Move adds store décor, signage and graphics services, West Coast design capabilities, and additional sustainable design expertise

Award-winning retail design and development firm WD Partners announces it has acquired store décor, signage and graphics provider Schorleaf, which will be known as WD Schorleaf. Adding WD Schorleaf’s capabilities extends WD Partners’ services for multi-unit retailers, including grocery stores and big-box retailers. Approaching the store development process holistically has allowed WD Partners to reduce delays, handoffs, and manage "gaps," leading to streamlined store openings and increased accountability for retailers.

WD Schorleaf’s management will remain autonomous from WD Partners, and Sharon Shore will remain as President of the company. The firm’s headquarters and production facility is in Phoenix, with a design staff in Los Angeles.

In addition to WD Schorleaf’s production services, the firm has extensive experience with sustainable design materials and practices, to supplement WD Partners’ growing number of LEED-accredited professionals.

WD Partners’ successful business is based on multi-unit specialization and integrating the range of services that a chain retailer might need to develop new stores. These services include branding, concept development, operations engineering, architecture, mechanical/electrical/ plumbing, civil and structural engineering, site development services, and construction management. The firm designed more than 24 million square feet of retail space in 2007 for clients such as Starbucks, Best Buy, The Home Depot, Safeway, and Whole Foods.