Design surrounds consumers

Colour, shape, atmosphere

Bálint Török
head of division
Wanzl

There were nearly 70 participants of the online meeting. One of the club’s founders Zsuzsanna Hermann welcomed them and POPAI president Ágnes Csiby introduced the speakers. The first one was Bálint Török, Wanzl’s head of division, who introduced the latest super- and hypermarket design trends. One of the dominant international styles is the ‘clean-cut’ trend that is characterised by mild colours and modest material use, plus few communication surfaces. Other trends include the Scandinavian, the industrial and the eclectic styles.

Next Mr Török spoke about the design development history of Hungarian grocery stores, with the focus being on the period after 2015. Finally the speaker analysed the changes that occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic: new tools showed up in stores, most of which are functional and aren’t integrated into the store image yet. Once they are, the old store atmosphere and harmony will return.

Gábor Csicsai
senior designer and interior architect
Mangrove

Gábor Csicsai, Mangrove Kft.’s senior designer and interior architect said good design in a shop or in an in-store product works like good packaging. It gives the first impression, pays attention to customers and says something about the retailer. These days shoppers want the good old things back, due to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. In design plans there is greater emphasis on informing shoppers, on LED technology and on passive or moving visual effects.

There is also bigger demand than before for large, clean and tidy spaces that communicate safety. Currently eco-friendliness is less important, shoppers accept more packaging, but sustainability will return after the crisis situation is over. Digitalisation, cleanliness and contactless shopping will also be in the centre of attention in the future.

László Banu
managing director
Artconcept Design

László Banu, managing director of Artconcept Design Kft. has been designing retail and HoReCa interiors since the 1990s. He thinks that already in the designing or redesigning phase it must be emphasised where the sales increasing opportunities lie. Retail spaces shouldn’t only look good, they must also be impulsive. Mr Banu used before-after photos to illustrate the work done by his team, creating atmospheric, progressive and ergonomic shops or cafés, which usually generate bigger sales increase than the operators hoped.

A wide range of services also come with the team’s retail space design work, such as interior design, construction work, image integration, general and green decoration with plants, leasing office furniture and kitchen technology equipment, etc.

The club meeting ended with award ceremony of the 11th POPAI Awards POP competition, about which you can read in the POPAI news section of our magazine. //