Retail is Detail Blog | Store Concept and Retail Consulting

Roasting Plant Coffee Detroit

2013-02-26T02:47:00.000+01:00

The newest Roasting plant store in Detroit has a great new industrial look...
It makes for a great experience with wonderful coffee and takes this hospitality concept to a new dimension in Coffee Retailing...

The revolutionary Java bot Roaster an integral part of every store makes this coffee concept unique.
Fast, great taste and fascinating ambiance will conquer the coffee world for sure!

Jamie Oliver near Saint Paul's in London

2013-02-26T02:31:00.000+01:00

Whatever one can say about the food or even the service, let alone the price (way too high for what is offered) the view at night if you are lucky is absolutely wonderful. It makes up for a number of shortcomings at this Jamie Oliver barbecue restaurant next to Saint Paul's in London.

Timothy Oulton in Amsterdam !

2012-11-12T18:16:00.000+01:00

The Passion shines through with this wholesaler who recently opened his first European store...

Here, clearly Oulton and his passionate team show what their wonderful and eclectic assortment in the right surroundings and combinations can do!

In an old Church spanning two floors a treasure trove of furniture and allied articles are displayed with fantasy and finesse. Book corners, Coffee corners and nice theme displays show a variety of settings in the best possible way. www.timothyoulton.com

Great hospitality at Allora

2012-10-20T19:14:00.000+02:00

A fun meal in Franschhoek South Africa
Goes to show that a great meal and great hosts can create a great experience …

Not stars and extreme decors create a great experience, but personality and caring do too...
In Franschhoek the foodie capital of South Africa we had a fine meal in Allora. Not only did the owner fetch us from our hotel (so we could enjoy the great South African wines) Allora particularly paid serious attention to their guests. This is a franchise (also situated in Bedford & Sandton) that can create a fantastic customer experience and deserves all the accolades we can give!

Recycling buildings for fun!

2012-09-18T23:01:00.000+02:00

The new trend in Recycling is to take older industrial buildings and transform them with the minimum of work into new and exciting stores or better even restaurant environments.
A perfect example is in the Dutch city of Eindhoven. The birthplace of the Philips electronics giant. Here Radio Royaal restaurant created a stunning and functional feel in the old Philips Factory's machine room.
The restaurant has been created with the minimum of fuss and around machines that have been de-commissioned years ago…

Have a look and oh yes the food is good too!
www.radioroyaal.be

Nepal, God’s garden...

2012-09-18T22:46:00.001+02:00

Just a different story. Returned from one of my more ideological trips in Rural Western Nepal to build a ginger processing plant and help the subsistence farming community to improve their lot. I helped a great young and enthusiastic Nepali entrepreneur from Lalitpur, Kathmandu to start his dream. His present business www.theorganicvillage.com made him realize the great potential for Organic spices and especially Ginger. It has been a privilege to be there and see this great and magnificent country... .Not only are these really charming and fascinating people but they indeed live and work in God’s own garden!

Organic Village Restaurant

Luxury living in Mumbai

2012-07-11T21:56:00.000+02:00

How about a swim guys I live on the 21st floor?

New revolutionary designed apartments in Mumbai, India
There seems no end to the quest for luxury in booming Mumbai (formerly Bombay) Here is a design of an apartment building now under construction in this sprawling metropolis. Parinee Ism is a 140m tall residential tower in India, designed by world renowned architect James Law of James Law Cybertecture International.

The design concept of the tower is inspired by the ripple effect generated by water droplets, which is also known as the capillary wave.With these developments, it seems not strange that luxury and cutting edge retail is everywhere in Mumbai.

Please visit James Law Cybertecture for a better impression.

How about being truly dumped !

2012-07-01T19:23:00.002+02:00

Pop up cafe made out of a Dumpster.... in the Netherlands

Designers Rikkert Paauw and Jet van Zwieten from the Netherlands, wanted to do something exciting and quirky with abandoned material found around the neighborhood. They created the FOUNDation project where collected garbage is used to build a pop-up store, such as a cafe or bar. Furthermore, the foundation for these compact stores is actually a trash container often found at garbage tips.
The small shops provide a casual meeting spot for the community, where locals can also donate unwanted building items. Three of these ‘dumpsterhouses’ were built for a small festival in Utrecht, and were exhibited for a week during the event.

via PSFK: http://www.psfk.com/2012/06/dumpster-cafes.html#ixzz1z57GEAYN

Great new store in Mumbai, India

2012-07-01T19:11:00.000+02:00

Bombay Electric, Mumbai is a real exciting store in a truly exciting city.

Bombay Electric features the best of established Indian designers such as Manish Arora and Rajesh Pratap Singh, and is known as the first to spot and nurture rising Indian talent. The cherry picked fashion collection shares the space with a curated selection of international design brands, such as Comme des Garcons and United Nude, rare gems, antique tribal jewelry, hand woven scarves, cashmere, limited edition & vintage pieces.

Bombay Electric regularly holds photography exhibitions, concerts, and launch parties in its palm tree lined outdoor courtyard.

Talvin Singh recently played to a packed house and Elizabeth Hurley chose Bombay Electric to launch her beach wear in India. The progressive clientele of architects, musicians and artists allow Bombay Electric to be a living, breathing, changing organism. http://www.bombayelectric.in

Bread Becomes Fashion !

2012-06-17T16:29:00.002+02:00

More and more Bread boutiques are springing up everywhere.
Bread seems to be the new 'luxury' for daily use.

I noticed in Austria, France, Italy and Holland (to name a few countries) real innovation in Bread presentation. Pain Quotidien must have paved the way... It's Belgian by the way!

Here are some great ideas and bread boutiques, have a look:

http://www.vyta.it

http://www.joseph.co.at/

http://www.becasse.com.au/

Great new Gourmet concept in Munich

2012-06-04T23:44:00.001+02:00

DELICE is a great new idea in Gourmet. Nicely decorated and invitingly homey this new concept store in the Pasing suburb of Munich.The concept will be introduced to the international markets during the MAPIC show in November in Cannes , France and should be an exciting g new addition to many cities across the world . The Asian “”hunger “’ for Gourmet European food products and Wines should really help this new idea.
Inside lots on taste and always cooking demos in a 100 sqmtr store make for a lively and stimulating store environment.

Designed through www.retail-is-detail.org in close cooperation with www.mkprojects.nl

Toe slippers....

2012-05-19T00:47:00.000+02:00

Great concept store in Sao Paulo of Havaianas www.havaianas.com
How do u mean that no one can make a living with a single product? Havaianas shows the way in their great and exciting store. Naturally the bulk of their offering is sold worldwide through others and especially through internet but concept stores like this can set the pace and the image.
It enables a simple utility based product to suddenly become fashionable and trendy....

10 tips for a successful retail store

2012-04-23T12:22:00.000+02:00

Over the years we have developed a number of retail concepts and found that many retailers seem to think that for retail success their concept needs its own set of rules in respect of retail store floor routing and ambiance!

Here are some basic, universal and proven rules! Though they seem to be logical, many retailers seem to have forgotten them!

No matter how the store is positioned 9 out of 10 times the cash up counter should be left on entering the store. The common behavior of shoppers upon entering the store is to move in a right turn …..hence it seems to be really wrong to place the cash up counter at the right. Naturally different places i.e. in the back for instance will also do.
Open doors (!) will attract 30 % more customers than closed doors …Opening a door is felt to be a ''commitment'' by consumers, where open doors are inviting!
The front of store needs a ''promotional area'' to entice people to enter the store. This should preferably be a centre display. It bridges the gap from entrance to store body.
Remember your first 1 to 2 metres wall space at the right (on entering) is your weakest selling area.
Always ensure that there are enough possibilities for shoppers to crossover from one side to the other in your store. This means that with center displays there should be enough breaks to cross.
Ensure striking detail or feature and good light at the back of the store. This is to entice shoppers to go the whole distance of the store floor. Lighting is key in the store...
A ''silent'' store is an ''intimidating'' store. Music (as feature or depending on the concept, as background ) makes shoppers feel at ease and converse and as result more ''at home''... Music is for the shopping public and NOT for the employees, so select for promoting sales and not for the amusement of staff.
Create diversity in Visual Merchandising .This is both in presentation as well as in product mix. Dare to be different but always stay ''logical''!
If you have a food concept, let the shopper / consumer taste – as much as possible! If the tongue says nice, the brain usually says buy!
Lastly a ''smile'' is your most important selling tool!

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!

2012-04-06T20:53:00.003+02:00

Starbucks Amsterdam Flagship Store!

After Tokyo Starbucks recently opened their second 'coming of age' Flagship store in Amsterdam. 450 sq mtr in great ecologically sound design with great Dutch architectural attention to detail. This time not designed in Seattle, Starbucks made great use of Dutch designers for their first Amsterdam Starbucks Flagship Store. The coffee is what it is, either you love it or you hate it!

Incorporated in their new retail concept is a separate Slow Pour counter literally 'pouring their heart in every slow cup of coffee', which by the way only seemed to increase the lines for the traditional counter a continuing Starbucks problem as most of you will be aware of especially outside the states.

The Good

Wonderful design, with nice use of Dutch wood without any ecological infringements. Great natural, homely layout and atmosphere which seems in touch with local culture and sensibilities.

The Bad

The long lines and the long wait as a result. Starbucks somehow seems to be unable to sort this one out!
The Slow coffee counter is nice but the coffee – if you are with a group or even a few people like I was today – comes out stone cold in the end! For more than $5,00 for a cup of coffee you should be able to at least get it hot…
Furthermore the confusing signage with lots of info behind their busy main counter and no clarity or any other in-store communication seems a missed opportunity. To illustrate my point the slow coffee counter for example - which by the way is so badly indicated most people don't even know what the counter is for - there are no lines since there are no customers who understand the concept!

The Ugly

Impossible access for those of us in a wheelchair or with a walking impediment. Though staff explained that there was a bell for handicapped people for assistance, it seems to be rather adding insult to injury instead of making access easy.
And lastly after waiting patiently for our slow brew the mess we encountered at our table from previous customers was finally cleared away when we left!

Fashionable Grocery Store

2012-04-03T19:43:00.001+02:00

Sprmrkt has its (vowel-truncated) name for a reason. The shop is a converted supermarket—changed for the better as far as we’re concerned. The collection of designer clothing, accessories and furniture retains the jolly variety and colorful array of your favorite grocery store but instead of drooling over peaches and pears your mouth will be watering at the sight of Margiela and Isaac Sellaam, Acne and Raf. While the store mostly carries clothing (Acne, Day, Levi’s Red), patrons can also find vintage furniture and beautiful books. Don’t miss the back of this huge space where Spr+ (or Super Plus), a shop-within-a-shop, can be found.

www.sprmrkt.nl/

Retailing Fables

2012-04-03T19:23:00.000+02:00

1. If You Build It, They Will Come
The right product mix, pricing strategy and store atmosphere will do no good if your customers don't know you exist. Many new retail stores fail to properly market their business. The lack of funds or the wrong advertising campaign can keep your message from being heard. Even during the hardest economic times, advertising can be an effective tool.

2. Small Stores Can't Compete With Chain Stores
While it is true that smaller stores cannot generally compete strictly on price with the large chain stores, they can still compete. By maximizing the uniqueness of their business, exceptional customer service and cozy atmosphere, the small retailer can take a fair share of the market.

3. Your Best Customer Spends The Most
You may have a customer who comes in occasionally and spends more than the average shopper in your store. Before declaring him or her as your best customer, stop to consider the customer who may spend little, but tells his friends and family about your business. Referrals and repeat customers are highly valuable and may add up to much more than the big-spending customer who shops with you twice a year.

4. Online Shopping Will Replace Retailing
E-commerce is making big strides in the world of retail. But while it is important for brick and mortar retailers to have an online presence, there will always be consumers who want to try things on, feel and inspect the quality of the merchandise and some shoppers still prefer the security of paying for products in person.

5. Moving Your Store Will Hurt Your Business
Relocating a business can be expensive and possibly disruptive, but with some planning it can be the best thing for your bottom line. Start early and make a checklist to keep the move organized. Be sure to plan your relocation marketing focus around retaining your existing customers, as well as making new customers in the new location.

6. The Government Has Free Money For Your Business
Television commercials, website ads and general false information has distorted the half-truth in this statement. There are grants available from the government for particular projects but these are generally for non-profits and educational business, not for individuals who will use the proceeds to start their own retail business.

7. The Customer Is Always Right
No, the customer is not always right. Sometimes the customer is quite wrong. Customers make honest mistakes and sometimes they want something for nothing. While the customer isn't always right, it's our job as retailers to make them feel like they are always important.

8. Good Help Is Hard To Find
It may take a little longer, but it is possible to find excellent employees. Start by writing a thorough job description. Establish a review system to weed out candidates that don't fit the bill. Learn interviewing techniques and prepare a comprehensive training program. To keep good help once you've found it, learn how to motivate your employees through pay and promotion. Staffing your store is easy if you have a plan.

9. You Can't Make a Living in Retail
This one is just completely untrue. The small profit margin for most retail items may prevent one from becoming rich, but good sales can generate a healthy income for someone operating their own retail business. And for those not interested in entrepreneurship, there are many, many positions in retail other than store manager or clerk. Some retail career fields include buyers, merchandisers, logistics and sales.

Top 9 Myths of Retailing
From Shari Waters, former About.com Guide

Independent bookstore retail survival

2012-03-27T22:43:00.000+02:00

Can lessons be learned for retailers in all segments of retail by the struggle of the Book retailers?
After the demise in the US of leading Book retail chain(s) we are now – here in Holland – witnessing the imminent demise of Selexcyz Bookstores. Great and traditional - leading - stores that have for years captured our market for books… http://www.selexyz.nl/winkels

Some internationally acclaimed stores in iconic buildings, have not been able to keep the attention of the general public here. Maybe too much focus on big, bigger, best? And to little focus on the real issues like additional attractive assortments, better and more forward looking e–retail options to complement their stores ?

To illustrate my point please read this article that addresses some of the points that selexcyz may have indeed underestimated:

Taking Stock: The end of bookstores?
Source: Matthias Van Dun

This article by Matthias Van Dun from Point Consulting discusses how independent bookstores can stay competitive in the changing book market.

During the past months there has been a lot of speculation about which e-book reader technology would become the most popular. Let us change gears for a moment and take a closer look at the book industry itself and at the future of independent bookstores more in particular.
Not only now do these independent bookstores experience significant competitive threats, but this has been the case for several decades. The first threat arose with the surge of large bookstore chains, which offered a larger selection of books. Afterwards, readers had the possibility to purchase their books cheaper via the internet. Consecutively, large brick and mortar companies started selling books at discounts. And most recently, it is e-book technology which challenges the existence of independent bookstores. What made these independent bookstores survive during the past decades and how can they remain competitive?

Identify your shop as a community cornerstone
The first option independent bookstores have, is to identify their shop as a key asset or center point of the local community. To create community involvement, independent bookstore owners should organize book club meetings and arrange for appearances of bestselling authors. This larger community involvement will convince customers of the added value of paper books compared to e-books and will create a larger footfall to your shops and potentially drive sales.

Increase your product range to other products
If your core products, books, are in danger, leverage this exposure by offering other products. You should include convenience products, such as stationary products, near the counter so shoppers can look at them when they are queuing up. There even exist independent bookstores which offer almost completely different product lines next to their traditional ones. Other shop owners make their shop look unique or put nice sofas and coffee stands in it – assets which internet shops can't offer. If your shop focuses on comic books, you can sell miniature versions of comic book heroes.

Control your costs
The major operating costs for an independent bookstore are labor and rental costs. It is important to control these costs as much as possible in difficult times. Next to this, take a closer look at costs related to your inventory and your book range. Define your shop image by determining the optimal inventory level and your selection of books by answering the next question: Will you attract more customers by offering titles which cannot be found in larger bookstores or does it make more sense for your shop to create a certain image by focusing on a particular genre of books?

Determine your optimal store format and image
It is funny how a decade ago, large bookstores out competed independent smaller bookstores because of their larger offerings and that now the situation has turned around because of the new competitive threats coming from large brick and mortar shops offering books at a discount, the internet and e-book technology. In this new competitive environment, it is not just the mega format which will be successful. As an example here is the bankruptcy of Borders earlier this year; this large bookstore chain operated with too large retail space while losing customers to e-book versions of many books. Clearly, nowadays there is also room for smaller store formats. In this way independent book stores can identify themselves as vendors of specialty books to attract a certain niche, while book stores in city centers still can afford to have a larger store format. What kind of niches are there? Basically all professions, hobbies and pastimes are documented in books. Organize your shop towards that particular niche.

In a nutshell, facing fierce competition of the book industry, independent bookstores can remain competitive by leveraging their importance to the community, by carefully assessing their location and its impact to the store size and lastly by identifying their shop as a specialty store focusing on a certain niche.

Finally it is useful to understand that the loss of independent bookstores will be detrimental for societies because they function as a cornerstone for general education and for social contact between community members. Next to this, I am sure that many of us have had the experience of wandering in a bookstore and, unexpectedly, finding a particular book which captures your strongest interests. Checking book titles on the internet can't provide you with such a feeling. It is important for bookstores to emphasize these qualities in order to remain competitive.

Great Artisanal Nougat !

2012-03-22T15:34:00.000+01:00

I recently discovered this great artisanal soft nougat made in the Orange area of the South of France in a new yummy nougat and chocolate shop in Zurich. Passion and love for genuine quality is rare and La Boite a Nougat has it all.

Just been to the Nougat maker in France... A real treat! Yves and his partner Anne make great Nougat and could not resist to have one of our clients Cheese & More roll it out in their new stores in Holland (from april 16th onwards in Amsterdam too...)

Chinese consumer trends

2012-03-04T22:17:00.000+01:00

We live in a time of an increase in consumer spending and changing consumer habits. With new gadgets and new technologies available, and more purchasing power, we not only buy more, but in more ways. Some are fads, and some become part of our daily routine.

Here are the top 10 consumer spending trends in China...

1. Thriving pet care industry

2. Growth in religious tourism

3. Wildlife hunting

4. Group-purchase websites

5. Diving clubs gain popularity

6. Plastic surgery for students

7. Bargains on demand

8. Luxury furniture: the next status symbol

9. Second-hand luxury no barrier to success

10. Installment payments

1. Thriving pet care industry

A pet pooch gets a hair-cut at a pet shop in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning province on Jan 18, 2010. Pet owners now like spending more money on their furry friends' looks, such as buying them coats, socks and glasses.

Raising a pet has become a new popular hobby for many Chinese. From pet shampoo, treats and snacks to chic T-shirts and plush toys designed for pets, it's estimated there are 5,000 categories of pet products available on the Chinese pet market.

2. Growth in religious tourism
Visitors and Buddhists make pilgrimages to Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province on May 2, 2009.

A growing interest in religion among the Chinese people has boosted the country's fledging religion-related tourism market. The rising number of tourists – or shall we call them pilgrims - at religious places such as the Shaolin Temple, known as the birthplace of Chinese kungfu, is giving more people a chance to learn about religion.

Of 130,000 religious sites on the Chinese mainland, many have been turned into tourist attractions. Driven by profits and media exposure, local governments have begun major campaigns to build or renovate temples and market them nationwide.

3. Wildlife hunting

A Chinese hunter undergoing rifle-training in South Africa. International hunting clubs have found it is a lucrative business arranging for Chinese hunters to visit the world's finest hunting destinations, where they can each spend hundreds of thousands of yuan. Organizers say the money from hunting is ploughed back into the environment and wildlife to maintain its viability.

Despite concerns about animal abuse, wildlife hunting has become popular among the wealthiest in China. There are about 200 hunting clubs across China, and the average price for one hunting trip is around 1,000 yuan. Some wealthy Chinese people choose to go overseas on safaris, and the most popular destinations include North America, South Africa and Australia. One hunting trip to South Africa can cost a minimum of 100,000 yuan.

4. Group-purchase websites

An advertising poster states "Group purchases cost less" at a sourcing fair in Weifang, Shandong province. The annual volume of online group buying is estimated to have hit 30 million yuan in big cities.

Tuangou (groupon) are group-purchasing websites that offer discounts for products, services and meals. They are currently all the rage because the discounts are sometimes significant when a lot of people signup for a deal.

The first group-purchase website in Beijing was set up in March, and the new phenomenon has caught on. China had over 1,215 group-buying sites as of August.

5. Diving clubs gain popularity

People enjoying a dive in a seven-meter pool. It costs 400 yuan per dive and more than 4,000 yuan for a diving course that includes 21 one-hour classes.

The wondrous sights beneath the waves is very fascinating, so it is perhaps not a surprise that the country is spawning more wannabe divers, creating possibly the world's largest diving market within 10 years. Professional diving is expensive: a full set of equipment can cost at least 30,000 yuan.

6. Plastic surgery for students

Two students take to the streets on Friday in Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei province, trying to win a 150,000-yuan ($22,000) hospital fund for cosmetic surgery.

Double eyelids, nose jobs and breast enlargements are what a growing number of Chinese college and high school students sought during their summer vacations this year. Up to 80 percent of Beijing's plastic surgery market in the summer consisted of high school seniors and college students hoping to improve their appearance and land better jobs. That proportion is expected to hit 90 percent in coming years.

7. Bargains on demand

A Velo vending machine dispenses coupons to a woman at a subway station in Shanghai. Velo has more than 1,300 discount coupon vending machines in selected subway stations, shopping malls and supermarkets in Shanghai.

Don't waste time clipping discount coupons from community newspapers or flipping through the mail to find them. On-demand discount coupons are available from Velo vending machines installed in subway stations, shopping malls and supermarkets.

The "Velo" card, the size of a matchbox, though much thinner, enables clients to retrieve discount coupons from Velo vending machines. Velo has more than 1,300 machines in Shanghai. Since 2009, the company has expanded its coverage to Beijing and Nanjing, increasing the total number of machines to 2,000.

8. Luxury furniture: the next status symbol
A man places price tags for a sofa set that is designed to match the interior of a Lamborghini.

As Gucci, LV, Chanel and other top brands continue to captivate Chinese consumers, designer furniture is set to become the next status symbol of China's super rich. A complete bedroom set designed by Paolo Gucci, one of the world's more prominent names in the high fashion industry, costs 505,778 yuan, including bedside lamps, nightstands and a couch. As furniture luxury brands enter the Chinese market, high-end furniture brands may become more in demand by China's wealthy.

9. Second-hand luxury no barrier to success
A worker conducts maintenance on an LV bag at Rain-Wow Consignment Store.

Selling unwanted luxury goods is popular in countries like Britain, Italy and Switzerland, but it is a comparatively new idea in China. But when the old owners want to cast aside some of these items, a market emerges, getting a better return for sellers than pawnshops.

10. Installment payments

Zhang Hongqi ﬁlls in forms to become the ﬁrst consumer of the city's ﬁrst consumer ﬁnancing company.

With the launch of consumer finance companies, customers now can pay in installments for durable goods, including home appliances, mobile phones, computers and furniture, and also for education, home decoration, weddings and travel. Getting an installment loan through a consumer finance company is generally simpler and faster than getting a loan from a bank. Consumer finance companies do not need guarantees and security, and do not provide home mortgages and auto loans.

Courtesy of http://www.chinadaily.com.cn

Are Bricks and Mortar retailers doomed?

2012-02-23T22:20:00.001+01:00

Does e-retail win?
I always find that after the Christmas season articles tend to appear by 'experts' claiming that the growth in e-retailing is now definitely so strong that traditional and/or high street retail is doomed.
It is clear to me that e-retail is in many ways part of the younger generations preferred shopping option for many products. However to an increasing 'baby boomer demographic' it may be so that convenience is important but that above all atmosphere, service and emotion are probably even more important.

Even the best web shops cannot –in my opinion – challenge the best of the real stores in emotion, experience and above all in personal interaction! Herein lies the secret for survival by traditional retail!

Naturally every retail concept needs to be aware of a good supporting web shop however to place ones hopes on just expanding that side of their business is a road to disaster!
Look at the customer – or rather who is your customer – look at his likes and dislikes and plan your assortment, store layout much more in line with what they are and represent and couple it to a good and matchingly exciting web store the best example of this is A&F with great and busy atmosphere and emotion stores coupled with an exciting web store one complementing the other -your typical 1+1=3! and you should be able to place any retail concept on the road to lasting success.
No matter what the doom sayers are stating at Xmas time!

So to sum up all aspects that may help any retailer perform better:

1.    Look at your locations with more scrutiny!
2.    Look at your store fronts with more clarity!
3.    Look at your layout and routing and above all your stores appeal in more detail!
4.    Look at your staff and their quality with more honesty!
5.    Look at your assortment with more purpose (does it really match your customer groups?)
6.    Look at coupling a real equally appealing web shop to your real store!
7.    And lastly as outside help and advise, as it is really very tough to look from inside in!

Scrutiny, clarity, detail, honesty, purpose, appealing and advise are words that should fit every passionate and innovative retailer.

Customers take control !

2012-02-20T15:51:00.000+01:00

Retail chains just don't make the most of their online and offline sales both channels should strengthen each other. Because they often don't, they miss sales concludes PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in an international study published Monday called "Customers take control".

Consumers switch according to researchers in the various phases of the sales process from sales channel. Many retailers see their online and offline stores as two stand-alone operations and have little insight into the preferences of consumers.

PwC predicts smart retailers will increasingly use their physical stores as an extension of their online sales activities, for example in the form of a showroom where items ordered over the Internet can be removed or exchanged. This means they need less stock, making them more efficient and more profitable!
In Western Europe and United States the percentage of consumers who've ever bought something via the Internet averages 40 percent, according to the study. It is expected that by 2015 70 percent of all Western Europeans will make purchases via the Internet.

Courtesy of PwC

Asian fast food here we come !

2012-02-17T11:28:00.000+01:00

Here are two fast food chains I recently visited ...

Pho 24
In line with the growing popularity of Asian cuisine, the Vietnamese Pho 24 is expanding rapidly in Vietnam and abroad. Pho 24 is the largest fast food chain in Vietnam and it's all about noodles (pho). The first outlet opened in 2003. In June 2010 the counter was at 77 outlets, with more than 20 abroad. Pho 24 wants a foothold in all major cities and is working hard to expand in America and Europe. 'Noodles' to say (excuse the pun) it was delicious and the service very fast!

Mosch Mosch
Other chains embracing pho like MoschMosch are growing rapidly too. My first impression of MoschMosch was wow great design hope the food is up to scratch...

Mosch Mosch is a trendy Japanese noodlebar in Kö Gallery in the center of Düsseldorf. You can enjoy a varied range of noodle dishes that are made from nutritious and healthy ingredients. More importantly, the dishes are freshly prepared and always served quickly. The setting is refreshing. Take a look...

The proof that fast food can be delicious, look swanky and be healthy at the same time.

A tasty treat for the health conscious !

2012-02-04T00:37:00.001+01:00

The New York Tasti D-Lite ice cream and dessert formula exists for more than 20 years and is spreading like wildfire across America and far beyond. More than 500 outlets worldwide is the goal for 2013. Their formula is simple, tasty and healthy: We add less of what you don't need: calories, fat and carbohydrates, but make no concessions in the delicious and creamy taste.

Guests can choose from over 100 ice-cream flavors, some with exotic names like Mango Dream, Mud Pie, Orange Cremsicle and Pineapple Cheesecake. Most contain flavors 80 pounds or less, less than 1.5 grams of fat calories and 14 grams carbohydrates per 400 gram serving. My granddaughter loves it!

http://www.tastidlite.com/

The bewildering world of A & F

2012-01-28T00:07:00.000+01:00

The bewildering world of A & F Just visited the Abercrombie & Fitch store in Paris, France.

A grand Villa on the Champs Elysee - the quite side(!) –with only a small black A&F sign next to the Grand gate entrance is all that indicates the store. No windows or lighting indicates anything ! After years of wrangling between the US chain and the French authorities it seems that this store is the ideal compromise. The French did not want an American chain to be glaring at the tourists on their prime Avenue in their capital . The Americans wanted to be in the heart of Europe, no matter what! It is however clear that strong –very strong – brands like A&F just need to be there and do not need the most prominent visible locations to be successful. Internet, word of Mouth and the subtle use of twitter and facebook have put this beautiful and grand store, notwithstanding its “”invisible “’ location right in the heart of the shoppers of France.

NEW YORK PARK POP-UP

2012-01-20T10:07:00.000+01:00

Walking through exiting New York last week, I came across New York at its best!

In the middle of a cold and bustling SOHO an empty shop that was converted to a New York Park! This NY PARK POP-UP, complete with birds singing, grass (artificial) and picnicking visitors looked to me as the epitome of what New York stands for: Exiting, daring and everything is possible…

So "Pop up" to NY and enjoy the summer this winter!!!