Location

Arndale Centre, Manchester

Project Summary

In 2007 Waterstone’s was a finalist in Retail Week’s “Store Design of the Year”, with a new format, piloted in the Arndale Centre, Manchester.
The design of the store environment was led by Brian McManus of Dreambox Studio. Work included a refinement of the brand identity and customer communications strategy, as well as a new range of display fixtures.

The objective was to make Waterstone’s more accessible to a much wider market, with a fresh tone of voice and a contemporary image.

Armour Systems worked with the design team to develop new bookcase shelving, that could effectively display both spine and face-out titles, in a lightweight, contemporary system, with a distinctly modernist feel.

The system allowed Waterstone’s to make better use of space by introducing display overstock at high level and integrating a flexible system for category headers and promotional posters. The system was also used extensively in mid-floor locations, where stock levels could be maximised whilst retaining transparency and lightness.