©

2023

The retail renaissance: A digital infrastructure for high-street heritage

We re-architected the digital estate for The Crescent Shopping Centre, replacing a static directory with a high-performance discovery engine that actively drives physical footfall.

The Crescent Shopping Centre stands as a cornerstone of Ireland's retail landscape, serving the Munster region for over 50 years. However, a significant tension existed between its physical dominance and its digital utility. The centre faced a crisis of relevance; while footfall remained steady, the digital experience was invisible to the modern consumer. Our objective was to dismantle this disconnect, replacing a passive "brochure" site with a dynamic ecosystem that functions as a proactive digital concierge.

Services

UX Architecture
Digital Wayfinding
Content Strategy
Technical SEO
Custom API Integration

The retail renaissance: A digital infrastructure for high-street heritage

We re-architected the digital estate for The Crescent Shopping Centre, replacing a static directory with a high-performance discovery engine that actively drives physical footfall.

The Crescent Shopping Centre stands as a cornerstone of Ireland's retail landscape, serving the Munster region for over 50 years. However, a significant tension existed between its physical dominance and its digital utility. The centre faced a crisis of relevance; while footfall remained steady, the digital experience was invisible to the modern consumer. Our objective was to dismantle this disconnect, replacing a passive "brochure" site with a dynamic ecosystem that functions as a proactive digital concierge.

Services

UX Architecture
Digital Wayfinding
Content Strategy
Technical SEO
Custom API Integration

Date

Aug 2023

Date

Aug 2023

Date

Aug 2023

Client

Crescent Shopping Centre

Client

Crescent Shopping Centre

Client

Crescent Shopping Centre

Industry

Retail & Commerce

Industry

Retail & Commerce

Industry

Retail & Commerce

Timeline

3 Months

Timeline

3 Months

Timeline

3 Months

The Challenge

Heritage retail faced a crisis of digital invisibility and navigational friction, severing the link between online intent and offline action.

The legacy platform functioned as a static noticeboard, failing to capture the vibrancy of the tenant mix or assist with the complex needs of the modern shopper. Users faced a "discovery deficit," struggling to locate stores or amenities due to a rigid, outdated directory structure. Furthermore, the centre was losing high-intent traffic to competitors because the digital architecture was not optimised for the hyper-local search terms used by mobile-first consumers.

The Solution

We deployed a "Click-to-Brick" architecture anchored by a bespoke directory engine and a minimalist, mobile-first design system.

We engineered a digital environment that prioritises utility and discovery. The core of the solution is a rebuilt store directory that acts as a "living" inventory, allowing users to filter by category, interest, and location with zero latency. This is supported by a dynamic "Inspo" content module that transforms the site from a list of shops into a lifestyle publication, capturing high-intent traffic through curated style guides. The aesthetic overhaul replaced clutter with clarity, using a reductive design language that frames the tenant brands as the heroes.

The Process

Our stewardship is defined by a continuous cycle of "Launch and Learn," adapting the platform to the seasonal velocity of the retail calendar.

Following the initial architectural overhaul, we implemented a rigorous technical SEO strategy focused on "local dominance." We restructured the site’s taxonomy to ensure that individual tenant offers and seasonal campaigns are algorithmically pushed to the forefront based on user behaviour. This move from static information to algorithmic curation ensures that the digital experience remains as dynamic and fast-paced as the physical retail environment it serves.

By the numbers

M Impressions

Capturing the total addressable market for regional retail and lifestyle search intent.

M Impressions

Capturing the total addressable market for regional retail and lifestyle search intent.

M Impressions

Capturing the total addressable market for regional retail and lifestyle search intent.

k Total Clicks

Converting passive search traffic into active physical footfall through high-utility content.

k Total Clicks

Converting passive search traffic into active physical footfall through high-utility content.

k Total Clicks

Converting passive search traffic into active physical footfall through high-utility content.

% Organic Share

Reducing reliance on paid media by achieving semantic dominance in the local search landscape.

% Organic Share

Reducing reliance on paid media by achieving semantic dominance in the local search landscape.

% Organic Share

Reducing reliance on paid media by achieving semantic dominance in the local search landscape.

We have been working with Brainstorm for the last number of years and couldn't recommend them enough. Dave worked with us on a new brand re-design... which has greatly boosted our website traffic, performance, and overall user experience. Their reporting system is top class.

Eimear Duane

Marketing Manager

Crescent Shopping Centre

We have been working with Brainstorm for the last number of years and couldn't recommend them enough. Dave worked with us on a new brand re-design... which has greatly boosted our website traffic, performance, and overall user experience. Their reporting system is top class.

Eimear Duane

Marketing Manager

Crescent Shopping Centre

We have been working with Brainstorm for the last number of years and couldn't recommend them enough. Dave worked with us on a new brand re-design... which has greatly boosted our website traffic, performance, and overall user experience. Their reporting system is top class.

Eimear Duane

Marketing Manager

Crescent Shopping Centre