Hampstead, Md.- Founded in 1905, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers built its reputation by selling traditional men's business attire. But given the proliferation of today's “corporate casual” look, the company decided it needed an updated store design to better present its less-formal offerings.
Retail Planning Associates (Columbus, Ohio), concluding that the Bank stores should have a more visual presence to convey the full breadth of the clothing lines, created a “lifestyle” space that's open and bright. The front of the store, carrying Bank's corporate casual offerings, features a 12-foot ceiling, maple hardwood floors and several branded mannequin forms. Custom fixtures are pickled maple with satin-aluminum hardware.
The cashwrap, shrouded in cherry, ivory and light olive veneers, is positioned in the center of the store, where it serves as a transition venue mimicking the curves found in the store's ceiling and flooring. Pendant lights create a more “residential” feel.
The shoe department is flanked by a large logo wall, cloaked in the same veneers as the cashwrap. The wall — designed to reinforce the Bank brand — creates a centralized focal point that can be seen from anywhere in the store. The back half of the store has a 10-foot dropped ceiling, creating a more intimate setting for the tailored clothing sold there. Custom fixturing sits on mottled green carpeting, replicating the olive veneer found elsewhere.
Signage plays a key role throughout the space in facilitating the shopping process and educating the customer. The suit wall, for example, has a three-panel system, attached at the ceiling and floor. These panels hang in front of the perimeter wall presentation, and are flanked by panels that support a featured display. Informational graphics include signage on the shirt wall explaining the different collar types. And the triptych in the front window is a promotional graphic, announcing what is happening in the store and reinforcing the Bank brand by utilizing its corporate colors.
Thus far, Jos. A. Bank has implemented the RPA layout at 20 stores, and plans to use it for all upcoming new stores and remodels. The company, which operates more than 130 outlets, expects to double its store count by 2003.
Client Design Team: Jos. A. Bank, Hampstead, Md. — Robert Wildrick, president and ceo; Bob Hensley, executive vp of operations; Gary Cejka, senior vp store operations; Neal Black, executive vp of merchandising and marketing; Peter Satten, division vp of visual merchandising; Jim Thorne, vp of tailored clothing; Paul Miller, division vp of sportswear/furnishings and accessories; Allen Price, director of store development
Design Team: Retail Planning Associates, Columbus, Ohio — Diane Perduk Rambo, partner; David Hogrefe, executive program officer; Kurt Shade, senior environmental designer; Marie Haines, senior merchandiser/ planner; Andy Kranek, senior art director; Perry Kotick, senior lighting designer; Dave Spurbeck, senior documentation specialist
Suppliers: Durkan Commercial, Dalton, Ga., Harbinger Co., Atlanta (carpeting); USG Interiors, Chicago (ceiling); Anzea, Fort Worth, Texas, Glen Raven Mills, Glen Raven, N.C. (fabric); Bright, Middletown, N.Y., Lowenstein c/o Dan Binford & Associates, Cincinnati (furniture); Sherwin Williams, Kendallville, Ind. (paint); Abet Laminati, Englewood, N.J., (laminates); SumiGlass, Vermilion, Ohio (specified glass); Tiger Drylac, St. Charles, Ill., Old World, Bohemia, N.Y., Belden Brick, Canton, Ohio, Dryvit c/o Midwest Building Products, Temperance, Mich. (special finishes); Amtico Intl., Atlanta, (wood flooring); VenTec Ltd., Chicago (wood surfaces); MCS Cables and Components, Chicago, Pam Intl., Saddlebrook, N.J., Uniweb Inc., Corona, Calif. (specified hardware); Allstate Rubber, Dalton, Ga., (wall base)
Photography: Christian Deuber, Columbus, Ohio