As multi-channel retailing continues to become the standard mode of operation within the retail marketplace, the need for a different type of high street store is escalating. This has led to a rise in recent times of the retail concept store, a new weapon in the armoury of retailers looking to attract consumers back on to the high street.

The Digital Concept

Argos is leading the way when it comes to mirroring the online digital experience in the high street. Providing consistency across all of its retail channels, the new Argos digital stores feature iPads for customer browsing, dynamic digital display screens instead of traditional POS materials and a sixty-second Fast Track collection service.

The Cinema Concept

Selfridges of London has recently opened what is believed to be the world’s first department-store cinema. This unique sixty-seat cinema will screen national releases in addition to themed films which tie in with the store’s product base.

The Digital Display Concept

Samsung Electronics has recently revealed a new concept for an in-store display – CenterStage. The technically advanced 4K UHD display screens are fully interactive, with customers able to access detailed specifics of each product, just as if they were online.

The Luxury Shoe Concept

Customers at London department store Harrods are now able to shop for shoes in complete luxury. Harrods Shoe Heaven covers an area of almost

4,000 square feet and features velvet lounge seating, private suites and intricately designed displays.

The London Concept

British handbag label Radley has gone back to its roots with its new internationally rolled-out store concept. Each branch will feature London-centric decoration, from cast-iron railings to lamp posts. In a nod to the future, all stores will also feature a range of iPads with which customers can browse, click and collect.

The Wine Concept

At its West Byfleet store, Wine Rack encourages customers to make use of the special wine-tasting zone, complete with LCD screen from which the retailer hopes to run Skype-based wine master-classes.

The Sports Concept

Sports nutrition retailer GNC’s concept stores are truly interactive. 

In addition to a protein shake Sports Bar, the stores also feature live workout Challenge Zones and interactive touchscreens full of useful exercise-based information.

The Travel Concept

Known as ‘holiday design stores’, the new retail concept from Thomson has seen the travel operator truly go digital. The concept stores feature huge video walls and interactive touchscreens on which consumers can plan their holidays.

The Sports Stadium Concept

Adidas is giving its customers the chance to experience the atmosphere of a sports arena in its brand new concept store in Kent. People enter through a tunnel to the cheers of the crowd and can then make use of a bank of interactive screens to find the product they want.

The Online Concept

Sports retailer Pro Direct has exactly matched the online shopping experience in its digital concept store in London. The physical store features digital signage and display screens on which customers can access real-time web-based content. The store even boasts fully interactive digital mannequins.