The partnership offered buyers insights, trend forecasts and case studies to support their retail business at this month’s show.
Talking daily on the new Trend Talks stage, Kate Shepherd and Matt Parry, co-founders of The Future Collective, delved into topics such as ‘The future of luxury retail’, ‘The future of the post-commute economy’, and ‘The future of global retail trends’.
On the final day, the duo staged a takeover of Trend Talks with a series of sessions focused on ‘Retail design for a better future: A manifesto for positive change’ with speakers including Nick Reed, founder of NEEM London and Ali and Nick Munro from Butterfly.
Kate Shepherd said: “We had a brilliant four days at Spring Fair. The talks, particularly during our takeover day, were really inspiring and so well received by those who attended. It has been incredible to meet so many retailers and reach such a large audience keen to discover how to design for a better future. A huge thank you to everyone who attended and our brilliant speakers.”
In a panel discussion hosted by Interior Design Declares on ‘How do we meet the needs of the 21st-century conscious client?’, interior design specialists including Mathew Freeman, founder – Freeman Studio, Nicola Holden, director – Nicola Holden Design, Emer Gillespie, director and designer – Spark and Bell Lighting Design, and Helen Gordon, founder – Kite Creative, highlighted the need for a mindset shift in the industry.
Advocating for change, they explored the challenges and opportunities of adopting a circular and transparent business model in retail interior design. The collaborative movement, uniting industry leaders, store owners, designers, and suppliers, aims to promote sustainability and embrace conscious choices for overall health and wellbeing. Case studies illustrated successful implementations of their principles, making the concepts tangible.
In summary, the Interior Design Declares panel discussion served as a rallying cry for positive change in the retail interior design industry, offering valuable insights for professionals and enthusiasts passionate about design, sustainability, and conscious consumerism.
During ‘What makes a good brand great?’, Kate and Matt unravelled the secrets of how exceptional brands master differentiation. With over two decades of experience in brand strategy and communications, they provided a compelling exploration into the crucial factors that elevate brands from ordinary to extraordinary, offering a transformative roadmap.
Their presentation blended practical insights and examples from renowned global brands such as Anya Hindmarch, Courvoisier, Nike, and Apple. Drawing on real-world practice, they shared tips and guidance applicable to founders, marketers, business leaders, and brand enthusiasts.
Unpacking the ’10 ways to make a good brand great,’ they stressed the importance of starting with the ‘Why?’ and sharing brand stories in a human and authentic manner. They also emphasised the significance of understanding the audience through active listening and adopting community-centric and localised brand strategies. The co-founders concluded by highlighting the current need for brands to convey a more soulful and hopeful side during such turbulent times.
