Independent wine retailer Passione Vino defies the sector’s in-store design norms, creating a vibrant, Mediterranean atmosphere.

Open for nearly two months, Passione Vino is a short walk from the Retail Week offices (useful) and it takes the normal rules of independent wine retailing and turns them on their head.

Traditionally, the modus operandi in this outpost of retail is to present shoppers with wine in wooden cases and on shelves. The rest of the shop is about how the product is organised, by varietal, country or colour.

Instead, Passione Vino offers shoppers a Mediterranean-look paint job on the exterior and a florid interior. The floral wallpaper and chequerboard floor make this the love child of Vermeer and Cath Kidston. At present the windows are decked out for Christmas with baubles that double as wine glasses and it’s hard not to look when passing.

The product itself is niche. The shop stocks Italian organic and small producer wines.

In terms of turning heads, this is a break from the sector norm. Cheers.