In a captivating WD-led conversation, Yaromir Steiner, the mastermind behind Easton Town Center, shares his remarkable journey and the visionary principles behind one of America’s most successful retail spaces. Born in Istanbul and educated in France, Steiner brought his expertise to the U.S., eventually landing in Columbus, Ohio, where he was tasked by Les Wexner […]
Let’s Talk Kids
povEven if it's not measured yet, all signs suggest that Gen Alpha's influence and impact on those within their world is high. In this POV, we're diving into the inner-workings of Generation Alpha and looking to uncover how they're influencing the world and how brands should react. Read the full POV to learn: What Generation […]
Is Every Store a Flagship?
povOnce revered, a prototype symbolized a brand’s capacity to reinvent itself while maintaining a connection to its customers through thoughtful and consistent brand experiences. A successful prototype captured a brand's essence, telling a cohesive story within their fleet and offering all customers the same level of experience no matter where they lived. Today, the reality […]
Is Your Brand Experience Living Up to Expectations?
wayfindIn today's hyper-competitive marketplace, brands face the daunting challenge of meeting ever-changing consumer expectations. With a continual stream and oversaturation of technological advancements and innovations, brands are expected to be everything, everywhere, all the time, making the challenge to keep up more difficult than ever. Function vs Emotion Amid the constant innovation, we always look […]
Is Every Store a Flagship?
wayfindIn today’s competitive retail landscape, every brand aims to create flagship experiences that resonate with customers. But what exactly makes a store a flagship? And how can brands replicate a flagship experience across diverse footprints, geographies, and investment levels? According to Jay Highland, EVP of Creative at WD, flagships are the best example of a […]
Shaping the Future of Commerce
wayfindRetailers, brands, and digital giants gathered at ShopTalk for a supercharged conference aimed at shaping the future of commerce. With an impressive turnout of over 10,000 attendees, the event buzzed with excitement over the shifts happening in consumer behavior and tactics to engage them effectively through AI and across various experience touchpoints. Amidst the dynamic […]
Winning in Today’s Retail Ecosystem
povIn today’s retail landscape, brands and retailers must overcome a myriad of hurdles, from inflation to supply chain disruptions to the changing needs and desires of new demographics and generations in order to maintain a competitive edge. Just to name a few. How can retailers expect to keep up and thrive in the next quarter? […]
Big Box Should Sell Resale Goods in Stores
povBy now, most retailers are aware of the potential benefits of selling used or recycled merchandise. Customers want it, inflation wants it, the environment wants it, and PR especially wants it. Many sources have predicted resale to be a multi-billion-dollar business to the tune of $350 billion globally and $70 billion in the US in […]
Protecting What Matters Most
wayfindComprehensive Fire Protection Services Throughout WD’s history, we’ve sought to provide business-right and innovative solutions to our clients. To stay ahead of the game and meet clients’ evolving needs, we’re constantly expanding our service offerings, hiring top experts to do everything from visual merchandising, to foodservice equipment specs, to BIM consulting and architectural, structural, civil, […]
The 10 Best Retailers in New York City Worth Visiting
wayfindThe National Retail Federation’s (NRF) showcase in New York City provided a captivating glimpse into the dynamic world of retail. Here’s a closer look at the 10 standout brands and their innovative approaches to creating immersive and memorable experiences. 1. Aimé Leon Dore – Mulberry | 224 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012 Renowned as […]
Empowering Women in Sports
wayfindA New Era In recent years, the sporting industry has witnessed a significant transformation, as retailers and manufacturers are now actively prioritizing the women’s sports market. They are keenly attuned to the various facets of her sport lifestyle, encompassing performance, community, and daily life. This shift marks a departure from the days when sports gear […]
A Journey of Inspiration and Innovation Through Travel
wayfindEmbarking on a journey spanning North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, our associates explored new places, sharing experiences that resonated with WD’s core services: architecture, engineering, design, strategy, operations, and development services. Here, we'll uncover unique insights gained during some of our travels, which continue to serve as a source of inspiration for our work. […]
Everything In Retail Has Changed. Have Stores Kept Up?
wayfindIt's hard to imagine, especially for anyone under 30 years old, how important physical stores once were. Not too long ago, you might have asked yourself, 'I wonder what [fill in your favorite brand name here] has that's new?' Or maybe you were faced with a functional challenge like, 'I'm out of light bulbs.' Regardless […]
The Art and Science of Running… and Ops
wayfindRunning is something you either love or hate. And sometimes, let’s be honest, you love to hate running! For us, running is a big part of who we are. We’ve each been running over 3 decades and make it a point to run in every city we travel to together for work! Admittedly, it’s not […]
The Department Store Dilemma
wayfindExploring the Disconnect Between Department Stores and Consumer Preferences in the Age of Technology Department stores were icons of the past, but their recent sales have us wondering if their current tactics are misaligned with consumer interests. The Rise and Fall of Department Stores Emerging during the late 18th century amidst the dynamic backdrop of […]
Discover the Best of Miami
wayfindWelcome to Miami, a vibrant and diverse city known for its stunning beaches, eclectic neighborhoods, and lively culture. Whether you’re looking for trendy shopping destinations, unique art experiences, or delectable dining options, this travel guide will help you make the most of your visit. Of course, this list is just a preview of our favorite […]
Women in Sport
povThe growth in women’s participation in sports has opened new opportunities for retailers and manufacturers to tap into a new consumer base, but are brands actually doing enough to make space for women and empower them in their sport? Included in the full POV: Insights from retail experts Key gaps in the current sports retail […]
Are Department Stores Turning Off Their Base With Tech?
povThe decline of department store revenue and customer footfalls over the last 20 years has been well documented. Are department stores responding with the right strategy (one dominated by technology) or are they missing out on a large part of their customer base? Included in the full POV: Proprietary research from two WD customer surveys […]
Mastering the Online Returns Game
wayfindOnline shopping has revolutionized the way we buy products, offering unparalleled convenience and choice. In just a few clicks you can get nearly anything you want delivered straight to your door. However, with the ease of purchasing comes the inevitability of returns. Just as easily as you added to cart and hit 'place order,' you […]
Adaptive Reuse
wayfindIn a world where sustainability and resource conservation are becoming increasingly vital, the concept of adaptive reuse has emerged as a powerful tool for creating a more sustainable future. In 2017 it was predicted that 90% of future development in the next decade will be renovations and adaptive reuse1. Adaptive reuse refers to the process […]
