Wood flooring types explained:

There are two types of wood flooring which are likely to be recommended for you. These are solid wood floors which are sometimes referred to as real wood floors and engineered wood floors which are sometimes referred to as semi real wood floors. The two types of floors might look the same, however they are made from completely different materials.

Wood flooring materials explained:

Solid wood floors are made from 100% real wood which gives this type of floor extra strength. This makes it ideal if you are looking to add extra strength to the property. On the other hand, engineered wood floors are made from a combination of wood, plywood and hardwood veneer which means that unlike 100% real wood they will not react to temperature changes. This makes them ideal for places where real wood might shrink or expand.

Wood species types explained:

There are many wood species available to choose from. Starting with the very common to the very exotic and each comes with its own price tag. The most common are oak and walnut which feature in most homes. Both species popularity is driven by their prices, availability and of course from a design prospective, attractive grain markings of the wood. Regardless of the wood species you end up choosing, you should expect the floor to last for 25 years provided the right care is applied.

Wood flooring coatings explained:

Whether you have chosen to fit oak, walnut, solid or engineered flooring, they all require a layer of top coating to protect the floor and to ensure prolong lifespan. The most common floor coats are oiled, brushed and of course oiled and brushed. They not only give the floor that fantastic look, but also serve to protect it from minor scuffs by creating a seal on top of the floor. There are also a variety of more practical oriented coating such as UV lacquered which designed to protect a floor which is subjected to direct sunlight and other dedicated coats.

Ethical and environmental responsibilities:

We encourage you to fit wood species which are not endangered and from sellers who source their woods from sustainable forests. Most sellers will display a type of ethical statement explaining where the wood is sourced from, otherwise you can always ask. It is important that we all take part in conservation efforts, sellers by offering ethically sources woods and yourself by choosing to purchase from reputable sellers.

Article by Michelle Strassburg co founder at wood flooring supplier Wood and Beyond. If you require more information about the type of wood flooring be it solid wood floors or engineered wood floors most suitable for your home or business premises, contact us or get in touch with the team at Barber Design Consultancy Limited.

Guide to Wood Flooring is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Of course, Anthropologie is no stranger to decorating their retail spaces and this is certainly a trend that I hope at least will encourage some of the larger brands to follow and to use localized creativity rather than the out-of-a-manual approach which seems to be, sadly, the case across the globe.

The No-One Fashion and Lifestyle store in Old Street (East London) has perhaps created its presentation out of necessity rather than trend?

As we know small independent retailers do often struggle to keep afloat, with the added issue of global recession I am surprised, and relieved, that they have survived, using cut-out forms, the visual person here has created arms and heads suspended by that old faithful piece of kit in the display person’s tool bag: invisible thread, this in addition to the wonderful paper-engineered shoes and sandals, in essence simple and easy to create, yet effective in doing what it does.

Inspired by the launch of the Quilts exhibition (which dates from 1700-2010) at the Victoria and Albert Museum in the better part of the city (in Kensington), Liberty of London along Regent Street has launched their own delicious handmade pieces designed by the very talented Creative Director Maxine Groucutt.

The Liberty subject for their Quilts, which happens to be porn, has raised a few eyebrows in the press and those who claim to have the public’s interest at heart, but judging by the amount of people stopping to photograph and being photographed next to these windows, it clearly is creating a buzz that the public is interested in, I guess sex does sell after all.

If you happen to be along Regent Street in London soon, you can do no worse than to go and have a look at the team’s porno quilts with their delicious threads and use of their own fabrics; I promise you won’t be shocked.

Window Design and Visual Merchandising on a Budget is a post from the Barber Design Blog

FX Magazine – Beginning to Click is a post from the Barber Design Blog

We recently designed the new American Apparel retail store in Leeds. Working with the LA team and UK offices our brief was to replicate the concept into the new Leeds retail store as part of their UK expansion plans.

The shop design picks up on all that is great about the American Apparel Brand which has won most of the retail awards going!

With womenswear on the ground floor and menswear on the first floor, the 4200sq ft store creates a show stopping retail environment in Briggate the pedestrianised principal shopping streets in central Leeds.

If your passing, pop in and take a look and let us know what you think!

Address: 76 Briggate, Leeds, LS16LH

Website: americanapparel.net

Retail Store design for American Apparel is a post from the Barber Design Blog

This pdf gives you some hints and tips as to how stores are created and how long it takes to do things from the concept to the final fit out of a retail shop.  It’s only a guide and depending upon the size of a project it can take longer but hopefully you might find it useful and something to start the process with.

The guide covers of what you might need to consider to make your retail store successful and mentions elements such as branding, store design, graphic communication and point of sale elements. All of which need to be considered when launching a new store concept.

Download the retail store design manual and let us know what you think.

Retail Store Design Manual is a post from the Barber Design Blog

What’s great is that the graphics in the window have created some immediate impact and awareness of the new business and have resulted in client enquiries already, before the agency has opened its doors to start trading!

Once the store is open we will load up some more shots of the finished interior.
Good luck Tim with the new business, we are looking forward to the launch party!

Draker – Man about town is a post from the Barber Design Blog

As a retail design consultancy we are able to look at how well your store design is performing with our 12 point ‘action plan’ covering the following points:

1 – Window displays – are these up to date, seasonal and engaging to the customer… could they work harder?

2 – In store – is the layout right and do customers find it easy to navigate around your stores and understand the breadth of offers available?

3 – Is the in store graphic communication right – does it speak your ‘customer language’?

4 – Till points – are these used to sell impulse buys to the customer, do they reflect your brand values?

5 – Changing rooms – are these in the right place, are they comfortable, do they showcase the customer in the best way? After all, the customer will make their ‘purchase decision’ in here!

6 – Focal points – are there focal features within your retail store to attract customers, do you use engaging displays to showcase the latest offers.

7 – Will your customers return? – Let’s look at ideas to encourage them to come back. This could be as simple as a thank you above the door or a ‘what’s coming soon message’ or display to encourage customers to return.

8 – Are the materials you use to reflect your brand consistent to your brand values?

9 – Could your shop fitting equipment be more cost effective?

10 – Does your web presence in store drive customers to use your website and visa/versa?

11 – Are lighting levels right and is your lighting energy efficient?

12 – What’s the customer perception of your brand and in-store graphics?

A full report can be created and then discussed with you prior to delivering any design work.

Additional services such as customer research and staff interviews can also be introduced if required.

We hope that the above information helps you look at what might be required when trying to retain customers and attract new ones.

If you need to chat to us about our 12 point action plan, please feel free to get in touch.

Retail Store Design – The Science of Shopping (and our 12 step process) is a post from the Barber Design Blog

All credit goes to the great team at JBL who have built a fantastic brand that is as sophisticated as it is accessible. For our part, we are happy to have played a small part in their success.

Click here to see our work on the James Brown London Salon…….

…….and click here to be taken to the full list of cool brands 2009/2010.

James Brown London Cool Brands List 2009/2010 is a post from the Barber Design Blog

1. Is there a strip out required – i.e. what condition is the unit in already or what condition will it be handed to you in by the landlord?

2. Are any structural works required – i.e. do walls need removing, areas need opening up. Are staircases required or lifts?

3. Is there existing (working) HVAC – Air Conditioning?

4. Is there existing (working) sprinklers?

5. Is there existing (working) lighting – or do you need to replace this to reflect your brands position?

6. Is there existing (working) staff toilets – do they need refurbishing?

7. Is there existing (working) lift if over 2 floors (or is one required?)

8. Is there existing (working) roller shutters (or are these required) ?

9. Is there existing (working) smoke detection and fire alarm panels?

10. Is there an existing (working) safe (if required)

11. Is there an existing shopfront (or does this need replacing to reflect your brand?)

12. Is there existing flooring that could be re-used – or does this need changing to reflect your positioning?

13. Is there existing ceilings that could be re-used?

14. Is there existing fixtures and fittings that could be re-used or re clad.

15. Is there existing cash desk that could be re-used or re clad.

16. Is the building asbestos free? (This can cost a small fortune to remove).

These are only some of the considerations when you take on retail premises. Sometimes vast savings can be made when you take on a retail outlet that has a lot of these elements already covered off or supplied by the landlord.

Cost savings could be huge if you receive a retail store that has been prepared ready for the fit out but circumstances and costs will vary a lot depending on location, cost of remedial work and the condition of the premises on handover form the landlord.

How can I save money on my shopfitting and design process? is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Good design also builds your brand profile and recognition, and design companies need to understand that clients have to get a return on investment into the design process. By working alongside you and understanding your vision, any operational issues and bringing relevant retail experience to the project, the right design company should aim to develop retail environments that increase your profit.

Its worth observing that most successful brands in the world use design as a tool to build their business and invest heavily in creating the right image.  This often comes at an upfront cost but is worth it in the long run. A solid foundation gives businesses the platform to launch their brand, or revise a brand that is faltering or even needs to go in a new direction to capture an ever-moving customer demographic.

Design Companies have to understand which direction you want to go in as a business before any work is done.  Some of the questions that should be asked at an early stage are as follows:

• What’s the vision/end game?  (i.e. an independent store, roll out, franchise, a global chain).
• Is there room for improvement in your current brand recognition, the customer experience and sales and profit?
• What are the key drivers behind the decisions to alter or develop your brand?
• Is funding for the project in place? Are leases signed where appropriate?
• What is the overall budget available?
• What are the operational issues?
• What are the brand values… and are these set in place?
• Who is your customer – demographics, age, opportunity, or who do you want your customer to be?
• What is the timescale?
• What are your thoughts on finishes, materials to reflect your brand identity?

Understanding your brand DNA is the key to creating a profitable and sustainable business that works for you.

• Our methodical BRAND REVIEW approach goes through 12 strategic points to evaluate your current retail offer.
• The outcome of this generates the brief from which design work can be developed, (or indeed not developed in certain areas to save on costs).

Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss our process in more detail.

Without a doubt, the best retails brands invest in their brand and are continually evolving their product/messaging and environment to keep the customer interested.

Why should I use a Design Agency? is a post from the Barber Design Blog

1001 Ideas to Create Retail Excitement

Here at Barber Design we like to read. Though time contstraints mean we struggle to read all that we would like.

If you are setting up a retail store or simply need to get create more impact and drive more sales, the retail design books we have highlighted in the right hand column are worth a read for some great ideas.

There are lots more books on Amazon (over 1,500 in a search for ‘retail design‘) but these will get you going.

We will add more soon. And we promise to read more books ourselves so look out for some reviews.

Retail Design Books is a post from the Barber Design Blog

The Superdry brand was originally started in 2003 by Jamie Dunkerton, owner of the SuperBrands company and the highstreet fashion reseller Cult Clothing.

What began as a niche brand in some trendy London Denim boutiques has mushroomed into one of the most recognisable and sought after brands for the young and trend conscious, battling it out at the top with Jack Wills and All Saints for the ever increasing pound in the pockets of the nation’s youth.

The concept, for those of you who have been living under a rock, is a British take on a Japanese pastiche of American denim. Got that?

The result is block print tee’s, rugged and durable denims and super heavy weight sweatshirts, in a product range that is being added to all the time with luggage, leathers and the lumberjack shirt/sweat bottom combo that no self respecting home counties teen would be seen without.

What is it that has made it so successful? Well, getting the product on trend, good quality and in front of people is the first thing. A bit of luck didn’t go amiss either – David Beckham being pictured first in the now famous Osaka T-shirt, then the Brad leather jacket certainly nudged things in the right direction. See also Jude law, Kate Moss, so on….

For my money though, Superdry is simply a perfect bit of brand design.

Part of their goal is to offer unique twists on classic products, which it does brilliantly with thumb holes in sweatshirts, stitching details in Denim and consistency across product prints and decals.

Another part of the goal is to offer them at realistic prices. This is the key difference. For once a brand not adding a premium to a quality product, but offering 20% better quality at 10% lower price than most competitors. Sure, you’ll find a sweatshirt at the same price, but it will be thin and disappointing. You’ll find a pair of jeans of the same quality, but you’ll pay up to twice as much.

The brand identity design itself is a lesson in clean, clear and concise, combining a Helvetica-like font with the dynamism of Japanese script. Wrapped around a bright orange shopper, there is no other bag to be seen with if stylish quality denim is on your shopping list.

It is when you see the brand on its own turf – in one of its brilliantly designed stores – that you really begin to see the whole picture. The brand, which has a retail store design resource in-house – has expanded rapidly in line with its popularity, and is now opening standalone stores across Europe. In November they opened their first store on Broadway – one of the largest single brand stores on the entire stretch on the famous Manhattan Avenue.

The first thing you notice is the wood. Rough cut oak panels are at the core of the concept, set against brickwork – the perfect symbiosis of Japanese and American industrial aesthetic. Clever lighting features and a stripped back but perfectly finished shell of a building that typifies the brand: an industrial look but done very cleanly, with very neat finish and an eye for details.

Artificial reclaimed fittings are two a penny these days, but where some brands have fallen into a pastiche of themselves, the Superdry retail design subtly incorporates oil splattered gas station signage of a false heritage that would – and doubtlessly does – fool the passing eye.

Fitting room design is a hot topic in retail design these days, and many retailers commit no investment at all to their changing facilities; thereby losing the attention of customers when they are most likely to respond to service, advice and upselling. Whilst simple, the Superdry fitting rooms function well because they are functioning extension of the shopfloor. There is no dusty backroom to explore, just a clean, spacious oak box and camo curtain, opening out into a huge mirror area with lighting design that would make anyone look good.

More and more, this is what customers have come to expect from the retail experience. It simply isn’t enough to have a logo above the door and everything inside painted one colour. The modern consumer buys into the entire experience, and how they identify with a store, how it reflects upon the product and brand they are buying into and perhaps intangibly, how it makes them feel, are now part of the basic requirement for success in retail.

If a store is a home for a brand, I doubt Superdry will be moving any time soon.

Superdry Stores is a post from the Barber Design Blog

I wish them the best of luck in 2010 and beyond – not that they’ll need luck though. With their drive, positive attitude and a great eye for selecting the right product – the Wholesome* family tree will no doubt firmly establish it’s roots very quickly.

You can find pictures below keep up to date will all things Wholesome* on their blog.

WHOLESOME* Boutique, now open @ 47 Rivington Street, Shoreditch, London! is a post from the Barber Design Blog

It was pretty busy in there and after a chat with the entrepreneurs behind it (who were busy working the store and shop floor) they said that its success was overwhelming and the interest it had generated was fantastic.

I really loved the ‘try before you buy’ concept upstairs. A small café where toast and Marmite were being lovingly created for all fans of the brand and for some new Marmite virgins to the product. The best idea was a large table where honest feedback was scribbled on the surfaces, legs and even the chairs. Apparently they had gone through at least for or five tables to date!

In these current tough times it was a real inspiration to see some young mavericks taking a brand by its horns and delivering a great visual concept… for no doubt little cost to create a real brand experience.

I do prefer Bovril but might be convinced to change after a great shopping experience… isn’t that what retail is all about in today’s climate?

Marmite – love it or hate it… it’s here to stay! is a post from the Barber Design Blog

The following is a quote from the Pineapple website…

“Last week saw the official opening of the new flagship Pineapple store in Langley Street, Covent Garden.

Pineapple founder Debbie Moore cut the ribbon on the new store with a champagne reception for invited guests, including supermodel Jodie Kidd, thirty years after the opening of Pineapple Dance Studios across the road in Langley Street.

The new flagship store captures the essence of this unique area of London, with decorative details such as stage door signs and dance barres and wall mirrors.

Set in the building that once housed the old Urdang Dance Academy, the new Pineapple store evokes the hard work and dedication of generations of dancers who have passed through the famous dance studios, and who provided the inspiration for the very first fashion collection by Debbie Moore in 1980.”

“Oranges are not the only fruit…” Let’s not forget PINEAPPLE! is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Currys & PC World Megastore

Welcome to the matrimony of two big name stores, PC World and Currys that’s arrived in Fulham, combining your favourite high street brands. The large site on the Fulham side of Wandsworth Bridge up until recently housed the two superstores under two roofs. But DSG Retail Limited had a vision of a megastore where customers could buy printers alongside hobs, dishwashers and home office furniture, MacBooks next to DeLonghi coffee machines.

The coexistence of the two is an impressive experience, mainly due to the size of the now single store. With an all new interior concept where shelves and promotional areas contain a product mix incorporating both retailer’s portfolios, the perimeter graphics remind the customer whether they are in Currys or PC World territory.

Now we’re into a full-blown recession, combining the stores could be a simple way to reduce staff numbers and the significant overheads attached to operating large retail sites. It is not apparent staff cuts have been made, at 10am the megastore had many staff on duty, each designated to an area of expertise and hopefully improving the level of service both stores are well known for not having. I was approached 5 times in the 8 minutes I was there from unusually overly helpful staff, asking if I needed help (the answer usually being no) but in fairness the customer service is heading in the right direction.

Currys and PC World Megastore Fulham, London. is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Converting these potential customers into actual customers often rests on the brand experience they receive.

Additionally, once converted into repeat customers, they will return to your branch and will receive good or bad experiences based on their expectations. This determines whether they become long term customers or chose to shop elsewhere.

The physical experience needs to match the one they have created in their mind through different channels such as websites, television advertising, radio or direct mail. And often the reality at shop level does not meet with the preconceived image created in their own mind by the advertising they are seduced by.

We here at Barber Design consider all sorts of things when creating the perfect shopping experience.

Considerations include, the exterior (the customers first impression of the brand) and what is being done to seduce customers into your store?
The immediate experience in store, i.e. what do your customers see when they land in your retail space?
Store navigation – how easy is it for your customers to penetrate into the retail environment and how can you encourage them to spend dwell time in your store?
Customer communication – are customers aware of your full offers and how can they be encouraged to understand this?

Amongst many other things the experience is paramount to making customers trust your brand, know what to expect when they are in your store and feel proud to be customer of yours.

“Winning Customers” – it’s all about the experience… is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Xmas Installations in Paris! is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Urban Outfitters Christmas window display

Barber’s monthly visual round up of what’s happening in the world of store window displays is now available on our Flickr page. Just visit Barber’s Flickr Page for your first instalment of 2009’s Christmas window schemes in Central London!

My personal favourite was this window vinyl by Urban Outfitters (below) – possibly the cheapest of all the window displays I took photos of – however it’s simple abstract take on Christmas really reiterated the values of the brand.

That said you cannot beat a Selfridges window for drama or for it’s sense of tradition – the windows of Selfridges are somewhat of a Christmas institution and this year’s efforts add well to that heritage. You can check out the Selfridges windows on our Flickr page too.

Christmas Window Display Photos is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Despite the design costs and actual fit out of a retail environment (based on the look you want to achieve) there are may things to consider when looking at premises. They all have an impact on overall budget costs when considering a new store design and fit out.

Below is a list of some of the elements that need to be considered…

1. Is there a ’strip out’ required? i.e. what condition is the unit in already or what condition will it be ‘handed over to you’ in?
2. Is there a need for any structural work? i.e. do walls need removing? areas need opening up? are staircases required or lifts?
3. Is there existing (working) HVAC (Air Conditioning)?
4. Are there existing (working) sprinklers?
5. Is there existing (working) lighting? or do you need to replace this to reflect your brands position?
6. Are there existing (working) staff toilets? do they need refurbishing?
7. Is there an existing (working) lift (if over 2 floors) or is this required?
8. Are there existing (working) roller shutters (or are these required)?
9. Are there existing (working) smoke detection and fire alarm panels?
10. Is there an existing (working) Safe (if required)?
11. Is there an existing shopfront? (or does this need replacing to reflect your brand?)
12. Can the existing flooring be re-used? Or does this need changing to reflect your positioning?
13. Can the existing ceiling be re-used?
14. Are there existing fixtures and fittings that could be re-used or re clad?
15. Is there an existing cash desk that could be re-used or re clad?
16. Is the building asbestos free? (this can cost a small fortune to remove!)

“What will it cost to fit out my store?” is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Do you agree with these statements? Do you have any others?

International Retail Design Conference, Dallas Texas: The Top 10 Trend Statements is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Not so long ago, it was simply a question of perception, and prone to the cynical mantra; “If you are selling it; its vintage. If you are buying it; its second hand”. Today, that response would be woefully inaccurate. The vintage market has extended away from selective lifestyle boutiques in the east end and permeated every aspect of our lives.

No season at Topshop would be complete without the cross merchandising juxtaposition of hyper-futuristic and bygone chintz and glamour, and Marc Jacobs have announced they will soon be selling genuine vintage military clothing alongside their core collection in one London Boutique. Furniture manufacturers like Habitat and Ercol have begun to look back through their own catalogues of far-gone decades for inspiration; Paul Smith has for years merchandised vintage art, literature and furniture alongside his collections to add texture and depth to the scope of his brand and his fashion design and the vintage fragrance market has exploded, with brands like the wartime Worth and (yes, you guessed it) Yardley having a sudden and unpredictable uplift in interest.

The online art gallery Keep Calm Gallery developed it’s whole business around an initial run of the now famous ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ print, a wartime relic reproduced from a chance find, and now market prints and originals from a host of vintage inspired artists. They recently issued a collection of French language posters originally designed to invoke dissent amongst students during the May riots of 1968.

The Music Industry has traditionally pushed the Vintage vibe further than any other, its heroes and villains harking back to ’77 punk or ’81 Joy Division. Anyone who actually lived through the 80s was horrified to discover that neon pink, acid yellow and electric blue (at the same time) were off the banned list and had been made acceptable, nay vital in fashion collections from 2007 onward (and still going strong) all thanks to a few renaissance ravers who didn’t start school till the nineties.

Perhaps the logical conclusion to vintagemania comes from the music industry also. Guitar manufacturers Gibson and Fender have seen prices for models from the 1950’s and 1960’s go through the roof, driven by baby boomers wanting to buy back a piece of their youth. Fender even produce not one but two ranges of guitars – the ‘relic’ and ‘road worn’ series – artificially aged to look as though they have sustained 30 years of life on the road. These models can cost twice as much as a brand spanking new guitar, which is otherwise identical, just new-looking; something we used to consider a virtue.

Creating a buzz in Brighton at the moment is the latest opening from Beyond Retro – the vintage clothing emporium that first opened its doors on Brick Lane in 2000. Inside is 2000 square foot, floor to ceiling utopia of male and female fashion, furniture, gifts and accessories that could keep you busy for hours – or even longer if you just can’t decide between that 1980s Duran Duran t-shirt, the 50’s rockabilly jacket or the oh-so-now vintage army boots. Of course, the question is; Where does all this stuff come from? It’s anyone’s guess, but you can bet there is a warehouse of currently unloved cast-off’s from the early nineties just waiting to swing back into fashion.

It’s also something we see more of coming through our doors here at Barber Design, as peoples tastes are influenced by and aligned with the constantly evolving retail landscape. A recent project we completed for the James Brown London Salon was around 60% vintage furniture and the perennially popular All Saints and Paul Smith concepts are a much cited reference point for everything from Bars to Restaurants, fashion boutiques to hair salons.

The reasons are simple. It speaks to our sense of heritage, our need for perspective and texture in our lives, and perhaps more than anything, our desire to communicate our own ‘brand’ – our tastes and preferences. And of course, having something unique, or close to unique that has withstood the test of time.

My grandfather used to say that you could keep something for seven years and the week you throw it away you’ll need it. Not so any more – keep it for 30 years, you may find a buyer…

Justin Langshaw, Head of 3D at Barber Design

The Relentless March of Vintage is a post from the Barber Design Blog

We’ve all seen gaudy bright lit fascias offering Texan fried chicken, we all notice the windows of a local boutique who still have the look from the summer of ‘87 in them, but how can we encourage retailers to raise their game?

I have, in the past, worked with developers such as Land Securities and Donaldson’s on retail standards at developments across the UK (such as Cabot Circus in Bristol and Whitefriars in Canterbury). The procedure was pretty straight forward, retailers submitted their designs and we ensured that they met he required standard and in certain instances providing an affordable design service for independent stores. The results were excellent not only in terms of the quality of design and build but also in the pacing of the stores mixed with leisure and entertainment.

This however was done with a private company with retailers wanting to try harder competing with other brands in a highly desirable new retail development, so how could this work for a council when they don’t have the same powers of retailers private leases?

One way could be enforce tougher planning laws as when leases expire or new retailers move and create a marked improvement over time. However insuring at the same time we don’t homogenise the high street. This would help with architectural elements such as signage but how about window displays etc? Perhaps introducing a financial incentive for independent retailers through reduced council tax for maintaining their windows and store fronts?

For any such scheme to work, the benefits must be made clear to the retailers to avoid the perception its merely more red tape or a new form of tax, previsions should be made for people to have access to specialist help, after all it’s a benefit to us all – the retailer, the customers and the wider community.

Any thoughts? Leave a comment below.

A question of (Retail) standards… is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Le Creuset – ‘Winter Warmer’ Campaign 2009 by Barber! is a post from the Barber Design Blog

James Brown: Supermodel Salon on E4 (Also on 4oD) is a post from the Barber Design Blog

We were short-listed in two categories “Best In-Store Branding – Jessops” & “Best Non-Fashion Retail – James Brown Salon“.

A great night was had by all and it’s always a proud moment when your peers acknowledge/vote for you as one of the industries best.

Congratulations to all the winners & we promise that we’ll be back next year – and next time, we’ll go home with an award!

VM & Display Awards 2009! is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Halloween Visual Merchandising – American (Grocery Store) Style! is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Student Thesis Overview:
I started my research looking at the relationship between consumers, soft furnishings and design. During this research I realised that most consumers of soft furnishing accessories do not recall a brand when they think about buying these products. Following some observation into department stores and stores that sells products from different brands, I realised that these articles most of the time were presented together, normally stuck in a shelf without clear differentiation in terms of brand. For this reason I decided to develop a design and brand strategy to improve brand awareness at point of purchase of department stores. For soft furnishing accessories for the living room I am referring to cushions, throws and ready-made curtains.

Questions:

Q1 – How do you think a customer buying soft furnishings accessories for the living room could be better engaged with a specific brand?

DB: Often it is hard to envisage how certain items look in your own environment until you take them home. Could there be the opportunity to try before you buy or offer a 2-week trial of specific elements, this might reassure the customer when purchasing? Additionally – the brand needs to make better products at a better price. Why not inform the customer where the product comes from and who is being supported in the process (i.e. communities and the effect your purchase has upon them). This makes the product have more of an emotional tie in and customers become ‘fans of the brand’ and are more inclined to become loyal supporters of a cause behind the purchase. Brands like innocent drinks do this with their smoothies. They also give 10% of profits back to charities/communities that are involved in their manufacturing process.

Q2 – How do you think we can create differentiation at the point of purchase to improve brand awareness?

DB: Brands need to try hard to explain at the point of purchase the benefits of buying their product – i.e. recycled materials/carbon footprint/Environmentally friendly products/the benefits of their product – i.e. lifetime guarantee. In the current market people are looking to buy ethically and may also spend more if they feel good about their purchase. Cost is not always the driver behind a purchase, i.e. people will spend more if they believe in the product and its values.

Q3 – What is your opinion about the current display of these articles? Do you think department stores should change the way they display these products? If so in which way?

DB: Many stores get this right and also many get it wrong! Brands like IKEA encourage purchase by creating well laid out room sets where the products are in a ‘setting customers can visualise’ lots of brands don’t really showcase their projects well and this is reflected in their sales. Many brands are also jumping on the celebrity bandwagon and promoting homeware products designed by TV stars that don’t often have any design training. This is a fashionable approach rather than a long-term view of a brands direction. Habitat have introduced many ‘classic’ products back to their market designed by individuals that have a high design pedigree. Many of these products stand the test of time and will look good in 10-20 years. i.e. the classic furniture ranges and fabrics etc designed by people such as Lucienne Day.

Q4 – Do you think product tags should be re-designed to attract more customer attention and emphasize the brand? What elements do you think it is important to have on the tag?

DB: Tags should be able to inform at a detailed level. In signage navigation there is a need to identify product departments, i.e. homeware, then – i.e. cushions. Once you get to your destination the tags need to differentiate the product from its competitor and communicate the virtues of that purchase e.g. made with recycled material, supporting communities, the cost (obviously) and why the cost is this price – i.e. the product has a guarantee for 10 years and is recyclable etc. Brands need to work hard to communicate their values and what they stand for.
Over and above the profit they make, Brands need to share their vision and build a ‘fan base’ that is loyal to them over and above price. Again I cite innocent drinks. They brought a product to the market that was the most expensive, had the shortest shelf life but they communicated their vision and the health aspects of their drinks (i.e. – 100% fruit etc) and this (along with their social stand and profit share have helped them build the business very quickly into a successful business that has loyal fans. This is not obviously homewares but the same principles apply.
There is a great book called ‘Authentic Business’ by Neil Crofts that would be worth reading if you get the chance, its all about building sustainable businesses that create loyal fan bases.

Doug Barber (MD, Barber Design Consultancy) Brunel Student Q+A Session… is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Shop!

It doesn’t get much more impactful (or cost effective) than this!

This fine example of retail signage was spotted on a beach in Cornwall this August.

If you look closely, you will also notice that this fresh lobster and crab seller has even added a bit of directional signage too!

Retail Signage – Cornish beach style! is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Do check out the show – we’re sure it’s going to be great, and will no doubt feature loads of shots of the lovely salon (did I mention that it was designed by us?!) and no doubt lots of Kate Moss too for all you Kate fans!

‘James Brown – Supermodel Salon’ – Channel 4, Tuesday 13th October at 10pm! is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Justin in his full Ben Sherman clad glory!

Justin and his band ‘The Burning Books’, headliners at this years Guildford Festival, were very kindly supplied with outfits for their show, courtesy of the lovely people at Ben Sherman!

Ben Sherman, sponsors of the main stage at the event, very kindly offered to kit out the band too, following a meeting between Barber and Andrew Horton, Ben Sherman’s Group Retail Director.

Many thanks to all at Ben Sherman.

Barber Design’s Justin Langshaw in Ben Sherman collaboration! is a post from the Barber Design Blog

We are pleased to announce the latest Jessops store opening using the new design format created and developed by Barber Design.

The Guildford store follows on from the successful store design and build in Westfield, New Oxford Street and The Strand. Barber Design worked with Jessops to develop the site, including the store layout, planning and implementation, and used our expertise in retail design in getting the store through Guildford City Council’s rigorous planning procedures.

The store has been a great success with many customers thinking the store was a new location for the company, such is the increase in impact it has had in this local destination shopping town.

Jessops, Guildford – New ‘Barber format’ store now open! is a post from the Barber Design Blog

For me it’s the simplicity of the circles & the whole ‘playing with proportions’ thing that really grabs my attention.

Hmmm… been done before right? well yes… but has it been done better? I’d say probably not!

Local architect Chikara Ohno designed the store using only three elements – the color white, the circle shape and lighting.

And in that same spirit of minimalism, I’m going to summarise my thoughts on this store in only two words – simply wonderful!

My new favourite store… is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Justin Langshaw, Head of 3D at the Barber Design Consultancy

Barber Design’s very own Head of 3D – Justin Langshaw, was recently invited by Retail Week to share his thoughts in their weekly ‘Good Shop, Bad Shop’ article.

The article, in which an industry expert highlights his/her best and worst stores on the UK High St, can be seen below in its original format – and to think, this was Justin’s edited version! poor (old) Clinton Cards, bless them!

Good Shop, Bad Shop
Taken from Retail Week – 28 Aug 2009

Good Shop: Muji

I think all designers like Muji. A promised land of well ordered and well considered solutions to everyday life, devoid of cynicism, driven by necessity and the fundamental balance between quality and cost. Every store is an oasis of calm that you can happily potter about in, discovering rewarding objects that you never knew you needed until now, or if you did; you probably already bought one for twice as much somewhere else.

Bad shop: Clinton Cards

A stock level that borders on the incomprehensible, a product range that swings violently between suburban kitsch and outdated vulgarity and a shop design that looks like a cross between a Formica kitchen and a civil service office.

It is entirely possible to enter a Clinton Cards looking for something as ubiquitous as a 30^th birthday card and spend 15 minutes digging through the piles of dead trees and come up with nothing you would willingly give to anyone you call a friend.

If card giving is meant to be a reflection of self, Clinton is holding up a mirror to the diminishing sections of our society, and with Paperchase’s expansion, their omnipresence must be due a challenge.”

Barber Design, ‘Good Shop, Bad Shop’ – Retail Week, August 2009 is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Timberland Store, Westfield, London

We’ve just created the Barber Design Flickr account and uploaded a few retails shots from a recent trips to Brighton and Westfield in London’s Shepherd’s Bush.

We’re hoping to get out and about each month and look at what’s going on in the world of retail design.  So many of our clients say they never manage to get away from their desks so we are hopefully going to be the eyes and ears on the retail street and bring all of this research to your fingertips.

Rob visited Jamie Oliver’s ‘Recipease’ in Brighton and KFC’s new concept along with ‘My Hotel Bar’ that launched recently into the Brighton Scene.

Justin and James went off to Westfield and had a look at what some of the Retail Brands are doing at the moment.

We’ll be posting photos to Flickr regularly or you can sign up to our newsletter at the top of the website and we can let you know what’s going on each month in the world of retail design.

Please feel free to leave your comments on the Flickr photos and tell us what you think of the stores out there!

Barber Design on Flickr is a post from the Barber Design Blog

It's all about visual attraction!

Its only at the store that the customer touches your brand.

Retailers have to appear to be fresh and innovative, even re-invent themselves to seduce brand followers and fans.  This must be done within the context of keeping loyal to your own brands core identity.

Once customers feel the buzz they will want to return to repeat the experience.

Your windows fundamentally should:

Create Impact

They should also set the brand space within the window…..ie. define the parameters of the space allowed or allocated. They Should also seduce the customer.  There should be flexibility within the design to make them changeable or seasonal with maximum cost allowances.

Your windows should also……

Inform the viewer.  Inspire your target shopper and allow the customer to engage with your brand.  Fundamentally windows are there to increase your sales and promote ranges of your product.

Windows also need to be efficient and cost effective, easy to change and update by staff.  Any fixturising should reinforce your brand values and the creativity of your brand.

Engage/Excite/Entice are the key words to consider.

Ultimately its about using your window displays get customers in your door!

In terms of a brief we believe the following points are paramount to providing the solution to windows that really work and drive customer loyalty.

The Brief:

• What’s your motive…the big idea?
• What’s your end goal, discount offers, new offers, seasonal awareness?
• Consider your brand language – does your offer fit with your overall brand message?
• Are you tying in your window campaign with your current online/offline advertising campaign.
• Is your offer ‘on trend’

We can help you in a number of different ways……

• Develop a brief with you to understand your core message.
• Create visual sketch ideas to look at different routes to communicate your offer.
• Finalise proffered route and develop to a finite solution.
• Return to brief to ensure all elements of brief are met.
• Sign off preferred route.
• Prototype final brief
• Test brief in a prototype environment
• Critique and make final amends.
• Develop guidelines and cost parameters for roll out to all stores

Would you like your windows displays to engage, excite and entice? Then contact Barber Design.

Window Schemes – The Shopfront to your World! is a post from the Barber Design Blog

This depends on many factors of the entire design process, for example, what is our involvement, what is required by our design team (and in what timescale) and what elements will be covered by external agencies or other contractors (if anything)?

Here at Barber Design Consultancy we can do the whole shebang – from brand identity, in store graphic communication (i.e. your messaging and departmental signage) along with creating complete store concepts, planning applications, space planning, full CAD drawing packs (for contractors to price and build from) and project management!  So there’s no need to look elsewhere for your retail design needs but some companies do prefer to do their own PR, POS or in store graphics in-house.  We are always happy to do the bits you want us to deliver.  In principle the overall budget needs to be considered for your shopfit.

This has to be realistic and we can help guide you through this process.

In general a design fee is usually around 10-15% of the total shop design budget.  If you want to open additional sites and roll out the concept developed the cost for rolling out the project can be reduced.  You must remember that the original design is the most important part of the process and always costs more to develop.  Without this shopfitting contractors have nothing to price against and by cutting corners in the early stages you will often spend more money in the long run.

Its worth remembering that the best brands out there invest heavily in design because they know how important it is to stand out from the competition and they know that good and targeted design helps sell more products.  Not only that, a well managed design process with adequate time to produce necessary information will mean your project runs as quickly and smoothly as possible as soon as it arrives on site.

To help us accurately cost for a job, it’s always useful to cover off the following questions:

• Has the retail unit been sourced?
• Will it meet your business’s footfall requirements?
• Have you investigated whether your proposed venture will be suitable in the location (by looking at nearby retailers or asking residents or from customer surveys)?
• Have you agreed the lease?
• Do existing plans and elevations exist of the unit or building and do you possess these? If not we would have to do a survey of the site.
• Do you need to change the usage of the shop (A1, A2, etc)?
• Have you already considered how the layout would be and do you have floor plans of how you would like the shop designed?
• Do you have any inspirational images of things you really like, or some idea of how your competitors position themselves to help us kick-start the design process.
• Do you have any designs for your counter and units and know what each of them will contain?
• Do you have a logo and brand already?
• Do you have an idea on how you would like the shopfront and interior design to look (incl. colours)?
• Have you considered the new DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) that affects both staff and customers and how this may affect the retail environment?
• Do you need planning permission to change the signage or shopfront, etc?
• Do you have an agreed date when you get the keys to the premises from the landlord?
• Have you allowed enough time to get the shopfit ready?
• Do you have a set budget to spend on the design?
• Do you have a set budget to spend on the shopfitting?
• Have you thought about fire alarms, air conditioning, heater curtains, emergency lighting, electric doors, security, etc?
• Do you know what flooring, wall finishes, lighting and ceiling you will want?
• Have you involved a shopfitter to give a quote?

Alternatively, we can work with reliable and quality driven contractors we’ve used previously and organise a selection of quotes for you for the store fit out.

A good indication of or knowing the answer to these questions early on helps ensure the design process runs smoothly and to help keep costs down.

Interested in discussing your retail design requirements with Barber Design? Then get in touch!

Retail Shop Design – Checklist is a post from the Barber Design Blog

We have just finished our exhibition at the 2009 In-Store Show, London’s Olympia.

We met lots of lovely new clients, a few existing clients and a few suppliers with some great new products. Thanks to James for the funky new graphics and also allsigns group for the rapid printing of them. Hope to see you all there again in 2010!

In-Store Show 2009 is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Barber styles salon for star hairdresser James Brown

“Barber has designed the first salon for celebrity hairdresser James Brown, who counts Kate Moss among his clients.”

Content only accessible to Design Week subscribers.

Design Week News! is a post from the Barber Design Blog

“This shop is great – basically you can go and cook a Jamie fish pie, curry, cottage pie, pizza in the shop.  It only takes 15 minutes and you are given all the prepped ingredients so its really really easy to make!  It’s a well designed store with a cooking area, merchandising area (books, ceramic/glass ware, olives etc) and also a ‘take home to cook’ section (if you’ve haven’t got 15 mins to prep a dish in store).

Not only do you get to bring home a delicious meal ready to pop into your oven, the retail experience is great – well done Jamie!”

Jamie Oliver opens ‘Recipease’ in Clapham Junction is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Vroom Vroom…. is a post from the Barber Design Blog

James very much wanted to have a classic, relaxed and domestic feel to the design.  And true to the Barber way, we listened and delivered.

With distinguished elements and reclaimed materials, a time-honoured environment spreads throughout the salon.

Producing a social and relaxed reception space, incorporating salvaged antique mirrors, large dinging room tables and reclaimed mahogany, this concepts show the vision for the new salon and shopfitters are currently on site working their magic.

The James Brown Experience is set to turns heads, and not just because of the hair.

Hairdresser James Brown Salon Launch is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Retail Week Stores Editor John Ryan visits the Flagshop Store

“Jessops is hoping its refurbished central London flagship will provide a stimulus for wider change at the chain. John Ryan visits.”

Retail Week Review of Barber Design’s Jessops Store is a post from the Barber Design Blog

The film festival

VIP rooms

The bar

Hannah our intrepid PA with the ‘eyes and ears’ on the street popped down to Cannes Film Festival last week and hit the hot spots and high life to see what was going on in the world of glam movie stars and parties. Apart from meeting a few agents and standing next to Brad Pitt at a swanky premier she commented as follows……

“Forget the Red Carpet, this year was all about Who and Where.

Despite the usual club scene, feeling too much like a London Socialite gathering, the place for your face to be was definitely VIP Room.

With DJ sets from Carl Cox, the music set was above and beyond.  And yes the design layout for the club was great, as expected, but the Ring Leader Hat goes off to the theme design.

With a flamboyant circus theme incorporated down to the Bar Staff, few batted an eye at the Dalmatian Horse, or the Lioness (yes, really)….prowling about her cage.

But give them some credit; the guest gaze was firmly fixed upon the dazzling phenomenon that is The Dita Von Tees Show.  We bow down to you Cannes, above all, you never cease to thrill”

“When In Cannes…” is a post from the Barber Design Blog

James working hard.....?

James Burt has come to join the company as the head of 2D. Historically, the company has always had a Creative Director, dealing with graphics and interior design, but as the company has grown, so has the need to split the departments in to two.

James has had an interesting career, working as a designer on a host of household names such as Sainsbury’s, Cycle Works, B&Q and Tesco. Most recently, he spent 18 months in Thailand designing and implementing graphic communication and branding for the launch of Tesco Lotus.

James assures us that he doesn’t mind giving up the long evenings and 35 degree days for a mews building in Fulham and 6 months of rain a year (or was that 11 months), but we’ll ask him again in November….!

Welcome aboard James!

New boy in town! is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Jessops - New Oxford Street, London

Specialist camera retailer Jessops has launched its new flagship store on London’s New Oxford Street, designed by our team at Barber Design.

The concept is to provide an interactive brand experience in a clean, contemporary environment, where customers can engage with every stage of photography from product through to print.

The store follows the successful launch of the concept at Jessops’ Westfield London store last year, the key aim of which was to personify Jessops’ unique proposition as a full-service photographic retailer, with the customer’s needs at the heart of its offering.

“The Oxford Street store is Jessops’ second to have opened using the new concept, following on from the success of their Westfield launch last year. The idea has been to reflect Jessops’ position as the UK’s leading photographic retailer through their store design. Jessops is a place where the amateur and the enthusiast alike can be inspired and have their photographic needs met by true expert resource. The role of Barber Design has been to communicate that offering and position the store environment as a confident and contemporary proposition.

The Director of Property for Jessops commented “the strength of our existing relationship with Barber Design has allowed us to take a radical step forward in our store design concept. Jessops’ network of stores nationwide have long provided a resource for photographers of all levels seeking photographic equipment, printing and expertise. Our unique position in the photographic industry has been successfully communicated by our Westfield London branch and we are confident the execution of our new store will continue to deliver this concept direct to the consumer.”

Barber Design provided Retail Consultation, Branding development, Retail Design, Graphic Communication, Interior Visualisation and CAD planning for the store, as well as for the first store to open with the new retail concept in Westfield, White City in 2008.

Initial sales have been great with Jessops hitting agressive targets of £150,000 within its first 3 days of trading (source: Retail Week).

Jessops revamp hits the high street is a post from the Barber Design Blog

James Brown

Watch out for an update on a recent project we have just won for James Brown. James is the UK’s hottest hair stylist to the stars (and one of the worlds most famous models, Kate Moss). We are really excited to be working with James and his team on a new project due to launch in June to a fanfare of publicity. We are looking forward to the party!

James Brown – London’s hottest hairdresser – some exciting news is a post from the Barber Design Blog

Barber Design website – we have lift off! is a post from the Barber Design Blog