CLIENT: DFS the Hong Kong based luxury goods & duty free retailer (and owner of LVMH) purchased the historic La Samaritaine building in Paris with the aim of restoring it from derelict shell to its former position at the very pinnacle of high-end shopping in the city.
BRIEF: To develop the concept, layout, operator mix and implementation strategy for 1300m² Food Hall and 1400m² of cafes and restaurants on the ground and lower ground floors of the store.
STRATEGY: In order to position the F&B offers for La Samaritaine at a world standard, the consultancy undertook extensive research of contemporary food retail globally and identified the key elements necessary for successful design and operation. The business also had to be structured to handle conducted tours of premium Asian tourist groups, so good circulation and fast transaction handling were critical. Introducing the concept of ‘tastemakers’ throughout the retail experience helped to create a genuine sense of customer engagement. Detailed fixture briefs, ranging strategies, and floor layouts enabled the design team to realise the concept into 3D form.
RESULTS: La Samaritaine development is currently negotiating final planning approval for the complete development of the building and annexe and is anticipated to be completed in 2020.
