I have followed Laura Ashley for many years working around the Chelsea scene as interior designer, finisher and project manager, and joined them in 2005, but what amazes me is the lack of will to create a true design statement – finding the icon has alluded LA.
Why is that? and let’s face it, the problem is not isolated to LA alone… John Lewis could also be accused of falling short on designing the iconic range across key categories, but at least they drive well planned NPD strategies.
Looking at Laura Ashley Plc it is an organisation based on two strengths: customer loyalty and … customer loyalty.
But faced with the inevitable client lifespan issue what new is pitched at the younger audience?
LA suffer a staffing turnover issues and this is driven by many things not least of all a lack of genuine product design initiative. The leaders simply survive on comp shopping and grabbing the nearest the ‘move on’ feature – frankly any design middle weight can do this!
A classic example is in their bedding ranges which are stagnant when considering the scope of opportunity that stands before this category.
From a purely superficial design perspective the model above represents a range that continues to do well yet is marginally in decline according to LA HOD Gillian Farr.
”… we are facing an overall gradual decline …we’re trying some upholstered beds… see how they go”.
The product development on this model amounts to a sideways glance at NEXT plc and a quick half or false step. But what’s wrong with that? I hear you say… yep they’ll ignite some fresh numbers on this twist… but in a world where design must drive via clear commercial strategy, what of the crucial spin off aka real design fuelled customer perception… or rather lack of it?
Where is the small yet hugely significant step toward practical, beautiful design innovation?
Touching on another range Gillian jumped to the defence of the Arielle collection, a mirror and rosewood bedroom set which according to staff in the Yeovil shop wasn’t a great performer – but on Gillian’s turf it was… ”Sorry but that range is doing very well I might tell you.. we got it straight off the hook because we were the first to start this line a few years ago and since the opposition are selling it at near cost we needed to get something at a price-point… it’s done very well…!”
Perhaps she hadn’t been to Yeovil recently.
Design Innovation… whattha?
Because Laura Ashley score virtually zero when it comes to innovation over elegance (yet IKEA or HEALS excel), the ranges remain short of genuine iconic quality which innovation harvests… and what I mean by that is – they lack the original English design DNA that is needed to generate wider international consumer momentum and expectation… and even win a few design awards?
The design triad should surely follow: Client expectation – Brand ID – Original Design Innovation
When Laura Ashley set up her work rooms she had a clear vision of motif and market placement. Undoubtedly that would have needed some skilful crafting in order to stay abreast of change… but innovation would certainly have characterised her strategic thinking alongside customer loyalty.
ABOVE Vintage Iconic 1940s Long Tailored Black Wool Crepe Flared Coat UK
Fabulous in every department… a design museum in motion
Today high street retail design swirls 20 year cycles without the fuel of innovative design expectation, the day-to-day tasks of the product design staff remain mundane and hence, spur loss of zest while spawning high staff turnover malaise.
Going forward is made the more challenging for design heads as they struggle to shape their winning team. Farr stated ”LA don’t pay that well..” The motivational impetus needed is virtually stifled at birth and lapping the zero.
This really marks the final nail because once you have staff looking at joining John Lewis at the first opportunity, for a range of reasons, your whole process runs on next to empty because the vision and commitment of the designer is lost… and so the energy that infuses Zara for example fizzles among the stack of mundane ‘moving-on’ that staff at L A can never escape.
It sounds like stating the obvious but in order to hold on to a team and grow depth healthy remuneration is crucial.
The result is the grabbing at the simplest but worst possible design route… Canton Fair pick-n-twists, and bridging continual staff shortfalls.
Vision at every turn
With the UK and the capital city brimming with young and senior design talent it is astonishing we think far too often of IKEA when it comes to modern retail furniture iconics…
It may be a brave vision but until the Malaysian directors embrace the importance of fully planned brand design strategies, and product design management understand the importance of the long term view, Laura Ashley will wrestle with it’s self made churn, survive on a starch based design diet and struggle where it could well soar… and for a company born of genuinely fabulous design DNA it is nothing short of a crime.
Nick Garrett
Related articles
- Strategic Capability and Competitive Environment : Case Study of Laura Ashley Holdings (thinkingbookworm.typepad.com)
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