Industry first display spectacle installed at Sports Direct headquarters

Print Solutions

A striking ultra illuminated display spanning more than 40 metres has been installed at Sports Direct’s headquarters in Nottinghamshire.

Designed by shopfitting specialist Replan and produced by the retail graphic display experts from Leach, the industry first installation has transformed an ordinary stairwell into a stunning nature exhibit.

The idyllic scene – complete with perfect sky and cascading waterfall – has been made possible thanks to a four metre by 11 metre curved lightbox suspended overhead, with 30 one metre squared lightboxes staggered to the floor to showcase the vast water feature.

Conceptualised by Replan and manufactured utilising Leach’s new cutting edge Lightwave technology, the result is a graphic display which looks uncannily like a giant video wall. But instead, dynamic LED has been integrated into the lightboxes to create an eye catching sense of movement – in this case, flowing water – for only 20% of the cost of the video wall alternative.

‘With more than 470 stores across Europe, Sports Direct is one of the most well known names on the high street. The company stocks a number of iconic brands within its spaces, but this installation proves that it too is an organisation that loves to stand out,’ explained Aaron Eaton, managing director of Replan.

‘We were therefore bold at the conceptualisation phase as we wanted to create an industry talking point, and I think we have done just that.’

With the powerful yet energy efficient lighting reflecting beautifully off the glazed balustrade of the stairway, visitors to Sports Direct’s headquarters and pro shop may forget they are simply in a retail space. But beyond this waterfall landmark is a new concept, premium feel flagship environment with dedicated equestrian, rock climbing and golf areas, to name just a few.

‘Thanks to Replan’s approach to breaking new boundaries with design, Sports Direct now has a real wow factor installation within headquarter’s retail environment,’ continued Daniel Deakin, sales account manager at Leach. ‘We have combined dynamic, ultra bright, programmable LEDs with HD quality graphics. This digital hybrid is one of the most exciting uses of lightboxes that we are seeing in the retail space at present, without any need for a single screen.’

As with all of Leach’s lightboxes – irrespective of size – the display is designed so that the fabric graphics can be interchanged to create an entirely new look and feel, to suit the client’s evolving brand activity. The magnetised LEDs can even be repositioned to produce a completely different visual effect, such as shooting stars or exploding fireworks.

Leach’s new Lightwave product is proving popular across varied sectors including retail, sports, events and exhibitions, plus museums and heritage.