RetailDetail EU
Europe - EN
  • België - NL
  • Belgique - FR
  • Nederland - NL
  • Europe - EN
  • Newsletter
  • Contact & Route
Members' area
  • Log in
  • Become a member
  • News
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Electronics
    • Beauty/Care
    • DIY/Garden
    • Leisure
    • General
  • Events
    • OVERVIEW EVENTS
    • EVENT PARTNERSHIPS
  • Advertising
    • PRINT ADVERTISING
    • ONLINE ADVERTISING
  • Members’ area
RetailDetail EU
Europe - EN
  • België - NL
  • Belgique - FR
  • Nederland - NL
  • Europe - EN
  • Newsletter
  • Contact & Route
  • News
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Electronics
    • Beauty/Care
    • DIY/Garden
    • Leisure
    • General
  • Events
    • OVERVIEW EVENTS
    • EVENT PARTNERSHIPS
  • Advertising
    • PRINT ADVERTISING
    • ONLINE ADVERTISING
  • Members’ area
Members' area
  • Log in
  • Become a member
thumb
Written by Stefan Van Rompaey
In this article
  • Companies Jacob's Conceptstore
  • Topics ExpansionRetailDetail Day
Share article
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • email

Jacob’s Conceptstore on its way to Paris and the rest of the world

icon
Leisure21 August, 2023
Thomas Nouws, Jacob's Concept Store

Belgian entrepreneur Thomas Nouws wants to conquer the world with his unique retail concept, Jacob’s Conceptstore. His ambition is to open as many as eight new locations every month, in Belgium, the Netherlands and France (for a start).

Unique identity

Three years ago, Nouws launched his store concept, which accommodates creative local entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, the chain already opened 24 branches in Belgium and it is time to shift up a gear. “I hired an architect to develop a completely unique corporate identity. We have already renovated and relocated some stores, with fixed 9-year leases. I want to get rid of the pop-up nature of the stores. We are professionalising and putting more emphasis on customer loyalty.” He will reveal more details about this at RetailDetail’s Retail Marketing Day, on 21 September.

Recent moves to bigger stores include Kortrijk, Mechelen and Waregem. Two other stores are to open soon. “Meanwhile, all branches are being renovated in the new house style, so the next few months will be spicy”, Nouws says. “I am driving from one construction site to another. If all goes well, we will open eight new locations every month from November, in Belgium as well as in the Netherlands and France.”

International ambition

International ambition is high, and the first lease in Paris has already been signed: “We are moving into Beaugrenelle shopping centre. For shopping centres, Jacob’s Conceptstore is an interesting addition because we bring innovation and variety, with more experience, craft products…. We are a good match. We may open as early as mid-October.”

In a city like Paris, demand is particularly high: “There are an awful lot of creative people looking for an outlet. Renting premises is hugely expensive, but we can offer them a physical outlet. I could already open eight stores in Paris with the current number of candidate designers registered, I just need to find the premises.”

In total, the retailer is already working with 650 designers. Specific to Jacob’s Conceptstore is that those entrepreneurs all work in their store one day a month. That keeps costs down and it also increases the attractiveness of the shop concept, as customers and makers come into direct contact with each other.

Fun shopping

The personal contact with the designers is one of the key success factors, according to Nouws: “You do not just rent a square metre with us, but we highlight the creatives on our social media. The day they work in our store, they can also post themselves.”

Moreover, Jacob’s Conceptstore really stands for fun shopping, the founder thinks: “People come to us to browse. They have a big wallet and they want to buy, even if they do not need anything. Every product here has a story: we have a nice panel with info, name and photo of each designer… so customers can see that the product is made with love and passion. They are local products and producers.”

Conquering the world

Nouws’s ultimate ambition is to conquer the world: “I want to have stores in every continent, and I am convinced I will succeed. When I prospect brands myself on Instagram, I look in cities all over the world to see if there are so many creative entrepreneurs there too. I already have a folder of designers from Sydney, for example, and I saw a few months ago in Bogota, Colombia, how expats’ wives are looking for an outlet for their creations. It is just the same there as in any metropolis in the world.”

The entrepreneur is inspired by Rituals: “I think that is a very good example. They have conquered the world – or are still in the process of doing so – by believing in their own concept. Well conceived, well executed. Not hesitating to take a leap.”

Thomas Nouws will tell more about his approach and ambitions at RetailDetail’s Retail Marketing Day, on 21 September in Antwerp. Speakers from Impermo, Lunch Garden, Kruidvat, Microsoft, Standaard Boekhandel and Club will also take to the stage that day with fascinating stories for retailers looking for marketing inspiration. Book your ticket quickly via the link below.

I book my ticket for the Retail Marketing Day
More about... Leisure
See more
  • icon
    Leisure4 July, 2025
    King Jouet introduces separate concept for kidults

    French toy giant King Jouet is dedicating a separate store concept to the growing market of ‘kidults’, or adults interested in games and toys. The first King’Dultes is set to open later this month in Marseilles.

  • icon
    Leisure27 June, 2025
    Maxi Zoo is treading water despite 41 new stores

    Fressnapf, the German parent company of Maxi Zoo, achieved a revenue of 870 million euros in the first quarter of 2025. Both revenue and profit remained stable, despite numerous store openings.

  • icon
    Leisure16 June, 2025
    New logo is start of bigger transformation at Dreambaby

    Dreambaby, the Belgian retail chain for young parents and their babies, is launching a new logo and updated corporate identity. This autumn, the retailer will also open its first shop according to a revamped shop concept in Bruges.

Events
  • 17
    Sep
    CAPTAINS OF RETAIL 2025 – EDITION II
  • 25
    Sep
    RETAIL MARKETING DAY 2025
Most read
  • icon
    Food13 June, 2025
    “Carrefour seeks buyer for Italian branch”
  • icon
    General20 June, 2025
    Fashion and hospitality boost El Corte Inglés’ profits
  • icon
    General10 June, 2025
    Marks & Spencer resumes online orders after 46 days
  • icon
    Fashion11 June, 2025
    Pinko at a turning point: returns to profit this year
Follow RetailDetail
  • socialFacebook
  • socialTwitter
  • socialInstagram
  • sociallinkedIn
footer-logo
RetailDetail, the leading b2b-retailcommunity in the Benelux, keeps retail professionals up-to-date by means of online & offline publications, retail events, inspiring retail hunts and the unique co-creation platform The Loop, where retailers and their suppliers can experience the future of shopping.
Mailing Address
Kolveniersstraat 7, bus 26 2000 Antwerp
Visiting address
Stadsfeestzaal – Meir 78 2000 Antwerp
How to reach us:
Directions
© 2025 RetailDetail
general conditions | privacy policy
Contact us About us info@retaildetail.be
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Accept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT