RETAIL TRENDS BRUSSEL ‘23

Missed this years European summer? Let me spit the tea and give you my insight into the retails trends from Brussels. As a brand designer, my eyes are like magpies—always searching for the shiniest design gems. With Australian summer around the corner, let's learn from the past European spring and summer.

FLOWERS

So what are these trends? One of my favourite trends were the hand cut paper florals and flower doorways above shop doors. Like anything with brand design, it has to suit your concept and your audience. I would love you to connected your audience in an authentic way, build brand awareness and build your dream brand by making meaningfuzl connection with your industry. With all 4 stores below this works so well because they all have an element of calibration with their concept. From hire party dress shop to flower shop, all brand want to make a connection with their audience by calibrating small moments, and that is summer.

FAKE FLOWERS AT COUCOU
Say 'Coucou' (that's French for a flirty hello, like 'Salut' but with extra charm) to your new go-to for all things fabulously festive! This shop is a kaleidoscope of colors and, trust me, they've got your party prep on lock. Makeup? Check. Dress hire? You betcha. Nails and jewels? Honey, they're like the fairy godmothers of glam! And let's spill the tea on their floral vibes—just like the other four brands we're obsessing over, Coucou's flower game invites you to squeeze a little more confetti out of summer. Because, why not celebrate the sunny season in full bloom? - find the link to their instagram HERE.

DRIEF FLOWERS IN WINDOW AT POLLEN ATELIER
Dive into Pollen Atelier, a pint-sized concept store with the impact of a giant bouquet in the Brussels scene. Seriously, this gem is buzzing with ongoing events, flower offerings, wedding designs—the whole shebang. It took me two visits just to fully grasp the magical enigma of what they're doing, and guess what? That's totally their jam! Because let's be real—sometimes, laying it all out there is like giving away the ending to a mystery novel. And who wants that? Pollen Atelier knows the power of curiosity and surprise. They're not just feelings; they're brand mood-boosters! - find the link to their instagram HERE.

DRIED FLOWERS AT ECLECTUS
Picture this—a concept store slash flower haven with dried flowers (yes, real ones, gasp!) gracefully dangling above their doorway. It's got this organic, 'oh-so perfectly imperfect' aura that just screams "home sweet home." Because, let's be honest, flowers in our pads are as crucial as groceries.
So, next time you're running errands or just looking for a sprinkle of inspo, wouldn't you adore swinging by to pick up some blooms and, ya know, some soul-food for the eyes? - find the link to their instagram HERE.

HAND CUT FLOWERS at PIERE MARCOLINI
If Belgium had a middle name, it'd be Chocolate—no kidding! And let me dish on Piere Marcolini, a chocolatier who's basically the Beyoncé of Belgian cocoa. Now, here's the delicious twist: they've used flowers to toast to summer's awesomeness! And you've gotta stalk—I mean, check—out their Instagram to catch a glimpse of the massive floral display they've got going on in one of their French shops. It's like they've been hit with the 'go big or go home' wand or something! find their website HERE.

Another fun way to celebrating spring and summer are illustrated flowers on window screens with vinyl. A great way of drawing attention to your shop. Get creative by using patterns and colour of your new seasonal products in your window display..

GOLD WINDOW DECALS

Another retail trend that we came across is the gold window decals. A good trend to follow if you brand is on the luxurious side, or has a touch of history. Ever walked down a street and had your eyes magnetically drawn to a storefront like it's some kind of retail siren? Chances are, it had gold window decals. Yaaas, I said gold, darling! Now, these aren't your average stickers—think of them as the couture of window signage. Created through luxe vinyl applications, these gold decals give off a sense of allure and opulence that's practically irresistible. I mean, if window displays were celebrities, gold decals would be their Oscars red carpet look! They shimmer, they shine, and most importantly, they make a brand identity pop like champagne on New Year's Eve. Trust me, babes, in a world full of greys and beiges, be a gold window decal!

HOTEL DES GALERIES
Right smack dab in the heart of Brussels, there's a historical boutique hotel that's basically the lovechild of convenience and elegance. Now, let's gab about their gold window decals—oh-em-gee, talk about rolling out the golden carpet for their guests! These shiny wonders don't just ooze allure and luxury; they're like a sparkling tiptoe through history. So, if you've ever wondered what it'd be like to sleep in a place that's part history lesson, part glam-a-thon, this is it, darlings. Ready to book your fabulous room? - find the link to their hotel HERE.

MAISON DANDOY
Next to waffles, chocolate, and beer, Belgium is practically a shrine for speculoos, and no one does it better than Maison Dandoy. Brace yourself—this recipe is so vintage, it’s like the flapper dress of cookies. Seriously, it’s been passed down from their great-great-great-grandfather! And yep, they’re still whipping up these heavenly bites the old-school way: real butter, brown sugar, and handcrafted wooden molds. But hold on, because the nostalgia trip doesn't end with the cookies. Most of their boutiques are like stepping into a time machine set to "Charming Historic Building" mode. From their darling interiors to the food trays, cups, furniture, AND gold signature everything screams (or maybe whispers elegantly), "We are history." Craving more? - find the links to their website HERE.

MARY CHOCOLATIER
Feast your eyes on Mary Chocolatier, a cocoa heaven that's been rockin' the chocolate game since 1919! Conjured into existence by the one and only Mary Delluc, this gal was more than just a choco-fan; she was a chocolate sorceress, wanting to sprinkle her magical creations all over the globe. Here's the cherry on top—get ready for a branding experience that's as rich as their dark chocolate. With a sprinkle of femininity and a big ol' dash of history, their brand just oozes quality like a perfectly filled truffle. Hungry for more? Your next indulgence is just a click away —
find the link to their website HERE.

Oh honey, history isn't just for textbooks and museums! Your brand can tell a story that's as rich as your grandma's secret sauce. Whether you're digging into your family's treasured recipes or blending old traditions with fresh vibes, it's all about that storytelling. No idea what your concept is? Still browsing through the "plot" section of your brand's novel? Slide into our DMs or shoot us a quick email. We're not just in the business of building brands; we're in the love affair of crafting captivating tales. Let's make your brand the page-turner it deserves to be!

DISPLAY IT BABY!

Look, if you've got it, flaunt it! You know what they say: a killer display is like the opening line of your brand's love letter to the world. But, sweetie, the secret sauce isn't just the how; it's the why and the who. So you're slinging organic fries like they're going out of style? Bag those taters in a way that screams, "I care about the Earth, honey, and you should too!" But let's dig deeper—what's your brand essence? Why are you frying up solutions to the world's snack problems? These soul-searching questions are the golden threads weaving through every decision you make—be it the sultry reds of your decor, the Pinterest-worthy window displays, or those cute-as-a-button loyalty cards. When it all jives together? Oh, the word will spread faster than juicy gossip at a high-school reunion.

We spotted some inspo during our Brussels escapades that might tickle your fancy. Ready to get crystal clear on your brand values? It's your potential calling. Let's chat!

FURNITURE STORE UNKNOWN
We Dutch are total window-peepers—yeah, I said it! Our homes are often side-by-side and have living rooms right up front, practically begging you to take a quick sneak peek. So, naturally, we adore making our homes the coziest nooks ever. Now, let's circle back to this mystery furniture store in Belgium (a close neighbor, so we're kinda like cousins, right?). What this fab store does is take our Dutch passion for home decor and amplifies it. They lay out their furniture like it's a scene right out of your future dream home, making it almost impossible not to imagine your life with that to-die-for armchair or that mid-century modern coffee table. It's like they're saying, "Come on in, make yourself at home... but, like, also buy something." And hey, we might be Dutch, but good taste knows no borders, darling!

LA FRITERIE
Let's talk about La Friterie, the place where fries are more than just a side dish; they're the main attraction. Trust me, you haven't lived until you've tasted Belgian fries served up the La Friterie way. These aren't your run-of-the-mill, fast-food, soggy spuds—nuh-uh. These are local, peeled-to-perfection little golden nuggets that take 'snackgasmic' to a whole new level. And how do they get the word out? By putting their golden treasures on full, scrumptious display for all of Brussels to drool over. Uhm, marketing genius much?

MOIRES
Moires in Brussels! For the print-obsessed among us (hand raised), this place is basically heaven with a side of ink. Whether it's typography, graphics, or any form of printed magic, Moires is the place to ogle creative genius. Seriously, stepping into this store is like diving into an ocean of paper dreams. It's that inspirational. Moires knows its audience; its window display is a graphic feast that practically has a magnetic pull on anyone with an ounce of creativity in their bones. With visuals that pop, it's a siren call to creatives and those who just love, well, creating! So if you're strolling by, good luck resisting that creative allure; it's like catnip for the artsy soul.

LADY PANAME
Step right into Lady Paname, where fabulous meets intimate! Imagine walking into a space that's part Hollywood glam and part Parisian chic—seriously, it's like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn had a baby, and it grew up listening to sultry French tunes. Get ready to feel pampered by the most delightful "lady" who knows lingerie and all things spicy like the back of her manicured hand.