Top 5 Trends for Spring from the Retail Design Expo

The Retail Design Expo was held at the Olympia Exhibition Centre, Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UX on the 9^th and 10th March 2016.

The Retail Design Expo was located adjacent to the Retail Business Technology Expo and Retail Digital Signage Expo this year for the first time.

This is because half of all retail business now involves digital sales or devices so it made sense to incorporate the events together.

http://www.retaildesignexpo.com

Billed as “Europe's Leading Annual Event for Innovation and Inspiration in Retail Design, Marketing, Visual Merchandising, Architecture and Shopfitting.” the occasion attracted a wide variety of exhibitors and visitors.

The conference centre was full of stands displaying the latest products for creating amazing stores. Many exhibiting suppliers were available to demonstrate their ranges, explain their services and network with customers both old and new.

The retail industry press and media such as A1 Magazine were also present and had their latest publications available for visitors to sample, order and read over a coffee in one the many cafes.           http://www.a1mediamagazines.com

The businesses exhibiting communicated their brands through colourful and unique displays demonstrating examples of the latest in shopfitting and visual merchandising. Key Trends that emerged in the show included: 

1. Sharing the Omnichannel Journey

All retailers in the UK are now able to reach a global market thanks to the rise of internet shopping. Customers enjoy interacting with companies in store, online and through events, experiences and social media.

Sometimes these elements are combined simultaneously as shops become filled with digital technology.     http://www.harrods.com

Thankfully retailers are happy to network and share ideas and innovation in order to develop and progress in a fast paced world. Two Retail Design and Branding Conference Theatres provided an excellent schedule of 75 presentations including several senior experts in the retail field.

I arrived just as Mr Cheston, Media Sales Director at Harrods described (to a large and keen crowd taking notes) how pleased they were with the successful launch of the new Rolls Royce 'the Dawn' in the windows of their flagship store this year.

“Two iconic brands showcasing the best in quality and luxury.”                    said Mr Cheston about this classic partnership.

2. Technological and Customised.

Quadrant2 Design are located in Poole in Dorset. Ms. Anderton Design Director at the company showcased the latest in exhibition stands that were available with fully customised features to allow a pop up solution for businesses wanting to quickly next promotional show.

With the Prestige System the reusable stand is pre built to ensure it all works together successfully.     http://www.prestige-system.com

The Smart Lighting Engineering company SLE was clearly in the forefront of innovation with their clever shop window installation. These mini shop windows came complete with switches buttons and control panels to highlight items and alter lighting and mood. Mr Elecko eloquently talked me through the different settings possible on the app like interface.

As we approached the display the window lit up automatically complete with dressed mannequins. Warm and cool light might be shown and dresses could be highlighted in a set sequence or details shown to potential customers at any time of day or night.

A similar strategy was employed in the SLE fitting room area where customers could banish that harsh lighting once and for all! Alternatively fittting room clients can simulate their office environment to see how an outfit would look in a variety of possible lighting situations.   http://www.sleprojects.com

3. Geometric and Metallic

Chevron and angled boxes and mirrors drew attention at Blacks Visual Merchandising. The unusual stylised boxes which were lit and mirrored demonstrated how striking a simple display system can become when turned on its head.   http://www.blacks-vm.com

The DZD display company stand was made of pieces of rectangular silver card threaded onto strings and hung up in rows. The construction was simple and the effect was mesmerising, eye catching and memorable. The judges agreed and DZD won the Best Stand of the Show award from the Shop and Display Equipment Association.   http://www.dzd.co.uk

4. Rainbow brights

Sarah Feather's fringed rainbow stand was a delight to behold! The sheer panels were achieved using coloured yarns wrapped around a frame. The design worked well as the colours blended with a palette of subtle hues which was beautiful.    http://www.sarahfeatherdesign.com

As I strolled through the hall I noticed a kaleidoscope coloured Pop Art themed stand which reminded me of the cool VGL digital printers stand from last Spring's Display Show. I am glad they have stuck with the concept because it has the added benefit of being a play on words with Pop Up Shop which are a fabulous idea in any city.

At B Brown a galactic installation in firework tones grabbed our attention. Ms Allen let us know that a myriad of textures and colours were possible for their bright display card, amazing glitter card and wallpaper. I was interested to learn they have their own specialised printers on site and printing on many different surfaces and materials is possible.     http://www.bbrown.co.uk

5. Upcycled, industrial and retro designed

Splendid vintage industrial style lights are made using LED bulbs at the BrightGoods stand that would be suitable for many commercial and residential interiors.    http://www.brightgoods.co.uk

Mr Holcroft at Tedd Todd Hardwood Flooring gave me a tour of the wonderful world of reclaimed wood flooring as he strolled around a beautiful 3 dimensional chessboard of stripey coverings. All these square samples had lots of character and texture due the age of the recycled planks used to make the interior materials that were colourwashed in a variety of glowing shades. http://www.tedtodd.co.uk   

Since the 1920's neon has been popular for commercial signage especially in America. The Sales Manager at Neon signs A1 Designs based in Wallington in Surrey explained how “the manufacture of neon is an art form. The tubes can be recycled and all elements can be re-used.   http://www.a1designs.co.uk

Vowing to schedule more time to hear the conference speakers and enjoy the networking at the next event, we are looking forward to the next Retail Design Expo which is planned for the 19-20^th April 2017.