Bringing clarity to boutique retailers

Independent retailers have a true passion for what they sell – but often they don’t share the same passion for the numbers that drive profits for their business. Luckily for them, Claire Morris, founder of retail merchandising consultancy Retail With Clarity, loves those numbers. She works with boutique businesses to unlock their profits, by helping them to plan their ranges, set their prices, or make sure they’re holding exactly the right amount of stock. Claire came to me for brand and website design that positioned her startup business clearly.

More +

Big retailers have entire teams to do merchandise planning but smaller retailers often don’t even know the help they need exists!

Retail With Clarity overcomes this with messaging that creates awareness. We positioned the brand to appeal to independent boutique retailers not in the know, using jargon-free language to address the challenges they may face alongside a visual identity design that evokes the sense of style and quality they value.

Founder Claire was nicknamed ‘Clarity’ during her time in the corporate world because that’s what she provided as a merchandiser! Years later, that nickname was the inspiration for her own business name. This lovely story inspired me to create a confident, calm visual style that portrays clarity for her brand.

To achieve that look, I started with colour. A cool, muted palette provides a tranquil tone. Deep blues generate trust, teal calms and golden champagne shades soften the palette. Meanwhile, sans serif typography paired with a classic serif creates a contemporary fashion editorial feel. For mood, an elegant wave pattern reflects the calming quality of water.

The distinctive logo features a sophisticated monogram and an airy composition that’s reminiscent of luxe brands, reinforcing the impression of quality. A suite of alternative logos give versatility for print and digital applications.

Brand voice and photography convey the approachable side of Retail With Clarity’s personality. I art directed a photoshoot with photographer Alison Burrows to show the face behind the business, and copywriter Megan Rose Freelance took care of the words using a friendly tone.

To establish the new brand, I designed a Squarespace website with a blog that introduces the consultancy’s bespoke services beautifully, social media graphics to increase visibility and branded stationery that sets it apart using the tactile quality of print.

It’s easy to sell your services when your brand does the hard work for you. Retail With Clarity has an assured, calm and elegant aesthetic that communicates on its behalf. The look resonates with its audience, while also showing the values behind the brand – quality, trust, and above all, clarity.

 

Sectors
Retail, business

Services
Brand identity
Squarespace website
Photoshoot art direction
Print + digital design

Project team
Creative direction + design: Andrea Boughton
Photography: Alison Burrows
Copywriting: Megan Rose Freelance

beehive-green-brand-design-hertfordshire-retail-with-clarity-branded-label-tags-1500.jpg
beehive-green-brand-design-hertfordshire-retail-with-clarity-logo-dark-1800.png
beehive-green-brand-design-hertfordshire-retail-with-clarity-art-direction-3-1500.jpg
 
beehive-green-brand-design-hertfordshire-retail-with-clarity-website-2000.jpg
beehive-green-brand-design-hertfordshire-retail-with-clarity-squarespace-website-mobile-2000.jpg
 
 

Client feedback

“Andrea’s ability to tap into your personal and brand values is superb and she invests time in truly understanding both your business and your customers. Her discipline in managing design projects ensured a very smooth process and kept me on track without feeling like I had a huge to-do list.”

— Claire Morris, Retail WIth Clarity

 
 
beehive-green-brand-design-hertfordshire-retail-with-clarity-branded-designs-2000.jpg
beehive-green-brand-design-hertfordshire-retail-with-clarity-branded-business-card-1500.jpg
beehive-green-brand-design-hertfordshire-retail-with-clarity-branded-letterhead-design-light-2000.jpg
 
beehive-green-brand-design-hertfordshire-retail-with-clarity-planning-1500.jpg
beehive-green-brand-design-hertfordshire-retail-with-clarity-art-direction-4-1500.jpg
 
Previous
Previous

The White House • A timeless look elevates interior design

Next
Next

Ellipsis • Branding a development consultancy that means business