Now that spring has sprung it is time for retailers to take a fresh approach to their window displays. The turn of the season is the ideal opportunity for retailers to transform their store fronts and entice customers into their stores. Spring window displays are a great way to incorporate national holidays and the beginning of the warmer weather into your retail design. As a retail design agency we love to see the new and creative ideas retailers showcase each season. Read on as we take a look at our favourite spring window displays of the year.

Louis Vuitton

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Louis Vuitton took a creative approach with their spring window displays with a fantasy theme for the Sophia Coppola collection. Set against a background of dark, evocative colours were a selection of iconic spring symbols, showing that we are emerging out of the winter months and warmer weather is just around the corner. Giant eye-catching displays of balloons, flowers, deer and cherries surrounded a single Louis Vuitton bag, catching the attention of passers-by and drawing them to the product. The use of nature in display really symbolises the change in the seasons which has the potential to encourage would-be passers-by to become paying customers by persuading them they need new accessories for the new season!

Liberty London

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The serene colours of Liberty London’s April 2014 spring window display implied a metaphorical sense of ‘calm before the storm’. With a relaxed feel to the cool-toned arrangement, it leaves passers-by with a sense of serenity, encouraging them to make the most of spring as a time to relax before a fun-filled summer. March’s display, on the other hand was much more playful, with a selection of classic paper-based games providing a backdrop for the season’s new fashion pieces. The bright colours of the merchandise stood out against the monochrome backgrounds. The games themselves created an interactive experience to really engage the passers-by, encouraging them to try and solve them. This means the windows were viewed for longer periods of time, giving Liberty a longer chance to entice people into their store.

Guess

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The spring window display for Guess featured a 3D ad campaign, making wider use of the digital technology that has been so important to the retail industry in recent years. Customers now expect to see the use of new technology in store, so this display exceeded their expectations by bringing the ad campaign to life, making it appear as though the model has stepped out of the imagine into the store. The creative use of mannequins made it seem as though the clothes on display in the window were being worn by spectators to this!

Harvey Nichols

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Classroom themed displays are usually found during the back to school season, but Harvey Nichols made it work during the earlier months of the year as part of their spring 2014 window displays. With a satirical ‘Fashion School’ theme, classic pieces like the satchel bag and leather shoes that often leave us reminiscing about our school days were displayed in a variety of different classroom settings, with everything from PE changing rooms to science labs on show. The hand-drawn backgrounds added an artistic touch to create a truly inspirational window display for the luxury department store this spring.

Spring is a time where anything goes. Retailer are not limited by the traditional icons of a particular national holiday so there is a lot of room for creativity when it comes to spring window displays. Is your store in need of some creative spring window display inspiration? Get in touch with us today and we will help your team showcase your products in a way to tempt and inspire your customers!

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Point of sale design is an invaluable part of retail design for store owners to invest in. Many shops base their retail design around practicality and functionality – unfortunately forgetting about the important aspect of inspiring the customer. Retailers rely on impulse purchases to boost sales and keep customers interested in their stores, so it comes as a surprise that so many of them are not making the most of creative point of sale design to keep their customers hooked. H Squared is a retail design agency with plenty of experience in point of sale design. Is your store in need of an inspiration boost? Read on as we explain how to inspire your customers with point of sale design.

The need to create inspiring point of sale displays is immediate and urgent. As a sector, developments in retail occur at such a rate that it is impossible to plan point of sale displays years in advance. With advancements in technology making online shopping a real threat to high street stores, it is important to make the most of point of sale design not only for the sake of the customer but for the store too. In a recent survey, 31% of people said they would like their shopping experiences to be improved, making the most of new developments to inspire and excite them. If customers are not satisfied with their experience in store, they are likely to save the trouble of a shopping trip and purchase online.

One of the biggest complaints is that retail stores appear too rational to the customer. To the customer, the way retailers present their stores is still very functional. One way to improve the overall experience and increase levels of customer engagement is through the use of digital technology. By incorporating new technologies into your point of sale design, you can hold the customer’s attention for longer as you have provided them with the opportunity to engage with something that they might not have access to in their daily lives. Once the customer is hooked, you have the opportunity to spark that all-important impulse buy!

Not every person who walks into your store is a guaranteed customer. Many people simply enjoy the shopping experience or browse the high street to see what is on offer. Good point of sale design gives you the potential to turn these visitors into paying customers. These displays give retailers the opportunity to communicate with prospective customers, giving them the chance to win them over and convince them the product on display is a worthwhile investment for them.

A great example of point of sale design done the right way comes from Thomson, who recently re-designed their flagship store at Kent’s Bluewater Shopping Centre to modernise the customer experience. Making the most of digital technology, the travel agent installed interactive maps to reel curious passers-by in and tempt them with exotic holidays. A swimming pool theme was incorporated into the retail design of the store featuring playful seating solutions for customers to sit on whilst they engage with interactive touch screens displaying everything from international weather forecasts to the store’s social media sites and even fun quizzes to pass time.

Does your store need a point of sale design makeover? Get in touch with H Squared today and our talented team will help you create the point of sale displays you need to keep your customers coming back for more!

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The world we live in is becoming increasingly dependent on technology and it is vitally important that the retail industry keeps up to day with the latest developments. The more technology develops, the more tech-savvy people are becoming and this means customers have certain expectations of retail stores. Interactive displays bring technology to the retail world, providing customers with the efficient and engaging shopping experience they expect.

Online shopping has become a huge threat to the high street in recent years, with many people opting to purchase their goods via a store’s website to save time and avoid bustling city centres. High street stores need to find a way to make the physical shopping experience worthwhile to the customer, and many opt to install interactive displays and interactive touch screen displays to engage and excite visitors to the store. Not only do retailers have to contend with online shopping, but other stores on the high street prove to be stiff competition too. This means in order to be successful, stores need to be the most appealing to customers in whichever area of retail they are in. With interactive displays, retailers have the power to stand out against the crowd and attract the most prospective customers.

H Squared is a creative retail design agency with extensive experience in interactive displays. Read on as we discuss how interactive displays can benefit you and your store.

They Engage with Prospective Customers Effectively

Although it is easy to associate the term ‘interactive displays’ with hands-on, interior displays, they can be used to attract prospective customers from the outside too. By incorporating interactive displays into your shop windows, you can attract the attention of passers-by and encourage them to enter your store.

Dutch multimedia agency NuFormer used 3D video mapping in shop windows to create a truly personalised experience for unsuspecting passers-by. Members of the public were projected onto a screen in store windows as they passed by, surrounded by special digital effects such as flames. This attracted their attention for a longer period of time as they engaged with the display. By creating a personal connection with your prospective customers, you can keep them engaged for longer and entice them into your retail store.

Transform the Way People Learn Information About Your Products

Interactive displays make it possible to transform simple wall displays into exciting and interactive information hubs. In such a fast-paced world, customers do not have the time to stand and read large chunks of text about your products and so the chance to persuade them to invest in your product is lost. However, with interactive displays you can educate your customers in a completely new way. Not only do these displays have the capacity for touch screen technology and product videos, but can also help to increase the range of products on offer in the store. Adidas designed an interactive wall display with iQ by Intel that allowed them to showcase 8,000 shoes in one store. With the power of technology, retailers are no longer limited with regards to in-store product ranges and can ensure customers find exactly what they are looking for. This puts the power in the customer’s hand, reassuring them that they have just as much control on the high street as they do with online shopping.

They Demand Attention

With the vast range of experiences shopping can now bring, for some it has become a form of entertainment. Interactive displays enhance the entertaining aspects of shopping by providing the customer with something new to engage with that cannot be found in every store. The best part is this interactivity does not need to be limited to the four walls of the store. Coca-Cola recently used an interactive display to connect two conflicting countries. The ‘Small World Machines’ project connected customers in India and Pakistan with a live video display in each country, linking them together. The customers in each country were totally engaged in the display and took part in everything from dance competitions to simply making new international friends.

They Are Versatile

Interactive displays are some of the most versatile displays in retail. They are not limited to a simple display stand and can include physical, tangible features to engage prospective customers. Lacoste created an interactive window display at their New York store, fitting the tennis court themed display with 50 tennis balls and a motion sensor camera. This display detected the motions of people passing by, creating waves of tennis balls to match the human motions. This goes to show that interactive displays can bring life to anything and anywhere, with no limit to the creativity behind them!

Incorporating interactive displays into your retail design not only gives your store and exciting overall look but provides plenty of opportunities to engage your customers too. With technology developing so rapidly, we are sure this is just the start of many more exciting interactive displays to come and are looking forward to seeing what is next for retail. Get in touch with us today and let us help you connect with your customers through the power of interactive displays.

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As technology has developed and increased in usage over time, retail has had to abide by this growth in order to keep up to date and interesting with customers. In order to keep up with customer’s expectations and habits it is necessary to incorporate technology into retail design to improve the efficiency of the shopping experience. Read on as we break down the top 5 elements of retail design and explain why each one is important for your store.

Interactive Touch Screen Displays

Interactive touch screen displays are an ideal way for retailers to make a digital connection with their customers in store. They give the store a competitive edge and improve the overall shopping experience for the customer, giving them something ‘hands-on’ to engage with. By incorporating interactive touch screen displays into your store’s retail design, it is possible to share an unlimited amount of information with your customer in a compact and sleek way. Never before has it been possible to share such a vast amount of information in such a small space!

Point of Sale Displays

Point of sale displays have always played an important part in retail design, but now more than ever it is important to ensure they are eye-catching and effective. As retail design has become more technologically advanced, it has become more difficult to make one display pop. Point of sale displays rely on this to encourage customers to purchase additional items near the checkout and need to stand out enough to persuade them to make an impulse buy! For that reason it is essential to be creative with your point of sale retail design, giving the customer a reason to stop and consider making additional purchases.

Digital Media

As technology has advanced, aspects of retail design that were previously non-digital have received a makeover. Digital media is any type of media displayed digitally to the customer. Where paper-based posters and signs were once used, retailers are now finding it more effective to share information digitally. This gives them the flexibility to change the content as often as necessary and also save money over time as the screens to digital screens are a one-time purchase.

Window Displays

Window displays are perhaps one of the most important elements of retail design as they are often the deciding factor in whether a member of the public enters your store or not; it is at this point that the sale process begins. Passers-by are enticed into the store by what is on display in the window, which leads them to engage with the rest of the in-store retail design. For this reason, it is important to change your shop window displays frequently as it gives a reason for customers to return for more.

In-Store Retail Design

The in-store retail design should continue seamlessly from what is on offer in the window display. This can be achieved by ensuring colour schemes match and the brand is represented throughout. In-store retail design should make the most of the space available without making the area too crowded or uncomfortable for the customer. This means taking floor space into consideration and accenting it with the right sort of lighting, which again should reflect the aesthetics of the brand. Customers who enjoy the environment they are shopping in are likely to stay for longer periods of time, meaning they make more purchases and are likely to return at another time.

H Squared is an award winning creative retail design agency. We experts when it comes to each element of retail design and we can help you design your store so they work together seamlessly. Take a look at our extensive portfolio and get in touch with us today and let us connect your store to the future.

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H Squared recently teamed up with AEG to create interactive touch screen displays to educate customers on the induction cooking process. Induction cooking is the process of using induction heating to increase the temperature of cooking appliances. This is a modern alternative to the electrical coils and gas flames that were traditionally used to heat hobs. As this technology is not necessarily common knowledge amongst AEG’s customer base, it was important to create an exciting and engaging display to educate people about the products.

Mission Statement

The mission statement for this project was simple – to create an inspirational induction cooker zone. It needed to make the shopping experience easier for the customer, increasing conversion and all-round satisfaction. As choosing the right product is one of the most important factors of shopping, we also needed to make sure the display acted as an education tool so that customers would be able to find out all the information they require about the products on sale. By incorporating interactive touch screen displays, customers would be able to find out exactly what they need to know with minimal reliance on staff for product education.

Overall, the purpose of this project was to create an exciting display that would contribute to the brand being able to deliver best in class service and increase retail product turnover for induction cookers.

Initial Design Concepts

Before any decisions were made regarding the finalised unit, H Squared presented AEG with various initial design concepts. This was to ensure that we had a good understanding of what the client wanted and to share ideas for the final product. Each design featured an interactive touch screen display, a feature both the H Squared team and AEG felt was important for the functionality of the display.

Content Design Creation

Interactive touch screen displays make it possible to share a large amount of information with the customer in a very small space. We designed the content from the initial touch architecture stage right through to the styling and authoring, making sure everything fit together seamlessly and effectively.

One of the features we added to the interactive touch screen display was a ‘try our favourite recipes’ section. This was to provide customers with information on what they could do with the product after they had purchased it, persuading them that an induction hob cooker would be something of great benefit to them. Also, including content like this that appeals to the customer’s interests improves the shopping experience by making it exciting and engaging, which helps to secure sales and develops brand loyalty with the customer.

The Finalised Unit

After the design stages were complete, the final unit was moved into full production and rolled out across stores in the UK and Ireland. The display houses a 22” touch-screen with bespoke content produced in-house by the H Squared team. The screen was fixed to the top of the cookers at optimum viewing level for the customer. In some stores, a temporary non-screen version was fitted, with the surrounding literature educating customers on the product instead.

The Fantastic Results

The entire project was a huge success and since the collaboration with H Squared, AEG’s sales have increased by a massive 500% for induction hobs, suggesting that customer satisfaction has also increased. The display made it much easier for customers to shop, providing them with all the information they need to decide which product was right for them and reduced the reliance on staff for this type of information. Overall, it helped AEG provide a top class service for their customers and added a bit of much needed ‘wow’ factor to the environment.

H Squared are an award-winning creative retail design agency with a passion for interactive touch screen technology. Take a look at our portfolio and get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you create an engaging shopping environment for your brand.

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As a creative retail design agency, we know all about successful window displays. They can be a powerful tool for drawing passers-by in and attracting them to your store. The most effective shop window displays stand out against the others on the high street and look visually appealing and inviting to the customer. The key is to make sure that it’s your shop window that’s the winner of them all! Read on as we share our top tips for creative retail design in window displays.

Keep it Changing

Changing your window displays frequently keeps things fresh and exciting for your customers and showcases the range of merchandise you sell to passers-by. Rather than just changing the display with each turn of the season, aim to have at least 6 different window displays throughout the year. Take advantage of important calendar dates and consider how you can turn them into eye-catching window displays. Everything from Mothers Day to Halloween can make a great theme for a shop window, and even back to school can be exciting with a little creative retail design! That being said, not every display needs to be seasonal. The less predictable window displays are, the more engaged your customers will be.

Big, Bold and Brash

Creative retail design means making a statement that will set your window display apart from all the others on the high street. Original ideas and bold statements will make your store stand out, and tackling current, controversial issues through your retail design will prove your store can be relied upon to be up to date, ahead of the game and involved in important issues. Recently, American Apparel filled their shop windows with mannequin, showing pubic hair through the underwear being modelled. The aim here was to fight the media-created stereotypes of what girls should look like and to celebrate natural beauty. If your brand has a statement to make, what better way to be heard than to showcase it to the thousands of people who pass by your store?!

Reflect your Brand in your Exterior

Before a potential customer even notices your window display, the first thing they will see is your store front. A poorly kept shop will drive customers away before you’ve even had the chance to win them over with your merchandise and displays. Ensure all paintwork looks immaculate and your signage is present and intact. People want to know what a store is called before they walk into it. Also, it is important to reinforce your brand with your store exterior. Make sure that the outside of the shop reflects both the interior and the overall feel of your brand.

Use the Right Merch

The merchandise you choose to display is just as important as the display itself. Although your merchandise may not change from season to season, it is important to make sure you do not simply re-create an old display. Instead, find new and interesting ways to showcase your products. Different people will find different displays appealing and the more people you can reel in, the larger your customer base will be. Also, a window display does not have to only hold one type of product. By incorporating merchandise from several sections or departments of your store, you can show potential customers what you have to offer in a limited space. This is particularly useful for large department stores that have a wide range of products on sale.

Use the Correct Lighting

Lighting can make or break a window display. How well lit your merchandise is acts as an important factor in whether it will attract a customer’s attention or not. Not all displays need the same type of lighting. Spotlights can be used to focus attention on featured products, or alternatively, a softer glow can be a really effective way to tie the window display in with the retail design of the rest of the store. Creative retail design is all about making the most of your space and resources. Instead of using standard shop lighting for every display, experiment with different light sources such as lamps and floor lights to create unique effects that will really make your store stand out.

H Squared are an award winning creative retail design agency with a passion for window displays. We can help transform your store into a high street shopper’s magnet, increasing the size of your customer base and helping to secure those all-important sales. Take a look at our extensive portfolio and get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you.

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Retail design constantly needs to develop to suit the needs of the customers. As we become used to new technologies becoming an important part of our daily lives, a different type of display is needed to attract and engage the tech-savvy customer. Interactive displays are not only visually impressive but can also improve the efficiency of a shopping experience. Read on as we take a look at some of our favourite interactive displays for retail.

Topshop’s Virtual Fashion Week

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Topshop teamed up with tech experts Inition to create a virtual window display for London Fashion Week. This unique concept allowed customers to sit front row at a Topshop fashion show and immerse themselves in a 360 degree catwalk experience with the power of virtual reality headsets. The more sense interactive displays can appeal to, the longer you will be able to keep your customers engaged and persuade them to buy your products or services. Consider how you can showcase your business’ goods in a way that makes the most of interactive technology in unique and interesting ways.

Nike Kinect Interactive Display

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In honour of the 2012 Olympics, Nike teamed up with Dutch creative agency …,staat to create eight window displays for the London branch of Selfridges. These displays interacted with passers-by with Kinect technology, engaging customers before they even set foot inside the store. Each display was a brightly coloured but simple design, with fixtures and merchandise moving in sync with the movement of people on the street. By winning your customers over before they have entered your store, you are sure to secure those all-important sales.

Liberty London

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Liberty London’s window displays did not showcase any of the store’s products. Instead, their interactive displays featured a series of clues about different products they sell. Each display featured a QR code that could be scanned with a Smartphone to reveal the answer. Including games in retail displays are a great way of entertaining customers. The longer you can keep a customer engaged in interactive displays, the more invested in your store they will feel. It’s all about making shopping an enjoyable experience and encouraging customers to come back for more.

Interactive Window Projection by Nuformer

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Multimedia agency NuFormer have developed another type of window display that interacts with passers by. The technology tracks the movements of people in the street and gives retailers the ability to create interactive displays that are not only visually exciting but are a step ahead of the other window displays on the high street. Make sure your business is clued up on the latest technological developments and you will have a powerful way of intriguing customers and drawing them into your store.

Coraline and Specsavers Button Eyes

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For the release of the animated movie, Specsavers teamed up with Coraline to create a fun and engaging interactive window display. In seven cities across the globe, passers-by were able to see themselves on a large screen in the store window with buttons in place of their eyes. Linking your displays to popular culture or current issues is a great way to get people interested in your store. It shows that you’re of the moment and can appeal to your customer’s interests.

Tommy Hilfiger

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Tommy Hilfiger’s tactile window display featured an interactive touch screen that customers could use to take photographs and style themselves using the brand’s clothing. They could then add their creations to a digital hall of fame, a gallery that could be accessed by anyone using the screen. This clever interactive display encouraged the user to leave a piece of themselves with the company, meaning they are likely to feel loyal to them. This is a great technique for securing a strong customer base that feels they can rely on your company.

H Squared is a creative retail design agency with our finger firmly on the interactive button. Take a look at our portfolio and get in touch with us today to start creating interactive displays that are sure to set your business apart from the rest.

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As retail design experts, we understand the importance of point of sale displays. In order to engage customers with your displays, it is advisable to change them regularly to keep things fresh and exciting. There are countless examples of creativepoint of sale displays in different types of retail stores across the world. Read on as we take a look at some of our favourites.

Monki

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This larger than life point of sale display at a Swedish Monki store really screams ‘look at me!’ to the customers. The sheer size of the display along with the bright, eye-catching colour palette and unconventional shape draws the customer in and encourages them to explore the merchandise on offer. The circular, carousel-shaped display is a great idea if you have the space. Although cluttered floor space can drive customers away from your point of sale displays, too much space can feel cold and uninviting, so a big, show-stopping piece works wonders for retailers with large stores. Also, the products on this display are arranged at various levels. This means that no matter how tall you are, there will be merchandise at your eye level. Another ingenious idea from Monki!

OC Pop-up Shop

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This simple but effective point of sale display from the OC pop-up shop in Hong Kong proves that unique, eye-catching retail design that does not have to be extravagant and expensive. It is a great example of making good use of overhead space without taking up too much of the customer’s floor space. The bold design attracts the customer to the area but does not distract from the products on display, meaning it serves its purpose by encouraging customers to make purchases.
Another perk of a point of sale display like this is that it is low cost and completely free of technology, making it easy to assemble and disassemble – perfect for pop-up shops!

Viktor & Rolf

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Point of sale displays can be used to reinforce certain aspects of a brand. This small, elegant display from Viktor & Rolf highlights the brand’s femininity with dainty dolls houses and a pastel pink and black colour scheme. Point of sale displays for smaller products like this really have the potential to engage customers through attention to detail. The more there is for a customer to look at, the longer they will spend looking at the display which increases the chances of them being tempted by your beautifully presented merchandise! This type of point of sale design is ideal for department store environments where space is limited and competition between brands is high.

Topshop

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This point of sale display from Topshop proves that you do not need to stick with traditional seasonal colour schemes. Although the colours in this display are probably most associated with spring, this is actually an autumnal display and works by cleverly tying in the surrounding products. The advice here is to not fight clear themes in your products just to fit certain stereotypes. It is much more effective to base your display around what you are trying to sell than it is to select products to suit your point of sale design. That way, your display will fit in seamlessly with the rest of your store design.

American Apparel

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A New York American Apparel store used their point of sale displays not only to sell products but to make a statement too. Celebrating natural beauty, the mannequins in this display do not conform to typical high street stereotypes. This most effective retail design evokes a strong emotion in the customer, which causes them to focus their attention on it. Do not be afraid to take risks. The term ‘all publicity is good publicity’ really applies here. If people are talking about your point of sale display out of the store, there is a good chance people will be intrigued and come to see what it’s all about!

H Squared is a creative retail design agency with a passion for point of sale displays. We have won awards for our innovative approach to point of sale design and endeavour to keep all our clients one step ahead of the competition. Take a look at our extensive portfolio and get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you create eye-catching point of sale displays to keep your customers coming back for more.

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