London & South East Premier Retail

Success and design recognition for innovative new store

LA Muscle, Richmond
Written by Roma Publications

LA Muscle, Richmond

Online sports nutrition supplements retailer LA Muscle has opened its first high street store – an innovative, up-market boutique-styled shop in Richmond – designed to showcase and increase sales of its products.

The project, which has been hailed as a great success, has been shortlisted for the Retail Design Awards.

According to project interior designers and managers Barber Design, a key driver for the design brief was the need to break from the standard cluttered design frequently offered by other supplement retailers.

LA Muscle wanted their shop to stand out and to feel more exclusive and luxurious, with a clean and simple design – offering a high-end, unique customer experience which reflects the ethos of the brand.

The new shop was created within an existing ground floor retail unit located just off Richmond High Street and next to a House of Fraser store.

The fit out for the scheme was carried out by ID Shopfitting.

The design features a classic dark grey and white colour palette, with bespoke recessed product display cases set into the walls and framed with neon lights, together with white, shaped counters and product plinths, creating a classy feel, evocative of an exclusive fashion or luxury cosmetic store.

LA Muscle, Richmond

A large gold-framed led is situated at the back of the store and showcases the company’s online channel, on which customers can interact with the brand.

The product displays are interspersed with lifestyle pictures and aspirational images, encouraging visitors to find out more about the inspiring and exclusive range of products.

The works included the installation of new plasterboard dry walls, complete re-decoration, and the installation of a bespoke long Corian counter running for two thirds the length of the shop and featuring The Muscle Bar, a cash desk, a juice bar and a product display. A backlit feature wall in copper finish expanded mesh has been installed behind The Muscle Bar.

Other works included the installation of all the building services, as well as new lighting and signage.

Since opening in April, the feedback received about the design has been extremely positive. Visitors to the store love the clean cut, minimalist retail design.

Christos Malecos, senior retail designer at Barber Design said: “Both the customers and the client have been pleased with the design. The client wanted to move away from the conventional and we were able to bring the client’s vision to life.”

Established in 1997, LA Muscle offers a range of premium supplements for fitness, weight loss and nutrition, including protein supplements and muscle building products.

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Roma Publications