THE ECONOMIC VALUE
OF AUTHENTICITY
It is no doubt then why we see our supermarkets today taking inspiration from the past to add experts
behind the counter to offer up advice. For there is
definitely a sense of certainty one gets from the past
era of informational scarcity when we trusted the
guidance of the town green grocer, butcher or shoe
maker for the tastiest choice of vegetables for soup,
cut of meat for dinner and the most comfortable and
durable shoes for working the fields.
“BUT ECONOMICALLY, HOW DOES THIS NEED
FOR A SENSE OF THE REAL, OR ANTHENTICITY
ARIS AND BENEFIT CONSUMERS?”
Pragmatically speaking, we surmise that sensing authenticity for the consumer has2 values:
1- One by which to stop consumers from making the
wrong choice
2- A positive value which affirms the social-psychological suitability of their product-service selection.
In other words, as we experience information overload at work; WHAT WE AS CONSUMERS DON’T NEED IS
OVERLOAD when we are paying to have work done for us- being served-doing our shopping-or being entertained.
SENSING AUTHENTICITY means that they can be assured that the product or service is the best one for them
without having to sieve through the informational “spin”. ULTIMATELY, IT MEANS A GREATER RELIANCE ON
NONVERBAL, VISUAL, DESIGN ASPECTS TO PERCEIVE TRUST AND ADDED-VALUE.
TOP AUTHENTIC SPACES
An increasingly wealthy society of Asian consumers is younger than ever, and these hip young things are looking for an
increasingly authentic experience - a sense of the real that connects them with the places they have travelled. These
spaces are truly authentic in their own way - some hark back to the past, some make us reflect
on the future, all are inspiring and have a emotional story to relate.
SHANGHAI FILM
MUSEUM, CHINA
A celebration of China’s film industry heritage
The Shanghai Film Museum recently opened
as a temple for Chinese film aficionados who
want to learn about the evolution of Shanghai’s film history. Created by award-winning
design and architecture agency Coordination
Asia, their vision was to create a unique museum experience which connects the past,
present and future. Located inside a former
film studio in Shanghai’s downtown , Xujiahui
- the location couldn’t be any more appropriate - the 15,000m2 space includes memorabilia, costumes and film clips as well as over
70 interactive installations and 3,000 exhibits.
FARINE BAKERY, CHINA
Contemporary Chinese design working with an authentic French flavour Farine offers an authentic French boulangerie experience to an
increasingly globalised Chinese population. Designed by architectural
duo Lyndon Neri and Rosanna Hu (Neri & Hue), Farine brings a contemporary design to house an authentic French eating experience.
Their stunningly designed bar is by Ferguson Lane in Shanghai. Retail
Access loves the mix of past, present and future in this building.
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