The tragic act of insanity on December 13, in which a lone man attacked a Christmas-market crowd with grenades and gunfire, is all the more shocking considering its location. The Belgian city of Liège deserves a far better distinction for its historical and cultural wealth, and its friendly residents.

The city is the capital of its province, also called ‘Liège,’ located in eastern Belgium. It sits on the river Meuse, not far from Cologne in Germany or Eindhoven in the Netherlands. It is the economic capital of Wallonia, the Francophone part of Belgium, and is the third-largest city of the land, behind Brussels and Antwerp.

Although the birthplace of Charlemagne, King of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor, remains a mystery, some historians suggest it was in Liège or the nearby town of Herstal; others propose it was in one of half a dozen other (German) cities.

Liège’s location so near to Germany, the Netherlands and France has been a boon to its economy and relations, but it has also placed it in the middle of heavy battles over the centuries past. In particular, the famous ‘Battle of the Bulge’ in WWII was fought around the area and principally in the nearby Ardennes (‘Ardenne’ in Belgian) forests.

There are still buildings preserved with bullet-holes from the war. Other buildings of note include many churches, the cathedral and the palace of the Prince Bishops. This last one is located on the main square, ‘Place St.-Lambert,’ named after the bishop martyred c. 700AD. This is the square in which the attacks of December 13, 2011 occurred.

The Place St.-Lambert hosts a Christmas market, among the oldest and biggest in Europe. More than one million visitors pass through each year. A third of this number visits the city mid-August for ‘The Feast of the Assumption’ (the celebration of the Virgin Mary) and the fête of ‘Tchantchès,’ a folkloric character from the 19th century.

This character has puppets, a statue and a museum dedicated to him. There are several other museums, as well as festivals and holidays to entertain. Finally, Liège also offers a superior and varied culinary experience.

Liège waffles are found all over Belgium; meatballs are particularly popular; French fries are reckoned to have been created in the Meuse valley –they are especially good here; and ‘jambonneau,’ tender leg of ham, is a popular dish –the brasserie ‘L’Industrie’ specializes in these and in mussels, another Belgian forte, both with French fries.

It must be mentioned that there are over 500 types of Belgian beer, many of which can be found in Liège –sometimes in the cooking. Belgian truffles are also easily found and enjoyed here. Liège’s accessibility and its attractions have made it a popular stop in many European travels. With luck, the recent tragedy will not dissuade people from visiting this city.

Pawel Kielpinski / Shutterstock.com

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Coco Chanel once said, “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street; fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” This phrase could actually be the definition of the concept store. Concept stores are retail models where the buying process has a different meaning and involves philosophical meaning.

The customer has opportunity not only to buy physical products but also is provided with a full emotional and sensory experience.  In practice, those shops offer mix of items of different designers and brands addressed to the particular groups for example ecologically friendly, luxurious or street wear oriented customers.

The variety of products usually includes clothes, shoes, accessories, books, cosmetics, food and gadgets. It is important that all items must be united around the concept store’s philosophy which is expressed in unusual layout of the store to underline extraordinary character of products that are sold there.

In addition concept stores predestination is to be trend follower. The assumption is that after all the touching and feeling, customers will be willing to spend more money.

The experience will be associated with the store’s identity and the customer will come back in the future. This kind of retail venture has become a part of many cities’ cultural environment by offering access to art news, fashionable products, food, music and technological solutions.

One of the most popular concept stores, Collette, is located in Paris on 213 rue de Saint-Honoré. Collette offers multi-brand products (variety of brands) from clothes, books, gadgets to condoms and even food served in own restaurant. However, whole phenomenon started in New York, where Ralph Lauren opened his first flagship store in the year 1986.

Every detail of the store arrangement described brand identity and had connotations with surrounding world. That gave to the customer possibility of better shopping experience. Nowadays concept stores are located in all over the world and are adaptable to a variety of markets where determine future trends.

Concept store leitmotiv is its business card and it must be unique, unpredictable and timeless. This translates worldwide, and shoppers can experience luxurious Symphony in Dubai, Van Beirendonck’s conceptual store in Antwerp, street fashion in Tokyo Hipsters Club and Alter in Shanghai where spirit and senses meets up with high quality and unique design.

To experience Hollywod’s glamour style shoppers visit Jeffrey’s; those who seek eclectic moods and avant-garde, Dover Street Market in London is the best place to visit. Shoppers who thirst for the very latest trends from around the world and want to discover true gems of fashion before they inevitably become part of the commercial mass market should visit Moscow’s Cara&Co.

Concept stores are called to be a new type of experience. According to latest PSFK (psfk.com) Future of Retail report from 2011 specialist believes that concept stores are an answer for increasing customer’s requirements.

“Creating a personal shopping experience by empowering the customers to explore and understand what story is behind the merchandising or the marketing, lends itself to a higher level of selling opportunity” (Tim Katz, Senior Operating Manager, Pacific Sun).

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