Whether it was the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic or just spring: In the first half of 2022, several large fashion chains brought a breath of fresh air to their stores. White plastic gave way to an industrial metal look or unpainted wood, bold colors appeared on the walls and rounded shapes in the displays. Recurring innovations include the use of semi-transparent materials, the integration of Click & Collect pick-up stations and the possibility for customers to have their clothes personalized in store. FashionUnited has collected eight notable examples.
mango
In February, the Mango chain, which is part of the Spanish Inditex group, presented a new Mediterranean-style furnishing concept which, according to the company, is characterized by “warm tones and neutral colours” combined with natural-looking materials such as ceramics, wood and marble. be combined. Large lamps provide soft light. A Click & Collect counter is also part of the concept, as are areas dedicated to a collection that is only available online. Customers can now also try on the items in this collection in stores.
Bershka
The branch of the Bershka brand, which also belongs to Inditex, in The Hague was closed for four months. Meanwhile, the premises have undergone a thorough makeover, which was evident when it reopened in May. The floors no longer have a wood look, but have been given a grey-white craquelure pattern reminiscent of natural stone. The shelves are made of painted iron tubes and metal plates, and a colorful stool has been placed here and there as a contrast. The most striking innovation is the “Custom Lab”, where customers can have their clothes personalized with embroidery and prints. Semi-transparent windows and floor panels were installed here.
Marc O’Polo
The classic brand Marc O’Polo kept the wood-look floors, but instead of the earlier herringbone pattern, they now use simple planks. The striped wallpaper and dark walls gave way to a light, Scandinavian-minimalist style with white walls, slim displays, and subtle lighting.
Chasin’
Like Bershka, Chasin’ opted for metal, specifically brushed aluminum, combined with elements of natural oak, white tiles and semi-transparent wall panels. Here, too, more light has been brought into the interior: the lighting is brighter, and dark gray and black now play a smaller role.
Bristol
Above all, Bristol opted for decidedly raw elements such as wooden pallets and bare lightbulbs. What is particularly striking, however, is the increased use of mannequins and lower shoe racks, as well as the more generous design. Bristol says it wants to use these funds to create a “clearly structured, comfortable and inspiring shopping experience”. On some of the walls, black and white photos tell Bristol’s Dutch history.
Vero Moda
Vero Moda opted for a more playful approach. In its store, the brand, which belongs to the Danish best-selling group, threw paint pots with bright colors on the white background, which the brand has used for years. Noble green, soft yellow and purple alternate on the walls. Colorful campaign photos also hang above the clothes racks. There was also more variety in the materials: elements made of metal, wood and shiny plastic can now be found in the shop fittings.
Lacoste
Maybe even happier the new Lacoste flagship store in Paris on the traditional boulevard Champs-Élysées. Allusions to the world of sport are found throughout, such as artificial grass and tennis ball motifs. Otherwise reflective and semi-transparent materials were used. As with Bershka, Lacoste customers can also have their purchased items personalized on site.
C&A
That C&A flagship in Amsterdam has moved to the Kalverstraat shopping street. In the new store, clean lines were combined with rougher materials such as whitewashed bricks and wooden panels. In addition, the company is increasingly focusing on sustainability and the choice to shop both in the shop and online at C&A: For example, there is a Click & Collect pick-up station, and the price tags of the items have QR codes that point to products in the store refer to the C&A web shop.
This translated post previously appeared on FashionUnited.nl