"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 […]
Vertical: Retail
The Future of Design Has Arrived—and It’s Surprisingly Playful
NeoCon 2025 showed up big, bold, and full of surprises – proving that workspaces and public environments are shedding their stoic shells in favor of creativity, inclusivity, and adaptability. Our team scouted the showrooms and design labs of Chicago to catch what's emerging, and what's next. Here are the trends you can't unsee (and won't […]
Brazil, the Other “Land Down Under”
We recently returned from a trip to Brazil's top retail conference, FBV (Feira Brasileira do Varejo – The Brazilian Retail Fair), and were thoroughly impressed. Not only by its content, but by the quality of the venue and the organization itself. Here's the surprising part though: virtually NO foreign retailers were to be seen. Brazil […]
The Sweet State of Snacking
The snacking landscape is evolving—one bite at a time. At this year's Sweets & Snacks Expo, the "State of Snacking" session served up plenty of tasty insights that show just how fast the snack category is changing and why brands need to stay ahead of the game. Healthier, Choosier Snacking First things first: consumers are […]
Staffing Smarter: Operations Solutions to Offset the Labor Crunch
For brands across the retail and restaurant landscape, workforce challenges have become the number one operational hurdle. Leaders are navigating a complex mix of labor shortages, escalating wage pressures, skill gaps, and the disruptive impact of technology and automation. In industries where thin margins make or break profitability, these pressures can't be ignored—and solving them […]
What Shoppers Want by 2050 (Hint: Not Robots)
The Paradox To inform the thinking behind Retail 3.0, we asked a group of over 2,000 consumers some basic questions first. And as is often the case with research, the answers made us think…and think again. When asked, "Which do you prefer; shopping online or in-store?" the answer was "online" to the tune of 70%. […]
Stores are the New Media
At a recent RetailSpaces conference, a standout presentation titled “Digital in Store: Engaging and Monetizing in The Era of Retail Media,” delivered by our good friend and colleague Jordan Berke of TOMORROW, made a compelling case: retailers are poised to generate billions annually by turning their physical stores into immersive, content-driven media platforms. These aren't […]
Designing for a Cooler Planet
The Earth Doesn't Need a Day—It Needs a Game Plan Let's be honest: Earth Day shouldn't be a checkbox. It should be a checkpoint. And for retail and restaurant brands, it's no longer just about compostable forks or recycling bins behind the counter. Sustainability is no longer a siloed initiative or a quarterly talking point. […]
Solutions
Your Challenges, Our Solutions
We know you're not just looking for a vendor—you're looking for a partner who understands your brand, your challenges, and your goals. Whether your pain point is brand consistency, operational inefficiency, or scaling with speed, we've been there. What's keeping you up at night?
A fully integrated approach—from strategy to creative to roll-out and beyond. Thoughtfully designed, expertly executed—our solutions don't just impress, they scale and grow. We solve our clients' business problems with big ideas that turn into scalable, business‑right solutions.
Brand
Connect shopper insights to experiences that fuel demand.
Your consumers are telling you what they want every day—through their choices, their clicks, and their carts. We help you decode that behavior and turn it into experiences that not only attract new shoppers but keep them coming back.Transform every store into a destination shoppers love.
Your brand story deserves more than four walls—it should live in every detail. We help you create a signature experience that’s inspiring and repeatable, so whether it’s one location or one thousand, every store feels consistent, engaging, and unforgettable.Craft a compelling brand story—across all touchpoints.
Your story comes alive in the places your customers experience it. From a full refresh to a brand-new identity, we bring together design, storytelling, and place to create a brand that feels compelling, consistent, and impossible to ignore.Magnetize and engage customers with a tech-infused experience.
Digital shouldn’t feel bolted on—it should feel like part of your brand. We design connected experiences that align naturally with your story, creating moments that engage, inspire, and keep customers coming back.
Ops
Right people, right place, right time – every time.
Optimize labor utilization with data-driven task assignments and volume and velocity forecasting. Our workforce management tools, staffing matrices, and training programs help you schedule smarter, reduce inefficiencies, and keep your teams focused where they’re needed most.Consistency that drives speed and throughput.
Use Industrial Engineering methodologies to create standardized workflows and procedures that improve your speed of service and increase throughput. With clear SOPs in place, your teams can work faster, reduce errors, and deliver a reliable experience every time.Operational models built to flex and grow.
Design operational models and footprints that scale across new and existing formats, sales targets, and performance metrics. From space optimization to tech integration and automation, we create solutions that adapt to capacity needs and keep your operations running smoothly.Where customer experience meets operational reality.
Integrate operational priorities with the customer experience and environmental and architectural design. We help balance seamless, frictionless experiences with operational feasibility—so the brand vision works not just for your customers, but for your teams.
Build
Build with the expectation of excellence, speed, and consistency.
From pilot programs to nationwide rollouts, we deliver comprehensive AEC services that move fast without sacrificing quality. With boots on the ground, a proven national presence, and the latest tech and innovation, we make scaling straightforward—so you can expand with confidence.Building with precision starts with reducing uncertainty.
Predictability matters. Through a consultative approach, careful planning, and strict compliance, we deliver projects with no surprises—on time and on budget. With consistent quality and trusted relationships, we make execution something you can count on every time.Manage vendors and stakeholders with confidence and consistency.
Big programs demand more than coordination—they demand true integration. We bring internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders together into one seamless operation, giving you control over cost, quality, and timelines while building trust every step of the way.Unlock your data’s power to simplify, streamline, and innovate.
Facilities can’t run on stale information. With reliable asset data, technology integration, and tools like BIM modeling, we give you the clarity to manage today and the foresight to plan for tomorrow. Our industry knowledge and innovation keep your facilities adaptable, efficient, and ready for what’s next.
Real Solutions.
Real Results.
Explore how we’ve helped brands solve complex operational, design, and growth challenges across industries. From strategy to rollout, these solution stories show what happens when insight turns into execution.
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Aramark HQ
Elevating Global Headquarters into a Storytelling Hub -
BJ’s Brewhouse
A Longstanding Partnership Driving Nationwide Growth -
Culto
Creating a Sacred Space for the World’s Game -
CVS
Redefining How People Engage with Healthcare -
DGX
Redefining Dollar Stores for the Urban Shopper -
DICK’S House of Sport
Reinventing Retail for the Next Generation of Athletes -
EchoPark
Transform the Used Car Buying Experience with Customer First Innovation -
El Pollo Loco
Igniting Authenticity and Bringing the Fire to Every Experience -
Harbor Freight
Optimizing Retail Operations for Long-Term Success -
Homeward Kitchen
Redefining Fast-Casual Dining With Comfort at the Heart -
Krispy Kreme
Reimagining an Icon—Hot, Fresh, and Ready for Growth -
Meijer
Reinvigorating a Midwest Icon Through a Connected Shopper Journey -
Nike
Standardizing Store Operations Manuals to Drive Consistency & Growth -
Petsense
Designing Store Operations for How Customers Shop and Teams Work -
Purina LAB9
Designing a Space Built for Pet-Centric Innovation -
Rebel
A Global Flagship That Embodies the Call of Sport -
Rookie Kids
Creating an Entirely New Sport-Centric Brand Experience Just for Kids -
Sam’s Club
The Next-Generation Warehouse, Modeled in 3D -
SeaWorld
Where High Volume Meets High Experience -
Shake Shack
Building global love for Shake Shack — one format at a time -
sweetgreen
Creating a tech-centric fast-casual dining experience with a human touch -
The Home Depot
Delivering Scalable Growth for Doers Everywhere -
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Optimizing Cafe Operations for Faster Service, Better Flow & Growth -
VCA
A design-and-build transformation for the next era of veterinary care -
Walmart Fire Protection
Engineering Fire Safety for Thousands of Stores -
Walmart Total Health Access
A Health Hub That Puts Care at the Heart of Access -
Walmart Remodels
Delivering Faster, Smarter Remodels for the World's Largest Retailer -
Wawa
Where Smarter Kitchens Meet Better Customer Experiences -
White Castle
Creating a Flexible Castle for Cravers of the Future
Retail 3.0
Once Upon A Time If you think about it, it's hard to believe how much retail has transformed in the past 50 years. Before this incredibly fluid half-century, retail was pretty much stagnant for hundreds—if not thousands—of years. The corner store, the bakery, the ice cream shop, the neighborhood tailor—these businesses stood the test of […]




























