As we know,  retail around the world has ground to a halt due to Corona Virus. Retail is certainly not in a good place at the moment. However, there is a glimmer of hope with lockdown restrictions in some countries slowly being lifted although the UK is some way behind.

So hopefully by the time the restrictions are fully lifted retailers should be thinking about “Back To School” windows. As with any concept, VM teams should be thinking and planning 6-9 months in advance.

Here at Creative Download we are finalising Christmas concepts for our clients which  include a Pop Up Christmas Gift Shop over multiple retail sites. Ho Ho Ho!

Here are some excellent inspirational window concepts from my files. Anything from fashion to chairs to over-sized pencils. The concept does not always have to relate to kids and stationery products. Back To School windows should be fun and a riot of colour and props. These windows should be inspiring and creative, as kids hate going back to school!

Given the strength of On-Line shopping retailers, with the help of the VM teams and Freelance Visual Merchandisers, stores should be stepping up a gear to ensure that all important ‘wow factor’ with creating retail theatre with both the window concepts and in-store presentation. It’s very much like the phrase “You Don’t Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression”

You can follow Creative Download on Facebook & Instagram.

http://www.creative-download.co.uk

In early March, before the Corona Virus lockdown in Dubai, Creative Download returned to work on a retail project with one of its regular clients.

While in Dubai, there was an opportunity to take a look at some of the great stores on offer to the many people that visit Dubai and the Middle East. It is one of those places used for a short-break or as a stop over between UK/Europe and Asia/Australia.

Here is a selection of photographs from the some of the stores that can be found in The Mall of Emirates and the Dubai Mall.

http://www.creative-download.co.uk

You can follow Creative Download on Facebook & Instagram.

It’s quite staggering how much Visual Merchandising plays a key role in retail without the general public/shoppers realising it. From window changeovers to floor moves & presentation to store promotions/pop-ups, most of this work occurs during the night.

In early March, before the Corona Virus lockdown in Dubai, Creative Download returned to work on a retail project with one of its clients. The Jashanmal store group is a household name within the GCC and operates stores in and across the UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait.

The project was to re-vamp/re-merchandise two of their stores; The Mall of Emirates and Dubai Mall.

Under the guidance of Creative Download, the In-House VM Team worked several overnight shifts to achieve the project. Fixtures were moved around, merchandise was relocated into zoned areas to give that all important shopping experience to the customer. Slow selling lines were removed from the store to make way for new products. Re-merchandising a store through the night is hard work and can be messy with stock left on the floor until it finds a new location, but so much can be achieved by 8am the following morning.

Retail has been experiencing tough trading conditions for some time, so it is crucial that retail stores look fresh, interesting and exciting to the customer. Visual Merchandising is absolutely paramount to the success of any retailer.

Despite creating a floor plan and strategy for the two stores, it’s all about creating something out of nothing and working with what you have, in the space you have. This certainly puts your Space Planning Skills to the test. Quite often the proposed floor plan does not always work, so you have to think on your feet as that 8am deadline approaches.

Although an element of creativity is needed, any floor moves must be commercially viable. Visual Merchandising doesn’t need big budgets. In this case we utilised the current fixtures as well as pulling fixtures from the warehouse/VM studio.

Currently retail around the world is at a standstill and despite the current situation we are facing, there is still renewed vigour within the retail industry with the people I am in contact with and the articles that I am reading.

In 2007/08 the UK was in recession and business was not in a good place. However, we pulled ourselves out and re-invented ourselves. People will always want to go shopping and there is no getting away from that. So, this is a great opportunity to think positive and long term so that they are ready for when the current situation changes.

Creative Download is currently working on several projects that will commence later in the year. In the meantime, do contact us for further information on how Creative Download can help drive your retail business forward.

http://www.creative-download.co.uk

You can follow Creative Download on Facebook & Instagram.

Are you at home due to the Corona Virus? 

Interested in a career in Visual Merchandising?

Or wishing to gain a VM Qualification?

Then take advantage of this limited offer sign up to our On-Line VM course.

Enrol at: http://www.bdsonline.co.uk

Follow The British Display Society on Facebook and Instagram.

Creative Download will be taking a break from writing the weekly blog. Our workload is quite hectic at present as we are working on a project in Dubai with a retail store group plus several projects back in the UK.

In addition to this, Creative Download is currently having its website redesigned and we are hoping to launch this around Easter.

In the meantime, thank you for following Creative Download and you can still follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

We will be back at Easter!

Thank You.

http://www.creative-download.co.uk

EuroShop is a trendsetting retail trade fair, held every three years in Dusseldorf. During the 5 days of the exhibition,  2,500 exhibitors from around 60 countries will present their products and services. EuroShop attracts over 110,000 visitors from around the world to find solutions for their businesses. Anything from Shop Fittings, Store Design, POS Marketing, Visual Merchandising, Food Tech & Energy Management through to Event Marketing and Retail Technology.

Creative Download took time out from its busy schedule to attend the show for a couple of days.  It was great to network with suppliers and make new contacts. The show is a must for anyone in the retail/visual merchandising industry although do give yourself 3-4 days to see everything! Despite taking over 400 photographs, here is just a small selection.

You can follow Creative Download on Instagram & Facebook.

http://www.creative-download.co.uk

Last Friday the international consumer goods industry welcomed Ambiente in Frankfurt.

This leading global trade fair in all matters of tableware, kitchenware, household goods and leisure as well as gifts, interior decoration and interior design.

Ambiente is the central hub of the entire consumer goods industry. Exhibitors from over 90 countries will be acting as trendsetters in and beyond the year 2020.

Here is a selection of photographs from this great trade show.

Don’t forget you can follow Creative Download on Facebook and Instagram

http://www.creative-download.co.uk

This year’s Spring Fair at the NEC, Birmingham opened on Sunday. Diverse, relevant, exciting, The Spring Fair is the definitive marketplace for the home and gift industry. This is a great way opportunity to find new suppliers and product inspiration, with over 50,000 retail professionals and 2,500 exhibitors.

Once again Creative Download were part of the Design/Product Styling team on The Portmeirion Group exhibition stand.

This year Spode is taking centre stage with the 250^th anniversary. Spode has become an iconic British brand renowned for its timeless heritage style that remains relevant to the most stylish of modern-day homes.

With its ranges from Sophie Conran, Botanical Garden and Wrendale, this iconic British company is renowned for selling ceramic tableware, cookware, giftware, glassware and home fragrance.

The Spring Fair is open until Thursday 6^th February.

Look out for next week’s VM blog that comes from the trade show Ambiente in Frankfurt.

Don’t forget you can follow Creative Download on Instagram.

Christmas World in Frankfurt is the world’s biggest trend and order platform for the international seasonal and festive decoration sector. With more than 1,080 exhibitors from 45 countries offering a unique spectrum of new festive and seasonal decorations, whether for consumers at home or large-scale projects such as shopping malls, hotels, and department stores.

Christmas World brings together manufacturers and retailers, as well as major commercial buyers from all over the world.

Creative Download had the opportunity to visit the trade show to source new suppliers and research Christmas trends for 2020. Although we could have spent another day at the show, over the 2-day period we certainly walked a few miles but came away with some good ideas. It was well worth the visit and a must to visit again next January.

Here is a just a selection of the 500 plus photos that were taken.

Don’t forget you can follow Creative Download on Facebook & Instagram.

http://www.creative-download.co.uk