Sound system supports Debenhams' digital strategy
By Retail Technology | Thursday September 11 2014
Department store completes roll-out of substantial sound system at Oxford Street flagship store
Debenhams’ £25 million refurbished Oxford Street flagship store, featuring seven floors of fashion, Debenhams’ largest ever Beauty Hall, a destination shoe hall and a new home floor, now includes a redesigned music and public address system.
PEL Services completed the design, supply and installation of the store-wide Bose professional digital sound system, which features 650 ceiling speakers, making it one of the largest Bose ceiling speaker installations in the UK.
Creating zoned sound
The system has been zoned by PEL – two zones per floor, plus a dedicated zone for the Atrium escalator – to enable Debenhams to play different music and announcements in each area.
With the store now providing a range of in-store events, including fashion shows, the flexibility of the sound system was an essential component of the design.
The store remained open throughout the refurbishment, which meant the existing sound system had to be kept operational at all times.
Enhancing digital media
Earlier this year, the department store announced it was deploying new digital media to create engaging visual displays as part of the revamp.
The new interior contains new digital media systems that are helping to transform the shopping experience at the retailer’s iconic Oxford Street location. The technology was provided and installed by audio visual and digital media company, AVM Impact.
The new systems include two nine-screen video walls positioned at the main entrances from Vere Street and Marylebone Lane – creating an impressive visual array in complement to the high design standards across the updated store.
