From African Open Market to Concept Store
On the way home, you realize you have one last stop to make - pick up a few items you missed at the souk or bazaar.
Open markets in Africa have historically been a place for commerce, information sharing and socialization. From the sound of haggling between buyers and sellers, to the exquisite smells, to the catcalls, bullhorn advertising and wide array of goods from fashion to food and furniture on display, it is no surprise that these markets are a mainstay in many towns and cities on the African continent. Tailors, hair-dressers, weavers and a variety of other artisans come to the local market to sell their goods and services. These open markets are known by different names including bazaars, souks and merkatos, which may be open during the day and some at night.
Did you know? Iguafo Igbo (Igbo Calendar) has four market days namely Eke, Afor, Nkwo and Orie. These days make a week; seven weeks make one month and thirteen months make a year.
What Is a Concept Store?
Design. Layout. Offerings.
In more contemporary times, the idea of “concept stores” has caught on. A "concept store offers a combination of culture and a carefully chosen, one-of-a-kind assortment of products related to a certain lifestyle or a specific theme. These stores don't just sell products; they offer an experience, be it through design, through the buying process or the delivery of goods.
Concept stores are very inspiring because they frequently suggest handpicked items tailored to the lifestyle that appeals to a specific or target demographic - think unexpected handcrafted accessories, styles offered in conversation starter hues and fabrics with pleasant twists. . They tell a story with their products or and celebrate a lifestyle.
Top 10 Concept Stores on the African Continent
“Concept store”
First coined for 10 Corso Como -
a multifunctional space, a meeting place, a union of culture and commerce.
Introduced by Italian sociologist Francesco Morace in 1991.
The African continent is home to a good number of innovative and exciting concept stores, each offering a unique take on shopping and telling the African story differently. Here are ten of the best concept stores on the African continent.
1. Alara, Nigeria
The Alara store is a creative hub and offers West Africa its first distinctive retail and lifestyle environment. Alara, which means “wondrous performer” in Yoruba, located in Victoria Island, Lagos, offers a variety of curated items such as furniture, textiles, clothing, sculpture and art. Designed by architect, David Adjaye, the building comprises four floors, a series of suspended platforms, staircases and landings that ascend the space, displaying the objects. The exterior is red pigmented concrete and it culminates in the glass rooftop area, an art gallery, and a terrace with a view of the city.
2. Untamed Empire, Ghana
Described as the “Colette of Africa”, the Untamed Empire team showcases the diverse aspects of African innovation. Untamed serves as a multi-brand concept store and provides its artists and designers with business consulting and creative consultancy services. The concept store, designed from recycled shipping containers carefully fitted with glass, to allow natural light, spans three floors and comprises a distinct black square with angular windows, features clothing, accessories on the bottom and a gallery at the top, creating an interactive world for sellers of wearable art.
3. Story, Egypt
Founded by Claire Seffeen and Amany Shaker, their goal is to help position Egyptian talents as credible on the international stage by providing a space for creative collaboration and for local fashion designers and entrepreneurs to flourish and in addition mentoring emerging brands on how to grow their businesses. The shop’s crisp interiors comprises curved arches, powdery grey velvets, gold metals, tasteful accent lighting, and blush pink details dot the space, creating a perfectly sleek and minimal interior which helps keep the focus on the product. Story’s atmosphere is cozy and warm, intimate and inviting which all make for a memorable Egyptian shopping experience.
4. Dozo, Cote D'Ivoire
Dozo is one concept store that features several Ivorian and other African products and labels, especially from the Ivory Coast, including Missouwa, Loza Maléombho, and Kente Gentlemen. Dozo also serves as a gathering place for creatives to relax, develop new ideas, and organize events. In addition to providing a distinctive shopping experience, they have made it a responsibility to support regional artists. Today, Dozo is the creative hub of Abidjan.
5. La Maison, Morocco
La Maison is a global treasure trove of home decor, arts, and accessories focused on design. They include open room furniture, gilded mirrors, recycled leather seats, striking artwork, and decorations with African themes. Periodically, La Maison holds exhibitions to display the creations of regional artists.
6. Le Sandaga, Senegal
Le Sandaga's founders are marketing perception and emotion by fully taking advantage of the rich Senegalese culture, showcasing it through fashion and lifestyle. This gave rise to their brand, L'Artisane, which encourages regional artisans to produce gorgeous items that capture the Senegalese and African spirit.
7. Ichyulu, Kenya
This Nairobi-based concept store, which predominantly sells online, gets its name from the Chyulu Hills, a mountain area in Eastern Kenya that translates to "Spotted Hills." A wide variety of brands spanning the continent, including Maxhosa and Orange Culture, are represented in the store, specializing in everything stylish, from clothing to fashion accessories. Ichyulu provides a curated retail experience for those in search of unique pieces to match their individual style and this entails showcasing the diversity of African fashion and design through the use of local materials, sustainable practices, custom prints and craftsmanship through a modern lens. The love for photography allows for the use of their editorial campaigns to work with the best talent in Kenya to create wonderful visual campaigns.
8. The Hub, Ethiopia
The Hub is a new concept store in Addis Ababa that sells a wide range of products from local and international brands. The store is designed to be a one-stop shop for all your shopping needs, and it also has a cafe and an entertainment area. In addition, The Hub is just the place to shop for gift items and cosmetics.
9. Supersouk, Tunisia
This concept store features the best that Tunisia offers and is known for stocking only Tunisian labels. Many options are available, from handcrafted ceramics by Claei to local designers Samaka and Anissa Aida.
10. Imprint, South Africa
Imprint is an African luxury fashion label with styles that combine vintage and contemporary streetwear influences. The designers at Imprint accomplish precisely what their company name implies: they leave their imprint on all fashion with African influences. This high-end clothing concept store is growing in popularity across Africa.
Getting a piece of the rich African culture and heritage
Concept stores in Africa offer a wide variety of items that are not easily found in other stores. They blend culture with a contemporary immersive shopping experience, an opportunity to learn and share information, harness fashion, design, culture, and storytelling.
Day MyLane may not fit into the traditional mold of a concept store that gives you a say in your choice of items with an African flavor and flair.
Day MyLane is more than just a clothing brand; we are also a purveyor of the lifestyle and culture of Africa through fashion. Day MyLane is deeply rooted in celebrating you with fashion styles that tell the story of the African heritage. Why the wait, when you can get those unique gifts from the comfort of your home by clicking here.
A concept store is…
A gathering place to meet and learn and has a capacity to surprise, to give the feeling of a journey, a unique experience,
Being surrounded by a community committed to values, passions, and common interests,
A selection of rare products to create exclusivity,
A good mix of ultra-high-end and trivial, supplemented by services to bring people back and make them stay,
A place that frequently refreshes its store offerings.
