Retail Now: Create safe spaces for retail

Incorporate dedicated cleansing moments to ensure consumers feel safe when entering your store. Retailers have been experimenting with unique and effective ways of cleansing their spaces which elevate the store experience and reflect their brand story.

Korean skincare brand Dr. Jart+ have set a benchmark for certifying a hygienic shopping space. Within their futuristic laboratory-like Seoul store, visitors enter through an air shower booth which cleanses the user, purifies the air and keeps the space clean from the outside.

Testing a visitors temperature is the easiest way of checking if they are displaying Coronavirus symptoms, and will encourage greater trust in your space being safe for shopping. Infrared cameras can be used to screen visitors upon entrance and read body temperatures seamlessly and without human interaction.

The thermal footage could be displayed within the space and even used as a photo opportunity for visitors to share online or take away.

PPE is becoming the new outerwear as it becomes essential that we wear face masks and protective clothing on public transport and built-up areas. Customers are seeking individuality and this gives brands a new opportunity to create unique engaging PPE which can be presented beautifully.

adidas have created a branded face mask manufactured from ‘Primegreen’ a high-performance recycled fabric which is completely free from virgin plastics and can be washed and reused, reflecting the brands innovative and sustainable ethos.

Move towards a contactless shopping experience to ease consumer worries about cleanliness. Look to replace high-traffic area such as door handles and elevator buttons with contactless, motion sensor activated options.

We may also see development in a completely new way of interacting with a space, where we eliminate the use of hands completely.

Foreward have developed Dropkick, a hands-free pedestrian crossing button which is pressed by the users foot, which poses the idea that we could begin to interact with our feet to explore and interact with spaces and reduce the transmission of bacteria.

Clean and uncomplicated floor plans can guide visitors quickly to their desired location, with one way systems offering the opportunity to navigate and exit with ease.

This minimalist approach to store design doesn’t need to be dull, bold uses of colour and experimental, surprising materials will spark joy and keep customers in-store.

Designed by Farshid Moussavi, Harrods Toy Department comprises of 8 sections dedicated to a particular category. Each area is distinctively colour-coded and themed. A tunnel runs down the centre of the space, offering a clear sight line so visitors can easily find the section that they are looking for, whilst also creating a rainbow through the centre of the building.