German book store chain Thalia is piloting a new store design concept and initiatives including a pick-up station for online orders. The company, which was set up 100 years ago in Hamburg, opened three pilot stores towards the end of 2018 in Leipzig, Dusseldorf and Hagen with a focus on providing a personal, inspiring and playful meeting place.
In keeping with Thalia’s creative approach, JHP Design has reinvented every aspect of the store, including the iconic shopfront, new merchandising systems, improved customer navigation and conceptual zoning.
‘The whole bookstore is filled with exciting design features which inspire customers to spend more time inside,’
A distinctive tree feature has been introduced to highlight the learning zone, where people are invited to sit down, read their books and experience the wide range of digital solutions that Thalia has to offer.
‘The essence of the stores is their ability to provide personalised stories across all channels, feeding the minds of each and every reader no matter the age or demographic,’ says JHP.
‘Coloured columns, digital navigation screens, literature cafes, kids playgrounds and interactive reading zones are all designed to enhance customer experience, increase dwell time and make every journey more entertaining.’
‘People need spaces of social exchange and well-being, and we believe that Thalia’s role as a meeting place in the area is more important than ever,’ says Ingo Kretzschmar, sales director at Thalia.
Throughout the year, the stores will host book signings, poetry readings, storytelling, writing classes, art workshops and digital lectures.
