2024 was somewhat subdued when it came to new store openings, likely a result of economic uncertainty. However, many notable retail experiences launched around the globe, ranging from high-end luxury to highly accessible. Here is a selection of some of our favorite new stores from 2024. 1. Best Use Of Color Trinny London is one […]
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SLD is delighted to announce our honorable win at the 2024 GDUSA American Package Design Awards, for our design work for Krema Yogourt. The annual competition celebrates creative excellence in packaging, highlighting designs that connect with consumers at the “moment of truth”, with a focus on premium elegance and refined simplicity. “This award is a reflection
Dentistry is one of the most aesthetic of the medical professions, so it’s no surprise they lead the way when it comes to clinic design. Modern dental practices have moved away from the sterile, often tired-looking office spaces towards bolder and brighter settings that merge function, hospitality, and style. Ultimately, dentists have proven that interior
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SLD was among the three winners honored at the Bank Customer Experience (BCX) Awards ceremony during the 2024 Bank Customer Experience Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina. The BCX Awards honour financial institutions and technology providers that are transforming the retail banking industry through innovative solutions. This year’s winners delivered innovative experiences that transformed the branch experience
SLD Wins Best Branch Design at The 2024 BCX Awards Read More »
Online retail has provided a new channel for growth, but it has also revealed a significant challenge. With return rates averaging 30-40% and soaring to 50% in the fashion industry, the industry is facing a pressing issue. Consumers return products worth a staggering $743 billion annually, constituting about 14.5% of total retail sales. Most of
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Many of the world’s largest banks are investing in redesigning their physical networks to better serve their customers. As financial institutions realize the impact that branches have on customer loyalty, it has become increasingly important to prioritize the physical experience. How can mid-size or regional banks keep up? Our webinar, “Navigate And Win The Branch Transformation
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https://www.sld.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/HH_HEADER_WOOD.mp4 Aisle Adventures — Here’s How A modern re-design for Home Hardware’s in-store wayfinding system. CLIENT Home Hardware PROJECT Wayfinding design RELATED SERVICE WayfindingEnvironmental Graphic DesignResearch & Insights https://www.sld.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/HH_THINK_WOOD.webmhttps://www.sld.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/THINK_WOOD_24.mov Home Hardware’s competitive advantage lies in the service experience provided by franchise owners, who take great pride in their business. Local owners know their region well
https://www.sld.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SLD_CaseStudy_CQRC_Header_720.mp4 BRANCHING OUT INTO COMMUNITY A prototype design for banks that harmonizes financial service with local nature and culture. CLIENT Chongqing RuralCommercial Bank PROJECT New Prototype Branch Design RELATED SERVICE Retail DesignDigital Experiences https://www.sld.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SLD_CaseStudy_CQRC_ReceptionDigital.mp4 THINK To demonstrate its commitment to the local community, Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank (CQRC) needed a modern and approachable prototype design.
Bank branches are often perceived as transactional spaces, lacking in human touch. However, when thoughtfully designed, they possess the power to attract foot traffic and constitute a major part of a bank’s brand identity. In this blog, we’ll showcase five exceptional examples of thoughtful branch design, from Asia to Europe and North America. Each highlights
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Shikatani Lacroix Design (SLD) was invited to speak at the ebankIT Summit in Portugal on the future of seamless advice and its impact on customer loyalty in the banking sector. The presentation was based on a consumer study with a detailed comparison of the banking industry in North America and the EU/UK. It revealed nuanced
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https://www.sld.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOP_CaseStudy_Header_720-1.mp4 COMMUNITY FOCUS Curating the power of community to create an experience like no other. CLIENT Calgary Co-op PROJECT Calgary Co-Op RELATED SERVICE Environmental Design THINK Calgary Co-op was one of the city’s first grocery chains, having operated for nearly 60 years. New competition from national grocery chains forced Calgary Co-op to reposition. Its status
The financial industry is transforming rapidly. From multi-channel approaches to omnichannel experiences and the rise of AI-driven seamless banking, institutions are embracing changes at various stages. This transformation is being accelerated by Europe’s enthusiastic embrace of open banking, which will shortly be followed by open finance. Together, they offer customers greater control over their financial
Unlocking a World of Seamless Banking: Empower Customers at Every Step Read More »
Concept stores are an innovative departure from conventional brick-and-mortar stores, offering carefully curated, immersive encounters with a brand. Investing in a store that features minimal or no products on-site seems bold and costly. Why should brands consider such an investment? While profitability might not be the immediate outcome, concept stores possess great marketing potential. Their
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How To Overcome Customer Attrition? From NPS scores to customer account depth and new customer acquisition, financial institutions track a plethora of metrics to gauge the health of their business. But what if these metrics are lagging predictors of future success, and financial institutions need to focus on what is truly important? As seen on
How to Reduce Customer Attrition in Banking: Insights and Strategies Read More »
The integration of robotics and AI is one of the most exciting advancements in the healthcare industry in recent years. From pharmacies to medical spas, healthcare experiences are increasingly incorporating robotics technology to improve patient care and efficiency. In this blog post, we’ll look at the future of robotics in healthcare through the lens of
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Digital banking has become a priority for many central banks during the pandemic. As a result, many financial institutions have taken advantage of the opportunity to reduce their branch network. According to research, 2021 had one of the highest rates of bank closures, up 38% from the previous year. With banks making decisions to close
5 Mistakes Banks Are Making With Bank Branch Closures Read More »
According to our recent research on the circular economy, one of the biggest barriers to adopting more sustainable products and services is inconvenience. This shouldn’t come as a shock: making things easy for consumers is one of the pillars of good service. In a world where we can have almost anything delivered to our doorstep
Why Customer Convenience Is Critical To Circular Economy Participation Read More »
Patients, employees, and loved ones may experience stress and anxiety in healthcare settings. While initial medical facilities were not designed with mental health in mind, a recent change towards better overall wellness has changed this. Healthcare designs, as a setting that can have negative connotations, must strive to create a sense of calm for its
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Circular retail services are gaining popularity among businesses looking to limit their environmental impact and remain relevant in a changing landscape. With society in the early stages of developing effective closed-loop business models, we set out to investigate best retail practices within the circular economy. The study focuses on three key sections – refill, return,
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The world as we know it is changing. Human reliance on plastic, combined with its long lifespan, has resulted in a global buildup of plastic waste. According to research, the average American generates nearly 221 kilograms of plastic waste per year, creating billions of tonnes of waste worldwide. With this in mind, and with increased
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