It has been almost a full year since I visited the Acne store in Stockholm’s Södermalm district and I am still thinking about how pleasant the experience was.
Known for their wearable, effortlessly stylish product, the store reflects the brands attitude and welcomes you in to discover what’s new this season. A signature black and white checkered floor creates a dramatic background for the Scandinavian style furniture strewn sparsely across the store. Light streams in through large windows creating a bright, uncluttered and inviting space.
Once you have a beautiful store filled with beautiful product there is only one more thing you need: beautiful staff, and Acne certainly has the knack for hiring the best in town. I cannot think of any other brand that has consistently impressed me with their quality of staff. Every Acne store I have ever visited has the same level of service as the last. Palais Royal in Paris, Dover Street in London, GPO in Melbourne; each time I am impressed by the friendliness, attention and knowledge of the staff but my Stockholm visit raised the bar just a touch further.
When I say beautiful staff, I am not shallowly referring to appearance (although Acne smartly chooses employees that embody the brand’s style) but to their friendly, approachable and talkative personality. At Acne you will find young men and women who can actually start (and hold) a conversation. Many retail staff cannot even muster the energy for a simple hello, at Acne I get a hej hej followed by 30 minutes of polite conversation and service; I leave with not only an Acne bag but a smile on my face and a piece of paper in my new wallet detailing the next three places I should visit whilst in town.
Congratulations to Acne for understanding that customers are not only coming to their store to buy a new pair of jeans/shoes/wallet/whatever but to experience what the brand is all about. In a retail market that is becoming increasingly digital, Acne is one brand that is providing an experience worth walking out the door for, in fact, I would even consider flying back to Stockholm just to say hej.
Whilst you are visiting the store, be sure to pick up the latest copy of Acne Paper. This biannual publication is packed full of inspiring images and creative-focused articles that will keep you entertained between store visits.
Acne Studio Södermalm
Nytorgsgatan 36
116 40 Stockholm
Sweden
116 40 Stockholm
Sweden
Mon - Fri: 11am - 6.30pm
Sat: 11am - 5pm
Sun: 12noon - 5pm
Sat: 11am - 5pm
Sun: 12noon - 5pm
Store enquiries: +46 8 640 04 70
Acne Studio London
13 Dover St
W1S 4LN, London,
W1S 4LN, London,
United Kingdom
Mon – Sat: 10am – 7pm
Sun: 12noon – 5pm
Sun: 12noon – 5pm
Store enquiries: +44 207 629 9374
