A mere meander from the horticultural highlights of the Chelsea flower show is a marriage made in heritage heaven between Wedgwood and John Lewis.
Just a few steps into the foyer of Peter Jones in Sloane Square is a land of serene ceramics and tasteful elegance, a month-long pop-up experience that turns tasteful into tasty as the setting for the Wedgwood Conservatory Cafe, a place of tranquil relaxation and quiet indulgence.
The Wedgwood world is emblazoned in powder blue, provided on this occasion by graphic walls, plinths and packaging, the backdrop for six Wanderlust tea designs in yellows, reds, blacks & gold, across bowls and mugs, dishes and frames. Beautiful boxsets in pride of place, inspired by the exotic influences discovered and brought back to the UK during the Grand Tour of the 19th century.
The café itself is complete with decorative awnings, whitewashed trellis and ornamental murals offering refreshment and treats served by duly attentive and appropriately attired waitresses. The scene is set for tea prepared by Wedgwood’s expert tea sommelier Bernadine Tay.
John Lewis, in the guise of Peter Jones, has become a master of merchants, keeping itself dynamic and interesting, catching the moment and maximising the customers’ appetite for theatre and experience. This latest collaboration with Wedgwood is yet another example of bringing life to its stores and traffic to its tills in the most attractive, appealing and relevant of ways.
Partners in time – was there ever a better scenario for the taking of tea?
Many retailers fail to recognise and capitalise on the dynamic of time within their stores. The life of the customer is now a 24 hours a day opportunity and make profit from retail is about tapping into this dynamic to sell the right thing at the right time.
VM-unleashed advises brands and retailers on how to develop and deliver retail calendars which plan product for time and communication inspiration through time in a way that is relevant and exciting to the customer of today.
Is your brand caught in a static rut?
Are you lacking commercial focus and creative application in your events?