Galeries Lafayette flagship store on boulevard Haussmann in Paris is undergoing refurbishment.

The Women Fashion Sport department, previously located on the 4th floor, has moved to the 3rd floor, among Women apparel.

full report: women fashion sport - galeries lafayette, paris

Lingerie, also previously located on the 4th floor, is to join the 2nd floor in a few weeks.

Galeries Lafayette

French department store Printemps has opened a new fashion space in its Haussmann flagship in September 2019. Dubbed Le Market, the new space offers branded women's ready-to-wear and accessories that embrace all the latest trends. Spread over 300sqm on the 4th floor, it features 32 exclusive brands spotted on Instagram and a curated selection of items catering to Millennials. Designed like an inclusive and unique fashion incubator, the disruptive, instagrammable space looks like a concept store inside the store.

Le Market at Printemps

Dallas-based Neighborhood Goods is referred to as a "new type of department store" by the retailer itself. The company reimagines the brick-and-mortar shopping experience for the digital age, with the idea to give both digitally native startups and established companies a space to introduce their products to customers. The brands can be flexible in terms of how much space they use, how they use it, and how long they stay. The carefully curated ever-rotating assortment offer brands and products specifically for each neighborhood, giving a new exclusive choice to customers each time they come back into the store.

The first store opened in November 2018 in Texas and they now have three locations:

7300 Windrose Ave, Suite A130, Plano, Texas

Chelsea Market: 75 9th Ave., Suite 1A55, New York, New York

South Congress Ave. in Austin, Texas

Neighborhood Goods website

Neighborhood Goods

See below a review of all refurbishments undergone by several Palacio de Hierro stores in 2020. It includes improvements at Palacio: Perisur, Santa Fé, Gudalajara, Polanco, Centro, Villahermosa, Cancun, Centro Coyoacan, Satélite, MTY, and bank GNP Taxqueña.

And get a glimpse at projects and redesigned due to be unveiled in 2021.

EL PALacio de hierro - remodels 2020

John Lewis has revamped its Oxford Street flagship's menswear department. The 1860sqm space has been completely made-over by John Lewis's in-house retail design team, "reflecting a modern, calming aesthetic". The redesign included two "completely transformed own-brands" (John Lewis & Partners and Kin) and the new experiential flagship experience for Oxford Street.


The new department includes a VIP area called The Speak Easy, a clubhouse space that, in line with its name, is accessible via a concealed doorway hidden behind some display shelves. It features comfortable seating and a bar. It's described as "the world's smallest clubhouse" and customers can book what the retailer has dubbed the Ultimate Menswear Experience, a two-hour personal styling session. During the session, the firm's Style Advisors can advise on everything from tailoring to weekend-wear. The session does not only focus on fashion but also includes grooming products and fragrance.  The grooming-focused VIP customer could also book services such a brow shaping, a facial or manicures within The Speak Easy space.


On the shop floor, the company has demystifyed the menswear shopping experience and hosts a team of dedicated, approachable 'Walk and Talk' Style Advisors, with advice hints and tips. For a more focused session, customers can also take advantage of an appointment-based styling service in the menswear styling room.

To enhance men's shopping experience, John Lewis is re-imagining fitting rooms, introducing a luxurious, masculine aesthetic and a new Walk-In Wardrobe concept" -a collection of modern changing rooms where the focus is getting the customer what they need — quickly. Partners within this space will be able to make suggestions on potential looks and trends and source pieces instantly – introducing new ideas and possibilities.

The open-plan retail floor itself features clean lines, carefully curated product edits and dedicated dwell areas for customers, making for a more comfortable and easier shopping experience. There are also digital screens that offer a dynamic platform for collections to be brought to life alongside updates on services.

The revamped department also includes a 93sqm event space called The Pitch that will host workshops and other happenings.

Womenswear

Menswear

Accessories

Harrods has just opened its latest International Designer Room 2 on the second floor with a focus that's all about the brands. The 170 sqm ultra-luxe space was designed by David Collins Studio as a place to shop for fun rather than necessity. Previously located on the lower ground floor, this Designer Room houses "unique and forward-thinking brands" with 12 dedicated boutiques for labels.

The look is very contemporary with plenty stainless steel, white-veined black marble, and leather-lined changing rooms. Two pop-up areas will feature monthly installations from big names as well as emerging labels. The pop-ups will also play host to exclusives such as November's debut of new Beats Headphones. New scent launches, watches and other tech accessories are likely to be a big feature of the spaces too, given their importance to men's sales overall.

The new area continues the luxe concept established with last year's Superbrands opening and the launch of International Designer Room 1 last February. the International Designer Room 3 will be revealed later this year with new brands. Following that, Shoes & Accessories, Luxury and Contemporary and the Designer Casuals and Outdoor departments will migrate to their new Second Floor home.

The whole project is set to complete in 2020 by when the Second Floor will be a one-stop shop for all things menswear, including personal-shopping services, tailoring and bespoke areas alongside dedicated pop-up spaces, two restaurants and a barber.

Macy's has transformed the men's floor of its New York City flagship with new brands and curated assortments. The reimagined concept features new products and brands, as well as a curated space highlighting trends called "The Park."

The 14,500-sq.-ft. main floor space has been updated to appeal to fashion-conscious, urban customers. Along with a more on-trend setting, Macy's has added such brands as Scotch & Soda and Coach men's apparel to the mix, and a premium denim zone with J Brand, 7 For All Mankind, Fidelity, and Naked & Famous Denim.

The Park, a 4,500-sq.-ft. hub within the redesigned men's department, is home to on-trend pieces including apparel, accessories, shoes and more from a revolving selection of new and popular brands. The assortment, which refreshes every eight to 12 weeks, provides shoppers the opportunity to build outfits from head-to-toe.

"Macy's curated assortment inspires our customer to express himself through fashion, while showing him how to effortlessly wear head-to-toe looks," said Durand Guion, vice president of Macy's fashion office. In addition to its in-store presence at the Herald Square store, 'The Park' selection can also be accessed online at macys.com/thepark.

Macy's


Opened in the summer 2019, Harrods' new Dining Hall marks the third phase of the monumental restoration of the store's iconic Food Halls. Formerly known as the Meat & Fish Hall, the new Dining Hall offers you the chance to enjoy produce sourced directly from the Roastery & Bake Hall – the first phase of the two-year transformation project, which opened in November 2018 – and the Fresh Market Hall – the second phase, which opened in late 2018.


The central Wine Bar offers an international wine list curated by Harrods' expert team and more than 100 wines served by the glass and access, via an iPad, to some 1,000 bottles from the Fine Wines & Spirits department. Bar snacks, as well as special dishes from Caviar House & Prunier, are also available to complement the wide range of cuvées.


The new Sushi Bar, headed up by Eddie Lim of the Mango Tree group, offers speciality nigiri served with truffle yuzu or traditional soy.


Specialising in seasonal takes on traditional Italian recipes, the daily changing menu at the Pasta Bar showcases the produce delivered that morning, complemented by fresh handmade pasta and staple hero dishes.

The Fish Bar champions the best of British fish and seafood from the Fresh Market Hall, ethically caught and directly sourced by Harrods fish buyers and fishmongers. Key dishes include signature Harrods fish and chips, ceviche, a catch of the day, and smoked salmon from the Faroe Islands, all beautifully served.

The Grill showcases the finest locally sourced meats, ranging from dry-aged beef, Wagyu and rotisserie chicken to seasonal game.


Inspired by its heritage – Harrods was founded as a wholesale grocer and tea merchant in east London in 1834 – the Grade II* listed Dining Hall has been sensitively modernised by David Collins Studio, elevated to new levels of luxury while keeping its most recognisable décor elements, such as the tiles and roundels from the 1920s.

more pictures of harrods dining hall

Saks' New York flagship Grand Renovation are integral pieces of its new business model, creating the ultimate shopping destination in New York City with unparalleled service and merchandise. It has reimagined the department store concept with the revolutionary migration of beauty to the second floor in May 2018, allowing for the handbag and leather goods assortment to triple in size on the main floor.

The recent opening of the main floor and the completion of The Vault (see below) are the latest step in Saks' New York flagship $250 million Grand Renovation, and follows:

• L'Avenue at Saks, an upscale Parisian dining experience in store designed by Philippe Starck; the destination marks the first venture for L'Avenue outside Paris (February 2019 -see below)
• Beauty on 2, an experiential makeup, skincare, fragrance and wellness destination (May 2018)
• Jewelry on 2, the jewelry lover's ultimate destination featuring a mix of established and emerging jewelry designers (May 2018)
• L3 Designer, a one-of-a-kind destination for extraordinary fashion from around the world (September 2017)
• L5, The Collective and The Advance, a destination for fresh contemporary fashion (Summer 2017)
• L4, home to designer collections (August 2016)
• Select shops in 10022-SHOE on 8, Saks' famed shoe salon so big it needed its own zip code (2015)

Saks is set to debut the additional phase of the Grand Renovation later in 2019: men.

The design agency

In a redesign of Saks Fifth Avenue's renowned flagship, Gensler agency collaborated with the Saks Fifth Avenue Design and Planning team on blending the company's heritage with the latest innovations to redefine the customer's journey. The teams realized the new vision for the iconic ground floor by creating openings in the floor and ceiling to unite the cellar, first, and second levels. The atrium becomes a stage for interior visual elements, art installations, and live performances. Custom terrazzo flooring along with transparent and opaque high-design fixturing guides the customer down runway-inspired aisles. The women's designer floors and Fifth Avenue Club, expanded to encompass floors three and four, feature gallery-like spaces that highlight Saks' collection.

The escalator

As a centerpiece of the overhaul, Saks unveiled a new escalator created by Dutch firm OMA and designed by Rem Koolhaas. Iridescent dichroic film coating the escalators changes colors when viewed from different angles in the flagship. OMA's stair connects the ground, first and lower levels of Saks Fifth Avenue and creates a diamond-shaped atrium, with the first floor visible from the ground level.

The Vault

The Vault is a new floor dedicated to fine jewelry and watches. Located on the lower level, the new environment offers customers an exclusive, private jewelry shopping experience. The Vault houses a preeminent assortment of more than 25 brands, 20 of which are new to Saks New York, including one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces, as well as the largest selection of men's watches Saks has ever offered.

The Vault is accessed by a Rem Koolhaas-designed escalator, creating seamless access between the recently completed main floor, as well as Beauty and Jewelry on 2. The department features six high fine jewelry shop-in-shops, eight vendor-designed watch shops, and two additional private VIP rooms. The Vault also includes the International Lounge, which offers a multilingual concierge service for global visitors, daily store tours and jewelry and watch repair services. A centrally located Exhibition Space will serve as an area to feature brand partners, guest curators, special collaborations and more.

The restaurant

Back in February 2019, Saks Fifth Avenue unveiled L'Avenue, a Philippe Starck–designed restaurant that presents vintage Parisian glamour with a contemporary edge. The restaurant, whichspan two of the upper floors of the department store and is accessible from the store's ninth floor or via a street-level entrance at 8 East 50th Street, offers two unique settings for diners —The Salon and The Chalet. Separating the space into two aesthetic zones feels on-brand for Starck, who has been known to explore a range of different styles for projects that come together in an almost dreamlike cornucopia of ideas.

Saks Fifth Avenue

Full report: selfridges london, menswear department

Selfridges