A leading manufacturer of hockey skates and equipment, Bauer was an industry expert in high-performance hockey gear. Spending millions of dollars annually in R&D, the company pushed the boundaries of how their technologies changed people’s game on the ice. But when the products made it to market, the retail experience was often uninspired. Bauer engaged the Marketing, Strategy & Creative Group to create their first ever retail store—a flagship that would celebrate the brand and set an example for hockey retailers carrying Bauer products.
Bauer’s consumer experience strategy was founded on one crucial research insight: Consumers weren’t focused on technology, nor was safety their number one priority (that was table-stakes). Their underlying motivation was getting more ice time. Parents wanted their kids to have fun, which means less time on the bench. Players wanted to feel good on the ice and make their team proud.