We pride ourselves on producing thought leadership that answers the big questions keeping our clients up at night. Our subject matter experts not only create think pieces that push boundaries, elevate the customer experience, and drive innovation, but they have the experience to back it up and put these ideas into action. From industry specific POVs to white papers backed by consumer research to thought provoking podcast episodes, we have something to fit everyone's needs.
Best In Show
Explore a few of our favorite think pieces.
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Why Dual Branding in QSRs is Making a Comeback
Although dual branding has been around since the 90s, its popularity has wavered in and out. However, what we’ve seen in recent years is that dual branding is making a comeback as an increasingly popular trend.Point of View -
HealthWellness"Payviders" Moving to the Front Door of Healthcare
You know you are in a jargon-laden, overly complicated industry when one group in the industry is called "payers."Wayfind -
Are Department Stores Turning Off Their Base With Tech?
After two recent studies by WD and some expert input, it's difficult not to ask the department stores a question, "Are your execs listening to your customers or just reacting to what's trending?"Point of View -
From Hype to Habit
Trade fairs and sustainability aren’t often thought of as going in hand in hand. In fact, some might even argue the opposite. But this year, the world’s number one retail trade fair proved that the two can have more in common than you might think.Wayfind -
What Do Consumers Actually Want from the Drive-Thru of the Future?
It’s Much Simpler Than You Might ThinkPoint of View -
The Evolution from CPG Stock-up to “Spearfishing”
Navigating the Changing Landscape of Consumer Shopping HabitsWayfind
Point of View
There are thinkers and then there are thinkers that create POVs so relevant and forward-thinking that they must work at WD.
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Women in Sport
We call for a departure from old practices and encourage retailers to create equal spaces that celebrate and feature women athletes as prominently as their male counterparts -
Are Department Stores Turning Off Their Base With Tech?
After two recent studies by WD and some expert input, it's difficult not to ask the department stores a question, "Are your execs listening to your customers or just reacting to what's trending?" -
HealthWellnessHealthcare for an Aging America
As one-third of active doctors will be older than 65 in the next decade, a potential shortage of up to 120,000 physicians by 2030 is anticipated -
What Do Consumers Actually Want from the Drive-Thru of the Future?
It’s Much Simpler Than You Might Think -
How the Test and Learn Approach Can De-Risk Your Idea and Guarantee an ROI
Imagine this – you have an idea. It’s interesting, innovative, and brings something new to the table, something different from what other brands in the market are doing. -
Why Dual Branding in QSRs is Making a Comeback
Although dual branding has been around since the 90s, its popularity has wavered in and out. However, what we’ve seen in recent years is that dual branding is making a comeback as an increasingly popular trend.
where curiosity meets perspective
Latest Article
Explore More Articles
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The Department Store Dilemma
Exploring the Disconnect Between Department Stores and Consumer Preferences in the Age of Technology -
Navigating Career Success
Unveiling Development Needs and Strategies for Professional Advancement -
Discover the Best of Miami
Retail, Art, and Culinary Experiences Await in this Vibrant City -
The Evolution from CPG Stock-up to “Spearfishing”
Navigating the Changing Landscape of Consumer Shopping Habits -
Mastering the Online Returns Game
How Retailers can Overcome the Challenges of Online Shopping and In-Store Returns -
Adaptive Reuse
Being the Architects of Change by Transforming the Past into a Sustainable Future
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White Papers
Humble brag time. Did you know we've talked to nearly 25,000 consumers and published over 15 white papers in the last 10 years? Okay, maybe a not so humble brag.
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Can Resale Save the Store?
How can a retail trend be so huge but still fly under the opportunity radar? -
Retail Supernova
The pandemic accelerated everything already in acceleration. -
The Store of the Future is Not a Store
People don’t have to go to stores anymore, they have to want to go to stores. -
Amazon Won, Now What?
The battle is over: what can we learn from the victor? -
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of 2020
11,000 consumers. The top 100 brands. -
Healthcare: Who Survives?
Primary care, urgent care and retail clinics are on notice.
WDCast
Would you rather listen to thought leadership instead of reading it? We have that too! Our podcast features WD experts chatting with industry experts about a variety of relevant business topics.
Disruption is the name of the game these days and it appears that no business or industry is safe. From consumers shifting demands, new competitors popping up on the daily, and those tiny computers in our pocket giving us 24/7 access to all our hearts' desires… times they are a-changing.
Join Lee Peterson, retail veteran and consumer expert, as he discusses super relevant business topics with equally relevant and interesting guests.
Subscribe and listen to WDCast through any of the following providers:
We’ve been talking with the best of the best, so many we lost count!
Check out all of our episodes below.
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Zack Oates, Founder and CEO at Ovation: A Frictionless Feedback SurveyFebruary 14, 2023Zack Oates and his start-up company have made great strides in the realm of restaurants and the guest experience through their development of a simple and frictionless 2 question survey
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Seana Strawn, Head of Home Furnishing Identity & Retail Design at IKEA: Big Store, Bigger IdeasJanuary 24, 2023We spoke with Seana Strawn, Head of Home Furnishing Identity & Retail Design, on IKEA‘s quest towards a sustainable planet
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Jamie Schisler, Chief Comfort Officer at UpWest: From Comfort Online to Comfort IRLJanuary 11, 2023Specialty Retail is at a crossroads and a new brand is paving the way for innovation. Jamie Schisler, Chief Comfort Officer of comfort clothing brand – UpWest, is welcomed on to WDCast to discuss the brand’s business model, growth plan, and a new approach to resale retail
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Julie DiNatale, Commercial and Strategic Partnerships Leader for Truterra (sustainability division of Land O’Lakes): Farmer-Driven, Sustainably-FocusedNovember 17, 2022Julie is the Commercial and Strategic Partnerships Leader for Truterra, the sustainability business of Land O’Lakes, Inc., one of America’s largest farmer-owned cooperatives.
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Anna Carlsson: Is Resale the New Retail? Ask Gen ZSeptember 7, 2022Gen Z'ers have picked up on a shopping "trend" that is paving a new way of shopping for generations to come: shopping used/vintage/resale goods
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Brian Standage, CEO of Banner Health Urgent Care Services: Setting Sights on the Triple AimAugust 16, 2022Brian has a unique career background, building his foundation in the retail sector before diving deep into the world of healthcare at Banner Health.
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Speakers
Last but definitely not least, our highly esteemed speakers. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen one of these experts on a stage.
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Dan Stanek
Executive Vice President
As a noted authority in consumer trends and consumer behavior, Dan's areas of expertise include experience strategy, brand strategy, market positioning strategy, consumer insights, and new concept development. Dan has over 30 years of experience in consumer marketing and customer experience innovation for Fortune 500 companies. -
Jay Highland
EVP, Creative
Jay's work has been recognized by numerous industry publications, including Fast Company, Design:Retail, Interior Design, and VMSD, and he has led teams to two "Store of the Year" awards. -
Joanne Heyob
SVP, Operations Strategy & Design
While throughputs, labor assessments and peak capacity are operations-focused terms, as a speaker, Joanne makes operations easy to understand and delivers insights attendees are excited to bring back to their offices. As SVP, Operations Strategy & Design at WD Partners, Joanne brings 20 years of experience rooted in retail and store operations. -
Lee Peterson
EVP, Thought Leadership
Lee has more than 30 years of collective experience as a retailer, a strategist, a public speaker and as a leading voice in the future of retail. He brings an innovative approach to modern retail by understanding cultural trends, consumer demographics, and buying behavior across multiple industries.