The Champs Elysées is a must see in Paris. Known for its boutiques and proximity to the Arc de Triomphe, the avenue is about to be renewed changing fast shops for more sophisticated stores.
The Louis Vuitton’s new flagship is already opened. Dior and Chanel are also about to join it, as well as other brands that will participate in this renew, including the famous Galeries Lafayette.
The department store has created an incredible project for its store on the Champs Elysées, which will open on 28.03 and will be placed in the old Virgin Store. The plan? To be younger and cooler than the one on Boulevard Haussmann.
According to the store director, Nadia Dhouib, it will be a great revolution and it will be focused on the consumer, in addition to breaking certain barriers that we usually see in department stores. Among the news, we can expect the end of categories by genres. For example, instead of finding a space for men’s and other women’s tennis, the category “sneakers” will all be gathered in the same place. The most famous brands will also be mixed with those of niche.
Sellers will be replaced by stylists recruited from Instagram who will do special training at the French Fashion Institute so they can give customers tips about the products available in the store. In addition, the first-floor hangers of the Galeries will be equipped with touchscreen technology gadgets so that the consumer himself can see if the piece is available in their size.
The area will have a large restaurant area, which includes a first-floor cafeteria and a basement food court with a wine cellar with 200 labels. On its terrace, there will be two restaurants that will be led by chefs from famous restaurants like Loulou, Girafe and Monsieur Bleu.
The fitting rooms will also have new looks! They will be placed in the center of each floor of the shop and will have natural light and views of the Champs Elysées. The rooms will also serve for events such as book autographs, classes, lectures, and even shows.
In addition, there will be no storefronts. Danish architect Bjarke Ingels took the storefronts into the store in suspended glass boxes that, in addition to presenting the released models, will also serve as a stage for pop-up installations.