New Concept Store = New Morals?


When companies choose to renovate their retail stores, they often want to re-introduce themselves to the clients, as something else. With new morals, a more refined look, altered prices, anything that will make consumers stop by just to see whets changed.
When Roots Canada decided to revamp their store located in the Promenade Mall, Bathurst just north of Steeles, and then covered the entrance with a poster stating that they will be reopening as Roots' New Concept Store. Roots, which is a Canadian founded company, has an interesting set of morals.
About 3 years ago, they began outsourcing the production of their merchandise to countries with lower minimum wages, and different ethical standards. However the clothes prices did not get reduced now that the clothes were being produced at a cheaper cost to the company, in fact their increase over the last few years.
Right now, the BIG trend in corporations is to be GREEN, and while Roots has had their foot in the door with that cause early, due to their already outdoor friendly, and nature loving messages, they decided to go all out when remodeling their new store. Some of the new features of the store that were designed with the environment in mind, were having all the shelves be made from bamboo, introducing a new computer system that saves paper when printing receipts, and a layout of the store while allows for a communication board, and real, self watering plant wall.
" It was renovated in an environmental manner in terms of recycling existing elements and using eco-friendly materials like bamboo, recovered wood fiber, water-based glues, and paint with no volatile compounds. The store features a green ‘living wall’ that enhances the quality of the air and a reverse osmosis system for healthy drinking water for customers and staff." (the Roots Website)
Roots Promenade was the second store to get this drastic make over in this company, yet I am somewhat excited to see which other companies decided to create a new concept store and which of their morals might change.

1 comment:

Graphic Designer said...

my post was quite similar and talked about the gap using store renovations to further their brand. working in a mall over the past year i have found that more than 50% of the stores are being renovated as a way of rebranding themselves to thir shoppers. for me i know that i usually get lured into these stores because i want to see whats new in the store regarding both the products and the new interior.