Montezuma’s Chocolate
Retail & Showroom
The Challenge
Montezuma’s has never been a conventional chocolate brand. Bold, playful and built on strong ethical values, it’s always done things a little differently.
Now it was time for the bricks and mortar stores to do the same.
But this wasn’t about starting again. It was about taking everything people already love about Montezuma’s and translating it into a store concept for its next chapter.
And with ambitious plans for growth, it couldn’t be a one-off. The concept needed to work across different high streets, towns and communities. Always Montezuma’s, but never a carbon copy.
What we did
The new concept needed to be creative and experience-led, but crucially improve on retail practicality. Better use of space, more flexibility and more ways for customers to experience the brand.
Montezuma’s was growing up, but we didn’t want to lose the playfulness. So we introduced smaller moments of magic and whimsy – like the button-operated pick-and-mix, chocolate bar dispenser and personalised wrapping – while carefully balancing the design scheme and language with bold colour, considered materials, texture and bespoke graphics.
And with the beautiful crypt, our design approach was less is more. Lighting highlights the vaulted ceiling and textured walls, leaving the space free and flexible for events such as chocolate-making classes, parties and, would you guess, even Pilates.
As Montezuma’s first food and beverage offer, the new café was front and centre. Taking the store beyond traditional retail, it gives customers another way to experience the brand.
Flexibility was built into the concept. Fixtures and furniture can move and change with seasons, product launches and events, ensuring the space doesn’t stand still but adapts with the business.
Insight & Strategy
Branding & Graphics
Concept, Design & Development
Technical Design & Drawings
Design Management
Fit-out
Results
Creative, but grounded. Experience-led, but not for the sake of it. The new concept gives customers different ways to experience Montezuma’s, while working commercially for the business.
A more grown-up Montezuma’s, but still bold, playful and rooted in the values that have always shaped the brand.
Most importantly, it’s not a one-store solution. The concept is flexible and adaptable, designed to work across different locations while respecting the regional nuances of each high street, town and community.
A new chapter for Montezuma’s. A new store concept designed to drive growth.
“The design direction for our new store concept blew the usual optical shop fit specialists out of the water. Not only does our store look fantastic, it improves upon so many areas – it really feels like this store has been designed to reflect what we are all about as a forward-thinking optical business. If you’re considering a refit or a new practice, Retail Experience Design will definitely provide you with something different.”
Let’s transform your space together
If you want to know more, get in touch – we’re always happy talking shop.
Contact usWorking with the Retail & Showroom Sector
Helping retailers to create engaging, inspiring stores – we have the experience to help you connect with customers, design captivating spaces and achieve your commercial goals.
How we can help you:
- Applying our creative imagination and commercial intelligence to solve a range of retail problems – being more sustainable, creating impact, relocating or rolling out new stores.
- Gaining an insight into your customers – their motivations and desires – to make the most effective, impactful use of your space.
- Translating an online experience or brand vision into a new physical space – helping you successfully take your first steps into ‘bricks and mortar’ retail.
