Raleigh to launch Experience Centre in Nottingham
With brands looking to build closer relationships with their customers, a number have seen experiential retail as an opportunity to shape the perception of the brand, through the delivery of memorable and immersive customer experiences. It’s with this in mind that Raleigh have announced the plans to launch its first experience centre, in its home town, Nottingham.
The new space, on Maid Marian Way, focuses on customer experience, whilst embracing the current and future direction of the brand.
Raleigh will exhibit hero bicycles from different chapters of their history, such as the iconic Chopper, Burner and Grifter, showcasing key milestones for the brand, starting with the creation of Raleigh by Sir Frank Bowden in 1887.
The intention is to create a community space, where local schools and organisations will be invited to partake in initiatives that promote the use of safe cycling as well as providing an education into the history of the local brand.
The new centre offers a fully integrated shopping experience for customers, displaying the full range of Raleigh and Haibike models, also enabling customers to try out a range of sizes so as to find out what works best for them.
‘Whilst consumer habits have changed and we are seeing more engagement online, we still believe that a retail store has its place in the bicycle market, consumers still want to see and test bikes before making a purchase.”
“More so consumers are looking for an experience – to be excited by the brand and to build trust with a local point of contact” explains Raleigh’s Managing Director, Lee Kidger.
Raleigh hopes to open its doors late November and will welcome the Nottingham council to cut the ribbon. Local media, as well as Nottingham residents, will also be invited to join the opening day festivities and celebrate the new experience centre.
For those keen to explore experiential retail and brand experience centres as a concept, click here.