Things used to be so simple. We bought nails at the hardware store, books at the bookstore, coffee from a coffee shop. We lived in communities made up primarily of dwellings, and commuted to work away from our homes. It was an easy time to be a retailer: put up a sign, stock your shelves […]
The Impact Mixed-Use Spaces Can Have on Retail Read More »
Seamlessness is now an expectation in our service-oriented society. Customers have little patience for services that are inconvenient, frustrating, and inefficient. We don’t want to wait in line, have to repeat ourselves, or deal with mistakes. Many major companies are selling services instead of physical products and are differentiating themselves based on customer experience. Brands
Service Design and the Banking Experience Read More »
Shikatani Lacroix Design is proud to have been inducted into the Class of 2018 at Retail Design Institute’s 48th International Store Design Competition. In celebration of Nu Xtore, an experience center designed by SLD for health and beauty company Nu Skin, this year’s judging panel recognized SLD for excellence in design and execution. The Retail Design
SLD Recognized for Excellence in Design and Execution Read More »
Over five years ago, SLD introduced the word “immersive” into our company vision, and identified the term as the new definition of customer engagement. At the time, the idea of creating immersive experiences focused on how technology such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) would shift the way consumers engage with brands and
The Four Levels of Immersive Experiences Read More »
Tip Top has partnered with Toronto branding and design firm Shikatani Lacroix Design (SLD) for a transformative rebrand of their company. To support the modernization of the Tip Top brand, SLD led the creation of a new visual identity, retail store design, digital experience, value proposition and brand manifesto. As a Canadian brand rooted in
Tip Top Unveils New Retail Store Design Read More »
Once upon a time a retailer could offer products with a generalist, one-size-fits-all approach. Foodservice operators could present the same menu across their entire network. Banks could offer the same products and services at every branch. Apparel stores could stock whatever fit into their store. And people would buy. As anyone in the retail industry
Retail Storytelling Through Curation Read More »
While pop-up stores have been around for decades, their popularity seems to be at an all time high. They are a great way to connect with consumers and build awareness around a brand or new product launches, not to mention the opportunity to create the “wow factor” and the possibility to leverage consumer’s sense of
Our Favorite Retail Pop-Ups of 2018 Read More »
On November 23, 2018, Nu Skin officially unveiled their new experience center, Nu Xtore, in Shenzhen, China. Designed by Shikatani Lacroix Design (SLD), the state-of-the-art Nu Xtore features an increased focus on the customer experience and incorporates the latest in design and technology. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, SLD’s president, and Teddy Ma, Managing Director, Pacific Rim, were
SLD Designs New Experience Center for Nu Skin Read More »
As customer needs change and emerging technology enables new possibilities, retail channels need to adapt in order to stay relevant. This pattern has been demonstrated throughout history. For example, before the 1900s, personal cars and home refrigerators were not widely used, so people would visit markets and convenience stores fairly often. After sub-urbanization began and these
Design Considerations for Different Retail Formats Read More »
Digital technology has changed retail. You can now buy an item from your phone and have it shipped to you without ever visiting a store. If shoppers actually visit a retailer, they often encounter digital technology such as screens, mobile app integration, augmented and virtual reality, and mobile payments. These digital experiences can help attract,
The Influence of Digital Technology in the Shopper Journey Read More »
Comfort can have different meanings. It can mean physically comfortable, with soft seating and moderate temperature. Or, a person can be mentally comfortable, where a space is calm, safe, and welcoming. In a retail context, store design can play a large role in making customers feel more at ease. Have you ever walked into a
Designing More Comfortable Retail Spaces Read More »
Retailers and food operators are finding it harder to find new locations with strong growth potential, as much of the population growth is happening in congested urban centers, and the majority of great locations are already occupied. This phenomenon is not limited to North America, as many countries have too many stores, and are seeing
Renovate or Relocate? Six Things to Consider Read More »
Retail is taking a turn down a curious alley. Many brands are opening retail concept stores that defy all logic by having nothing for sale. From pop-up shops, to “guide-shops,” to showrooms where customers can play with the latest products in a branded environment, retailers are suddenly feeling oddly comfortable pushing less sales and more
Why Experience Stores are on the Rise Read More »
Does the design of your store or restaurant reflect your brand’s personality? Or is it out of sync with the message that you want to convey? Retail design is a physical representation of a brand that shapes customer experiences. Lighting, color, materials, fixtures, layout, commercial retail graphics, and digital signage all influence perceptions and express
Using Retail Design to Bring Your Brand to Life Read More »
SLD recently won Silver at the Shopper Innovation Awards for our work with China Zheshang Bank (CZ Bank) in the In-Store Engagement category. The annual awards, produced by strategy, celebrate the best in retail-focused campaigns as well as consumer packaging. “We are extremely proud of the work we did with CZ Bank and to be recognized by strategy is a honour,” says Jean-Pierre
SLD Wins Silver at Shopper Innovation Awards Read More »
The investment in developing a new supermarket design is significant, and the risk is enormous. With most supermarket and grocery chains consisting of thousands of locations, converting to a new concept can be laborious and span many years. On average, most good operators renovate about 5 to 10 percent of their stores per year, putting
What is the Lifespan of a Supermarket Design Concept? Read More »
In the spring of 2018, we conducted an online study as a precursor to a more extensive NXT branch of the future neuroscience and VR study. The goal of this research is to better understand customers’ definition and perceived value of an immersive experience across a wide range of retailers. Fill out the form below
Retail Immersive Experience Defined Read More »
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it makes sense that ugliness should be as well. However, some brands are almost universally regarded as unappealing when compared to competitors. Many of those ugly packages, websites, and environments develop cult followings from loyal customers, much to the frustration of brand managers who pour their
Shikatani Lacroix has won a Gold APEX Award at the Digital Signage Expo (DSE) for designing an immersive restaurant bar experience for Boston Pizza. Shikatani Lacroix received a Gold APEX award in the Food & Beverage category, selected by an independent panel of 10 industry experts and journalists. The award was presented at the DSE 2018 APEX awards gala
Shikatani Lacroix Wins Gold APEX Award Read More »
Our recent stealth attrition study identified that customers today are more willing to switch banks or consider purchasing a new service from a competing bank. This behaviour is exacerbated by increasingly easy account opening and on-boarding processes thanks to technology and improved back-of-house systems. With so many elements to consider when it comes to growing your bank’s
Rating the Curb Appeal of Your Bank Branches Read More »
