Future Shop Concept

[Helge Keitel]

I've changed the topic of this group from real estate to future shop concepts. This forum entry is an opening statement for what is about to come.

What kind of shopping concepts are already in the market?

Future Shop has opened the first of two concept stores scheduled to launch 2008 in Western Canada. Located at the Park Royal Mall in Vancouver, BC, the new store aims to demonstrate and educate customers on how various parts of their day-to-day lives can be connected by technology. Naturally, this involves a more lifestyle-centric layout than what you might be used to with a typical "big-box" retailer.

The store is separated into four quadrants called Living, Playing, Working, and On the Go, which each section logically displaying products in that respective area of technology. Salespersons known as "Connectivity Experts" are on hand to provide advice and customized systems based on a customer's lifestyle. With gaming becoming an increasingly popular past-time among people of all ages, it makes sense that Future Shop has also hired Gaming Experts.

This location also features an Apple experience centre that employs Apple's trademark look and feel, and is staffed by Apple personnel.

"The redesign of the West Vancouver store is rooted in the changing lifestyle of customers as electronics have become so central to their lives," said Todd Empey, Vice President, Operations for Future Shop. "The new design offers our customers an interactive and highly personalized shopping environment, while showcasing how technology can be connected seamlessly across the areas customers play, work, and live.

"We've been in West Vancouver for a long time, so it's exciting to bring this new concept to our customers," enthused Skyler Bell, General Manager of the store. "We think our customers will be impressed with the function and access to products in our newly redesigned space!"

[Helge V. Keitel]

Shopping Centers in Decline in U.S.

I’d like to have your comment about the continuing decline of shopping centers in U.S.

Blomberg reports, the price of square ft. of shopping center space is declining faster than in decades.

* Consumers are not using their credit cards as before
* People are becoming more conservative in their buying habits
* More the 50 % of U.S citizens have less money for consumption
* Credit card use is becoming more selective and conservative
* People go to traditional stores they have a feeling for
* Consumers don’t change shop very easily
* Innovation doesn’t seem to be the thing for the present
* People watch their money spending with greater care
* More responsible buying habits

Trends

* Less is more
* Green is better
* Low cost is high on the purchasing list
* People don’t mind about the brands as before
* Interior decoration isn’t a big thing for the moment
* Eating out is fading away: slow food at home is becoming popular
* Less entertainment, travel and home electronics
* Spending less on media and fashion (clothes)
* Food is important – more money spent on food
* The price of food is rising

Time line estimate

* This recession will last longer than any present recession
* Most recessions have faded withing a year
* The present recession will continue for three years

What about other countries?

* How about Finland?
* Stockmann’s sales in Moscow is growing
* How about Europe?
* Some positive signs in Germany and France?