Best Retail & Store Design Consulting Services in the UK

United Kingdom Retail & Store Design Consultants

Retail and store design in the UK has evolved into a discipline where strategy, creativity, and customer psychology converge. From luxury flagships in London to experiential pop-ups and large-scale rollouts across the regions, leading consultancies are helping brands adapt to changing consumer expectations while keeping their identity intact. This article highlights trusted UK-based agencies that deliver measurable impact through design—each carefully selected for their proven work, authentic leadership, and relevance to today’s market.

🔦 Methodology: How We Chose These UK-based Retail & Store Design Consulting Services

To build this curated list, we used three simple but rigorous criteria:

📊 Research-driven – Agencies were reviewed through publicly available case studies, press coverage, and measurable client outcomes.

💬 Client-reviewed – Selection was influenced by client feedback and evidence of long-term relationships that show trust and ROI.

📍 Location-based – Each featured consultancy is headquartered or strongly rooted in the UK, with founders and teams actively shaping the regional design ecosystem.

This list is not a ranking but a set of standout consultancies known for blending design innovation with strategic results.

🌟 UK Retail & Store Design Consultants - Featured Providers

Barber Design

What they do: Barber Design delivers creative retail design solutions with a strong focus on branding, customer journeys, and interior architecture. They craft retail spaces that balance aesthetic appeal with commercial effectiveness.

Who they work with: Fashion retailers, lifestyle brands, and international retail groups.

Operating model: The firm follows a consultative model, often integrating brand strategy into store design, ensuring consistency across physical and digital experiences.

💡 Why they stand out:

🎨 Known for blending branding with spatial design, creating immersive customer journeys.

🌍 International expertise with projects across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

📈 Proven ability to enhance brand visibility and sales through experiential retail concepts.

Doug Barber, Founder & Managing Director of Barber Design

Doug Barber has over 20 years of experience in brand and retail design, working with global names and independent retailers alike. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration and storytelling, ensuring each project reflects both client identity and customer needs. Barber is known for driving international retail rollouts and delivering consistent brand experiences. His work demonstrates how effective store design can elevate customer loyalty and engagement.

Quinine

What they do: Quinine specializes in service-led retail experiences, designing spaces that prioritize functionality and customer service. Their expertise lies in bridging retail and service design.

Who they work with: Telecoms, banking, healthcare, and global service brands.

Operating model: A research-intensive studio approach, led by collaborative workshops with clients to align design with customer experience objectives.

💡 Why they stand out:

🔬 Strong evidence-based design process rooted in customer insight.

🏆 Recognized expertise in service retail, especially in telecom and financial services.

🌍 Global experience with projects in the UK, Europe, and North America.

Ian Johnston, Founder and Creative Director of Quinine

Ian Johnston is an experienced retail strategist and designer, known for shaping how service brands deliver through physical environments. His leadership style combines deep customer insight with design innovation. With decades of experience, Johnston has influenced retail strategies for multinational corporations, ensuring customer-centric design outcomes. He is widely respected for pioneering approaches to service-led retail in the UK.

Studio Four IV

What they do: Studio Four IV creates luxury retail environments, specializing in fashion and lifestyle brands with strong visual identities. Their hallmark is attention to materiality and storytelling.

Who they work with: High-end fashion, luxury retail, and premium lifestyle sectors.

Operating model: The studio employs a detail-oriented process, collaborating closely with brands to ensure the physical space reflects their DNA.

💡 Why they stand out:

💎 Luxury retail expertise with iconic British and international brands.

🖼 Deep focus on materiality and craftsmanship.

🌍 Global portfolio spanning Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Andy Bone, Founder & Director of Studio Four IV

Andy Bone brings over 25 years of retail design experience, having shaped flagship stores for some of the world’s most recognizable fashion and lifestyle brands. His leadership emphasizes storytelling through spatial design. Known for pioneering luxury retail formats, Bone has guided Four IV’s expansion into international markets. His work reflects a seamless integration of brand heritage with contemporary retail needs.

Briggs Hillier

What they do: Briggs Hillier is a retail design consultancy focused on branding, architecture, and immersive customer environments. They deliver holistic solutions that connect visual identity to commercial performance.

Who they work with: Retail chains, lifestyle brands, and shopping center developers.

Operating model: A brand-first approach that aligns identity with physical retail environments, balancing creativity and commerciality.

💡 Why they stand out:

🎯 Strong brand integration across multiple retail touchpoints.

🏙 Expertise in retail developments and shopping destinations.

📊 Ability to align creative design with measurable business outcomes.

Adrian Briggs, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Briggs Hillier

Adrian Briggs is a retail designer with decades of experience in architecture and brand development. His leadership style combines commercial pragmatism with creativity. Briggs has led projects that redefine retail environments in shopping centers and high streets. He is known for blending brand storytelling with architectural precision, delivering retail solutions that engage customers and boost performance.

Jenny Hillier, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Briggs Hillier

Jenny Hillier is a design leader with extensive experience in shaping brand environments and retail spaces. At Briggs Hillier, she plays a central role in guiding creative strategy and project delivery, ensuring each design reflects both brand identity and customer engagement. Her expertise lies in translating commercial objectives into immersive experiences that balance aesthetics with functionality. Hillier is recognized for her collaborative approach and ability to drive projects that elevate retail performance while strengthening brand presence.

Household

What they do: Household designs brand experiences that merge physical and digital, focusing on how customers interact across multiple platforms. They specialize in retail, hospitality, and experiential environments.

Who they work with: Lifestyle and consumer brands, including global retailers.

Operating model: Household employs a customer-centric design process, blending ethnographic research with experiential concepts.

💡 Why they stand out:

🌐 Strong cross-platform design expertise (physical + digital).

🎨 Proven ability to create cohesive brand experiences across formats.

📈 Projects that deliver measurable business transformation for clients.

Julie Oxberry, Group CEO of Household

Julie Oxberry co-founded Household with the aim of transforming how brands engage with consumers across environments. With over two decades of experience, she is recognized for her research-led approach and expertise in customer experience design. Oxberry has helped global brands create connected journeys that span both online and physical spaces. Her leadership emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and brand consistency.

Sheridan CX

What they do: Sheridan CX specializes in customer experience consulting for retail, creating spaces that prioritize engagement, usability, and service efficiency. Their approach merges design thinking with operational excellence to improve both customer journeys and staff performance.

Who they work with: Retailers, service-led businesses, and international consumer brands.

Operating model: Sheridan CX operates as a consultancy that integrates strategy, design, and execution, ensuring environments not only look good but also function seamlessly for real-world retail demands.

💡 Why they stand out:

🧭 Strong expertise in customer journey mapping and service design.

📈 Proven ability to improve customer satisfaction and operational outcomes.

🌍 Global perspective with clients across multiple sectors and geographies.

Freddie Sheridan, Founder & CEO of Sheridan CX

Freddie Sheridan brings over 20 years of consulting experience in brand and customer experience design. His leadership style emphasizes strategy-first execution, aligning business goals with customer expectations. Sheridan has worked with international retailers and service providers, helping them bridge gaps between brand identity and customer delivery. Known for his pragmatic yet innovative approach, he has built a reputation for guiding transformation projects that drive both loyalty and profitability.

Four by Two

What they do: Four by Two is a multidisciplinary design studio creating environments that blend brand strategy, architecture, and interiors. Their projects span retail, hospitality, cultural spaces, and exhibitions.

Who they work with: Retailers, hospitality brands, and cultural institutions.

Operating model: They operate as a strategy-to-delivery studio, ensuring projects move seamlessly from brand vision to physical execution.

💡 Why they stand out:

🏗 Cross-sector expertise spanning retail, culture, and hospitality.

🎨 Ability to merge storytelling with architectural detail.

📊 Track record of projects that balance creativity with commercial viability.

Cameron Welsh, Design Director of Four by Two

Cameron Welsh has led Four by Two for over two decades, building it into a trusted partner for brands seeking environments with narrative and identity. His leadership emphasizes collaboration, storytelling, and design precision. Welsh has delivered projects across the UK and internationally, with a focus on cultural resonance and client outcomes. Recognized for his ability to bridge brand expression and built environments, he continues to influence experiential design across sectors.

Karen Maxwell, Design Director of Four by Two

Karen Maxwell plays a pivotal role in shaping Four by Two’s interior design vision, bringing brand stories to life through crafted environments. With extensive experience in retail and hospitality design, she combines creativity with a deep understanding of how spaces influence customer experience. Maxwell has directed projects for global fashion and lifestyle brands as well as landmark hospitality ventures, ensuring each design balances brand identity with functional impact. Her leadership is defined by a collaborative approach and a commitment to delivering interiors that engage, inspire, and endure.

Checkland Kindleysides

What they do: Checkland Kindleysides is a globally recognized design consultancy known for creating groundbreaking retail experiences. Their approach fuses branding, interior architecture, and digital integration.

Who they work with: Global retail leaders, fashion brands, and consumer goods companies.

Operating model: A studio-led approach, working closely with brands to create flagship-level experiences with scalability in mind.

💡 Why they stand out:

🌟 Award-winning portfolio with internationally recognized flagship stores.

🔗 Seamless integration of digital, physical, and brand storytelling.

🖼 Bold, creative design aesthetic that redefines retail norms.

Steven Ubsdell, CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Checkland Kindleysides

Steven Ubsdell has been with Checkland Kindleysides for decades, shaping it into one of the UK’s most respected retail design consultancies. His leadership combines strategic oversight with creative innovation, ensuring each project pushes boundaries. Ubsdell has overseen major global rollouts for fashion and lifestyle brands, with a portfolio that consistently earns recognition in industry press. His approach is collaborative yet ambitious, pushing clients to think beyond standard retail formats.

FormRoom

What they do: FormRoom specializes in experiential retail, pop-ups, and visual merchandising, with an emphasis on creativity and adaptability. They design environments that excite customers and reflect evolving brand stories.

Who they work with: Fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and disruptive DTC brands.

Operating model: FormRoom operates with agility, delivering high-impact projects quickly, from temporary activations to long-term retail strategies.

💡 Why they stand out:

🎉 Renowned for pop-up and experiential retail that generates cultural buzz.

🖌 Strong visual merchandising expertise across global markets.

🌍 International collaborations with brands seeking bold, trend-forward environments.

Nina Rowland, Founding Director of FormRoom 

The founder of FormRoom has extensive experience across retail design, visual merchandising, and creative direction. Known for trend-led innovation, they have guided the studio through projects for global brands in fashion, cosmetics, and lifestyle sectors. Their leadership is entrepreneurial and adaptive, focused on delivering design that is both visually impactful and commercially strategic. FormRoom’s work has been featured internationally, reflecting its reputation for pushing the boundaries of experiential retail.

Studio BOUM

What they do: Studio BOUM is a London-based design practice blending architecture, interiors, and retail strategy with a contemporary European flair. They focus on spaces that balance conceptual creativity with functionality.

Who they work with: Retail brands, hospitality clients, and cultural institutions.

Operating model: A design-led studio model where multidisciplinary teams develop concepts deeply rooted in client identity.

💡 Why they stand out:

🖼 Strong emphasis on contemporary design aesthetics.

🌿 Integration of sustainability principles into retail and interior projects.

✨ Known for artistic, culturally attuned retail concepts.

Andy Moller, Creative Director of Studio BOUM

Andy Moller is a designer and creative director with over 20 years of experience in architecture, interiors, and retail design. His leadership is collaborative and experimental, encouraging clients to embrace innovative solutions. Moller’s work has been recognized for its cultural and artistic sensibility, bringing fresh perspectives to the UK retail design scene. Known for blending sustainable design practices with strong visual impact, he continues to shape how retail brands communicate through space.

Leading with Retail & Store Design Expertise in the UK

Retail and store design consultancies in the UK are redefining how brands engage with their audiences by blending storytelling, architecture, and functionality. These firms stand out for their ability to merge branding with experiential spaces, ensuring both aesthetic quality and measurable business impact. Their approaches range from luxury retail design to service-led environments, reflecting a global outlook that spans fashion, lifestyle, hospitality, and financial services. What unites them is a consistent focus on customer journeys, international scalability, and commercially viable creativity. Their relevance lies in creating spaces that not only inspire but also drive loyalty, sales, and long-term brand growth.

At Digital Reference, radical authenticity is the foundation of building strategies that align closely with true identity, ensuring every action resonates with clarity and intent. This principle matters because it fosters lasting trust, helping organizations create strategies that are both credible and impactful.

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The best in UK retail design consulting demonstrate how physical environments can transform into powerful platforms for engagement and brand storytelling. In the same way, businesses across sectors need guidance that grounds innovation in credibility and long-term value. Insights that merge research, strategy, and authentic identity offer leaders the tools to act with clarity in an evolving market. For those ready to align vision with trust and transformation, the next step begins at Digital Reference.