Pusateri’s, a well-known fine foods chain in Toronto, hired the Montreal based design company GH+A Design to transpose their brand identity inside their 6 retail spaces. A style as refined as their gourmet products, that goes above regular standards of the food industry. Ceragres and GH+A Design partnered to elaborate a unique floor covering solution that is up to Pusateri’s expectations in terms of image and quality. 

Pusateri’s story

Since 1963, the company from Toronto has raised the bar high by offering gourmet, artisanal and imported products to their loyal clientele. For more than 50 years, Pusateri’s has built a reputation around high-end food and sets the standard for what it means to live and eat well in Toronto. The story of a family that takes pride into sharing unique and high quality products with its customers. With now six fine food markets in the greater Toronto area, two of which are associated with the high-end retailer Saks Fifth Avenue, Pusateri’s is the leader in the gourmet food market. More than a simple food market, Pusateri’s offer is as large as it can be; bakery, pizzeria, deli, butcher, seafood and cheese counters, coffee and juice bar along with fruit, vegetable and many more specialty products. An offer that is always well presented and featured in a prestigious space.

The ideal customer experience

Illustrate Pusateri’s powerful brand image, develop chic and elegant spaces and an exceptional client experience: these were the objectives of GH+A Design. Ceragres joined this project by proposing a tile collection that was well in line with this direction: the White Experience. A series that has many layout possibilities, different hues, textures and formats was chosen for all the floor coverings of the six food halls. 8×48 inches tiles where installed following a herringbone pattern, a classic and traditional layout, alternating two different natural stone effect hues. A refined choice that is untouched by passing time, but is also right on spot with current trends just like Pusateri’s is. The marble effect porcelain tile can be found on the floor of more than 8,000 sq.ft. of every Pusateri’s fine foods halls. It has become essential to Pusateri’s signature and a part of their identity as a brand.   

With respect to the highest standards of quality

The image and visual appeal of a retailer are important in the development of a design for a commercial space, but the rational aspects like the main use of the area are vital when choosing a type of floor covering. Strict criterias like the type of traffic, anti-slip standards and type of installation are duly thought of in order to respect durability and security regulations. The White Experience is a choice that combines design with functionality. It is adequate for high traffic and when in contact with water keeps its anti-slip properties (DCOF>0.60). Its rectified tiles are perfectly cut in a right angle allowing installations like this one to be made with minimal joints (2 mm) therefore eliminating a spacing sensation due to joints between tiles. Hundreds of trolleys and forklift trucks filled with food and other products can now move around the market on a completely flat and smooth surface that appear joint less.

GH+A Design knew how to elaborate a design that is up to par with Pusateri’s high quality products and services. As a partner, Ceragres was able to offer an adapted solution to strict standards of use and aesthetics for this project. Saks Food Hall by Pusateri’s as been named a finalist in the 2017 Shop! Design Awards for their designs that are rarely seen in the retail food industry.

About Ceragres

For more than 25 years, Ceragres has been a leader in the ceramic industry, investing in design, expertise and innovation. Ceramic, natural stone, bathware and specialized product importer, Ceragres is more than 200 employees, six Boutique Workspaces, a Ceragres-Les-Bains Boutique, one Ceragres Outlet and 60 Ceragres Tileshops across Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes. A reference in the architectural and design industry, Ceragres offers a complete range of diversified specialized products and a high quality technical customer service. 

About GH+A Design

Founded in 1985, the architecture firm GH+A Design specializes in the conception of retail spaces. Their expertise and experience in retail gives them the possibility to create areas where customer experience is the priority. A company that started in Quebec, but was able to make a place in the competitive american market. GH+A has a large team of strategic thinkers that understand consumers and is able to create dynamic shopping destinations that generates results for retailers and promoters.