Butler and Wilson, London

We're not glitzy loving kind of guys, but we do love the merchandise at Butler and Wilson right now.  With their mannequin wearing what actually appears like an old Gaultier number but complete with feathered headdress (or warbonnet) we cant help but be drawn in.  It would be better (at least we think) if the merchandise was elevated a little higher (placed on the window floor, which is something these guys always do doesn't make this stuff particularly desirable - actually more like a wholesaler)  But anyway, we want one of these gorgeous diamante skulls.

Ermenegildo Zegna, London

This is a little more risque for Zegna than we normally see, don't you think?  We're usually presented with a large format bust form with a few additional props....ish   plus a few suits and ties, tied, and manicured within an inch of their little lives.  Currently it appears that the stockroom cardboard hanger box has been cleared and 'voila' new window scheme.......and we know what you are thinking.......cheap scheme at that.   Cu'mon Zegna, spend some money and entertain us?  You guys have some incredibly great quality schemes but creativity-wise we feel the big ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz.

One Night with........Joan

What did we get up to this weekend?.........well, we spent One night with Joan of course.  After a mega tour, the star of 'Cinzano', 'The Stud',  'Die-Nasty' and latterly 'Snickers' (but we still prefer Marathon) was peddling her life story (oddly courtesy of an auto-cue.....wouldn't one know ones own life story?) But anyway, a good titter of an evening courtesy of the husband Percy - yeah we couldn't believe she married someone called Percy either - but still. we love old Joanie and the little 'ole Joanie wigs too.

On the streets, London

Prophetic?

DnA Factory, Berlin

Images Courtesy and Copyright DnA Factory

Those lovely boys at DnA Factory are doing it again.  Their latest contribution to the Art world opened on Friday in Berlin at Herzensbrecher in the Strychnin Gallery.  How cool?  The event is a 'charity group exhibition with the proceeds going to the international childrens' charity, Ein Herz Fur Kinder where 50 or so international artists have modified and decorated a porcelain heart supplied by The New English.  Below is an image The Safe Keep and the show opens until 8th April.

 

........and if that's not enough, if you are unable to see this amazing duo in Berlin then you can also catch them at the Westbank Gallery here in London from 29th March also.

Gallery:  London West Bank, 133-137 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RS

www.londonwestbank.com

Juicy Couture, London

We're not entirely sure what we think about the latest scheme at 'Juicy'.  For us at least there is no statement here and everything looks so confused.  No footwear is never a good sign or a quality retailer (for us at least).  We really, really want to love what these guys do but find ourselves just saying 'OK', maybe the NYC store is doing something exciting?

Anne Fontaine, London

We barely noticed this store usually but we were strangely drawn in by this scheme.  We don't know much about Anne Fontaine as (oddly) the website is still under construction so we did try and find out more but you may have to do a more in depth search yourself.  Anyway, from what we've gleaned, it seems the 'White Shirt' is the key piece here and we've also heard that the interior space is quite delicious.  OK, well, this is hardly revolutionary stuff - hanging bust forms wearing merchandise - although this does have that wonderful whiff of sophistication that only the French seem to know how to do.

Guest Post from Michael Koploy

In January, Amazon.com ran a promotion encouraging consumers to use its mobile app. If customers purchased an item via its app while in a retailers' store, Amazon provided a monetary incentive to choose the on line e-tailer over the brick-and-mortar store.

Retailers were outraged. It had finally happened--on line retailers were turning small, independent and even chain stores into showrooms for the on line giants. How could retailers ever compete with its on line counterparts’ low-priced inventory?

Retailers would be hard-pressed to do so. Retailers have to acknowledge that the price wars are...well, over. Instead, successful retailing will depend on retailers’ ability to do the following for each customer that enters the store:

(1) Offer an exceptional experience--that can’t be recreated on line. This is the biggest opportunity for retailers. With a little effort (and some teamwork), retailers can bring the magic back to shopping. It can be as simple as offering classes for customers to learn how to use products, or have local celebrities in-store to showcase their favourite items.

(2) Rethink the store footprint. Instead of having 30 kinds of hammers, why not have the two hammers that everyone wants? Ensure that the right inventory is easily accessible and clearly visible with effective, inviting signage.

(3) Don’t sell--consult. Customers are coming to the store because they didn’t get what they needed from manufacturers’ websites or Amazon. They already know about the items' best and worst qualities. Don’t be a salesman; rather, be a likable expert that the customer will come back to time and time again for insight and advice.

Guest post from Michael Koploy, small business pos software expert at Software Advice. He can be reached directly at michael@softwareadvice.com.

Sonia Rykiel, London

We quite like the simplicity of this scheme at Sonia Rykiel in town right now.  If you have seen the various Easter eggs around the west end then, well, at least, here's one you may not have seen?  And probably one of the best ones - apart from the Unicorn emerging from a Black egg on Bruton St.  But anyway, the lighting works beautifully although the second window seems to have been rather forgotten?  Cu'mon guys, stick your cork back on?

Links, London

Links of London always seem to produce such interesting schemes, don't you think?  We're not fans of jewellery ourselves (and wear none at all) although we do appreciate the visual when brands such as this get it all so right.  With their tiny digital screens forming one end of the display cases and these cut perspex circular pieces (a little reminiscent of the 1970's Spirograph's)  just a few pieces of jewellery have been placed or suspended strategically to create these gorgeous installations.

NYOU, Eilat, Israel

Wow, who would have thought that Eilat was so much fun?  Here at NYOU, images courtesy of the very talented Ira Simonov, they've launched their latest promotion 'I Love Candy' for their 'New Sweet Collection'.  This really is a cheery fun scheme from this retailer and probably a much needed visual antidote around the world right now.  We love the colour of those wigs too....!

Zara, London

Zara just get it so right, don't you think?  We love the simplicity of this scheme with just one highlight, the copper coloured mannequin wig - bang on trend too.  For a fast-fashion company, these guys have bags of style, delight the eyes of the shoppers and the staff are always (at least from our experience) very friendly and helpful.  Zara is rocking right now.

Hoss, London

What the frock?  We've been passing this scheme for a few weeks and have bitten our lips until now, but we can no longer resist mentioning how wrong this is, don't you think?  OK, well we cant knock the attempt at creativity, although clearly this brand doesn't want to be creative? (and certainly is mainstream)  But, anyway, cu'mon guys.............change this scheme...it appears that the frock is less blown in a hurricane but simply trapped in a 'door'.......... just so frocking wrong.