The Top Retail Experience Agencies in London Right Now
A shop today cannot survive on sales alone. Customers expect a visit to feel like an event, whether that means a flagship that tells a story, a pop-up that surprises, or a space that seamlessly links physical and digital.
To achieve this, brands often turn to specialist agencies that know how to turn bricks and mortar into stages for brand experience. London has no shortage of talent in this area.
Below is a profile of some of the most influential retail experience agencies currently operating in the capital.
1. Dalziel & Pow
Dalziel & Pow has long been regarded as one of London's most forward-thinking retail design studios. Their work moves smoothly between physical and digital touchpoints, making them a partner that can handle both the strategic vision and the most minor details.
They have worked with brands such as Boots, Volkswagen, and Lululemon, embedding each brand's personality into layout, lighting, fixtures, and digital layers. They are often chosen by brands that want a holistic rethink of the customer journey, from the first step into the store to the final point of sale.
2. FITCH
FITCH brings global reach and decades of experience. Founded in the 1970s, the agency has helped shape how major retailers and brands think about customer experience. Its strength is building what it calls 'experience signatures,' creating memorable and consistent encounters across different formats and regions.
For businesses seeking large-scale rollouts that still need local nuance, FITCH is known for balancing big picture thinking with practical delivery. They can imagine a flagship, prototype it, and then create the tools for a consistent rollout worldwide.
3. ted experience
One agency gaining attention is ted experience, which specialises in immersive retail and brand activations. They focus on sensory engagement, interactivity, and personalised in-store storytelling.
Their approach works particularly well for pop-ups, product launches, or spaces where brands want to experiment with bold ideas before scaling up. Their projects often blur the line between entertainment and retail, keeping customers engaged longer and building stronger brand memory.
4. Brand Union
Brand Union's background is in strategy and identity, but its influence reaches into retail by creating consistent brand worlds. They ensure that a brand's visual identity, language, and experiential cues hold together across every touchpoint, including the store environment.
They are especially effective when a brand already has architectural or retail partners but needs someone to keep the brand voice and feel aligned. Their ability to unify signage, digital presence, staff training, and merchandising means the result feels seamless rather than fragmented.
5. We Are Your Studio
We Are Your Studio is known for agility and experimentation. They are smaller in scale but quick to respond to shifts in consumer behaviour. This studio provides a blend of creative flair and practical prototyping for brands interested in testing new formats, piloting stores in unusual locations, or connecting digital behaviour with physical design.
Their projects often carry a strong sense of trend awareness, which makes them appealing to brands wanting to stay ahead of fast-moving audiences.
6. Imagination
Imagination has a long history in experience design, covering events, exhibitions, and branded environments. They apply the same storytelling craft to retail, creating spaces that double as destinations in their own right.
They excel when a brand wants to build a flagship store that attracts visitors beyond the core customer base. Their ability to scale up to large spectacles without losing operational focus makes them a strong partner for ambitious projects.
7. VCCP Retail & Experience
VCCP is widely known as a creative agency, but its Retail & Experience arm gives it a place on this list. This team connects campaigns with the in-store environment, offering brands the chance to unify marketing with physical retail.
For companies that prefer fewer agency partners, this option brings the advantage of integrated communication, where campaigns and in-store activations are developed under one roof.
Points to Weigh Before Choosing
- Scale versus focus: Global rollouts often require large agencies with robust delivery systems, while smaller studios may offer more flexibility for pilots and pop-ups.
- Cultural alignment: The best design only works if the agency understands the brand's values, audience, and operational needs.
- Consistency: A one-off flagship can be impressive, but toolkits and repeatable systems are essential if consistency matters across multiple sites.
- Measurement: Modern retail design increasingly involves testing and feedback. Look for partners who build in ways to track and refine performance.
- Integration: Experiences work best when they connect with loyalty schemes, staff training, and digital platforms, not just the physical environment.
Where to Start with Retail Experience Agencies
London remains one of the world's most competitive and inventive retail markets. The agencies here represent different strengths: some are grand storytellers, others are specialists in testing and agility, and some bring a unifying brand lens to the retail floor.
The right choice depends less on reputation alone and more on how well the agency fits the brand's ambition.
