‘If You've Got A Display, Be Sure To Make It Instagrammable'

Spiro Spero is an Architecture & Interior Design Firm in Mumbai whose stated mission is to make things that make people smile. In a special chat with VMRD, Keith Menon, Co-Founder, Spiro Spero, shares his take on what makes Spiro Spero different from its peers, and how a change of approach has helped them deal better with market challenges, especially after the rise of e-commerce & new players. Excerpts

Decked Up To Celebrate: Capturing The Festive Spirit

Another Diwali has come and gone, leaving in its trail some glowing (literally) opportunities for brands to showcase their creative best at the retail space. While many brands went in for regular Diwali greeting stickers on their window, a few brands like Home Centre, Pantaloons, Lifestyle, Max and others have left no stone unturned to take the festive fervour a notch higher and capture the spirit of Diwali in a grand way. Embracing the festival of lights, a few malls like Phoenix Marketcity and Oberoi Mall too have executed some eye catching theme-based décor and installations this year that added to the shoppers’ festive mood. Here’s a quick roundup of Diwali VM and mall installations which caught our eye.

‘Storytelling Is An Integral Part Of Our Stores'

Tata Group brand Mia, a part of its jewellery division Tanishq which currently has 35 stores, is all set to increase its presence across tier I and II cities. In an exclusive interaction with VM&RD, Bhavishya Kelappan, Business Head, Mia by Tanishq, shares her assessment about the jewellery retail market and the company’s plans forward.

Retail Lighting: Setting The Right Tone With Technology

VM&RD speaks to a few lighting manufacturers to get some perspectives on new lighting technologies, market trends and the future for retail lighting products and solutions. Read on as a few industry players share their take in the next few pages.

Anecdot: Introducing ‘Retail As A Service'

Bangalore-based tech-enabled retail experience and analytics company ‘Inspired Kinematics’ is set to redefine the way Indian consumers shop for curated products in a unique phy-gital shopping environment powered with interactive product displays, technology and analytics. Retail4Growth gets in touch with Ajith Pookkunniyil, Co-founder, Inspired Kinematics, to know more about the initiative and how it is helping online brands connect better with their customers.

God's Own Country Beckons!

One of the biggest and the most awaited harvest festivals in Kerala, Onam marks the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali.

Groversons: Cut To Fit

Lingerie brand Groversons Paris Beauty has launched its new store at South Extension Part 1, New Delhi. Here’s a look at some of the unique elements of the store and the company’s growth story, as shared by Siddharth Grover, Director, Groversons Group.

How Tech Enabled ‘Store-Ex' Is Redefining Retail Design

Experience is an integral part of store design today, so is story telling that visually communicates the brand narrative.

The Goddess Arrives

Bengalis all over the world are known for their passion for Durga Pujo.

Light Up The Path To Conversion

In the drama called in-store experience, lighting is one of those unsung heroes who can make or break the show. The question is, do retailers give equal importance to lighting in the retail environment? Is the budget allocated by retailers for lighting equal to or higher than other fixtures in the store? What are the key elements while developing the right lighting concepts for the retail space? To examine these questions, VM&RD spoke to some renowned lighting manufacturers and retail designers who share some interesting insights in this regard.

Crafting A Timeless Appeal …

AMRITSAR Spread across 26,400 sq. ft. and comprising 3 spacious floors, Anil Stores’ new outlet is simple yet opulent. Designed by SS Bhatia & Associates Architects & Interior Designers, the store ambience is aimed at conveying a feeling of transcending time and space.

Bikers' Cove

A huge dilapidated industrial shed is reclaimed as a fine retail set-up for bike aficionados. What stitches these two extreme stories is the iconic blue-blood motorcycle brand Harley Davidson. Designed by Romesh Sapra, the result is not only a store but a space that spells and breathes the love for biking.

Curating Unique Experiences

Online socialization and sharing of experiences has created an age of instant comparison, evaluation and approvals of any life experience at any instant in the lives of the constantly connected consumer. This has pushed brands to seriously look at strategies to stand the test of competitive comparison by creating unique brand experience propositions.

Simon Carter

Interestingly, Simon Carter’s first pilot store in India was not about replicating any “design concept”. Spanning across 930 sq ft in Chennai, the store was hugely inspired by the designer’s quirky sense of humour and sophistication of an iconic British brand. Conceptualised and developed entirely by Bangalore-based 4 Dimensions Retail Design India and team ABRFL (Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd).

The Tapestry of Indian Textiles

Celebrating the heritage of Indian handloom sarees, Taneira believes in empowering the handloom weaving industry and encouraging Indian women to embrace the ‘saree’ as a progressive garment.

leather loft

indian brand nappa dori’s fourth and biggest exclusive store right next to the gateway of india, mumbai is an ode to rich indian craftsmanship marrying the latest stylish retail décor. vm&rd takes a leisurely stroll around the store.

rustic indulgence

inspired by the humble brick oven, the newly opened vinny’s-pizza & more eatery promises its guests with the freshest brick oven pizzas and an ambience that surely complements it. designed by nickelxd, the space takes on an earthy yet industrial feel, allowing its patrons to indulge in this italian speciality and soak into a rustic atmosphere.

The 'Art & Tech' Of Window Displays

Despite the growth of pure play online giants, brick-and-mortar retailers still control over 95% of the market globally. However, the retail streetscape has seen some disruptive ways of blending the omnichannel expectations of customer at the storefront using new innovative technological development in window displays to deliver undated and memorable storefront experiences.

Rhythmic Renditions

Despite being an F&B space, New Delhi’s Depot 48 celebrates every element of music and acoustics. And why not for a place that is more recognized as a performing stage for budding as well as established performers.

Work It Out!

A space to stretch, sweat, connect and enjoy the latest collections, lululemon’s Regent Street store has been created to offer you retail space with a difference. Designed by Dalziel & Pow, the European flagship store truly immerses guests in the brand and gather an active social community.

So Not Sober

Creating a buzz in the pub-city since its launch, the 5000 sq ft restro-bar, Sotally Tober, at Bangalore’s Koramangala flirts with not only with its name but in its eclectic design too. VM&RD takes a look, all sober!

So White. So Perfect

Promoting ‘The Perfect Shirt’, the window display at a few Louis Philippe stores created an exquisite deconstructed shirt concept, where props highlight a blend of fine fabrics, unparalleled craftsmanship and unmatched detailing that go into an LP shirt.

On Digital Wheels

Automobile major Hyundai’s idea to comply with their Global Dealership Space Identity (GDSI) that encourages digital showroom design has worked well as a store concept that deals with today’s space crunch in retail. Adding to that, the most advanced digital interface and clean-cut retail design cater to the new age consumers. VM&RD explores the latest dealership identity Unity Hyundai at Connaught Place, New Delhi.

Bejewelled With Luxury

Anand Jewels nestled in the upmarket shopping area of Indore speaks out the language of opulence and luxury with its store design. VM&RD takes a closer look at this dazzling jewellery store..

Bread & Art

Nestled in the popular Khan Market - New Delhi, The Artful Baker not only attracts passersby with its scrumptious baked goodies but a space that is tastefully crafted to resemble a chic French patisserie. Designed by Project 810, this bakery was conceptualised to be functional, fun and yet gourmet in nature.

Vent It Out!

Striking a chord with the youth of today, the edgy lifestyle brand - shazé - recently unveiled an innovative concept of the Venting Booth at their store in Mumbai. In-tune with the brand’s strong movement against stereotyping and labelling, the booth encourages self-expression and allowing customers to vent out their deepest, darkest thoughts and frustrations.

Digitally Driven

London based creative agency Dalziel & Pow and Rockar recently created a digital showroom for Jaguar Land Rover at Westfield Stratford City. Crafted as a luxurious brand showroom and targeted at the technology-focused customer base, the store’s design is inspired by its setting amongst some of the best-known fashion brands in Europe.

Optical Delight

Specs are no longer a necessity but a style statement. Dr Monga opticians in Delhi seemed to have taken the experience of an optical store to a new level by creating a warm space that can double up your fun when shopping for a pair of spectacles. VM&RD looks through the lens to see how this charming store design works for the brand.

Global Spirit. Desi Avatar.

If it’s a kurta, does it have to be boring? Quirky fashion brand Global Desi always threw truckloads of surprises to that challenge. Now it’s time for their new logo and a new retail design concept. The first store, post the makeover, at Mumbai’s Linking Road wows VM&RD.

So Not Jaded

Jade Blue Lounge store, designed by Delhi-based DCA Architects in Ahmedabad adds a true-blue edge to the city high street shopping. The large signage, atrium, double-height ceiling and open windows invite VM&RD to explore its interiors.