British Display Society Recognising Excellence Established 1947 FORTNUM & MASON, PICCADILLY, LONDON Christmas Street decorations at CHAPEL OF LOVE St Christopher’s Place, London BDS - Representing the Visual Merchandising profession 2020 No.1 Welcome from the Chairman This year has not started well for fans of historic department stores. Sadly, Beales which opened in Bournemouth in 1881 and its other stores across the country fell into administration. Debenhams which traces its history back to 1778 named many stores shortly to close. Coupled with this, we learn that Boswell & Co in Oxford which dates back to 1738 is almost certain to close with the owners blaming the ‘current economic retail climate’ Times are certainly tough on the High Street have been so for some time, but I can’t help thinking that there are a number of retailers who just cannot seem to move forward with the times and current trends and wonder why they are struggling in the current economy. We all appreciate that On-Line Shopping, High Street Parking Charges and Business Rates are factors as to why retail is failing, however I look at stores such as Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason, where business is very brisk. I recently read an article about Dunelm who defy the gloom of UK retail by posting a major jump in profits. In the 6 months to Dec 28, sales jumped by 6% to £585m with pre- tax profits up 19.4% to £84.9m. Retailers must reinvent themselves to stay, not only, competitive but to become a Destination store. With some many retailers, it is matter of creating ‘Retail Theatre’. It’s all about giving customers a memorable shopping experience. On a positive side, January consumer confidence has been given a “Boris bounce”. Consumers enjoyed a small “Boris bounce” following the Conservatives landslide General Election victory in December, according to a long running survey. From my conversations with retailers and trade wholesalers over the past few weeks, this is healthy and positive as in the improvement of the wider economic picture for the UK. As one independent retailer discussed with me “I believe that retailers in Britain should feel encouraged and think about the opportunities. There are potentially real advantages for Britain’s consumers and high streets, such as good value and personalised customer service providing a seamless and exciting experience. Above all retailers must remain positive with their customers, and provide a wonderful local customer experience” Iain Kimmins Chairman Assistant treasurer Nigel Fisher ABDS Meet The BDS Team An IT professional since 1979 Nigel has for the last 20 years been producing web sites and shopping carts for small businesses. It is his belief that the use of web sites The BDS Management Team comprises of experienced Visual Merchandising professionals for sales moves the internet firmly into the VM and POS arenas. The BDS should be and experts in the industry, who also volunteer their time to manage the BDS. promoting excellence within web sites as well as on the shop floor, enabling the BDS It is their passion and enthusiasm for VM and Store Presentation that drives the industry to to address the entire sales material of any retailer. Nigel also engages in developing maintain standards and ensure Visual Merchandising is not a dying art. exhibition stands for his own business and in connection with his hobbies. Having for many years hosted the BDS web sites and supported and developed the internal systems Nigel joined the council in 2013 intent on further supporting the BDS Director & Chair: Iain Kimmins FBDS as a whole. Iain is a creative Visual Merchandising Executive within the Display & Visual Merchandising Industry with over twenty years’ experience. He has worked for London’s top department stores including Harrods and Selfridges as well as Janet Billings FBDS Janet studied with the British Display Society back in the early 1980’s. Janet started Tangs in Singapore. Having studied with the BDS he started his career as a Junior working for a company designing and building props for use in window displays for VM progressing up to Head of Visual Merchandising. He has worked on several Debenhams, Selfridges and Harrods. In 1985 she set up her own Display Company freelance projects in New York, China and Saudi Arabia and now runs a Visual offering a full service, from design through to installation of exhibition stands and window Merchandising Consultancy called Creative Download. displays. His passion and enthusiasm for retail is not only about being creative with all kinds Janet has worked for an extensive range of clients from small independent retailers to of merchandise, concepts, brands, events and merchandise but being commercially large national companies both in the UK and abroad, Wedgwood & Portmeirion being aware for the retail sector. creative-download.co.uk just two of them. She works alongside Helen in ‘Made You Look!‘ with BIDs, Councils, Independent retailers and various other groups helping businesses to look their best at all times. Director & Vice Chairman: Helen Goodwin FBDS Helen studied with the British Display Society in the heart of London’s West End Edward Stammers MA, PG Cert back in the early 1980’s. Her first job was as part of the display team for DH Edward is the Course Leader of BA (Hons) Fashion Visual Merchandising and Evans in Oxford Street handling a wide range of merchandise in the windows Branding at the London College of Fashion and has an MA in Fashion Merchandise & interiors. Following this she started her own Visual Design Consultancy in Management and PG Cert in Education. He has worked in the visual merchandising London, then moved the business to York continuing to design & install window industry for twenty-five years, managing global visual merchandising and marketing displays up and down the country. campaigns as Design and Project Manager for Rootstein Display Mannequins. His Due to a demand for display training Helen created ‘Made You Look!’ where she research interests centre on the function and perception of the mannequin form and passes on her knowledge and experience to those wishing to learn the basic the challenges to the mannequin that are developing from the increased use of digital skills of display. Alongside Janet they work with Business Improvement Districts, technology within the fashion retail environment. Councils, Independent retailers and various other groups helping businesses to look their best at all times. madeyoulookmadeyoustare.co.uk Barbara Chapman FBDS Barbara Chapman (FBDS) is a highly experienced and creative freelance VM running her own creative consultancy, with over thirty five years’ experience in the industry. Director: Liz Johnston FBDS She brings an understanding of how to deliver brands across every touch-point within Liz has worked in the Visual Merchandising industry for almost 40 years and has the retail environment – in store, windows, press shows, launch parties, styling, and been a freelance stylist since 1982. She studied at the College for the Distributive online and photographic shoots. She believes that visual merchandising can achieve Trades in London from 1975 gaining her qualification through the BDS. She went commercial success, by inspiring customers through innovative, creative and unique on to work for Russell and Bromley in the West End, Simpson’s of Piccadilly, and brand experiences. Using skills in creative conceptualisation, project management and Heal’s gaining a wealth of experience and enabling her to take her skills in to both old school crafting and hi-tech execution, she delivers unique and motivating retail retail shops and exhibitions. She is passionate about bright colours and detail, and environments whilst still bringing sound commercial sense to every project. helping the local high street retailers by using her vast experience in guiding them She has worked with many luxury brands including Selfridges, Burberry, Mulberry, Jo to achieve the results they seek. [email protected] Malone, Harvey Nichols, Ralph Lauren , Jaeger; and on the high street, Oasis, Top Shop, Marks & Spencer, Jigsaw and Alexon. She is an experienced Associate VM lecturer and has recently become a Fellow of the British Display John Abbate Society Executive Board. John Abbate FBDS, with international experience in visual merchandising and retail store design, is passionate about retail and how to find solutions in this ever-changing Paris Tsoulfas FBDS market place. Paris is a passionate and professional VM working in luxury retail and has over After 20 years of working for such brands as, Ralph Lauren, Levis & Alfred Dunhill, in 15 years experience in the watch and jewellery industry. With a background in America & Europe, he then moved to Shanghai; starting his own retail consulting agency, interior design he attended the University of the Arts and studied their Display and John Abbate Studio, was Visual Merchandising professor at Mod’Art and then Creative Presentation course. He has an ongoing passion for in-store customer service and Director at Design Overlay retail design agency. specialises with display lighting. Returning to London, John joined Northbanks (http://northbanks.co.uk), a retail design For one particular jewellery brand he had the responsibility for the U.K. and Ireland stores. He also collaborated with all the major department stores (Harrods, agency, using his experience to help brands develop and implement their retail identities. Selfridges, Fenwick and House of Fraser) on their indoor displays and window Also a member of Save the High Street, he has joined the BDS to support retail through VM. dressing too as well as organised many marketing and press events. He has also created many set-up projects in France, Germany and Italy. Christmas World in Frankfurt Christmas World in Frankfurt is the world’s biggest trend and order platform for the international seasonal and festive decoration sector.