Thalia, the largest chain of book stores in the German speaking countries commissioned JHP to reinvent their retail venues. Thalia operates about 300 bookshops in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, owns online bookseller Buch.de and is part pf the retailer alliance that sells the e-reader Tolino.
In keeping with Thalia’s creative approach, JHP Design set about reinventing every aspect of the stores including the iconic store shopfront, new merchandising systems, improved customer navigation and conceptual zoning.
However, the essence of the stores is their ability to provide personalised stories across all channels, feeding the minds of each and every reader no matter the age or demographic. The stores are equipped with thoughtful navigation system which includes reading lounges, kids zone, literature cafés, gifts areas and much more - all focused on the comfort of the individual customer.
With careful consideration of this individual and personalised approach JHP developed an interactive living store. The company’s possession of its own publishers and printers allowed JHP to integrate experiences such as book signings, poetry readings, storytelling, writing classes, art workshops and digital lectures giving everybody a chance to immerse deep worlds of their own imagination.
The whole bookstore is filled with exciting design features which inspire customers to spend more time inside.
A distinctive tree feature has been introduced to highlight the learning zone where people are invited to sit down, dive into their books and experience the wide range of digital solutions that Thalia has to offer.
Coloured columns, Digital navigation screens, literature cafes, kids playgrounds and interactive reading zones are all designed to enhance customer experience, increase dwell time and make every journey more entertaining.
Founded in 1919 in Hamburg, Thalia has been the exclusive book partner of the biggest literature festivals in Germany. With around 3000 events a year, it is one of the leading literacy sponsors, combining book-selling tradition and innovative digital services that make shopping experience personal, inspiring and playful at the same time.