Retail Design Expo
Two days of retail therapy set to attract them in their thousands
Words by Emily Martin
March will see an estimated 6,000 designers, architects, marketers, visual merchandisers, shop fitters and suppliers head to London's Olympia for a new show: Retail Design Expo.
Hailed by organisers as the 'essential event for all those responsible for retail design' the show is set to be a one-stop shop for anyone wishing to seek out new ideas, suppliers, or to rub shoulders with leading trendsetters in the field of retail design. The event is also conveniently co-located with Retail Business Technology Expo (RBTE), one of Europe's biggest and fastest growing retail technology solutions show, to ensure an info-packed two days for visitors.
As well as featuring market leading suppliers and thought leading speakers from around the world, the show also includes: Design Pavilion - for design consultancies and architects; Future Laboratories - revealing future trends; Student Awards; live demonstrations; and boundless networking and sales opportunities.
Here is just a snippet of what to expect.
Dalziel and Pow
Retail design consultancy Dalziel & Pow is set to showcase work from five continents, with a client list that includes John Lewis, Jigsaw, Argos, Primark and Debenhams. 'We are really looking forward to the Retail Design Expo,' says group creative director David Dalziel.
'It comes at a time when we are all reappraising the definition of retail design and its impact on the market.' At stand G33, adjacent to the Designer Pavilion area and close to the main seminar suite, the practice will be discussing trends and insights and bringing experience and knowledge to the event with its full studio team in attendance.
Fitch
Global design consultancy Fitch, which has design studios around the world, is exhibiting to keep up to speed with a 'rapidly changing' UK retail sector.
The group has a client list that includes from crystal brand Swarovski to food giant Nestle, and has developed stores for American retailer Target and UK company Ann Summers, as well as showrooms for Indian motorcycle brand Bajaj. 'We're excited that Retail Design Expo is very much about the new and the future,' says Fitch EMEA creative director Alasdair Lennox. 'A new event can really set the tone at an exciting time.
It can set a new agenda because it is not tied to the past.' Fitch can be found at DES8.
Armourcoat
Surface finishes specialist Armourcoat will be bringing new colours and finishes to Retail Design Expo, and plans to reach out to retailers, designers, architects and shop fitters when it unveils its latest product ranges (stand H50). Armourcoat lists international brands, including Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo and DKNY, among its long-standing clients. It says shows and events are a vital way to reach new customers. 'It's a tactile product and people have to experience how it feels,' says Armourcoat group marketing director Daniel Nevitt of the company's latest product, being launched at the event.
iGuzzini
Italian lighting specialist iGuzzini is sponsoring the Invisible Light Lab, a special feature area at the event. The educational display will show retailers, brands and retail designers the latest techniques and technology for highlighting merchandise without drawing attention towards light fixtures or creating unwanted glare.
'It's a problem for a lot of shops: you have spotlights going everywhere and the first thing that hits people when they enter the retail environment is that they are inundated with glare,' says iGuzzini UK sales and marketing director Ian Stanton. iGuzzini's lighting experts will be at the Invisible Light Lab to provide details of the cost lighting systems. i
Wieland Electric
Connection expert Wieland Electric will be taking advantage of Retail Design Expo to demonstrate the benefits of its new Gesis MICRO connector system (stand E70) .
A system so small, the Gesis MICRO connector system only requires a small drilled hole for running wiring through and is easy to install with its 'plug-and- play' functionality. Wieland Electric says it's the ideal solution is for connecting discreet LED lighting in display cases or shelving where space is at a premium, so that nothing detracts from items on display.
Zumtobel
The Zumtobel and Thorn Lighting brands, both part of the Zumtobel Group for some years, have become more closely aligned recently. The company will be promoting both brands at Retail Design Expo, emphasising its expertise in lighting controls and retail maintenance, as well as its extensive range of lighting products.
Zumtobel
'We are looking to establish a stronger position in the retail market, in both store new-builds and refurbishments,' says Zumtobel sales director for the end-user, Clive Jackson. 'We now want to be clearly visible as being very active in the retail sector.' Zumtobel and Thorn Lighting will be on stand J61.
