retail therapy

IF EVERY shop in the mall was well-designed, would we be more inclined to linger, rather than rushing home to avoid the crowds? A retail outlet that is easy to navigate and has stock displayed in an organised, logical way can make shopping a little less stressful.

The children's clothing retailer Pumpkin Patch employs the services of architects Borland-Lye Mackenzie. Pumpkin Patch has over 250 stores and department store concessions designed by Borland-Lye Mackenzie across New Zealand, Australia, England, Ireland, the USA and the Middle East.

"We have worked with Pumpkin Patch for the past seven years, during a period of meteoric growth for the company," says Bruce Mackenzie, director of Borland-Lye Mackenzie. "It's great to be on the crest of that wave. We constantly develop the company's image to keep up with the ever-changing retail world," he says.

While there is a basic blueprint for all the stores, each one is uniquely designed to fit its location. Elements such as lighting, signage and the shop front are dealt with differently in each market, to meet local regulations. The concept, however, remains the same.

"We spend a lot of time working on the flow of a store. For example, Pumpkin Patch makes spatial allowances for pushchairs and small children. The aim is to give the best shopping experience possible," says Mackenzie.

Borland-Lye Mackenzie also designs new homes, beach houses and provides architectural alterations to established homes.

For further information contact: Borland-Lye Mackenzie Architecture, phone (09) 274 9837, fax (09) 274 9817. Email: bruce@blmarch.co.nz. Website: www.blmarch.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas