International Retail Store Design Principles – The Principle of Totality
February 12, 2025
E commerce is fast growing to be an important channel of sales for Retail Companies. Though the volumes of online shopping may be miniscule when compared to the traditional sales channel, still the importance of being present and providing a Website for online shopping is something that no Retail Company can afford to ignore. The […]
Marketers have various tools at their disposal to build a strong consumer based brand equity. Through this tool, they have developed many strategically important marketing communication programs. It is important for survival of brand to understand how effective these programs have been. If these programs have been able to induce a positive image and increased […]
When one refers to International Retail business, the comparison is mainly referring to the European and US markets. ECR or Efficient Consumer Response initiatives in the 1990s changed the face of the International Retailing business in Europe as well as US. The studies covering the entire supply chain from suppliers to the end consumer were […]
What is Management? Management refers to the process of bringing people together on a common platform and make them work as a single unit to achieve the goals and objectives of an organization. Management is required in all aspects of life and forms an integral part of all businesses. Retail management The various processes which […]
For a long time, the marketing theories and principles of marketing experts like Phillip Kotler and others were the bible for Management and Marketing Managers. However in the last two decades, every business rule, marketing theory and guiding Organizational principles have had to be re-written, new rules for marketing have had to be defined and […]
People love shopping at International Retail Malls and Stores. Weekends are often spent with family and friends shopping and spending entire day out at the malls. The Stores are designed to attract, entertain and engage the consumers. Therefore the Stores are designed, keeping in mind the visibility aspect as well as ease of use for consumers and utilities in mind in addition to the operational and functional requirements. Architects and designers are guided by the Design principles which lay emphasis on Totality, Resource, Time, iteration as well as serviceability aspect of design while finalizing the layout and design for Retail Stores.
Retail Store design comprise of physical as well as functional, utilitarian as well as perception and responsibility aspects which have a bearing on the entire model and business. While attracting and engaging the Customers is the primary goal of the Retail business, the Retail Company is often required to manage larger platform of public good as well as social responsibility too. Essentially the Store Design is required to take such elements into consideration and build the design accordingly.
When we refer to public good and social responsibility, we are not referring to the community service or any such activities. Many stores do allow various NGOs to set shop temporarily at their premise and thus support some public causes. However on the design aspect, they might adapt to the local environment and blend with the local tradition. Liberty of London and their Regent Street Store is one such example where in they have continued to maintain the overall ambience and the store design in line with its heritage but continued to modify to usher in modern concepts too without sacrificing on its history.
Take the case of Prada ‘Guggenheim’ in New York, the recipient of several awards including GE Edison Award for Merit for lighting. The building is futuristic depicting a super luxury brand. Though the entire interiors enhance and bring to light the architecture of the building, the designers have ensured that the building design embraces the social and cultural aspects of the local community. Accordingly the building which is essentially a retail outlet during the business hours turns to a venue for social events by evenings. Several Retail Stores tend to extend and blend into their surroundings and it is not unknown for the Retail Company to maintain nearby locations of public utility.
ASDA Hamilton of Scotland has exhibited creativity in its Store Design in a way that the adjoining public space that is used by the local residents for recreational as well as for trading purposes seems to be a natural extension of the Store and the border lines are not visible.
The entire set up including the parking, seating as well as the architecture of the building blends in with the open space and the utilities are open to both Customers as well as non-customers.
Most Retail Companies do associate themselves with some social cause or promote events in order to further their brands. However there exists similar scope for them to lend themselves to specific local environment and adapt their Store Design in a way that it is able to service one and all. Herein, the Architects are guided by Principle of Serviceability while designing the International Retail Stores.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *