december 2010 TOP 10 UNMISSABLE NEW STORES echochamber.com
1 Forever 21 Flagship, New York Forever 21 is the new global face of fast fashion. It has just launched in the UK, but its Times Square flagship still rates as its best. At 90,000 sq ft, this vast store has a sense of quality that is astonishing given the low price points (denim for less than $10) The best feature is the exterior, where the customer becomes a star on Broadway: an amazing interactive digital billboard features giant sized models who take Polaroid pictures of the crowd outside, or even pinch and pick up individuals. And the entrance is programmed to recognise the bright yellow bags as shoppers leave the store, causing hundreds of light bulbs to flash like paparazzi shots.
2 H&M Flagship, Paris The evidence for the trend that we call the push for posh continues to mount, as yet another ultra glamorous fast fashion value flagship is designed by yet another signature architect. H&M s latest flagship, on the Champs Elysees in Paris, has been designed by Jean Nouvel, with a unique facade and interior. The three floor, 2,800 sqm store is clad in exposed white limestone and has sleek, industrial fixtures. The facade has a matrix of 11 LED screens which play moving stories.
3 Selfridges Shoe Galleries, London Selfridges is a master at turning products and spaces into must have events. The new shoe galleries is the world s largest single shoe destination. At 35,000 sq ft with more than 4,000 shoes on display, there are six galleries, each with their own unique design, and eleven apartments along the perimeter. The Selfridges Shoes Paper and What s your shoe story? as well as the Aubaine restaurant, bring energy and dynamism. But most importantly, this is a democratic space where high street and couture sit side by side.
4 Kurt Geiger, London Kurt Geiger has opened its largest and most sophisticated store in Covent Garden. Designed by retail architects Found Associates, as well as visual expert John Field, this 4,000 sq ft flagship store has been designed as a jewellery shop for shoes. A glamorous showcase for the very best of Kurt Geiger's collections, the amazing shoe chandelier, created from more than 250 shoes, is the star feature.
5 The Eye Hub, Melbourne On a recent trip to Melbourne we were lucky enough to get the full tour of the ground-breaking Eye Hub. This flagship store is an intellectual exercise in consumer focused thinking. There s a big emphasis on service, with an endless array of consultation rooms, a simulation room for cyclists to test for wind and glare, a children s play area, and eyepods where you can learn all about eyes. Best of all, though, are the interactive mirrors that video you in your new specs so you can see how you look by wearing your old ones.
6 Eataly, New York Italian Slow Food brand Eataly has finally opened its long anticipated New York outpost. The 50,000 sq ft foodhall has seven full service eateries and a rooftop beer garden with its own micro brewery. There is also La Scuola; Eataly's own food school. Bread is baked instore on a wood fired oven, and there is even a 'Vegetable Butcher' a concept created by installation artist Jennifer Rubell, where she can teach you to chop and prepare vegetables. Eataly has immediately become one of New York's most exciting foodie must do's.
7 K Mart, Store of the Future, Melbourne K Mart s store of the future programme has resulted in this sleek new concept, seen here in Melbourne. Designed by Sapient Nitro, with lighting design from LAPD, the 64,585 sq ft store is yet another example of the push for posh, where big box discount retailers are driving investment in sophisticated design.
8 One New Change, London One New Change is a very welcome addition to the City of London. It brings new life to the area at evenings and weekends and gives city workers a solid choice of Britain s best high street names. Designed by signature architect Jean Nouvel, the centre is an exquisite piece of architectural design. The complex structure is a study in the creative use of glass as a medium of reflection. Every vista creates a different pattern of light, dominated always by the wonderful spectacle of St Paul s Cathedral.
9 F&H by Fancl, Hong Kong F&H by Fancl shows us the future of health & beauty retailing. An innovative new concept by Hong Kong cosmetics retailer Fancl, F&H combines nutrition and beauty into a new total wellness store. With its eye catching facade and sleek, contemporary design, this small store is divided into four areas, Health, Food, Diet & Beauty, with a consultation zone to the side.
10 The Chin Chin Laboratorists, London Ice cream becomes a spectator event at London's first Nitro ice cream parlour. Located in Camden Market, Chin Chin sells ice cream made to order and frozen using liquid nitrogen. The space is a genuine laboratory, with experimental new flavours and confectionery developed all the time. Rose water and Lychee, lemon curd and Victoria sponge are some of the recent specials.
more? Trendtalks, retail safaris, best in class reports, competitor reviews, agency recommendation, images for presentations; contact us for the latest retail information and inspiration... Matthew Brown: t: +44 7980 838 303 e: matthew@echochamber.com Howard Saunders: t: +44 7973 293 213 e: howard@echochamber.com