This article is brought to you by Retail Technology Review: New centre for sustainable retail in Leicester.
A new state-of-the-art research and development facility for the retail industry will be opened at De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester during the UKs first Universities Week (14 - 20 June 2010).
The Retail Lab, housed in the Universitys Faculty of Art and Design, is believed to be the only centre of its kind. Funded by Leicester & Leicestershire Leadership Board, the Lab has been specifically designed to support small to medium-sized enterprises and blue-chip companies in the development of sustainable and resource efficient retail design.
The facility uses the latest technologies in rapid prototyping, energy use and air quality testing, consumer behaviour monitoring; including eye gaze and body motion detectors, to evaluate response to retail test environments. As well as a mock shop retail laboratory, the facility includes a virtual test space for concept evaluations, a dedicated area for conducting training and exhibitions, and a knowledge bank focusing on six specialist areas - legislation, supply chain, build, fit , materials and consumer behaviour.
VIPs have been invited to tour the new centre on 18 June as part of the opening of the Faculty of Art and Designs Degree Show, which features the final projects of graduating students, and receives over 4000 visitors, including potential employers.
The Retail Lab is led by DMU design experts Peter Ford and Martin Jones, who will work with businesses to identify research and development needs and bring together expert researchers from across the university to work on specific projects tailored to individual clients.
Retail Lab is an extension of the New Product Development Centre, building on successful research that has been conducted into the value that design adds to business, and fully integrates the expertise DMU has in design, rapid prototyping and the practicalities of sustainable design activity.
Peter Ford says: The philosophy of the Retail Lab is to develop the research environment around individual business needs, focusing on sustainability and efficiency within the retail industry and the supply chain that supports it. Our academics range from social scientists to technologists and designers, who have expertise in areas such as lighting, architecture, textiles, fashion, packaging and product design, as well as business and law.
Councillor Veejay Patel of the Leicester and Leicestershire Leadership Board said: This is a unique specialist knowledge-based environment/facility situated in the heart of the city, designed to support the retail sector. The retail sector can benefit from the expertise, knowledge and emerging retail technologies to boost their performance and save money.
Ultimately, we want our retailers to be competitive and grow as it is an important sector employing significant numbers of people. The project will assist 80 to 100 retailers initially and the service will be sustained by the university.
A series of free two and six hour sessions will be held for interested parties from industry on 6th and 7th July 3-5pm and 7-9pm and 9am 4pm on 8 July. The aim is to provide delegates with invaluable information about sustainable retail design to help improve efficiency and save money, which is imperative in today's current economic climate.
The full days training on the 8th July will provide retailers and supply chain companies with the opportunity to investigate further ways in which they can enhance their business to make it more efficient and sustainable through design. Sessions include lighting solutions, product offer and marketing, positioning vs. return on investment, built environment, heating and ventilation, merchandising and point of sale and consumer vs. environment.
For more information on the Retail Lab and the free sessions contact Peter Ford at pbford@dmu.ac.uk or visit www.dmu.ac.uk/retaillab
The Retail Lab will be officially launched in the autumn.
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