Nestlé Purina's LAB9 stands apart as a truly unique retail innovation hub. Designed as a living, breathing facilitator of collaboration, LAB9 embodies a mindset of constant evolution. Located in St. Louis, this cutting-edge center is not your typical “Retail Innovation Lab.” Instead, it's a dynamic space that keeps the pet owner's journey at the forefront, […]
Redefining Remodels
wayfindWhat does it take to transform a store into a beacon of brand consistency, operational efficiency, and guest satisfaction? At WD, we know that remodeling is more than just updating aesthetics—it’s about delivering a unified, impactful experience that works for both guests and team members across every store format. Our approach is integrated, scalable, and […]
The Shift to Sober: Curious Behaviors Turn Mainstream Movement
povMindful consumption has become a defining trend in recent years, reflecting consumers’ growing desire to align their purchasing habits with personal wellness, sustainability and social values. This shift, sparked by sober-curiosity during the pandemic, now encompasses broader considerations like mental clarity, physical health, financial mindfulness and even environmental impact. For beverage brands, this evolution presents […]
3 Game-Changing Insights for Retailers
wayfindOur research presentations at NRF have always centered around one key question: In this age of consistently increasing online shopping, what should retailers do to get customers to visit stores more often? Because, after all, stores are significant investments, and seeing them underutilized leads to two negative outcomes: high-cost closure and diminished brand exposure. In […]
6 Lessons from Running our Way Through New York City
wayfindWe recently traveled to New York City for the NYC Marathon, and couldn’t help but notice how powerhouse running brands use top-notch operations to deliver exceptional customer experiences. These brands are at the forefront of retail innovation and showed us how smart operations–like well-organized inventory, thoughtful store layouts, and a seamless checkout can create shopping […]
Human-Centered Connected Commerce – From Store to Site
povWhat comes to mind when one hears "Retail Innovation Lab"? Many will imagine a generic space with row upon row of shelves set to perfection, devoid of any missing SKU, complete with POP and impressive yet unrealistic endcaps and feature displays. This isn't the case at LAB9, Nestlé Purina's cutting-edge innovation center. LAB9 was designed […]
Generation Alpha Shaping the Future
wayfindBorn between 2015 and 2023, Generation Alpha is not just the largest generation in history but also the most diverse. With an expected economic impact of nearly $5.5 trillion by 2029, they are already exerting significant influence on the world. Growing up alongside the iPad and Instagram, they are digital natives who are quick to […]
Slow Retail; A New Way Forward
wayfindYou Win. You Lose. Fast. One retail phenomenon that has become increasingly apparent with the passing of each quarter is the bifurcation of retail into clear winners and losers. The delta between those categories gets bigger and bigger every season as well. We all know who the winners are: Amazon (to put it mildly), Walmart, […]
Scaling Brand Consistency
povDelivering a consistent brand experience across a diverse fleet of stores requires more than just design and construction. It demands a strategic, holistic approach that considers both the customer journey and operational efficiency. At WD, we recognize that every store enters the brand ecosystem at different stages of its life cycle. That’s why we’ve developed […]
Balancing Authenticity and Innovation at the Fast Company Innovation Festival
wayfindAttending the Fast Company Innovation Festival in New York City was nothing short of inspiring. Marking its 10th anniversary, the festival brought together some of the most creative and driven minds, from industry disruptors to innovators championing new ideas. For us, it was a chance to attend panels, workshops, and discussions with a common thread […]
How WD, Ingka and IKEA are Turning Climate Ambitions into Action
wayfindReal Change Begins With Real Action At WD Partners, we’ve long championed circularity, not just in merchandise but in how we envision the future of retail. For the last few years, we’ve had the privilege of working with the Ingka Group and IKEA on ideas for a more sustainable future, allowing us to dive deeper […]
Elevating Retail with Service-Centric Research
wayfindShopping in store is more than a transaction—it's an experience that can transform everyday errands into meaningful moments. At the heart of this experience is customer service, which plays a critical role in shaping how shoppers perceive and interact with a brand. That said, great service is the key to turning one-time shoppers into loyal […]
Celebrating 25 Years of Partnership with The Home Depot
wayfindOur 25-year relationship with The Home Depot is a story of collaboration, innovation, and growth. What began as a partnership focused on supporting their rapid expansion across the United States has evolved into a trusted, strategic relationship that continues to shape the future of retail design and development. In the early days of our partnership, […]
Rethinking Store Formats
wayfindGone are the days when a single store prototype defined a brand's innovation. Today, brands need to recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach isn't sustainable. Different locations and market dynamics demand tailored experiences that deliver greater brand impact. It's about evolving from the rinse-and-repeat store model to a more strategic, tiered approach that considers market nuances […]
What Does WD Do?
wayfindIf you've made it to this article, you've at least heard of WD Partners, but what exactly do we do? Let's take you through how we bring ideas to life, create extraordinary experiences, and ensure that everything runs smoothly—all under one roof. The Power of Integration At WD, we're not just about ticking boxes or […]
Get Local
wayfindFor retailers, the COVID-19 pandemic feels like a vague, bad dream. For many of us as well, there's this "Did that really happen?" sense, followed closely by the realization that "Oh yeah, it did". I've had many more people say to me recently, "You know, back during the pandemic," or, "Yeah, we did that back […]
Optimizing Labor Efficiency in Superstores: A Comprehensive Guide for Retail Success
wayfindSuperstores are constantly challenged to strike a perfect balance between staffing needs and operational efficiency. This is due to fluctuating customer demand, a diverse product range, and complex operations. In addition, high labor costs, regulatory requirements, and the need to integrate technology further complicate labor management. As these giants of commerce evolve to meet customer […]
A Digital Deep Dive
povDigital innovation is reshaping the retail landscape at an unprecedented pace. What once began as simple e-commerce tools has now evolved into a complex ecosystem that blurs the lines between digital and physical shopping experiences. To stay ahead, it's essential to understand how to harness the power of unified commerce, retail media networks, and generative […]
NeoCon 2024
wayfindEver wonder where the world of design is heading? NeoCon and Design Days gave us a good idea. These two conferences, essential for anyone in the design industry, showcased the latest trends, innovations, and ideas shaping our future spaces. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or simply a lover of good design, the insights from […]
Elevating Retail with Flagship Thinking
wayfindRetailers are continually seeking innovative ways to create memorable and impactful experiences for their customers. An approach that we recommend to our clients is “flagship thinking.” To explore this concept further, we sat down with Jay Highland, EVP of Creative at WD Partners, to discuss the nuances and strategies behind flagship thinking and its impact […]
