2026 Winners Creative Retail Awards 2026 Winner emblem: Retail Experience

Retail Experience · Creative Retail Awards 2026

Coach

Coach Play Osaka

A concept store in Osaka's Shinsaibashi district that blends Japanese materials and the city's neon energy with Coach's playful brand codes and hands-on personalisation.

Retail Experience winners on stage
On the night · The Clapham Grand, 15 October 2026

The project

A playful concept store in Shinsaibashi

Coach Play Osaka sits in Shinsaibashi, one of the city's liveliest districts, and brings design, culture and play together in a single brand environment. The interior pairs restrained Japanese materials, including bamboo and wood, with neon lighting, graphic interventions and pop-art references drawn from Osaka's urban culture, giving the space both texture and contrast.

Retro-style signage at the entrance sets a nostalgic tone and leads to a larger-than-life sculpture of Rexy, the character that anchors the store and carries Coach's playful brand codes. Surrounding graphic installations offer photo-friendly moments for a digitally minded audience. Product is woven into the setting, tracing the evolution of the Tabby bag alongside ready-to-wear and pieces from Coach (Re)Loved, so heritage and sustainability sit within one story.

Personalisation is central to the visit. Through Coach Create, customers can customise hangtags, charms and straps, moving from browsing to making something of their own. Changes in material, light, scale and movement are intended to give the store the feel of a playground, encouraging visitors to explore and come back.

Coach Play Osaka, Coach (1 of 5)
Coach Play Osaka, Coach (2 of 5)
Coach Play Osaka, Coach (3 of 5)
Coach Play Osaka, Coach (4 of 5)
Coach Play Osaka, Coach (5 of 5)

The category

Retail Experience

The Retail Experience category looks beyond store design to the customer experience itself, recognising memorable, engaging environments that help retailers stand out, build loyalty and create a sense of community. It is open to permanent and temporary stores, pop-ups and concessions.

Read the full criteria

How it meets the criteria

A memorable, engaging experience

Shifts in material, lighting and scale, anchored by a larger-than-life Rexy sculpture, create a playground-like setting designed to invite exploration from the moment of entry.

Brand identity and community

Retro signage, the Rexy character and graphic installations express Coach's playful brand codes, creating shareable moments aimed at a digitally driven audience.

Standing out in the market

The store fuses local references, from bamboo and wood to Osaka's neon-lit street culture, with Coach's global identity and in-store customisation through Coach Create.

Highly CommendedDavines, Colour World UK, with Mega Creative

THANK YOU

We have received your subscription request.