Lakeside London Shopping at Christmas
London Shopping Centre Christmas Installation
Last winter, just before the festive season began, we were approached by the team behind Lakeside Shopping Centre, one of the UK’s largest and most popular retail destinations.
Situated just outside London and easily accessible from the city centre, Lakeside attracts thousands of visitors daily, and even more during the bustling Christmas shopping season.
With the busiest and most crucial time of year approaching, the Lakeside team wanted to elevate their visual experience and create a space that would capture the magic of Christmas.
Their goal was clear: to transform the shopping environment into a place of comfort and engagement and create a festive retreat that encouraged visitors to linger, relax and share their experience with the brand.
THE BRIEFComfort, engagement and consistency
The challenge was to design and deliver an immersive Christmas installation within the centre’s main atrium. The concept needed to reflect the warmth and nostalgia of the season, provide a comfortable resting area for tired shoppers, and fit seamlessly among the centre’s existing Christmas activations.
With footfall at record highs, safety and durability were non-negotiable. Every element of the installation needed to withstand constant interaction while maintaining its aesthetic appeal. We also had to complete the full setup outside of opening hours, ensuring zero disruption to the daily retail flow, a logistical challenge in itself (but one we are well versed in!).
THE INSTALLATIONOpulent, festive and encouraging.
The result was a full classic Christmas design: a luxurious, golden-branded present installation surrounded by traditionally decorated trees, stacks of beautifully wrapped prop gifts and a rich cherry-red Chesterfield sofa (Paloma Chaise) that offered the perfect photo opportunity.
Every detail was carefully considered for both safety and longevity. Each Christmas tree was anchored with heavyweight, hidden bases for security, while all decorative presents were crafted from wood, weighted and finished to withstand the entire festive period.
The chosen seating was not only elegant but also robust enough for high visitor turnover, ideal for families and festive photo moments.
The final setup struck a balance between luxury and warmth, inviting shoppers to pause mid-shop and enjoy the moment.
View the mock-up and concept below.
The resultsA place for families, friends and couples to enjoy.
The installation quickly became one of Lakeside’s most-photographed festive features.
Families, couples and friends captured their Christmas memories, tagging the centre on social media and sharing the Lakeside brand far and wide. Beyond the visual impact, the activation helped strengthen emotional connections with visitors, turning casual shoppers into loyal, returning customers year after year.
The magic of Christmas is universally powerful, complete with a feeling of warmth, nostalgia, and excitement that transforms ordinary spaces into something special. Professionally designed festive installations don’t just look beautiful; they drive measurable results.
According to RetailNext, festive foot traffic increases by nearly 15% during November and December. For physical retailers with shopfronts, a captivating Christmas display can be the deciding factor that draws shoppers in, encourages them to stay longer, and boosts overall sales.
A thoughtfully designed installation like Lakeside’s does more than decorate; it creates emotional engagement, memorable experiences, and brand affinity that lasts well beyond the season… and into next!
Why invest in Christmas Installations?
Did you know that our team can install the this theme and other adaptations of it for your event or occasion? Get in touch to tell us more and have us build you a bespoke mood board based on these ideas.