March Studio transformed Sneakerboy's Melbourne location into an underground tunnel.
The futuristic design features a circular entrance, polished concrete floors and dimmed lighting. The floor-to-ceiling shelving holds sneakers by high-fashion labels such as Balenciaga, Lanvin and Maison Martin Margiela. However, go-to sports brands such as Nike and Adidas are also stocked. The shelves are also lined with LED tickers with scrolling text. Not only does this provide a cool effect when the lights are dimmed, it also notifies in-store customers when a product has been sold out or just purchased online.
Using the Sneakerboy app, customers can scan their desired shoe to receive product and sizing information. They are also able to purchase the shoes via their smartphone or an in-store iPad. Customers can try on shoes on the steel, curved chairs located on an elevated platform in the store.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Tunneled Retail Stores
- Designing retail stores with unique layouts and features such as underground tunnels can create a futuristic experience for customers, while also creating a distinctive brand identity.
- In-store Interactive Technology
- Implementing interactive technology in physical retail stores, such as LED tickers and in-store iPads, can enhance the customer experience, creating a seamless shopping journey for customers.
- Mobile Commerce Apps
- Creating mobile commerce apps that allow customers to purchase products easily and efficiently via their smartphone can streamline the shopping experience for customers while also increasing sales for brands.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Fashion Retail
- Fashion retailers can adopt a futuristic and unique store design, such as a tunneled layout or interactive technology, to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for customers, ultimately boosting sales and creating a memorable brand identity.
- Sportswear Brands
- Sportswear brands can incorporate technology features such as LED tickers and mobile commerce apps, which make purchasing products and receiving product information easier and more efficient for customers.
- Furniture Retail
- Furniture retailers could take inspiration from the design of the store's steel curved chairs that provide customers with a comfortable area for trying on shoes and implement similar chairs and comfortable seating options throughout the store to improve the guest's experience.
