Happy New Year! Here’s what we’ve got planned for 2020 so far…
Welcome to 2020! We are working on a lot of interesting projects this year, most of which we are unfortunately unable to tell you about until they launch!
Kompanero Launch
Just before Christmas our client Kompanero opened their first UK store in Neal Street. The brand takes their name from the Spanish word for ‘companion,’ producing timeless bags made from ethically manufactured leather and natural, sustainable materials. The opening marks a milestone within the label’s European expansion strategy and we think they are going to be very successful due to their sustainability policy – a factor that continues to be a key trend in retail this year.
Kompanero’s goal is to be sustainable in all aspects of their retail strategy, from their eco-friendly packaging, plastic-free stores and cotton-lined bags to their use of vegetable tanned leather. They are also strong advocates for conscious capitalism. They help develop communities by training unskilled workers in unique artisan techniques. A large percentage of the workforce are women from rural Indian communities including some with verbal or auditory challenges, and Kompanero’s scheme helps them to find work and gain useful skills.
On top of this, the brand’s range of leather accessories look fabulous too, with a distinctive weathered look, vintage appeal and a contemporary design driven by their original concept that leather bags should be viewed as a ‘timeless companion’.
Other Projects
Right now we are working on a really interesting retail design project in Barcelona where we are developing a showroom for a fashion brand that will open at the end of this month. Come back in a couple of weeks to find out more! Elsewhere in Spain we are also working on another fashion store project in Magaluf, which is going very well and we will tell you more about that once it is ready to open too!
Retail Shows in 2020
Apart from our retail design work, we are really looking forward to a couple of retail shows this year
First up, we are hoping to make it along to the EuroShop fair next month in Dusseldorf. Held only once every 4 years, EuroShop describes itself as ‘the world’s largest’ trade fair for retailers. Future-oriented and dynamic, The EuroShop show is divided into 8 different categories which include a close look at retail technology and store lighting and offers a fantastic insight into the different trends and ideas that are shaping the future of retail design all over the world.
Then in April we’ll be heading along the VM and Display Show in London’s Business Design Centre. A perennial fixture in our annual calendar, the VM show is the longest-running exhibition of its kind and covers everything to do with visual merchandising and display: including mannequins, print, display services, props, store design, graphics, POP, lighting, fabrics and everything in between. This show never fails to disappoint and it’s a great place for us to catch up with clients and industry peers whilst checking out all the latest innovations in VM and retail design.
Have you got anything interesting planned for this year? As always keep an eye on the blog for updates on our latest projects and thoughts on retail innovation and let us know if there are any aspects of retail design that you would like to know more about.
