taking on a more significant role and influencing customers’ decision making, meaning a successful dining destination isn’t just about the quality of the food, but also the design, marketing, atmosphere and service. If you want to see how this idea plays out in the industry, a trip to the iconic Jewel will be well worth it in proving brick-and-mortar is still alive and kicking in Singapore. 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Top 30 Instagrammable Stores In Singapore These days, store design is all about creating spaces deemed ‘Instagrammable’ to capture the attention of Millennials. Need some inspiration? Take a look at our favourite Instagram-worthy stores in Singapore from Jewel Changi, Orchard Road and Dempsey Road to the CBD, Chinatown, Tiong Bahru, Bugis and the City Hall region. JEWEL CHANGI 1. Apple Jewel Store The 8m-high curved glass façade makes an impressive entrance against the Jewel Vortex waterfall. Up your IG game with “The Magic of Jewel Photo Walk”, a photography workshop where Apple staff impart invaluable tips and tricks for your Apple iPhone, one of the 200 products on display in this sprawling customer experience center. Address: 78 Airport Boulevard 2. Durasport Jewel Store A quick glance at Durasport’s façade will leave shoppers awed — the spacious ultra-performance sports store is wrapped in high-grade stainless steel, made to appear as if in dynamic motion. Think a scene straight out of Star Wars’ revolutionary battleships, with segments that provide hands-on experiential zones via simulators for serious cyclists, skiers, climbers, and triathletes. This allows shoppers to test the various sportswear or equipment before making a decision to purchase. Address: Jewel Changi, 78 Airport Boulevard 3. Skechers Jewel Store The 5,000 squarefeet duplex store’s interior has been designed with an overall modern and sleek look, achieved through the use of bright lighting, neon signage against cement panels. This store also offers a range of exclusive shoes for customization. Address: Jewel Changi, 78 Airport Boulevard 4. Pokemon Center Singapore At the Pokemon Center Singapore, water-type Pokemon were chosen to decorate the store as Singapore is an island surrounded by water. Therefore, greeting you at the entrance is a Lapras being ridden by Pikachu and head to the back to view a Gyarados doing the “Merlion”. These make fun photo spots within the store. Address: Jewel Changi, 78 Airport Boulevard 5. Naiise Iconic Jewel Store Spanning almost 9,500 square-feet across its twostorey space, Naiise Iconic truly brings together local collaboration, retail technology, and unique experiences including a tea-bar and cafe that customers can only get in-store. Address: Jewel Changi, 78 Airport Boulevard 6. Make Hero A new “affordable luxury” Japanese skincare and cosmetics concept store, Make Hero is thoughtfully divided into dedicated skincare, haircare and perfume sections for customers to test the samples available. The hip pink facade and feminine interior also make this an Insta-worthy shop. Address: Jewel Changi, 78 Airport Boulevard ORCHARD/DEMPSEY 7. Dover Street Market The multi-label store – the fourth in the world after London, Tokyo and New York – stocks 25 designer brands that range from Comme des Garçons and Anti Social Social Club to Céline and The Row. Housed in a converted army barracks with high ceilings, black cagelike grills as racks, and a colorful ‘cashier’ hut, customers would be forgiven if theymistake this for an art gallery. Address: Block 18, 18 Dempsey Road 8. Siri House A new multi-concept space that is equal parts design showroom, restaurant/bar and retail nook. It’s certainly swanky, with a touch of island life vibes from the foliage wallpaper motifs and wooden wardrobes stocked full of trinkets. The creativity extends to Siri House’s Art Space, which will showcase new exhibitions every quarter. Address: Block 8D, Dempsey Road 9. Chez vous Hideaway An experiential space where people can relax, have fun, and of course, take a load of pictures in the 1,800 square-feet salon which holds seven different Instagrammable zones. Address: Ngee Ann City Tower B, 391b Orchard Road 10. Reebok Vector Club Reebok just opened their newest flagship store at Orchard Central. For the first time in Singapore, you’ll be able to find their line of classic apparel in their new Vector Sport concept store – perfect for both hypebeasts and sportswear enthusiasts alike. Address: Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road 11. Sephora Takashimaya Sephora Takashimaya is the first store in Southeast Asia to offer Skincredible, a skincare consultation service that helps you determine your skin needs and the “Fragrance Boutique” concept. The ceiling to floor screens with extravagant videos of people having fun with all things beauty also make great IG Story moments. Address: Takashimaya Shopping Centre, 391 Orchard Road 12. Surrender Store This independently owned, single-location store is one of the hippest shopping destinations in Singapore. Hard-edged galleristas, unabashed runway worshippers, and cool kids come here for trendsetting designers from Asia, Europe, and beyond. Address: 268 Orchard Road CBD/CHINATOWN/TIONG BAHRU 13. Gentle Monster The Marina Bay Sands store, like its ION counterpart, contains a series of abstract installations that are futuristic and fascinating. Address: 2 Orchard Turn 14. Oplus Oplus is the first locally grown single label eyewear brand with a true manufacturing background. To showcase their ethos of “minimalist in its designs but maximalist in its craftsmanship”, the goldtinged boutique baths in light and sleekdisplay cases. Address: 6A Shenton Way 15. Monument Lifestyle Store & Cafe Monument Lifestyle brings together two of the best things in life under one roof – shopping and eating. Currently, the store carries retail products from carefully curated brands for men only. Address: 75 Duxton Road 16. The Social Space The decor, with its long rustic wood table and rattan furniture, gives us instant Bali vibes – not to mention the killer smoothie bowls you’d expect to be slurping in Seminyak. The retail aspect of The Social Space showcases beautiful pieces by businesses with an ethical or environmental purpose, and social enterprises. With its ethical boutique, refill station and a social enterprise nail salon on the way, The Social Space is so much more than just a beautiful new cafe. Address: 333 Kreta Ayer Road 17. Straits Clan Straits Clan aims to facilitate cross-pollination between professionalsfrom a wide range of industries, and it does so in great style. With its welcoming atmosphere captured in a palette of onyx, concrete, rattan and lush tropical greenery that effortlessly ties in with the neighborhood, members are warmly invited into this beautiful, calming space. Address: 31 Bukit Pasoh Road 18. White Label Records Settling into the swish neighbourhood of Ann Siang Hill, White Label Records is a hip record store by day and trendy bar by night. The stylish space is also the perfect hangout for music enthusiasts to kick back and relax over some food and drinks, browse through an endless list of records and catch popular DJs in action. Address: 28 Ann Siang Road 19. Cat Socrates An unorthodox, catfriendly retail store, Cat Socrates is a cozy, endearing Indie lifestyle store with various books, accessories, apparels and art from local artists and designers. With its warm and inviting atmosphere and unique interior, it’s a perfect place to snap a photo which shows off your love for your furry felines! Address: 78 Yong Siak Street 20. Calla Lily A lush and intimate space designed to reflect the personalised service provided at Calla Lily. The feminine design really speaks to the personality of the brand inspired by gem setting. The boutique uses contrasting textures and flexible furniture in blush palette that make the space Insta-worthy. Address: 56 Eng Hoon Street 21. Books Actually Housing the largest collection of Singapore publications, English literature books as well as trinkets and stationery, Books Actually is a unique vintage quaint bookshop with a relaxing atmosphere. A favorite place amongst avid readers to snap a “inspo” quote for their Instagram feed. Address: 9 Yong Siak Street BUGIS/CITY HALL 22. Raffles Boutique Previously known as the Raffles Gift Shop, the new Raffles Boutique takes its place at the restored Raffles Arcade featuring a brand new retail concept. Shoppers will be able to enjoy a cuppa and homemade pastries at the refreshed Ah Teng’s Cafe while browsing well loved souvenirs and gourmet products that are set amidst a heritage gallery that showcases the illustrious heritage of Raffles Singapore. Address: 3 Seah Street 23. Gallery & Co. Retail and gift shops located within a museum are hardly eye-catching, but Gallery & Co. defies that norm – A concept store set up by renowned names such as Unlisted Collection, Foreign Policy Design, and Luxasia, Gallery and Co. carries unconventional tote bags, stationery, and art from collaborations by Southeast Asian and International artists. Address: National Gallery, 1 St Andrew’s Road 24. Lee Hwa Jewel Space A new experiential boutique, modelled after that of an art gallery, aiming to connect with the millennial shoppers. Customers can spend their day in the boutique browsing the products, learning more about jewellery and creating bespoke pieces at a workshop. Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard 25. Love, Bonito Love, Bonito’s third and largest store at the newly-reopened Funan mall is a feminine and fun retail wonderland that encourages you to touch, feel, play and take lots of photos. Fresh as a peach is the entrance of the new store, with lots of peachy-cute curves and a modern-retro vibe. Lots of space to breathe in all the fast fashion goodness, and also queue up to pay for your purchases. Address: Funan, 107 North Bridge Road 26. Tong Tong The Tong Tong shop is a darling little corner in Shaw Towers – shoppers can’t help but notice this mysterious looking tunnel that directs you to places unknown. The interior of the shop has retro tiles and speckled with vintage Chinese memorabilia. Address: 100 Beach Road 27. Supermama Store Supermama works closely with many design/art studios in Singapore and traditional craft facilities in Japan to produce meaningful “omiyage” (contemporary giftware) that represents the Singapore culture. Using culture as a context to design, Supermama delves into the fine line between cultural artefacts, everyday objects and the concept of basic luxury – that everyone can own a piece of heritage. Address: 265 Beach Road 28. Aesop No retail guide would be complete without including an Aesop store as a designated stop. Inspired by Singapore’s rich maritime history, Aesop Raffles City is an intriguing mix of modern design and nautical tradition. From the two-toned palette to the slick finishes, you are stepping into a slice of history from the moment you cross the door. Address: Raffles City Shopping Centre, 1 Harbourfront Walk 29. Sifr Aromatic Store Unlike most perfume shops and perfume counters in malls, there will be no “assault of the senses” when shoppers enter. It’s a VM treat with midnight blue wall, solid wood fixtures, literary quotes and books on the shelves. The vintage-style French perfume bottles, Egyptian glass vials, miniature trees which upon a close look were stands to hang aroma pendants, and the rows and rows of perfumes, complete this multi-sensory store. Address: 42 Arab Street 30. Kapok NDC Store Located on the ground floor of the National Design Centre (NDC), it is a perfect place to indulge yourself in good design. The new cafe area extends to the serene courtyard, overlooking the classic architecture of the historic St. Joseph’s church. The full-fledged lifestyle retail concept spanning 2,300 squarefeet space, will showcase over 100 labels from international and Asian brands, of which Singapore-based labels will take up a quarter mix. Address: National Design Centre, 111 Middle Road This article is based on the session, ‘Store Design for an Instagrammable Age’ presented by greater group’s Asia Design Director, Nina Miranti, at the Singapore Retail Industry Conference & Exhibition 2019. The free guide, ‘Top 30 Instagrammable Stores in Singapore’, can be downloaded here. Download your free guide here! Read More
POST MALONE JIBBITZ : LIMITED EDITION CROCS IN AUSTRALIA Post Malone’s limited edition camo-green crocs are are available on Australian market. The rapper announced his third collaboration with the American shoe retailer, Crocs. Read more about this collaboration in our retail design blog. Post Malone X Crocs will be exclusively available online in Australia and in-store at Culture Kings in Sydney. Austin Richard Post, known by his artist name ‘Post Malone’, has gained international popularity for his varied blend of musical genres and easy-paced style of rapping. His fashion choices are as diverse as the music he produces and he has never been secretive about his love for his trusty crocs, which he regularly flexes both on and off stage. Post Malone X Crocs – where can you buy it? Post Malone X Crocs will be exclusively available online in Australia and in-store at Culture Kings in Sydney. Stock is limited and a one-pair-per-customer policy has been set in place. Following the success of his previous uniquely designed crocs, Posty didn’t wait for grass to grow under his feet. His first two collaborations with Crocs were respectively released in November and December 2018. The first design featured a white clog stamped with the Posty Co. logo and the second a bright yellow barbed wired motive, mimicking his signature wire-tattoos across his face and wrists. In addition to the launch of the new design, the exclusive Post Malone Jibbitz are set to return – little plastic charms used to customise crocs by pushing it through the holes of the shoes. The Post Malone charms include the Posty Co. logo and a model of his famous ‘Stay Away’ tattoo. His latest green-themed collaboration with Crocs comes after the recent announcement that the artist is rolling out his own cannabis company, Shaboink, later this year. Like Mr Malone once rightly said, “u can tell a lot about a man by the jibbits on his crocs”. It is this tweet that grabbed the attention of Crocs Chief Marketing Officer Terrence Reilly, who said that the 23-year old creator represents what it means ‘to be comfortable in your own shoes’, making him the perfect match to join forces with their brand. If the shoe fits, wear it – or, in this case, go the extra mile and design your own wonderfully weird clogs. Crocs’s ‘Come As You Are’ campaign celebrates individuals who don’t shy away from embracing their authenticity – a spirit naturally exuded by Post Malone, according to Crocs’s press release. After the previous Post Malone X Crocs design sold out in just 10 minutes, Crocs Australia added a cool feature on their website for shoppers to receive updates on any future collaborations – a great way to stay Posted. (Don’t worry – these puns got us saying ‘wow’ as well.) Crocs Singapore Office – the place where you will be able to design your own crocs! In collaboration with Greater Group, Crocs recently launched their new store in Jewel Changi, Singapore’s world-class, multi-dimensional lifestyle destination airport. The store, designed and built by Greater Group, welcomes shoppers with warm textured paint finishes, natural wooden materials and ample natural light from outside. We can’t wait to see what the eccentric Posty and this fun brand come up with next. To quote the man of the moment himself, we only say ‘congratualations’! Here is a sneak peak of Jewel Changi’s cool new Crocs store. A big thank you to our friends at Crocs Singapore for providing these great images! Read More