Commentary

Find a way to stand out.  This is becoming even more and more important in today’s world of information overload. Whether it’s your own font or celebrating a random, made-up holiday over a traditional one, do things that differentiate you from your competitors. Grow your reach and resources through collaboration. You might be able to…

Toby Barlow talks about what he’s discovered by opening his own store. New York magazine’s “In 2029 IRL Retail Will Live Only Inside Amusement Parks” is an overview of how, in the writer’s estimation, the new 5.7 billion dollar American Dream mall in New Jersey is an ominous sign of things to come. I’m sure…

Urban Hardware is building one loyal customer at a time by investing the time into relating to the customer in a way that not only focuses on the experience, but, more importantly, builds a sense of ownership by being a part of the local community. Urban Hardware isn’t your huge, big box building store. Nor…

Janis Healy talks about what it takes for a consumer to embrace a brand. Retail Experience.  Brand Experience.  Customer Experience.  No matter how you categorize it, we speak of the need to elevate the experience within brick and mortar retail stores.  And rightfully so. Once upon a time, we had to go to a box…

Cindy Ciura talks about the changing apparel scene. There’s a dramatic change occurring in the apparel business as customers buying habits are shifting toward “renting clothing.”  What was once very small business- a $1 billion dollar industry (less than 1% of the total apparel market in 2017) has grown into a $24 billion dollar business…

Did you know that Detroit is appointed a City of Design by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)? And that it’s the first and only city in the United States to receive that designation? Detroit is one of 34 cities around the globe focused on using design creativity as a driver for…

You’re a digital brand and you want to increase knowledge and awareness and deepen engagement. A physical store is a great way to tap into new markets and test new strategies. When Blue Nile approached JGA, the challenge was how to extend the virtual into the physical without becoming a traditional jewelry store. What customers…

By Drew Patrick Back in the day, shopping was a simple affair. People went to the store to buy things. Then the internet happened. In order to keep up, traditional brick-and-mortar retailers rushed to create an online experience for their customers. Most didn’t do a great job. The digital realm was a new frontier, and…

By Andrew Levy In 2015 the United Nations (U.N.) unanimously approved 17 Sustainable Development Goals  (SDG’s), goals addressing the most consequential issues of our time for the next 15 years. The SDGs are clear-cut, and more importantly, are easy to adopt and promote. Why does that matter to brands and retailers? Because studies show that…

When you think about a toy store’s audience you have to step outside your normal retail approach. Kids want play and discovery. Gift-givers (usually parents) want organization and convenience. How do you design a store that speaks to both sets of generational desires? Enter the first upscale toy store in the Al Rai area, Kuwait.…