Studio X redesigned the Mannings IFC Mall flagship as a digital-led wellness retail concept.
Studio X was appointed by DFI to reimagine its flagship Mannings store at Hong Kong’s IFC Mall, transforming it into a cutting-edge wellness destination and a pilot for future Mannings and Guardian stores globally.
Process
Concept Design
Schematic Design
Detail Design
Tender Documentation
Tender Management
Construction Support
Post-Completion Review
The digital-led design integrates next-generation technology, including AI-driven health systems, within a warm and approachable retail environment - creating a personalised and engaging customer experience.
Key features include the “Mannings Health Pod”, a sleek glass-encased space for rapid wellness assessments, alongside interactive zones, each redesigned to encourage proactive learning and self-care.
Studio X was appointed by DFI to lead all aspects of the interior design and, following completion, to produce a guideline bible for further roll-out, localisation and format adaptation across its extensive network of over 1,500 health and beauty stores across Asia.
The Mannings Health Pod — a glass-enclosed space for rapid wellness assessments, positioned as the store's centrepiece and primary point of differentiation.
A spacious check-out, designed as a clearly differentiated fixture-set in order to allow customers to locate with ease.
NFC-enabled 'lift & learn' product displays allow customers to access detailed product information in the moment, without staff intervention.
Our objective is simple: design environments that improve business performance. Mannings IFC reflects this approach, combining efficient planning with layered experience to create a retail space that is both commercially effective and engaging for customers.
Selected views
A collection of images documenting the redesigned store, highlighting layout, technology integration, and key experiential moments.
(Approach)The spatial layout was meticulously crafted to balance innovation with navigation, incorporating intuitive wayfinding through materials and lighting. Digital touchpoints, such as NFC-enabled ‘lift & learn’ product displays, provide customers with detailed information, enhancing the shopping experience.
Floor plan showing the store layout — zoned to balance product browsing, technology interaction, and the Health Pod consultation area within a 3,200 sqft footprint.
A sketched birdseye to study the relationship between a hero mid-floor fixture and a corresponding wall bay.
Concept planogram sketches to help us determine the arrangement and hierarchy of merchandise.
The result is a flagship store that not only addresses modern health and beauty needs but also offers a sanctuary where customers can explore wellness solutions in a thoughtfully designed setting.
This project reflects a longstanding relationship with DFI Retail Group, built over multiple projects across their health and beauty portfolio. The IFC flagship was a direct product of that trust — a brief that gave Studio X the latitude to be genuinely disruptive while remaining anchored to the warmth and accessibility that defines the Mannings brand.The scope extended well beyond the single store.
The design developed for IFC became the foundation for a regional rollout across Mannings and Guardian locations in five markets — requiring Studio X to understand the specific pain points and commercial dynamics of each territory while maintaining a coherent design language across all of them.Studio X's appointment covered concept design through to construction support and post-completion review. The IFC store opened in 2024 and has since received positive feedback from both DFI's internal teams and customers.
Kayley Hui
Marketing Director
DFI Retail Group
Working with Studio X on our new Mannings Hong Kong flagship store design at IFC has been an exceptional experience.
After ten years since the last repositioning, we aimed to create a fresh omnichannel store experience for our consumers while maintaining the classic warmth and welcoming feel of Mannings. Studio X delivered innovative ideas that modernized our design while honoring our heritage, receiving positive feedback internally and from customers alike.
Additionally, their meticulous approach in our regional Health & Beauty store design (Mannings & Guardian) helped refresh our look across 5 x different markets, as they adeptly drove insights and understood the unique pain points and commonalities between them.
We are immensely grateful to Studio X’s talented team for their invaluable support in the evolution of the Mannings retail environment.
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