Bandai Namco Cross Store, Camden, London
30 Jul 2024
Bandai Namco Cross Store, Camden, London
30 Jul 2024
By
lauren.bull
The Background
Bandai Namco, a major Japanese publisher and distributor of video games, card games, and collectible toys, set its sights on creating an interactive retail experience in Camden Market in late 2023. Following successful collaborations with Bandai Namco Amusements on previous bespoke joinery and furniture manufacturing projects, including multiple bowling alleys and entertainment centres within the UK, we were thrilled to be asked to join forces again and work on this ambitious venture.
The Task
The brief for this project was to transform a previously divided ground floor space, once housing clothing stores, into a unified, interactive two-floor retail unit. This comprehensive refit included creating display units, checkout & catering counters and loose furniture, as well as installing heating and lighting and providing our decorating services. The split-level Camden store was designed to accommodate various interactive experiences and retail spaces, including; a area for Sun-Star stationery, Gashapon vending machines, a coffee area, card game play area, a video game arcade and a One Piece card game shop.
The goal was to create a hub where customers could engage with characters, products, and events, fostering a sense of community and entertainment.
The Work
After defining each area and creating a detailed floor plan, our manufacturing team in Nottingham began crafting the bespoke fixtures and fittings. For the retail area, we built contemporary shelving units with pale wood finishes, black metal frameworks, and rollout drawers for excess stock. We also created display cabinets for high-value collectibles, including Banpesto and MegaHouse items, and white counters for showcasing stock.
In the One Piece card game area, we designed a custom MFC counter with a contrasting top and aluminium strip fascia. The coffee area featured a curved catering counter with an illuminated fascia and stone top, with us also sourcing electrical items like fridges, freezers, and ice makers for this space. The seating area was furnished with our in-stock Rib Side Chairs in Ink, Dijon, and Sangria, paired with black laminate table tops and KX30 table bases with auto-levellers.
For the Gashapon area, we created recycling points with perspex fronts for users to recycle the plastic balls from the vending machines. Additionally, we provided heating, plumbing, electrical installations (including overhead lighting, display lights, light sensors, and LED strips), and decoration services (painting walls and ceilings).
The Result
The Cross Store opened in October 2023 with great success. Despite retail unit fit-outs not being our usual remit, we were excited to help bring this vision to life for a valued customer. Working with an international brand like Bandai required precise transitions from design to manufacturing, and our team worked diligently to complete this project. This interactive space now serves as Bandai's flagship UK store, showcasing its unique merchandise and experiences. Following the Camden store's success, three additional stores have opened across the UK, with our continued partnership bringing Gashapon stores to a wider audience. This project demonstrated the full range of services we offer at Contract Furniture Group, including bespoke joinery services and was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our capabilities.
