What: The bálancing, which targets the fashion-savvy Gen Z demographic with a tightly curated range of high-end brands, has opened a new store in Shanghai.

Why it is important: With pandemic restrictions being lifted, the bálancing's new retail space is part of a number of interesting new stores that are emerging as China's local retail scene adjusts.

The store occupies an irregularly shaped, 372 square-meters on the second floor of an upscale complex that features two residential towers and a shopping centre in the Xujiahui area of Shanghai.

The brand collaborated with All Design Studio, a Shanghai-based architecture and design studio, to tackle the challenging dimensions of the new space. Taking inspiration from abstract painter, Vassily Kandinksy, they created a fitting retail setting that returns to a two dimensional way of reconstructing spatial balance and gives geometry a three-dimensional expression. This is reflected throughout the store design, from a triangular window display and central display island, to a three-part cashier counter, and a circular grid on the ceiling.

The boutique has a grey and silver backdrop, allowing the merchandise to pop. Splashes of color are also feature throughout the store, on an LED screen that suspends across the premises, the furniture, and a colorful sculpture called Fashion Cocoon.

The Bálancing Shanghai

The Bálancing Shanghai article

What: Ecoalf's retail space at Las Rosas Village shopping centre in Madrid has a 3D-printed interior made of 100% recycled plastic.

Why it is important: The store embodies the retailer's commitment to sustainability and showcases how the brand itself is taking action to mitigate its own role in impacting the environment.

The retailer collaborated with design studio, Nagami, which specializes in the 3D printing of large-scale products to create walls, tables, and display shelves made of 3,300 kg of recycled plastic for the 90-square-meter store.

These installations resemble melting glaciers, serving as a reminder of the effect rising global temperatures have on polar ice caps. The pieces were also manufactured in Spain to reduce environmental footprint and can be fully recycled at the end of their lifespan.

Ecoalf 3D-printed store in Madrid

Ecoalf 3D-printed store in Madrid article

What: Gucci has opened a 9,000-square-foot boutique spanning two floors in New York City's Meatpacking District.

Why it is important: The boutique is the Italian luxury house's most unique store design to date with a strong emphasis on sustainability.

The store, which is Gucci's fourth location in NYC, features an extensive selection of men's and women's footwear, handbags, leather goods, and beauty on the ground floor, with the second floor houses women's ready-to-wear, menswear, and space dedicated to private shopping.

Influenced by both New York City and Florence, the store's design features grid-patterned metal mesh ceilings, a curved staircase made of shiny mirrored tiles, painted cement flooring that is inspired by Florentine marble motifs, and reflective metal columns that resemble classical Italian architecture.

The boutique also has a 70's-inspired aesthetic which is brought to life by décor with pop colors, mirrored surfaces, and vintage furniture from the midcentury era. The walls of the private area are also upholstered with a jade green carpet as a nod to the era.

Gucci's commitment to sustainability is seen throughout the store, with the store's furnishings including restored secondhand pieces and surfaces being decorated with more environmentally friendly fabrics like Demetra, which is an animal-free textile pioneered by Gucci.

Gucci meatpacking district

Gucci meatpacking district Article

What: Swiss running brand On uses a series of installations to tell the brand's story through movement.

Why it is important: The store is a great example of how brands can build a retail space around a focus and relevant theme to tell a brand story.

Located on Regent Street, the brand's flagship store draws on its technology-forward manufacturing and Swiss origins to create a customer experience around community and technology.

Upon entering the three story space, visitors are welcomed with a robotic arm that picks up sneakers and whirls them around through space.

The ground floor is dedicated to storytelling that installations that engage customers in the brand's ethos while the basement provides a space for the brand to host regular community events.

Another installation educates customers on the brand's circular running shoe subscription program where visitors are invited to pick up and interact with the shoes, see the raw materials that are used, and scan QR codes that link to further information.

The first floor features the brand's full range of apparel, accessories, and footwear with installations that feature installations demonstrating the properties of On's materials.

A reoccurring theme of the store is motion, allowing visitors to see the products in action and observe how the products behave when they're in use.

On Running's London Flagship

On Running's London Flagship article

What: Kith has opened a Williamsburg flagship store, its second location in Brooklyn.

Why it is important: The flagship store has Kith's signature elements with unique details that are a nod to the neighborhood.

The CEO of Kith designed this location with the industrial spirit of the neighborhood, featuring brick, concrete, white oak, Rose Aurora Stone, and stainless steel with a minimalistic atmosphere, greenery, and earth tones that soften the space.

The store will carry Kith's in-house and multi-brand ready-to-wear apparel, accessories, and footwear for men, women, and kids. It also features a Kith Treats location with signature specials, a Build Your Own menu, and global collections.

A massive round brick sculpture is positioned in the center of the store, displaying the retailer's footwear offerings with an oakwood dome interior featuring a circular custom chandelier.

The changing rooms are constructed with Venetian plaster and covered with the brand's classic logo wallpaper.

Guests can also enjoy Kith Treats cereal bar and to-go window, which is finished with Rose Aurora Stone and features stainless steel countertops and stools.

Kith Williamsburg Flagship

Kith Williamsburg Flagship article

What: Nike has opened its second basketball-focused retail concept in Tokyo.

Why it is important: The space features a Content Studio which is the first of its kind for the Nike Jordan brand.

The store was designed by Nike's in-house design team and occupies 9,200 square feet across three floors featuring new offerings and experiences for customers.

Located in the Jingumae Media Square Building, customers can find a dedicated SNKRS area where they can pick up their purchases from the Nike app, relax in The Flight Lounge and learn more about the brand history and basketball culture, and even use the Content Studio to film unboxings and reviews and create content to share on social media. The store also has a workshop where guidance and tutorials are given on shoe lacing, care, and preservation.

Jordan World of Flight stocks men's, kids', and women's Jordan footwear and apparel as well as a range of customizable products that can be found in The Workshop.

Tokyo Jordan World of Flight

Tokyo Jordan World of Flight Article

What: Kith has opened a store in Miami's Design District featuring a Sadelle's restaurant and KITH Treats ice cream parlour.

Why it is important: The store mirrors Kith's signature retail designs while also featuring elements of Miami's aesthetic, creating a unique shopping experience that's reflective of the location's environment.

The two story space features the brand's signature color palette with vibrant shades of green, marble floors and structures, wavy fluted plaster, birch wood, brass, and painted gypsum.

A circular structure separates the men's and women's sections with the upstairs featuring a circular shoe room with ribbed fabric walls and the popular Sadelle's at KITH restaurant, the first location in the US.

Additionally, KITH Treats can be found directly across the street, its first permanent standalone space. Here, customers can find exclusive 'Signature Specials' and the brand's global inline apparel capsules.

KITH Miami

KITH Miami article

What: The street-meets-luxe concept store has opened a three-story men's and womenswear space in Milan.

Why it is important: The three-story unit is the British retailer's first international location.

The new space spans 1,700 square feet and is decked in marble and maple wood, in addition to locally sources materials such as terrazzo marble and Portofino timber. The store also features a central escalator as well as an airy triple-height atrium.

The ground and basement floors display a wide selection of menswear labels and a dedicated sneaker corner, as well as a section dedicated to beauty and lifestyle products. While the retailer is traditionally menswear-leaning, the top floor features a strong assortment of womenswear.

End. Milan Flagship

End. Milan flagship article

What: Coach Play Chicago is the first in a series of concept stores designed to encourage customer engagement.

Why it is important: The store concept takes an interactive approach while building on the retailer's positioning of expressive luxury to create emotional connections and spaces where customers can express themselves.

The space features Coach Create, a customization program where local artists will host workshops where customers can create unique pieces by personalizing bags. Additionally, the store carries ready-to-wear, bags, and accessories that are gender neutral.

Coach wants to take the intimidation factor out of walking into a luxury store by encouraging customers to touch, feel, and play with merchandise while also allowing easy access to the product assortment.

The Chicago space reimagines Coach's heritage with local elements mixed into a one of a kind immersive experience, where customers can connect more closely with Coach and their neighborhood. The store features nods to New York with vintage subway and street signs while also incorporating Chicago's culture with a baseball glove installation and marquee screen.

Following the opening of the Chicago store, the next Play concept stores will be opening in Singapore, Tokyo, and Salt Lake City.

coach play chicago

coach play chicago article

What: The new Adidas flagship store in Sanlitun, Beijing chooses to completely immerse visitors in a series of highly interactive and immersive installations.

Why it is important: Design teams at YSP and OUTPUT have completely redesigned the shopping experience, pulling out all the stops in an effort to draw customers back into stores. It's a full-on sensory experience that looks to engage visitors on many levels.

The store feels almost like an exhibition, blending virtual and physical realities with a totally fresh approach to visual merchandising. A giant interactive cube offers a lottery giving shoppers a chance to buy limited-edition items. Elsewhere a robotic arm plays Adidas products as if they are musical instruments, creating a soundtrack to the shopping experience.

Adidas' immersive flagship store 

Adidas' immersive flagship store article

What: Supreme has relocated to a truly spacious domain on the buzzing Sunset Strip.

Why it is important: Similar to a select number of other Supreme stores, this retail space emphasizes experiences by featuring a skate bowl as well as art pieces.

Occupying a low-rise structure built in 1970, the building has been renovated and remodelled, and now features 8,500 sq.ft. (790 sqm.). The interior design, created by London-based design practices Brinkworth and Wilson Brothers, and architect Neil Logan from New York City, includes a trophy feature. Similar to a select number of other Supreme stores stateside, this retail space was voluminous enough to install a skate bowl, and a seemingly floating one at that, created by Steven Badgett of American artist collective Simparch.

Against a backdrop of art pieces by various artists, including longtime collaborators Mark Gonzales, Josh Smith, Neck Face, Fuck This Life and Nate Lowman, clothing racks and shelving units line the walls, while a sales counter sits right next to the skate bowl.

Supreme in LA

Supreme in LA article

Taking the opportunity of the NRF/FIRA meetings, the IADS visited a selection of stores in order to update its knowledge of the market. Given the fact we performed extensive visits last year, and that only a limited number of actual innovations took place on the market since then, the list of visited places was kept on purpose limited. In the report, you can find a visit to Solana Spaces in Hudson Yards, Ferragamo on 63th Greene street, Hypebeast New York, 41 division street and Saks 5th Avenue.

IADS Retail Review : New York store visit

What: The Richemont Group's jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels built a five-story flagship store in the chic Gangnam-gu district of Seoul. The design was entrusted to the Jouin Manku studio, which brought nature into the building, whose facade is covered in the brand's rhombus shapes.

Why it is important: Studio Jouin Manku has designed a space that echoes the mountains surrounding Seoul. A monumental garden is revealed to visitors. The latter is the result of a collaboration with Seo Ahn - a Korean landscape architect - who will change its composition each season. The rest of the shop's decoration remains sober and neutral to let nature take centre stage.

Van Cleef & Arpels Maison in Seoul 

Van Cleef & Arpels Maison in Seoul ARTICLE

What: The Canadian high-performance outerwear brand wanted to position its store as the beginning of a great adventure. Working with design studio Still Young, a symbolic 'campfire in the snow' creates a flow of interaction between people and the brand.

Why it is important: Only one-third of the space is used for sales as brand engagement is the priority.

The store is situated on a ground-floor corner that, with its blonde-wood cladding, seemingly protrudes as a separate entity from the multi-storey building. The wood's rich tan hue is an immediate visual contrast to the icy surroundings.

A circular veranda is the transition point between the exterior and interior, and a place where people can gather for a break, storing their equipment against the façade. Yellow lighting bathes the store in a welcoming glow that emanates outward. Inside, solid triangular structures punctuate the space, referencing licks of fire. The most notable is a glacier installation made from acrylic that incorporates a bar for gathering. Modular cabinetry facilitates new configurations in line with the light conditions. Meanwhile, three-dimensional folding ceiling elements and pale-hued fabric curtains simulate the sensation of being inside a tent.

In the back of the store is a mountain skills training zone dressed in dark grey stones and wooden panels. Mechanical pulleys repurposed from cable cars and a hanging fireplace make another area for customers to come together and interact.

Arc'teryx's store at the Beidahu Ski Resort in Jilin, China

Arc'teryx's store at the Beidahu Ski Resort in Jilin, China ARTICLE

What: Skin care is big business across the planet, and especially in Asia where many of the latest innovations come from. A new generation of innovative Chinese beauty brands has emerged, and one of them is Super Seed founded in 2020.

Why it is important: The rectangular main floor of the store sees a system of suspended cubes which are initially meant to provide ample lighting, but when independently lowered, they become displays and counters, allowing a wide range of configurations. On one side, the main floor is flanked by five different showrooms laden with the brand's many products. At the far end, on the opposite side, sits a laboratory room, which is used to interact with shoppers through product workshops, and an adjacent V.I.P. treatment room.

Combined with modern branding, Super Seed has quickly garnered a cult following among young and savvy Chinese consumers. Further expanding its retail operations to the next level, Super Seed has recently opened a second store at Kerry Centre, an upscale shopping centre in Hangzhou. Occupying a 300 sqm. unit, the store features an interior design by F.O.G Architecture, an architecture practice with offices in Chongqing, Shanghai and London, which is inspired by the brand's hi-tech product range. In fact, the nifty aesthetic taps right into the technology vibe, laboratory design, and specifically, the seed extract procedures which form the base of the Super Seeds products.

Super Seed in Hangzhou

Super Seed in Hangzhou ARTICLE

What: Ecoalf, a sustainable fashion brand, has opened its first CO2- neutral store in Madrid.

Why it is important: Ecoalf is committed to reaching zero emissions by 2030 and taking necessary actions by putting the planet at the center of every decision they make.

Ecoalf worked with interior designer Lorenzo Castillo and bioclimatic architecture experts, MVN Arquitectos to open its new brick-and-mortar in the Madrid retail space, Caleido.

The shop is characterized by the use of sustainable, recycled materials that can be reused or recycled at the end of their life cycle. The furniture is made from oak wood and covered in natural raffia, the tables have a white clay insert, and the terracotta ceilings and walls are decorated with wooden beams sourced from Spanish forests. Additionally, the cushions, curtains, and furniture are upholstered with 100% recycled polyester fabrics that give plastic bottles a second life.

Ecoalf has also collaborated with Emovili, a Spanish solar panel installation company to reduce its energy consumption. The shop has 15 solar panels made from silicone that are almost entirely recyclable, have an average lifespan of 25 years, and prevent 2.95 tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere each year.

Ecoalf opens its first carbon-neutral shop in madrid

Ecoalf opens its first carbon-neutral shop in Madrid ARTICLE

What: Axel Arigato ticks off another leading European capital city with the inauguration of its newest flagship store in Berlin.

Why it is important: Axel Arigato's new Berlin flagship is housed within a former hospitality space that the brand intends to keep alive by creating regular in-store events for the community of Mitte.

The interior design, crafted by Stockholm-based architect Christian Halleröd, brings a uniquely Scandinavian aesthetic sensibility to the displays with several monolithic travertine podiums of different sizes and heights, wrapped around massive pillars dipped in a high-gloss pastel yellow hue, as well as various settings framed by matching travertine flooring and a pristine white ceiling adorned by rows of linear lights. Large floor-to-ceiling mirrors and an equally sizable LED screen displaying creative content boost the immersive shopping experience.

The new Axel Arigato store carries the brand's full range of men's and women's footwear, apparel, accessories and a quirky assortment of objects.

Shien opens Christmas pop-up in London

Axel Arigato opens flagship in Berlin ARTICLE I

Axel Arigato opens flagship in Berlin ARTICLE II

What: Shein continues its physical retail strategy with a Christmas pop-up in London.

Why it is important: Located at The Stables, 25 Shelton St, West End, London, the two-storey pop-up showcases curated picks of the season, and features a hot chocolate station, manicure bar and a nail machine that can print designs directly onto the nails, both of which customers can enjoy for free.

Like Shein's other pop-up locations, each piece of clothing features a SKU number to enable omnichannel shopping and a 360-degree photo machine for customers to use and post their clips on social media. The space also features a dedicated area for SheGlam, Shein's makeup collection.

The pop-up will be open only for a limited time, from December 2 to 4.

Shein opens Christmas pop-up in London

Shein opens Christmas pop-up in London ARTICLE

What: Showfields opens a location in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.

Why it is important: The three-level building is taking over the former site of Brooks Brothers and showcasing its unique retail format in the 20,000 square-foot space with over 70 brands and additional lines to be added in the coming months.

The ground floor showcases several Black-owned brands spanning a range of categories. Skincare and body care products include a handcrafted, small-batch skin care line called East Sound Lane; sustainable Jeunera Skincare, and Flamingo body, hair and care tools.

The new Showfields store reuses a lot of the existing infrastructure of the previous store reimagined into a colourful and engaging retail experience. Similarly to the House of Showfields location in Brooklyn New York, the Georgetown location is also organized into departments that represent different rooms in a house.

Showfields opens in Georgetown

Showfields opens in Georgetown ARTICLE

What: The H&M group brand, Arket, has opened its first Paris flagship in the Marais district within a 400 square metre, two-story space overlooking a courtyard.

Why it is important: The smaller store format is a test for Arket which is expected to result in a greater rotation of products which are comprised of some third-party brands and Arket's owned products made from 90% more sustainable materials.

Arket is bringing more than fashion with care products, decorative items that could be found in a premium concept store, and a 'healthy' café with a menu designed by Nordic chef Martin Berg. Women's fashion is located on the ground floor while men's and children's products are located upstairs. The adjoining courtyard is where one can find the café decorated with lanterns.

The brand plans to continue expanding its retail footprint with three new stores to come in the next six months (Helsinki, Shanghai and Stockholm).

Arket opens Paris flagship

Arket opens Paris flagship ARTICLE

What: The French jeweler's Parisian flagship reopens after a two-year renovation that sees the addition of an interior courtyard and a private space modeled after a Parisian apartment.

Why is it important: The store has been entirely rethought, it is a global trip in time and space, respecting all periods of time without being anchored in any; furthering cementing the idea of layers rather than a single signature.

The building, totaling 32,300 square feet spread over six levels, includes 10 salons and myriad comfortable nooks and plush crannies for customers to discover the jeweler's offering more than the 15,000 square feet dedicated to retail.

The journey into the newly renovated store starts from the outside with a kiosk for initial orientation before visitors are handed over to a team of concierges that direct them across the ground floor, home to watches, leather goods and other accessories.

On a wood panel in one of the ground floor salons, the words of French artist and writer Jean Cocteau, describing the jeweler. Then in another it's the rare books and archives of Louis Cartier that nod to the man who built the house's reputed style.

The new main staircase leads to the first floor and the former office of Jeanne Toussaint, now turned into an eponymous salon overlooking the Rue de la Paix.

High jewelry takes pride of place on the second floor, with salons named and decorated according to influences underpinning the Cartier style, from India to flora.

The third and fourth floors and a segment of the fifth dedicated to the archives have been designed by Larène Barbier Tardrew and Romain Jourdan, of the Studioparisien agency. Customer service takes place on the third floor in a succession of small salons, while a customization bar offers options like engraving.

One floor higher are the high jewelry atelier and its 18 work benches, bathed in natural light both from the interior skylight and the street outside.

The building holds the house archives as well as the Residence, a private space imagined as Cartier's take on a Parisian apartment, complete with a dining room, large kitchen and winter garden.

Cartier reopens the historic Rue de la Paix Flagship

Cartier reopens the historic Rue de la Paix Flagship ARTICLE

What: Fendi is introducing a new store concept to the region through the reopening and expansion of its boutique in the Dubai Mall's Fashion Avenue.

Why it is important: Fendi is introducing fine jewellery through an exclusive launch in its newly expanded Dubai flagship boutique.

The Dubai flagship has gained a second floor and expanded to a total of 7,560 square feet, featuring three VIP rooms on the second floor dedicated to couture and art de la table. The third is dedicated to bejewelled Peekaboo bags. Designed by Fendi's internal architecture department, the store hosts a striking round elevator, made of glass and gold specks. An opulent Yellow Diamond room on the upper level carries a golden display of exotic leather goods and Fendi fur pieces. From this area, visitors can access the three VIP rooms, each defined by a gem, a tailored fragrance and dedicated floral compositions.

As a homage to both the boutique reopening and the 25th anniversary of the Baguette bag, Fendi is launching a silver Baguette with matching Fendi First slingback heels, which are only available at The Dubai Mall.

Fendi has also opened a store in the new wing of the Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, inspired by the brand's headquarters in Rome's Palazzo della Civiltà. There are currently 20 Fendi stores in the Middle East.

Fendi reopens boutique in the Dubai Mall's Fashion Avenue

Fendi reopens boutique in the Dubai Mall's Fashion Avenue ARTICLE

What: Valentino is unveiling a new global store concept in line with its client-centric approach by redesigning its locations and rebalancing retail and wholesale channels.

Why it is important: To achieve a great client-centric approach, Valentino will also revisit the company culture with redefined roles on the shop floor to meet client demand more efficiently and improve team morale.

Valentino seeks to raise retail to account for 80% of sales in the next three years while maintaining wholesale as a relevant channel for exchanging opinions with partners.

The new interior design aims to balance a comfortable home-like energy while being presented in a gallery setting so that locations can adapt to the art displayed. Special areas will be reserved for private appointments, to enhance the feeling of intimacy and exclusivity. The flagship in Jeddah at the Al Khayyat Center, along with several stores in Madrid and Venice, have opened with this new concept.

Approaching new markets, in mid-February a store will open in Geneve, a new market for Valentino.

Valentino's new store concept

Valentino's new store concept ARTICLE

What: The Kooples new Paris flagship includes a dedicated window and gallery-style space for winners of its new art prize.

Why it is important: Along with launching an art prize, the Kooples is taking over Lacoste's former space on the Champs-Élysées for its new flagship.

One of the two street-level windows will be the dedicated show space for each season's selected artists, while the second floor will house a gallery space with additional pieces from the prize winners. The interior décor stresses an ultra-urban atmosphere through black furniture, steel racks, grey concrete floors, raw walls, sheet metal and neon lights on the ceiling.

The Kooples opens Champs-Élysées flagship with art concept