“Such a tactile feature”

Romeo Sommers: Once the initial surprise passed, people were keen to learn more about how they could recreate the themes and ideas within their own retail environments - which is exactly what we wanted: to inspire! The great thing with the Retail Lab was the fact it was such a tactile feature. People were able to pick up products, walk through the different areas, and really take the time to learn more on their journey through the zones. I believe visitors really enjoyed this aspect! 
The other thing visitors enjoyed was the fact that recreating the Retail Lab, or aspects of it, is perfectly achievable. The whole area may have been created with the input from a whole team of industry experts, but these experts understand the retail environment and the challenges that can be faced in such an environment, so they were able to create designs and concepts that fit within this.

The biggest query was one of intrigue, and how retailers could implement the different themes within their own retail stores. The Oxygen Bubble, featuring air-purifying plants, was one area that people particularly loved, as it is such a simple yet effective idea that is easy to recreate. The Greenhouse Cabinet also proved popular as it showcased how ordinary and typical garden retail displays can be reinvented for a more eye-catching retail experience.
I was also inundated with queries relating to houseplants. The last year has seen a resurgence in indoor plant sales, and not just within traditional garden centres. High street retailers, including fashion stores, have been selling cacti and succulents in unbelievable quantities, with millennials and hipsters snapping them up quickest. The reason for this is simple: these consumers want plants, but plants that work around their lives. They want to be able to travel and not have to worry about watering their plants in their absence.

Have visitors been receptive to the themes identified in the Retail Lab?
Retailers have been so receptive to the trends, and it's been great to see them want to get stuck in right away, with each taking a slightly different 'takeaway', meaning garden centres can maintain their individuality. The concept of 'hotspots' within the retail environment is something I discussed…