The Retail Issue

Retail is constantly re-inventing itself to meet the demands of customers, markets and brands.  As a result, retail designers, store planners and store fixture manufacturers are increasingly being asked to react to this ever-changing dynamic in much the same way that a company's merchandisers, buyers, and marketing personnel are.  In March, the major influencers for retail environments descend upon Chicago for the annual Global Shop show.  In anticipation of the world's largest annual retail design and in-store marketing expo, we focus this edition of The Source on retail interiors including a look at an interesting coffee shop application featuring a replica of a vintage wood treatment.  Be sure to visit us in booth #5637 in the Store Fixturing Pavilion at this year's Global Shop show.  And if possible, join us at the show between 3pm and 5pm on March 18^th and 19^th for wine and cheese!

Retail Case Study: Fortuna Wine and Coffee Bar

When Cleo Design was choosing materials for a unique, yet warm and inviting coffee and wine bar for the lobby of the Hilton Las Vegas, they selected two Lamin-Art Premium Wood Prints featuring an authentic replica of a historic wood treatment suddenly in vogue again.  3035 Italian Oak and 3036 Contemporary Oak both feature an interpretation of pickled wood , first made popular in the early 20^th century by the distinct style of craftsmanship employed by the Viennese workshop (Weiner Workstätte).  Pickling is a treatment, not a finish, performed on new wood to make it look old.  In this case, white pigment is pushed into the wood grain to accent the overall appearance of the grain.  Open pored woods such as Oak and Ash are best suited for this particular technique because they hold the white pigment well.  The end result looks as though an attempt was made to remove old paint from a piece of wood leaving some lingering paint residue.

The design team added even more visual interest to the bar's casework by positioning the straight grained wood print laminates horizontally as opposed to a more traditional vertical orientation.  The result is a clean and contemporary visual experience that compliments the world class coffees, gourmet pastries, and boutique wines offered by the Fortuna Wine and Coffee Bar, and makes for a nice visual transition between the Hilton Las Vegas lobby and gaming areas.

The Effect of Green Building on Retail

Growing consumer demand and interest for green products is beginning to have an impact on the buildings and spaces in which they purchase those products.  Leading retail architects and designers are noting an increased awareness of sustainable building practices on the part of retail developers and big-box chains.  Whether seeking LEED certification for their retail outlets or not, architects and designers are being asked to give green concepts consideration when drawing up plans for new retail environments.  However, developers are still concerned about the ultimate return on their investments, and some question the increased costs that could be associated with "green" buildings.  One simple and cost-effective adjustment that can have an impact on the health and safety of retail employees and customers is indoor air quality.  Selecting building materials and products that have achieved GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification is one way to have an effect on the public health and quality of life issues that are key elements of the sustainable design movement.  All Lamin-Art high-pressure decorative laminates are GREENGUARD certified.  In addition, studies have shown that the application of high-pressure laminate to substrates such as particleboard actually lowers the VOC emissions of those materials and the adhesives used in the fabrication process as well.  With strikingly realistic wood interpretations and intriguing new textures, be sure to keep Lamin-Art high-pressure decorative laminate in mind as a durable and affordable interior surfacing solution for your "green" retail projects.  For more information on Lamin-Art's GREENGUARD certification and our environmental commitment, visit www.laminart.com/environment.  The U.S. Green Building Council, of which Lamin-Art is a member, is currently working on developing a LEED for Retail rating system to address the specific challenges of sustainable building practices for retail environments.  Click here for more information.

Product Images Available on Laminart.com

Advancements in technology have allowed the owners and developers of retail spaces to play a more active role in the design of their environment.  The ability to provide clients with accurate 3D renderings of your vision for the interior space can have a significant impact on your pitch and, in turn, securing the project.  These same visualizations make it easier for the owner or developer to have a voice in the specification of colors and materials.  Lamin-Art understands the power of this technology and the time-sensitive demands of daily work. That is why our website features high-resolution images of every product in our catalog of high-pressure decorative laminates and pre-finished real wood veneers.  These high-resolution images can easily be uploaded into any computer-aided design software.  Simply search and select the product you are considering.  On the product page, select the link in the Downloads section entitled Hi-res image.  When the image loads, right-click the image and save the file for importation into your CAD software.

Hope To See You at Global Shop

The world's largest annual retail design and in-store marketing expo takes place March 18-20, 2008 at the new McCormick Place West building in Chicago (a LEED certified building). Click here for more information on the show.  Be sure to visit us in booth #5637, and don't forget our wine and cheese receptions from 3pm to 5pm on Tuesday March 18^th and Wednesday March 19^th.