MPreis, a chain of supermarkets in western Austria, bills itself as "The Seriously Sexy Supermarket". The company's stores literally stand out because of their unusual and progressive architecture.
MPreis has been commissioning up and coming architects for the last fifteen years, encouraging them to design buildings that make the most of their settings in the Tyrolean Alps. Which is in stark contrast to most chain retailers, who find a formula and repeat it, regardless of location.
A keen eye for aesthetics continues inside the stores, which feature sleek café's and carefully chosen materials. And the experience goes beyond design – MPreis also understands the value of storytelling, emphasizing that the company is family-owned, and was founded by an entrepreneurial woman (Frau Therese Mölk) in the 1920s.
Surprisingly, price levels at MPreis aren't higher than at competing supermarkets in the region. Although award-winning design comes at a slightly higher cost than generic structures, the buildings look more expensive than they are.
The key of the matter is that everything can be upgraded, and creating a richer customer experience doesn't necessarily require raising prices (see no-frills chic for more examples). Plenty of opportunities for big-box retailers across the world to become patrons of good architecture and bold design!
This is a great idea, and a recycled one too! In the 1970s an architectural firm called Site designed a number of odd/unusual stores for the catalog retailer Best Products. These were some of the most exciting retail building projects in America. Most of them have been destroyed, but Site has a nice slide show on thier website at http://www.siteenvirodesign.com/proj.best.php Unfortunately they don't have a photo of my favorite, the Parking Lot store, which included a number of cars parked "under" the parking lot (they had been covered with asphalt.
Corporate appreciation for design is a very positive development. This approach is a sophisticated way to build a brand, and hopefully the wave of the future.
respected sir/ madam
i have seen your web site,it is very great supermarket,
i would like to get job,iam ready to come on my own, salary 1800- 2400 pounds is enough,
it my desire to come down very beautiful super market.
i have admired after seeing the photograph
Dear your you respect of ;
We have enough shelf stackers in the Alps to fill whatever shithole you come from ten times over .. They cost 230-235 pounds and that's more than enough .. Okay big man ..
This concept has been used in California for years now with VONS' Pavilion stores. They are a more "Whole Foods" looking store with more direct incandescent (ususally track) lighting & less fluorescent lighting. More basket oriented presentations (an organic feel). In my town they are only a few blocks away from each other, but Pavilions draws a distinctly more affluent crowd. It just feels better shopping there. This also seems to be less of a coupon crowd who buys what they like rather than what is on sale, but that does not mean they don't look for value. I have shopped both, even on the same day and find the prices comparable, but the experience different enough to go the extra block to be in Pavilions.
John B | August 4, 2006 8:32 PM