Shopfitting in China: Breaking into new markets with C-star

The theme of shopfitting will be one of the main areas at C-star 2015. After all, the potential for shopfitting on the Chinese market is growing continuously. Exhibitors in this sector give us a preview of their plans and expectations.

Participating in the Designer Village at C-star: INTERSTORE DESIGN

Ms. Toechterle, what are you expecting from your participation at C-star, and how can the trade fair support you in the Chinese market?
The Schweitzer group is represented at C-star with its subsidiary, Interstore Design, and therefore present in the Designer Village. We currently have several inquiries, as well as concrete projects in Asia, so that we find ourselves in eager anticipation of C-star. We are certain that after EuroShop, C-star will help us establish even more promising contacts in the Asian region.

From our perspective, being present on site and participating at the trade fair with a clear focus on design and concept is important once again, in order to emphasise the significance of the market. As a globally active enterprise, the Schweitzer Group is accustomed to working with local conditions and country-specific ins and outs. That’s actually one of the things that make it exciting.

   
Concept Design for Jelmoli in Zurich.
Realized by Schweitzer Project; © INTERSTORE DESIGN
 

Exhibitor with a targeted strategy: Schlegel Ladenbau

The Schlegel Group is currently establishing a presence in China with the goal of offering shopfitting solutions on the Chinese market. Mr. Böffert, what moved you to take this step?
Our clients are increasingly expanding towards China. We are happy to follow this trend and accompany them on this path. We have years of comprehensive experience in the area of sourcing from China. Similarly, we have built a manufacturing facility for metal and wood parts over the last few years. The next logical step is the establishment of a local presence – this will allow us to bundle the entire know-how of the Schlegel Group and open up the possibility of powerful synergies.

We will be bringing the technical expertise from Germany, for example, as well as our skills in the area of project management. In China, we will benefit from our production capacities and the networks we have developed over many years. We have chosen the Zhejiang province due to strategic considerations – this will allow us to realise projects throughout China from a central location.
 

A current project by Schlegel Ladenbau: Wormland in Berlin.
Interiour design: Blocher Blocher Partners, Stuttgart; © Joachim Grothus

What exactly are you offering, and who are your targeting with your offerings?
We offer the entire range of traditional shopfitting services: technical development, furniture production, prototyping and mock-up construction, rollout concept development, professional project management, and of course all necessary installation and logistic services.

After having completed several small-scale projects for existing clients in China, we would now like to offer our range of services to other clients and companies. Our services primarily target all non-food retail sectors. Fashion, accessories, shoes and sport certainly play major roles. We see ourselves as being capable of handling any challenge – whether individual projects or serial rollouts.

What do you expect from your participation at C-star?
We see C-star as an excellent platform for initiating dialogue with potential clients. This marks the first “big” public appearance for Schlegel China. So naturally we want to inform people about our services and the Schlegel Group as the force behind them.