Interactive Polo Bear Christmas Displays: Ralph Lauren Brings Festive Magic to Flagship Stores

Holly-Jolliness is very much an American thing. We Brits have been far too reluctant to embrace the festive cheer of Christmas over the years, but our dear cousins from across the Atlantic have rendered the Anglican piety down into unashamed bliss in the NatKingColeism of it all. I, in part, blame Ralph Lauren. Ralph have always exported the best of the American Way into the rest of the world and Christmas is the acme of this. This year they are adding a technical touch in the New York, London, Tokyo and Chicago flagship stores with our dear friend and idol, the Polo Bear.

New interactive window displays have been put up that take whimsy (not a pejorative) to a whole new level. The Bear will burst forth from his usual 2D form into a 3D rendering in the windows. The bear will have a variety of playful ways to interact with passers-by in a manner that elevates the concept of visual merchandising. I can’t even be sure if his festive black tie that he is wearing is for sale, but it won’t matter, as the concept of window-shopping is about being drawn into the world of the particular store you are passing using your imagination. This was something that Ralph Lauren always did extraordinarily well with their immaculate mannequins and mis-en-scène, but turning this interactive is mighty clever. Of course, the brand has form with their digital and technological ideas that come from the top table, I remember how brilliant it was when you could go in-store and digitally design your own polo shirt, or how David Lauren with the support of his father was a pioneer in the digital retail space 25 years ago. This is a natural progression from a well-oiled digital pacesetter.

If you’re after a sentimental feeling, this is your fast track, so go see the bear.