Whilst many brands are scaling back their retail footprint, Gabor is sending a clear signal in favour of physical retail. “With our new flagship store on Sylt, we are investing in an immersive, hybrid retail experience, thereby strengthening our customer experience strategy,” explains Jens Bickenbach, Head of Shop & Store at Gabor.
And this is exactly where we come in: anyone who sees brick-and-mortar retail as a model for the future also needs a hybrid shopfitting concept that reflects exactly that.
The challenge for KNOBLAUCH was to develop a modular, scalable retail system for single-brand stores, shop-in-shops and pop-ups that allows spaces to be utilised efficiently and in a brand-consistent manner, whilst also offering flexibility for customised and temporary set-ups.
This led to the creation of the Gabor Brand New Space System, which was first used in early 2026 in the form of innovative freestanding furniture at the ANWR footwear trade fair in Mainhausen, where it received excellent feedback.
“What makes this concept special is that Gabor is not only focusing on a new, fresh brand experience, but is also taking a sustainable approach. Following the ‘LEGO principle’, the furniture was configured in such a way that it can be flexibly adapted to a wide variety of situations in the long term and, as a result, used in a wide range of locations,” explains KNOBLAUCH retail expert Chris Zorn. Shortly afterwards, the freestanding furniture from the Ordermesse was installed in the new flagship store on Sylt.
The colour scheme of Gabor’s new retail design, which is making its debut at the Westerland store, is deliberately kept monochromatic. The floor, walls, display units and back panels are all off-white – creating a clean, welcoming atmosphere in the store. “This allows us to provide the product with a grand stage and place it firmly in the spotlight,” says Chris Zorn. Only Gabor’s brand colours are used as accents.
The centrepiece of the store concept is modular cubes with a stainless steel finish, designed as centre-aisle furniture that can be configured in various ways. Sometimes with seating, sometimes without. They also provide a large display area for the merchandise.
Along the wall are cabinet units that can also be used to display digital content via screens. The merchandise is presented individually on adjustable shelves designed to be illuminated – creating a look that is both elegant and stylish.
With its new store design, Gabor is consistently evolving the traditional point of sale into a point of service and a connected, ‘phygital’ brand experience. Physical and digital touchpoints intertwine – from online inspiration to in-store advice and presentation. “We showcase design, craftsmanship and individuality within the space, create an emotional connection and appeal particularly to younger target groups,” explains Jens Bickenbach. An investment that strengthens the high street and thus sends a clear signal.
