When the second lockdown closed retail here in Scotland after Christmas, Award-winning outfitters and Countrywear brand A. Hume of Kelso, got in touch with us to see if we could help them use the downtime productively. They wanted to relocate their ladieswear department from the main branch on The Square, to a standalone branch at their second outlet on Horsemarket. With the brief being to create a ‘destination’ that would welcome the existing clientele but also appeal to a wider demographic, the proposed premises, having been used as an Outerwear department, were in desperate need of a rethink. A.Hume wanted to make their female customers feel special in their retail experience. In practical terms, we needed to ensure sufficient display space to accommodate all stock, without the shop floor feeling crammed. The layout had to reflect and prioritise the top selling departments by ensuring appropriate visibility. It was also vital to provide means for storing additional stock on the premises, particularly for the space hungry shoe department. The point of sale was relocated so as to provide a point of focus immediately on entering the store, with a storage wall to hide away all of the paraphernalia of operations. Two much-needed fitting rooms have been located discreetly to the rear. A bespoke joinery display has been created, extending almost the length of the store, in the style of an old haberdashery unit, which houses hanging space, shoe and boot shelving, drawers and high-level storage. Elsewhere, the original display units were ripped out, walls replastered and paneling installed and the existing timber floor was sanded and resealed. The new colour scheme of deep blues and greys, combined with brass fittings and marble-topped console display tables, complete the look.