FUZZY FAUX FUR cushions sit atop a sleek sofa, decorative metallic room dividers dangle from the ceiling and three brightly coloured lamps mimicking bowling pins adorn a bulky, space-age bench.
No, you have not strolled on the set of an Austin Powers film; this is just one of the eclectic room displays at houseware store G.O.D.
'Our shops are designed as theatre. At the Causeway Bay shop, the displays change every three months, so that every time people come, they have a new experience,' said Douglas Young, G.O.D. founder and chief executive officer.
'The shop as theatre' will be the subject of a seminar led by Mr Young on Thursday at 10am in Room 206-208 of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre as part of World Boutique, Hong Kong, which will kick off tomorrow and run parallel to Hong Kong Fashion Week for fall/winter.
His talk will explore an emerging trend in visual merchandising, where retailers are transforming the shopping experience into a sensory adventure that also appeals to the intellect - and ultimately strengthens the brand.
'Paradoxically, it is not just the product the customer really wants to acquire; it is the experience of making the purchase or a desire to be associated with the brand that is important,' Mr Young said.