African Design Magazine August 2015 | Page 76

Feature: Retail design Digital mom-and-pop store ”Emma’s Enkel” is a unique 120m2 multi-channel grocery retail concept combining the atmosphere of a traditional German “Tante-Emma-Laden”(corner shop), with the amenities of an online shop and the assortment of a supermarket, including fruit and vegetables. You can either buy offline, online, by phone or in the “Gute Stube”, a cosy lounge equipped with iPads where you can place your order then simply relax until everything is packed and ready for takeaway or delivered to your favourite destination. Another option is the QR Code wall outside the shop displaying more than 400 products. Emma’s Enkel stands for good things from the past meeting the advantages of today’s high-tech requirements. 76 Conclusion There are many multifaceted, exciting new ways of creating shopping experiences in all parts of the world, both online and offline. Store design is undergoing exhilarating fine tuning and developing hybrid concepts. Trends are always creating counter-trends and thus offline retailing regains its fascination and attraction; it allows a playful integration of urban realities and communities, for which the growing number of community and neighbourhood stores are wonderful proof. The relationship between brand to consumer has changed; the consumer wants to participate. So let’s stop talking only about the brand, the buying decisions are generated in many other ways. AD africandesignmagazine.com