Continuing its push into the retail sector, M&C Saatchi has launched Brands in Space, a new company specialising in the design of branded retail environments.

The business is headed up by Gary McCartney, an architect specialising in store interiors, who was previously environment design director at IdeaWorks. McCartney has 20 years experience in retail design in Europe, the USA, Australia and NZ. His portfolio includes designing luxury boutiques for Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior, retail stores for Disney, new generation restaurants for McDonald’s, Rip Curl flagship stores and rebranding BIG W.

I believe that if smart thinking is applied to retail environments, design fees and shopfitting costs should be an investment, not an overhead, generating measurable ROI. Smart thinking involves working outside the parameters of traditional interior design said McCartney. With Brands In Space we will draw from all of M&C Saatchis resources where required, tapping into the skills of its creative team as well as strategic planning expertise and online, digital and data management capabilities.

Tom Dery, M&C Saatchi executive chairman Asia Pacific & US said Brands in Space is an important addition to a suite of communications services for retailers at M&C Saatchi.

We know that up to 77 percent of all buying decisions are made in store, Dery said Therefore even in a digital age its critical for retailers to get their physical environment working strongly. Thats Garys skill.