The Studio Gascoigne team are proud that founder Mark Gascoigne will be speaker at The Purposeful Consumer Sessions, happening on Tuesday ,19 July 2016 4:00pm – 6:30pm at ASB North Wharf, 12 Jellicoe St, Wynyard Quarter, CBD, Auckland.
Smart phones, international online shopping, and a mind-shift in core values – the impact to Retail has been immense. Never before has there been such significant and on-going change in consumer behaviour and expectations. Enter, the Purposeful Consumer.
Purposeful consumers are better connected, better informed and immune to your historic promotional tactics – it’s time for Retail to change the game.
Because the Purposeful consumers’ buying journey starts on a smartphone – retailers must adjust the entire shopping experience… not just the digital one.
The Purposeful Consumer Sessions bring together a talented lineup of retail experts for an informative, inspiring and confronting free seminar. You’ll learn how Retail leaders are not just adjusting to purposeful consumers – but are finding a competitive advantage.
There are limited spaces so book your tickets today here .
One of Studio Gascoigne’s most rewarding projects in recent years was ‘the Clothes Hangar’, designed to help Air New Zealand cabin crew, managers and ground staff get fitted for their new uniforms, designed by Dame Trelise Cooper
This behind the scenes video inside the clothes hangar shows how staff chose their uniform and were given advice on grooming, makeup and presentation, all set in a special ‘hangar’ purpose built for the task.
The response from Air New Zealand staff, management and uniform designer Trelise Cooper, was tremendous and all were ‘blown away’ by the experience.
How will we purchase our travel in the future? Will travel retailers exist, or will we buy purely online?
Recently the Studio Gascoigne team was thinking about travel (we’re always thinking about travel!) and got to thinking about how exciting the journey is, but how boring most travel shops are. We decided to put our minds to the challenge of re-imagining travel retailing and seeing if we could change the world.
We even gave the project a name: “The Journey Book.” Read on…
First, imagine you are finally ready to take the trip you’ve always craved. You’ve got visions in your head about what you are going to see and how great you’ll feel. But your first step on the journey is either stuck in front of your computer (just like being at the office) or at your local travel store, which probably looks more like an office than a shop.
You know those places – a few desks in front of posters of tropical locations, packed with screeds of boringly presented information (most of if completely irrelevant to you). The whole experience may just burst your bubble!
Here you can not only get inspired browsing a variety of media, but also book to go to the places you’ve heard about and get the feel of what it’s going to be like when you get there. And here you can also start building your own journey in your own digital ‘Journey Book’, on your phone or tablet, so you can share it and have a tangible ‘map’ of your journey.Continue Reading..
Cultural attitudes towards material goods seem to have undergone a shift. The 20th century saw mass consumerism explode as people sought to define their status or happiness via their belongings, but today’s shoppers are chasing different signifiers. Elly Strang finds out what retailers can do about it.
Proper lighting can make or break your retail space. Just like stage lighting transforms a bare theater into a captivating performance space, retail lighting design brings in buyers and guides them through your store experience.
Your lighting choices shape how customers see and interact with your products.
Lighting technology changes fast. Update your system every 5-7 years to maintain efficiency and style.
Consider layering these lighting types:
Type
Purpose
Ideal Location
Ambient
General illumination
Throughout store
Accent
Product highlights
Display areas
Task
Functional lighting
Checkouts, fitting rooms
Remember to match light intensity to your brand – luxury stores often use 20% less light than discount retailers. Your lighting shapes how customers feel about your space and products.
Common Questions About Retail Lighting
What Makes Store Lighting So Appealing?
Good lighting design draws customers in and guides them through your space. You’ll need three key types of lighting:
Base lighting (30-40% of total light)
Accent spots (50-60% of total light)
Task lighting (10-20% of total light)
Mix these types to create layers that work together. Think about using LED track lights for flexibility and warm color temperatures between 2700K-3000K to make products look their best.
How Do You Light a Small Shop Effectively?
Small spaces need smart lighting choices. Start with these tips:
Picking the right shop fitter can make or break your retail project. You need someone who can juggle multiple trades in tight spaces while meeting fixed deadlines – a skill that sets them apart from regular builders.
A good commercial shop fitter focuses on both looks and function. They manage everything from basic construction to complex installations.
There are 4 main types of shop fitting companies:
Full-service firms with in-house builders and cabinet makers
Building companies that outsource cabinet work
Cabinet makers who contract out construction
Project managers who coordinate subcontractors
For major renovations, look for companies with their own building teams. This gives you better control and coordination.
When getting quotes, be specific about what you want. Ask for detailed breakdowns of:
Shop fitters typically charge a 7.5-10% markup on materials and labor. This covers their overhead, insurance, and project management. While it might seem high, good project coordination often saves money in the long run.
Don’t try to be your own shop fitter unless you have serious construction experience. The risks are huge – from insurance issues to code violations to costly delays.
When reviewing bids, watch for items “tagged out” of the quote:
Building permits
Insurance costs
Transport fees
Mall charges
Air conditioning
Sprinkler systems
Get everything in writing. A clear contract protects both you and the shop fitter. Make sure it spells out payment terms, timeline, and exactly what’s included.
Remember that the lowest bid isn’t always the best value. Focus on experience, organization skills, and reliability. A slightly higher quote from a proven shop fitter beats a bargain price from someone who might miss deadlines.
Give yourself plenty of lead time. Good shop fitters are often booked months in advance. Some materials take 8-12 weeks to arrive. Start planning early to avoid rushed decisions.
Common Questions About Shop Fitting
Finding the Perfect Shop Fitter for Your Store’s Look
You’ll want to write up detailed questions about your vision before meeting potential fitters. Think about your brand’s style and the customer experience you want to create.
A comfortable changing area lets customers take their time trying things on. That means more sales and happier shoppers.
Common Questions About Changing Rooms
Making Retail Try-On Areas More Modern and Shopper-Friendly
Digital mirrors and smart lighting have transformed basic fitting spaces into tech-savvy spots.
You’ll find motion sensors that adjust lighting to match different times of day, plus interactive screens for requesting different sizes without leaving the room.
Mobile hooks and modular seating give stores flexibility to modify layouts.
Gone are the dingy fluorescent boxes – today’s changing areas often feature ambient lighting, climate control, and bluetooth speakers.
Setting Up a Small Home Dressing Space
A few key pieces make a huge difference in tight spots.
Mount a full-length mirror (at least 48″ x 16″) on the wall or door.
Add a sturdy bench or ottoman for sitting and storing items – look for ones with hidden storage around $75-150.
Install hooks at different heights, and consider a slim rolling rack (typically 24-36″ wide) that tucks away when not needed.
Good lighting is crucial – aim for 75-100 watts of warm LED light.
Pop-up changing rooms usually weigh 8-15 pounds and fold down to about 24″ x 24″ x 4″ when collapsed.
Set up, they’re roughly 6.5 feet tall with a 3×3 foot base.
Most use lightweight aluminum frames with water-resistant fabric.
You can find basic models starting around $50, while premium versions with built-in benches run $150+.
Different Names for Try-On Spaces
The terms vary by region and setting. Changing rooms often include shower facilities, while fitting rooms focus on trying on clothes. Some places use “dressing room,” especially in theater settings. They all serve similar purposes but may have slightly different features based on their primary use.
Hospital Changing Space Design
Medical facilities need specialized changing areas.
Patient privacy curtains must be flame-retardant and antimicrobial.
Rooms require space for mobility aids and medical equipment.
Support rails, emergency call systems, and specialized lighting for procedures are standard features.
Many hospitals now use modular designs that adapt to different departments’ needs.
