Retail Week Interiors - Top-end service can beat threat from value retail

Luxury brand retailers were warned at a briefing for the British Luxury Council in London last week they must differentiate on service provision if they are to counter the challenge from value operations.

Kate Ancketill, managing director of research specialist GDR, told delegates that 'massclusivity' could be seen everywhere from fashion, to the packaging of products such as the Tesco's Finest ranges.

'There is no doubt that the designs of stores such as New Look and River Island on Oxford Street have raised the bar for interiors, and have created looks that customers would previously have expected only from higher-end fashion houses,' said Ancketill. 'The luxury end of the market has to ensure that service is the differentiator.'