Apple just recently opened the doors to their stunning new store on the weekend in France.  Set in a former bank, the Paris Opera Apple Store is a refreshing sight in comparison to the usual mall Apple Store.  Unobtrusive and respectful of the Parisian cityscape, the new store is a delightful amalgamation of historic architecture, innovative technology, and stunning product design.

What would retail experiences be like if all major companies integrated their brick and mortar stores uniquely to their local environments?  What if there were no such thing as 40 page in-store guidelines to adhere to?

- Heather

There is an emerging trend in retail that you have likely encountered during your last trip to the mall. It’s known as scent branding. Retailers like Abercrombie & Fitch have been using this technique for years but it is becoming more apparent in several other retail segments.

The theory behind using atmospheric scent is that smell is considered to be the strongest of the five senses. The olfactory bulb is directly connected to the limbic system in the brain; this is the area that controls behaviour and emotion. (Refer to diagram below) Scents help trigger memories and evoke emotions it can also help consumers associate with a particular brand.

This ambiance tool needs to be carefully used, what may draw one person into the store may repel another! Therefore subtle more neutral aromas are likely more fitting. The scent should also complement the product offering i.e. baby powder fragrance in a children’s apparel store or coconut oil scent in a swimsuit department, which UK retailer Harrods used.

What are your thoughts? Do you think scent branding provides an improved retail experience?

- Veronica

New Yorkers are lucky to have the recent addition of the Bowery Nike Stadium in their neighbourhood for the World Cup this year.  Completed in May 2010, Nike Stadiums are multi-purpose event destinations.  With stadiums already in Berlin, London, Milan, Paris, and Tokyo, the Bowery visual-experience can be summed up as an organically-strewn triangle sports party.

Featuring an interesting use of pegboard for visual effect, the layering of micro pegboard over macro not only provides a sense of depth and acts as a product highlighting tool, but also paves the way for huge functionality and versatility in the future for the mixed-use environment.   From the images, it appears that the walls and merchandise can be playfully planogrammed like a game of tangrams – indicating a sign of smart and adaptable retail design.

Retailers are beginning to recognize the benefits of using digital displays to influence consumer decisions. It allows consumers to create their own individual experience based on the digital elements they choose to interact with.

As demonstrated in the photos, this technology has been implemented in-stores using touchscreen components to help educate consumers, provide ease of navigation while displaying virtual images of the product on the user’s body without having to physically try it on. Interactive technology such as this has helped brands increase their sales (ie. 85 percent increase in sales at the Tissot concession in-store). For more information click on the Tissot photo.

- Maggie

Red Leaf Retail recently returned from the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show, where we participated as an exhibitor for the very first time. We also launched our new Paradigm Retail Tools concept, an innovative and forward-looking set of  shopper marketing initiatives to enhance the retail environment and improve the shopping experience.

Check out the video above to learn more. Be sure to select 720p HD in the bottom right corner once the video starts to get the best resolution!

- Bev