Bubbleology’s Post

Retail Mark a UK based consultancy specialising in retail design and project delivery, has been tasked with an extraordinary challenge: constructing one of the smallest CUPP Bubble Tea stores in the country. This ambitious project comes at a time when businesses are increasingly compelled to optimise small spaces to mitigate the rising costs of construction and rental expenses. In an era where every square foot counts, companies are recognising the need to make the most out of limited space. This is especially true for dynamic brands like CUPP where operational efficiency is paramount to processing long queues for its products. By capitalising on compact footprints, companies can reduce overhead expenses but also enhance customer experience by ensuring seamless operations within confined spaces. Landlords are also measuring the potential of compact footprints within malls and commercial complexes. Gone are the days when large storefronts were the norm. Today, landlords understand the value of diversifying their tenant mix and maximising rental yield by embracing smaller, more versatile concepts. From pop-up shops to micro-boutiques, landlords are exploring creative solutions to attract tenants and enhance the overall shopping experience for consumers. Enter Retail Mark, renowned for its expertise in maximising space utilisation without compromising on brand identity. With a proven track record of working with diverse brands across various industries, Retail Mark understands the intricate balance between operational functionality and brand representation. The partnership between Retail Mark and CUPP Franchisees - Boba Group, exemplifies a growing trend where companies seek out specialised expertise to navigate the complexities of small-scale retail environments. By leveraging Retail Mark's knowledge and experience, businesses can confidently embark on ventures to establish their presence in even the most constrained spaces. This shift towards embracing small spaces is driven by several factors, including the rising costs of real estate and the need to adapt to changing consumer preferences. By offering smaller spaces, landlords can appeal to a wider range of tenants, including emerging brands and niche retailers that may not require extensive square footage. As franchise brands and landlords continue to explore innovative ways of utilising small spaces, Retail Mark remains at the forefront, guiding many through the process with strategic design solutions tailored to the specific needs of each property. Retail Mark is reshaping the retail landscape, one small space at a time. #retailmark #construction #fitout #franchise #cupp #bobatea #HospitalitySpaces #interiordesign #commercialfitout

Last week, we had the pleasure of attending the Atom Business Events Fit Out Construction Design event in Wales. Our Sales and Marketing Director, Charlotte Davis, and Marketing Manager, Philippa Saunders, visited the ICC Wales to connect with buyers, explore their needs and share the latest industry trends and innovations. It was a fantastic opportunity to engage with industry leaders, exchange insights, and gain a deeper understanding of key challenges and opportunities shaping our field. Key Takeaways: - Franchise Models in Growth: Franchise models are prevalent and fueling growth, particularly in the leisure & hospitality sector but what is the ideal model and make up when it comes to central guardianship of the brand and concept, versus the level of autonomy a franchise owner requires to best serve their customer base. As a supplier, it is critical to understand the model, the stakeholder team roles and responsibilities and all rules of engagement especially when it comes to design and financial decision making. - Getting the fundamentals right: Stories of missed handover dates and ongoing snagging did not cover the main contracting side in glory. Clients were looking for assurance that we could hit completion dates, ensure maintenance of trading dates and close out snags swiftly. This is something that we already mirror within our own ISO quality objectives. - Estate optimisation: Whilst always good business sense, many were talking about remodelling and refresh programmes to ensure all locations are working as hard as they can for the business. Applying rigour to analyzing whether a location is the prime place to serve their customer base, meant that for some, sites may be closed but with a view to opening in a more successful spot. - Pace: Speed to market has always been a key priority within the retail industry, and whilst quality standards have far from dropped, tight fit out programmes and innovative processes to deliver them are still highly desirable. - Brand Consistency vs. Flexibility: Rigid brand consistency or flexibility to adapt designs to a specific location will always be driven by the brand and business model, but it was interesting to learn that strong, cohesive branding can create the perception of a very unified customer offer, even when this is not always the case. On the other hand, a cohesive customer offer can present a more bespoke and individual experience through a more 'one-off' approach to different site designs. Find out more about our services at resolutioninteriors.com #teamwork #resolutioninteriors #commercialfitout #interiorfitout #interiorrefurbishment #storefitout #retailinteriors #retailfitout #FCD2024

The initial public offer of luxury furniture brand Stanley Lifestyles got subscribed 1.43 times on the first day of subscription. Click on the link below to know more... Stanley Lifestyles I Sunil Suresh #stanleylifestyles #furniture #luxury #ipo #homefurnishing #retailnews #retailtrends #retailsector #retailindustry #retailing #retailresults #retailupdates #businessnews #retailgrowth #retailindia #retailsectornews #retailresults #retailtrends #retailbusiness #ir #IndiaRetailing

This is a great case study of the viability of "the mall". Like anything, adaptability and market intelligence are key. #brookfieldproperties #brookfieldpropertieslife #MayfairMall #NewStores

Industry News: La-Z-Boy is opening new stores, despite expectations for 'volatile' furniture demand CEO says store traffic hampered by higher interest rates, low housing turnover Shares of La-Z-Boy Inc. rallied after hours on Monday after the maker of recliners and other furniture reported fourth-quarter results that topped expectations despite a "volatile" furniture industry hit by a largely frozen housing market. The company also forecast a fiscal first-quarter sales range that was above Wall Street's expectations. And it said it expects "modest sales growth" for the fiscal year ahead, which concludes around the end of April, and that it plans to open 12 to 15 new furniture galleries over that period. La-Z-Boy's stock (LZB) jumped 11% after hours. Shares are down 7.7% so far this year. ————————————————— 💥Over 16 MILLION Square Feet Represented💥 ✅Visit https://lnkd.in/gKX9JcPy for exciting new property listings! ————————————————— #realestate #newenglandretail #property #forsale #retail #realestateinvesting #business #broker #realestatenews #properties #investor #investmentproperty #connecticut #nerp #newengland #connecticutnews #newenglandrealestatenews

The American furniture retail industry is undergoing a significant transformation. While long-standing, family-owned businesses face unprecedented challenges, new opportunities emerge for those willing to adapt and innovate. Legacy furniture stores, once the backbone of local communities, are grappling with increased competition from e-commerce, changing consumer preferences, and generational succession issues. The allure of attractive real estate values has prompted some owners to sell, while others struggle to keep pace with the digital age. However, amidst these challenges, a new breed of independent furniture retailers is thriving. These stores embrace a design-driven, experiential approach, curating unique product selections and creating intimate, boutique-style showrooms. They forge strong connections with interior designers and cater to the higher end of the market, where personalized service and quality craftsmanship are valued. The future of independent furniture retail is not bleak, but it demands innovation, resilience, and a keen understanding of the changing market dynamics. Those who embrace these challenges and seize the opportunities will not only survive but thrive in the years to come. https://lnkd.in/ezxV47te #FurnitureRetail #InteriorDesign #Retail #Entrepreneurship #Innovation

A retail mystery is unfolding at the Historic Adelaide Central Market. "Market Plaza", located "cheek by jowl" to the Central Market, is experiencing a retail disaster due to insufficient footfall for viable trading. Currently, "free retail spaces" are available on the Western side, at "Market Plaza", while the food court is struggling for viability. In response, the Adelaide City Council has initiated a $400 million joint venture for a multilevel retailing, commercial, residential, and hotel project on the Eastern side of the Adelaide Central Market. This project will introduce around 50 new multilevel retail spaces, anticipating footfall challenges on the eastern side cheek-by-jowl to the Central Market with multilevel retailing at "Market Square." The under-construction "Market Square" is set to offer retail spaces at some of the highest asking rental rates in the precinct. This situation is reminiscent of the retail challenges faced in the heart of busy Rundle Mall, with the Myer Centre. Multiple levels of retail have struggled with footfall for decades, leading in part to the insolvency of the State Bank of South Australia, its lender. The risk with the Adelaide City Council JV Market Square is reducing the viability of many struggling businesses in the existing historical Adelaide Central Market. Many two —and three-generation traders will bail out because of a lack of sales. As a proven "Placemaker", my experience includes initiating Australia's most successful CBD retail project, Melbourne Central. This year, Melbourne Central's expected footfall is around 40m visitors with no vacancies and among the highest retail sales per sqm in Australia, despite the CBD of Melbourne footfall being down over 500,000 per week. #Adelaide #Retail #MarketPlaza #RetailIndustry #AdelaideCityCouncil #UrbanDevelopment #Sustainability #Harropfactor

Last Friday, one of my favourite brands, Stussy made a pretty bold move opening a brand new brick-and-mortar store in my hometown in Margate, right by the beach. Although Margate has been dubbed “Shoreditch-on-Sea” for quite some time now, Stussy’s choice to open a store here is still pretty bold. Choosing a small seaside town instead of another of the UK’s major cities highlights an important lesson for positioning a brand or business. Sometimes, you need to make a bold move and create your own lane. Stussy’s strategy to choose a unique location, like Margate, showcases their willingness to trailblaze and not follow. Just because your competitors are doing something doesn’t mean you should be too. Innovation often requires stepping out of the usual paths and daring to do something different. #BrandMarketing #MarketPositioning #BusinessStrategy

🚀 Seize the moment, furniture retailers! 🌟 Our latest blog post, "Seizing Growth Opportunities For Furniture Retailers In The Next Six Months," explores how smaller regional furniture retailers can capitalize on new market openings. With low occupancy rent expenses and shifts in retail formats, now is the time to expand and fill gaps left by struggling competitors. Don't miss out on these exciting growth opportunities! 📈🛋️ https://hubs.ly/Q02J531r0 #FurnitureRetail #GrowthOpportunities #MarketExpansion #ReadNow #JuliusFeinblumRealEstate #my_HFA

Why doesn't the #highstreet receive more #positive media coverage? 🤷♀️ Sure, there are challenges & business failures, but amidst that, there's a vibrant scene of growing businesses, fresh investments, intriguing initiatives, and a plethora of creative opportunities. Here's just a teeny tiny fraction of recent stories: #highstpositives The White Company just opened a new shop in #Silverburn Glasgow, & trialed a new small format concept in #Marlborough. Plans are to roll this format out this year. KIKO MILANO have 3 fit outs underway at moment… #Leeds, #Meadowhall and #Bluewater Rituals UK & Ireland have opened a new store in #Winchester. A multi-million pound capital redevelopment has just started in #Bradford. A grade 2 listed arts centre is being redeveloped to a state of the art facility featuring a new #theatre, dance studios, a radio station and more. VisitBradford Plans have officially been lodged for an ambition £30m transformation of Earlestown Market Amorino have opened a new Ice-cream shop in #Hampstead. The tailor service , The Seam launched a pop up in Westfield, Stratford Concept designs have been approved for an ambitious £8.3M redevelopment of Bacup Market, as part of #Rossendales #levellingup funded project. The plans include a 2 story market hall, a public plaza and an events space. IOLLA has launched a new growth model through joint venture partnerships to help people open showroom across the UK. Deichmann opened a new store in Belfast this week. Shoezone Retail Limited refitted their store in #Wembley Crew Clothing Company opened in #Whitstable In Broadway Shopping Centre Bexleyheath - Yankee Candle and Clarks have recently opened, & B&M Retail is opening later this month. MANGO are continuing their store expansion and are planning on opening more than 20 stores for 2024 Paddywax Candle Bar opened on Hanover Street, and are looking for other sites in Brighton at the moment. Anne Louise Boutique opened a gorgeous looking shop in #CoventGarden last week. Established digital only brand SHEIN has recently trialed a #popup store in Liverpool Subdued opened their 4th UK store in Westfield, White city and are expanding their portfolio in #Europe Work is happening to revitalise #Sutton's High Street, including the current refurbishment of the old TOPSHOP TOPMAN and Vision Express A new Loaf (Loaf.com) store is set to open in Chiswick Holland & Barrett have launched a grab&go kiosk in #Dublin. Ladurée UK has opened a beautiful looking new coffee shop concept on Westbourne Grove London. Finisterre are opening a new #London store later this month. ELEMIS are fitting out a new shop in #CoventGarden, opening soon. What else is happening? 🙌 Please keep sharing your news, and I'd love to hear about anything that is happening on your local #highstreet #BIDs #localauthorities #civicsocietys #businessgroups #independentretailers #retailnews #popups #foodanddrink #services #community #newstores