We're witnessing a global revolution as brands are reimagining physical spaces in order to build brand love. Leading brands recognize the evolving relationships with consumers and have shifted beyond just selling products. They're creating movement, fostering community, and immersing shoppers in new forms of brand storytelling and interaction – experiences that evoke true emotion and […]
Vertical: Retail
Rookie Kids
Rookie Kids was born from a collaboration between Nike, Rack Room, and Haddad to fill a major gap in the market: a true retail brand for tweens. Together, we created an entirely new sport-centric concept where kids can discover trends, enjoy gamified experiences, and express themselves freely.
The Hidden Engine of Flagships: Why Operations Make the Magic Possible
Flagship stores are often celebrated for their immersive designs, bold statements of identity, and ability to showcase a brand at its peak. But beneath the sparkle and spectacle lies an operational machine that makes it all possible — from labor planning to inventory flow to technology integration. These destinations succeed because every part of the […]
Building the Future of Retail with Spatial Digital Twins
Retail is at a tipping point—and technology is the driver. The pace of innovation is transforming industries from manufacturing to healthcare, and retail cannot afford to lag behind. If your asset portfolio still relies on outdated systems and disconnected processes, you’re leaving opportunities on the table. By adopting the same technologies powering other industries—digital connectivity, […]
Chris Doerschlag
Chris Doerschlag is the CEO and owner of WD Partners, a 300+ person global strategic branding and consulting firm with 8 offices in the US and overseas. WD is a vertically integrated strategic partner to many Fortune 500 consumer brands, helping them drive innovation and scale. WD has delivered projects in over 77 different countries. […]
From Commerce to Connections: The Rise of Cultural Capital
We’re witnessing a global revolution as brands are reimagining physical spaces in order to build brand love. Leading brands recognize the evolving relationships with consumers and have shifted beyond just selling products. They’re creating movement, fostering community, and immersing shoppers in new forms of brand storytelling and interaction – experiences that evoke true emotion and […]
DICK’S House of Sport
DICK’S Sporting Goods knew keeping pace wasn’t enough—they needed to stay ahead. Their leadership set out to create an ecosystem that could inspire, equip, and energize athletes like never before. The answer was the House of Sport, a concept built to deliver personal, future-ready experiences that raise the bar for the industry.
Retail’s Secret Weapon: Store Associates
What do Costco, Apple, Trader Joe's, REI, LEGO and Wegmans all have in common? They're all on the Forbes Top 10 Customer Service list AND… they all pay store associates over $21 an hour (national retail avg = $16.50). That's five dollars more than the retail average and, in some cases (Wegman's / Costco), ten […]
The Age of the Inspired Shopper
Convenience got us through the last decade. But now, shoppers are craving something deeper—meaning, connection, identity. The brands that win today don't just sell products—they sell a sense of self. Welcome to the era of the inspired shopper. This POV explores how retailers, grocers, CPGs, and restaurants can evolve from transactional to transformational—building brand love […]
The Future of Stores: Smaller, Better, Closer (Or Nowhere at All)
"People are always going to go shopping." — Phillip Green, Chairman, Arcadia Group Where is the ancient idea of a "store" headed? Over the course of months, with new research and more than 50 years of retail experience, we found some things to be true about the future of physical retail – what we're calling […]
