DESIGNER CLOTHES ARE UNICO SYSTEM COOL

In the retail world, attractive merchandising and an inviting customer environment are considered essential to sales success. Contractor J C Watson has been responsible for helping to create exactly the right in-store environment for a chain of high quality designer clothes outlets, Choice. Now, in their latest outlet at Canary Wharf, this forward thinking contractor has gone one step further by installing a Unico System mini-duct high performance central cooling system. This system provides air conditioning and comfort to the store visitor, counteracting the heat generated by the in-store lighting scheme, which is designed to display the merchandise as attractively and effectively as possible.

A presentation to convinced the contractor that ceiling cassette air conditioning was not the ideal solution for this high quality retail outlet, set at the foot of Canary Wharf in an exclusive shopping centre development. Noisy operation and an unsightly box on the ceiling would have been two major disadvantages. Instead, the only evidence of the Unico System installation are small, virtually unnoticeable slotted outlets on the ceiling. They fully integrate with the overall interior design concept of the store the system is virtually silent in operation.

They provide draught free air conditioning at a consistent, even level, using the building’s chilled water infrastructure that was already in place. No condenser are required and air is simply is pulled across the system’s chilled water coil. This has a surface area greater than that of conventional systems resulting in a greater reduction in humidity when cooling, leading to greater comfort and improved efficiency.

The installation proved extremely simple as John Lyman of J C Watson comments:
“The use of Unico on this project was a simple decision to make. The client required a silent, aesthetically pleasing solution for this very high spec project. Canary Wharf Management also required stringent performance criteria be met with the selection of equipment.”

Since the store opened in September 2003, Choice has been delighted with the contribution that the Unico System has made to the shopping experience: “J C Watson’s experience and ability to select exactly the right products to match the image of our stores has been more then fulfilled. The Unico System solution ensures our store remains at exactly the correct temperature for the comfort of our customers. It has helped to reproduce the ideal retailing environment,” said Julian Hines, Proprietor of Choice.