What: M&S has opened its new megastore in Leeds, featuring a fresh market-style Foodhall, a clothing, home, and beauty department and an M&S Café across 97,000 square feet.

Why it is important: The store is a significant investment for the retailer in Leeds and is designed to make shopping inspirational and easier with its new in-store features and technology.

M&S' Leeds megastore, its 'best store yet'

M&S' Leeds megastore, its 'best store yet'

What: Hyundai Daegu has created an innovative cultural space for kids.

Why it is important: With this space, families with small children will likely be attracted to the store as the department store has created an interactive and innovative space for a customer segment that is not targeted very often.

Hyundai Daegu in South Korea has recently opened a new cultural space for children called MOKA+, which was designed by Seoul-based Design Studio Minwoo in collaboration with Spanish designer Jaime Hayón.

The space, which measures 145 sqm, features a Creative Lab for online art creation and digital recordings, a MOKA Library for indulging in picture books, an Art Lounge for interactive exhibitions, and an art material space for exploring various materials.

The design of MOKA+ aims to resonate with children's sensibilities by incorporating elements of playfulness, including a design featuring Hayón's Thinking Monkey character and a futuristic ceiling design.

The venue is part of the Hyundai Daegu's recent revamp and is affiliated with the MOKA Hyundai Museum of Kid's Books & Art.

MOKA+ at Hyundai Daegu

MOKA+ at Hyundai Daegu article

What: SKP has opened its park-like shopping complex in Chengdu which hosts more than 1,300 brands.

Why it is important: SKP is pushing the boundaries and challenging the expectations of luxury retailing, creating a one-of-a-kind shopping complex that is hidden underground by tapestry gardens.

After three years of construction, SKP has opened its new luxury shopping complex in Chengdu. The complex is unlike any other retailing experience in the world as it is one of the largest retailers and is almost invisible to the human eye.

SKP Chengdu is designed to look like a park, with tapestry gardens and landscapes hiding the 1,300 brands that are underground to honor Chengdu's nature and humanity. The complex is 500,000 square meters and divided into four areas where customers will find luxury shops and in-demand restaurants.

Earning the reputation of one of the most pioneering luxury retailers in the world, SKP continues to challenge the standards and expectations of luxury retailing as they set out to change how customers see and experience the world of luxury fashion.

SKP opens Chengdu shopping complex

SKP Chengdu Sybarite

What: Chinese retailers are accelerating to expand their reach on the market before the reopening of the country.

Why it is important: Hainan expect to grow its GDP by 10% this year, thanks to an increase of +20% of tourists, generating +25% revenue for the state.

Department store retailer Wangfujing has opened its first store in Hainan, a duty-free shopping haven in China where sales boomed during the pandemic. The store, named WFJ Duty Free, is located in Wanning City, southeast of Hainan, and has a total construction area of over 1.1 million square feet.

It's the first duty-free store for Wangfujing and it's being called "a starting point" for the company's dual tax + tax-free business. The store was designed by an Italian team and has a fantasy flower and plant theme, developed in cooperation with well-known artists. The store features nearly 400 brands across 9 categories, including health care products, food and coffee, and sporting goods.

The official opening of the Hainan store last week did not have much impact on investors, with Wangfujing's share price trending downwards slightly. In the nine months ending September 30, 2022, Wangfujing Group reported sales of $1.15 billion (Chinese yuan 8,466 million), compared to $1.3 billion in the same period a year earlier, while basic earnings per share from continuing operations were cut in half.

Beijing Department Store Wangfujing Opens In Hainan 

Beijing Department Store Wangfujing Opens In Hainan article

What: The Hyundai department store in Daegu, South Korea's third biggest city, first opened in 1978 and has since seen several transformations. Its latest, designed by Seoul-based architecture practice Betwin Space, sees the creation of its so-called U-PLEX floor, a separate in-house department store targeting a young, largely teen demographic.

Why it is important: Situated on level B2, the space measures 6,178 sqm. (66,499 sq.ft.) and is divided into five shopping zones, each with a distinct design and colour palette. The Hyundai's U-PLEX floor targets a savvy young generation. Infused with nifty hi-tech, it's a new space based on the virtual Meta platform, featuring appealing sensory elements, such as texture, light, and colour, and allowing shoppers to interact.

Hyundai Daegu renewal

Hyundai Daegu renewal Article

What: Materials and functionality are the pillars behind the 2050+ vision for Rome's Piazza Fiume store. The team iterated upon the original vision of Franco Albini and Franca Helg, who designed the retail destination on between 1957 and 1961. Their goal was to re-establish the building as an open space for citizens and visitors.

Why it is important: The 2050+'s vision for La Rinascente and the design enables the store to re-emerge as a tourist touchpoint and a landmark for locals.

New lighting, modular displays, surfaces and an ashlar wall on the sixth floor – an area for food retail – enhance the existing features. The level's terrace has been reopened for access, providing visual flow into the store's courtyard. Internal sightlines have also been improved with the newly built panoramic elevator – its form is a nod to the inaugural 1957 stairwell. Shop windows have been totally replaced, and a new glass surface inserted in the roof facing Rome's Aurelian Walls provides visitors with a sweeping city view from the sixth-floor restaurant.

Rome's La Rinascente refreshes exteriors and the sixth floor

Rome's La Rinascente refreshes exteriors and the sixth floor article

The IADS had the opportunity to visit the KaDeWe department store in Berlin, Germany. You can view the full photo report below, and read the exclusive article!

Check out the collection of pictures here

Kadewe exclusive article

What: The 60-square-metre shop, set in the department store Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, was designed to feel like a bedroom according to AMO, which is the research and design arm of architecture firm OMA.

Why it is important: It is the largest brand shop-in-shop opened in a French department store so far.

AMO previously designed another store for Jacquemus inside the London department store Selfridges. Much like the brand's Paris outpost, the shop was wrapped entirely in a single material – clay.

Jacquemus at Galeries Lafayette

Jacquemus at Galeries Lafayette

What: Kohl's has opened a 35,000-square-foot brick-and-mortar experience to test an experimental concept that aims to improve its retail performance.

Why it is important: Smaller than the typical Kohl's box locations, the Tacoma store is more open with modular fixtures, eye-level branding, an updated assortment focused on storytelling, mixed-brand merchandising, more mannequins and a cash desk that does not take away from the product.

The Tacoma concept store also has "Discover at Kohl's," a shop where customers can discover dozens of emerging, established, and diverse-owned brands new to the retailer, and already in 600 locations and on kohls.com. The home area has a product showroom experience with product vignettes that customers can shop right from their phone via QR code.

Kohl's concept store in Tacoma

Kohl's concept store in Tacoma article

What: After closing its legendary flagship store at New World Tower the luxury retailer has inaugurated brand new premises at Pacific Place shopping centre.

Why it is important: Occupying a prominent corner unit on Level 2, the store measures no less than 11,000 sq. ft. (1,022 sqm.) and features an interior design by architecture and interior design practice COLLECTIVE. The store marks a brand new chapter in JOYCE's history, and the chosen aesthetic aims to reflect the retailer's adventurous spirit but also oozes intimacy and warmth.

Joyce initiated Only At Joyce, a series of exclusive and unique collaborations, capsule collections, and in-store activations with renowned designers and brands from across the planet. The new series kicks off with a showcase of A/W 2022 runway pieces from Thom Browne.

The offerings also include a global exclusive capsule collection in collaboration with Raf Simons, a Yohji Yamamoto exclusive capsule collection, a Paco Rabanne chainmail-centric collection, and more. The beauty section presents a selection of genderless, niche beauty and fragrance labels, such as 19-69, amala, Dr. Barbara Sturm, FOLIE à PLUSIEURS, Nonfiction, Terre de Mars and Byredo. The homewares section, dubbed Entertaining Curiosities, stocks a range of rare items and gifts by a similar range of niche quality brands.

Joyce new Hong Kong store

Joyce new Hong Kong store ARTICLE

What: Jacquemus opens a permanent leather goods pop-up store in Selfridges

Why it is important: Occupying an 80 sqm. (860 sq.ft.) unit on the Duke Street side of the department store, it features a sinuous, tiered wall installation crafted from terracruda, a new ceramic material.

The installation not only comes with a number of matching displays, all designed by architects Ellen van Loon and Giulio Margheri of Rotterdam-based AMO, the research and design division of renowned architecture practice OMA, but the material also extends onto the floor, creating an immersive brand presentation. The new Jacquemus shop-in-shop exclusively carries the brand's range of coveted bags, small leather goods and other accessories.

Jacquemus in Selfridges

Jacquemus in Selfridges ARTICLE

What: Galeries Lafayette devotes an entire floor of 3,000 square meters to the world of care, holistic beauty and sport.

Why it is important: The department store is willing to benefit from the growing wellness market by offering a mix of gym, sports products and beauty services.

Massages, yoga and bootcamp classes, manicures, a sauna/hammam, cryotherapy, a piercing workshop, and even more are offered in the "wellness gallery" at Galeries Lafayette in the basement of the women's building. In addition to the classic hairdresser or nail salon areas, which can be found in other department stores, there is also a gym, with showers and changing rooms for clients looking for more than a shopping experience.

The decor is a luxurious seventies-inspired orange with organic shapes, wood tones, and soft lighting providing a relaxing and chic atmosphere. A cosy cocooning den with two orange and pink bubbles can be privatized for clients or groups.

Several international companies set up treatment areas or products within the "wellness gallery", with 800 square meters allocated to highlighting products. For beauty, there are sixteen brand corners and a large multi-brand space housing 170 different labels. With such an extensive offer of products and services, expert employees are at the ready to advise clients on purchases while a reservation platform has been put online to facilitate booking appointments.

Finally, a catering area entrusted to the DS Café completes the space. For clients looking to learn more about health and wellness, a range of books about personal development, alternative medicine, and sports are also part of the available products.

Galeries Lafayette's new wellness centre

Galeries Lafayette's new wellness centre ARTICLE

What: The multibrand retailer is opening a department store at a Chongqing's historical site, with a focus on homegrown brands.

Why it is important: Retailers are shifting strategies in post-lockdown China. By carving out a space for culture and art, selling Gen Z-friendly streetwear, modestly priced fashionable homeware, candles and books, SND hopes to draw in a new cohort of shoppers.

SND, the multibrand fashion retailer in Chongqing is launching the Super Normal Department, one of its biggest stores since it opened nine years ago. The space includes three independent buildings and a courtyard garden, spanning 10,800 square feet. The space is minimal in design. Initially occupied by eateries and bars, Super Normal Department is part of Changjiahui Shopping Park, an outdoor shopping center known for attracting tourists.

Seventy percent of SND's clientele is young people who had experience studying abroad and have developed their own sense of style. They prefer European and Korean brands such as Marine Serre, Hyein Seo and Our Legacy. The other 30% are the new middle class who prefer local brands such as Eenk and Immi, which are trendy but also work-friendly.

Due to accelerated store openings, SND's sales doubled in 2021 year-over-year. The company now counts 12 stores in first- and second-tier cities, including Chongqing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Guiyang and Sanya. SND also launched a Tmall store in 2018, which accounts for around 35 to 40% of sales. The company is also planning a new store in Shenzhen this August.

With a population of 32 million, Chongqing is the largest city in Southwest China.

SND ventures into department store format

SND ventures into department store format

What: Hyundai's Seongnam branch, an affluent and fast-growing satellite town of the sprawling capital Seoul, wants to attract savvy and young consumers thanks to its renewed U-PLEX space.

Why it is important: The configuration of the 4,065 sqm 4th floor section contributes to creating the vibe of a multi-brand store while it also allows to better define different brands.

Hyundai tapped local architecture practice Betwin Space to revamp U-PLEX, the section on the department store's fourth floor which is specifically dedicated to a Millennial and Generation Z demographic. The interior design concept is based on the notion of 'time collage' which aims to put together different elements of the past and present to create a new spatial experience that tickles the senses of the hyper savvy target demographic

Additionally, pattern sequences were created by pairing ceiling lighting with metal frames, and an island configuration was fused with the ceiling to create a distinct visual identity. A cross-shaped vertical bar is connected to the ceiling's pattern sequence, creating unity in the entire space. In order to heighten the sense of entering exciting new premises, a passage was created with the look and feel of a classic hotel lobby.

Hyundai's Seongnam store renewal

Hyundai's Seongnam store renewal ARTICLE

What: Harrods is opening a Moët & Chandon bar on the ground floor of its London department store.

Why it is important: Harrods continues to capitalize on luxurious food and beverage experiences with its most recent endeavour being a Moët & Chandon branded bar.

Located on the ground floor of the London department store, the exterior of the location is decorated in a gold bubble design to match the champagne. Inside and directly below the chandelier sits a 34-seat bar inspired by the shape of the terroir in which the prized Moët & Chandon grape vines grow. The bar top will be glass and beneath, the chalk terroir will be represented in the compressed and sustainable micro-paper surfaces crafted by hand to form a sculptural surface.

Subtly injected into the bar surface will be 'the kiss' replicating the Moët 'X' inspired by an old wax seal. It will be up-lit to halo the glow of the base of the bottle or glass served to each guest. Additional seating can be found lining the large windows which look out onto bustling Brompton Road.

Harrods opens Moët & Chandon bar

Harrods opens Moët & Chandon bar ARTICLE

What: Following the establishment of Asos and Nordstrom's joint venture, the duo has now revealed their first physical stores located in Los Angeles and New York City.

Why it is important: The partnership included a minority interest investment by Nordstrom in Asos-owned brands, Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands. At the time, the two said the joint venture would aid in the growth of both the companies as well as bring Asos products to Nordstrom's e-commerce platform and select stores.

The stores include:

The Grove Nordstrom, LA

Nordstrom, New York City

Inside Asos x Nordstrom's first LA and NYC stores

Inside Asos x Nordstrom's first LA and NYC stores

What: The latest Flannels store that has just opened in Liverpool is "revolutionary" and "groundbreaking".

Why it is important: The seven-floor, 120,000 sq ft flagship brings a ground-breaking fashion, beauty and wellness experience to the North of England. Within the premises is a vast beauty hall, three restaurants, a bar, the world's first in-store Barry's Bootcamp, a made-to-measure "tweakments" destination courtesy of Dr. Esho, and a soon-to-be-unveiled roof terrace that promises uncompromised views of Liverpool.

The store also hosts an 18 Montrose concept space and streetwear and exclusive collaborations ranging from Rick Owens x Converse to Pharrell Williams x Adidas.

An expansive fashion line-up that includes an "unrivalled" Balenciaga edit, Loewe making its retail debut in the north of England, Christian Louboutin showcasing a curated edit, a regional debut for Rhude, as well as exclusive pop-up spaces with brands such as Burberry and Off-White, and LA-based Amiri.

Also featured are exclusive edits and limited-edition styles via New York's LaQuan Smith, 16Arlington, and new labels to its roster such as Jacquemus. Meanwhile Flannels "stalwarts" include Stone Island, CP Company, Casablanca, Fear of God and Represent.

On the beauty front, shoppers have the chance to experiment with products including Pat McGrath Labs, Kylie Cosmetics, Hermès, Gucci Beauty, Tom Ford, Chanel, and Patrick Ta. The beauty edit is bolstered by haute and cult fragrances by Creed, Le Labo, Frederick Malle, and By Killian, as well as skincare by Dermalogica and more.

With the opening of each of these experience-orientated flagships, we're doubling down on our commitment to 'new luxury', on our understanding of youth culture, and on the valued proposition we give to brands: access to untapped audiences."

Flannels "biggest investment yet"

Flannels "biggest investment yet"

The IADS had the opportunity to visit the Boyner Cadde department store in Istanbul, Turkey. You can view the full photo report below, and read the exclusive article!

Check out the collection of pictures here

Boyner exclusive article

The IADS had the opportunity to visit Printemps in Paris. You can view the full photo report below, and read the exclusive article!

Check out the collection of pictures here

Printemps exclusive article

The IADS had the opportunity to visit the NK department store in Stockholm, Sweden. You can view the full photo report below, and read the exclusive article!

Check out the collection of pictures here

Nk exclusive article

The IADS had the opportunity to visit the Stockmann department store in Helsinki, Finland. You can view the full photo report below, and read the exclusive article!

Check out the collection of pictures here

Stockmann exclusive article

The IADS had the opportunity to visit the following dutch department stores: De Bijenkorf, Peek & Cloppenburg and Vanderveen. You can view the full photo report below, and read the exclusive article!

Check out the collection of pictures here

Dutch department stores exclusive article

The IADS had the opportunity to visit the Inno department store in Brussels, Belgium. You can view the full photo report below, and read the exclusive article!

Check out the collection of pictures here

Inno exclusive article

The IADS had the opportunity to visit the Pyrénées department store in Andorra. You can view the full photo report below, and read the exclusive article!

Check out the collection of pictures here

Pyrénées exclusive article