Retail Design

There is notable potential for strengthening the brand value and customer loyalty through the creation of future-proof, stand out retail spaces that value the significance of customer experiences.

raws of chrome lockers on the left and beautiful beige seating bench on the right, lady walking, Box by Post, by Fyra
rounded armchair in front of a mirrored reception desk, Skanno

Navigating the New Retail Era: Importance of Experiential Space Design

In the swiftly evolving landscape of retail, driven by the surge of e-commerce and evolving consumer behaviors, the importance of experiential space design has become more pronounced than ever. Physical environments now serve as powerful tools for conveying brand identity, offering opportunities for re-define brand identity. Our philosophy revolves around crafting immersive, unforgettable customer experiences through pioneering service and spatial design methodologies.

 

 

Recycling point in self-service shop Box by Posti, designed by Fyra

Creating Authentic Brand Spaces: Understanding Customer Needs

At the core of our retail design philosophy lies a deep understanding of diverse target demographics. By delving into their needs and preferences, we sculpt distinct spaces that authentically reflect the essence of the customer’s brand.

Box by Posti is a new concept in the world of self-service stores. In May of 2019, Fyra began to search for an answer to the question of what would the perfect self-service store be like. Posti, Finland’s leading postal and logistics company, was behind the commission.

Client
Posti Group

Location
Helsinki

Area
1100 m²

Year
2019

Partners
Motley

Photography
Riikka Kantinkoski

Awards

IFI Design Distinction Awards 2022: Commerce (Bronze)

Dezeen Awards 2021: Large Retail Interior of the Year (Winner)

Frame Awards 2021: Best Use of Colour (Shortlisted)

Vuoden Huiput 2019: Hopeahuippu

Details

Background

In the spring of 2019, consulting company Motley had been given an assignment. Posti wanted the company to design the service concept for a new self-service store. Motley asked Fyra to become a partner in the project. The aim was to create a new self-service store for online shopping customers. It needed to be something more than just a row of parcel lockers.

cute self-service stations in baby pink color
changing room in a self-service store Box by Posti, in pastel colors
a person is bringing a parcel to one of the lockers, block of lockers are in chrome or in flamingo pink

Strategy & Delivery

packing station in box by posti, dark military green walls and furniture, led sign "un/boxing", ash veneer counters for packing
packing station in box by posti, dark military green walls and furniture, led sign "un/boxing"

It was clear from the start that the space in central Helsinki needed to accommodate over 600 parcel lockers. In addition, there needed to be fitting rooms for the customers to try their purchases on immediately. The space also needed to look interesting to draw attention when looking in from the street. Motley approached the project from the point of view of creating a service concept. Fyra concentrated on interior architecture and functionality.

a baby blue kitchen cabinets behind orange curtains, stylish modern look of an interior

The overall concept of Box by Posti was developed in close cooperation with Motley. The outcome is a harmonious space where the parcel lockers act as a backdrop giving room for the customers to try on their purchases, perhaps make returns and send packages. Special attention has been paid to the recycling of packaging materials.

The space was to be functional as well as intuitive for the user. With different colours assigned to different areas of activity, the customer instinctively follows a path finding their way around the facility. The collaborating companies also set out to create a visually compelling interior for it to stand on its own, separate from the existing brand imagery, and to represent Posti’s renewed identity.

un/boxing stations next to the stairs in a self-service shop box by posti
close-up on tiles and seating bench, grey tiles, ash / birch veneer, artek stool

The concept of Box by Posti as well as the interior design was executed swiftly: Finland’s first Box by Posti was opened in the centre of Helsinki in the beginning of November. There is an area called Spotlight in the front section. It can be used by online companies do present their products to the consumers. Near the entrance is also an area with staff always ready to help. There are couches so the customer can take a seat and enjoy a cup of coffee. The parcel lockers are in the background.

minimalistic vitrine with products, yellow cabinet in front with plants on top
recycling station for unboxing
close-up of a yellow bench, pale yellow tiles and yellow artek stool with wooden legs
entrance facade of Box by Posti in Helsinki

Team

Niina Sihto

Co-founder
Senior Designer,
WP and Concepts

niina.sihto@fyra.fi

+358 (0)40 508 0332

Anu Latvala

Head of Concepts
Interior Architect

anu.latvala@fyra.fi

+358 (0)41 501 6405

Emma Keränen

Hospitality Development Lead
Interior Architect

emma.keranen@fyra.fi

+358 (0)41 545 9992

Sara Koivisto

(on parental leave)
Interior Architect
Concept Designer

sara.koivisto@fyra.fi

+358 (0)50 365 7219

When design furniture retailer Skanno found new premises for their showroom in Helsinki, Fyra was given the task to design a new spatial concept and customer journey for the company. The process started with interviewing different target groups and laying out all the diverse needs with consulting company un/known. Including Skanno’s own workers and designers into planning was an essential part of the implementation.

Client
Skanno

Location
Helsinki

Area
665 m²

Year
2021

Partners
un/knownSkanno

Photography
Riikka Kantinkoski

Expertise Retail Design

Details

Background

To promote the intuitive customer journey, guiding elements were created. Graphic arc lights were placed over the many doors of the property to lead the customers in the right direction and into new visual worlds like a gate. The core of the spatial concept was to create a visual and distinctive space with finished and homely atmosphere

Strategy & Delivery

Materials and fixed furniture, such as the desk with a mirror surface, were designed to be distinctively modern as a contrast to the historic architecture. Strong contrasts and visual variations between the rooms also effectively deepen the visual experience. Skanno’s design team was responsible for the furniture design of the space. The brand new Skanno Showroom was opened in the spring of 2021.

Team

Eva-Marie Eriksson

Co-founder
Senior Designer,
Hotels and Restaurants

eva-marie.eriksson@fyra.fi

+358 (0)40 537 7350

Emma Keränen

Hospitality Development Lead
Interior Architect

emma.keranen@fyra.fi

+358 (0)41 545 9992

The leading Finnish postal and logistics company Posti embarked on a journey to reoccupy the iconic main postal building, Postitalo. The objective was to transform this historic space into an innovative full-service store while retaining the building’s rich heritage.

 

Client
Posti Group

Location
Helsinki

Area
420 m²

Year
2021

Partners
Motley

Photography
Riikka Kantinkoski

Expertise Retail Design

Details

Background

Recycling point in self-service shop Box by Posti, designed by Fyra

At the core of this transformative service concept, envisioned by the consulting company Motley, were three key principles: simplicity, delightfulness, and personalized functionality. These principles seamlessly align with the overarching concept of “Everything flows,” emphasizing the fluidity of customer interactions within the store, whether patrons are collecting parcels independently or seeking a more tailored service experience. The inclusion of a bench seat along the window wall mirrors the design’s dynamic flow.

 

Strategy & Delivery

The colour palette employed in the space harmoniously combines Posti’s classic brand colors of orange and white with a warm cardboard brown. Mirrored surfaces strategically amplify the perception of space, enhancing the overall ambiance. In line with sustainable development principles, the design prioritized the preservation of existing elements while repurposing Posti’s service equipment, including the inventive reuse of old parcel vending machines.

Drawing from the insightful functionality of a previous collaboration with Posti, Box by Posti, the new Posti Helsinki 10 store incorporates recycling and packaging points to further enhance its sustainability initiatives.

Team

Niina Sihto

Co-founder
Senior Designer,
WP and Concepts

niina.sihto@fyra.fi

+358 (0)40 508 0332

Anu Latvala

Head of Concepts
Interior Architect

anu.latvala@fyra.fi

+358 (0)41 501 6405

Emma Keränen

Interior Architect
Designer

In the spring of 2020 Skanska Homes began the process of renovating their home stores. The goal was to improve the accessibility, visibility, functionality and visuality of the stores and thus provide customers with a fluent, enjoyable, and reliable customer experience.

Client
Skanska Homes

Location
Helsinki

Year
2021

Partners
Motley

Photography
Riikka Kantinkoski

Details

Background

Comprehensive service and interior design concept was generated through workshops involving customers and staff into mapping the different development needs. Relying on this thorought groundwork, Fyra and Motley created a vision for an inspiring, holistic customer experience. To best serve these development needs, the old home store concept would undergo a comprehensive reformation. Skanska Studio was born.

Strategy & Delivery

The first Skanska Studio was located at street level on Mannerheimintie in Helsinki. The vision was to create a “housing laboratory”, an easy-to-use and visually pleasing studio space where customers could make material choices for their houses and even make the decision to purchase a new home.

Different tools, such as tablets and touch screens, were added so that customers could familiarize themselves with different materials spontaneously without having to reserve an appointment with the customer service representative in advance. The space designed for Skanska Studio is also ideal for organizing professional and customer events.

The visual outlook of the studio was intended to act as a clean canvas for a variety of different presentation materials. To make the process of operating with different materials easier for customers, a themed color principle was created. According to this color principle different materials are easy to find and put back in place.

Sustainable construction was made strongly visible in Skanska Studio, which in turn encourages customers to choose materials with a sustainable state of mind. In the future the new concept of Skanska Studios will be brought across the country.

Team

Tiina Närkki

Co-founder
Senior Designer,
WP and RE development

tiina.narkki@fyra.fi

+358 (0)40 536 3530

Jasmin Wegelius

Interior Architect
Designer

jasmin.wegelius@fyra.fi

+358 (0)400 426 926

Sara Koivisto

(on parental leave)
Interior Architect
Concept Designer

sara.koivisto@fyra.fi

+358 (0)50 365 7219