Episode #147 I’ve Visited Hundreds of Spa Retail Stores. Here’s What the Best Ones Do Differently with Mario Maichel

Podcasts – SpaRetailer · Sep 30, 2026 · 1h 2m

Megan Kendrick welcomes back Mario Maichel, senior manager of dealer development at Watkins Wellness, to discuss what he sees in high- and underperforming hot tub retail showrooms. He cites Gervi’s flagship showroom in Belgium as a standout because its space, lighting, graphics and brand presence match product caliber and effectively manage shopper attention. Maichel emphasizes consistent, purposefully adjusted lighting (including layered fill and spot lighting), adequate product spacing and mixing manufacturer imagery with local, regionally relevant visuals to avoid a “soulless” feel. Common…