2006 ISP/VM+SD International Store Design Competition

M&M’s World Orlando has been named the 2006 Store of the Year in the 36th annual Institute of Store Planners/VM+SD International Store Design Competition. The 17,000-square-foot store – which was profiled in VM+SD last year (“Colorful Side of Chocolate,” March 2006, page 66) – was designed by Chute Gerdeman (Columbus, Ohio).

The store “creates a wonderful retail experience for shoppers,” noted one judge. “I’ve visited it three times, and each time I’ve witnessed how the environment connects with shoppers of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds.” Another praised the space for making “a very strong and pervasive brand statement.”

Judging for this year’s competition was hosted by the New York chapter of ISP. From more than 150 entries, judges chose a Store of the Year and 24 First Place and Award of Merit winners. They also selected Special Awards in concept innovation, finishes, fixturing, lighting, signage/graphics and store planning.

Judges for the competition were (standing, left to right): David Kloman, senior director, construction, Kenneth Cole Productions (New York); Brian Dyches, vp, consumer and market strategy, Watt Intl. Inc. (Laguna Niguel, Calif.); and David Apfel, David Apfel Lighting Design (New York); and (seated, left to right): Russell Sway, R. Sway Associates (Atlanta) and outgoing president of ISP Intl.; Michael Rabin, associate professor, department of design and management, Parsons, The New School for Design (New York); Tracy Zaslow, manager, store design and construction, Ross-Simons (Cranston, R.I.); and Bob Tonk, vp, store planning and construction, Saks Fifth Avenue (New York).

STORE OF THE YEAR

M&M’s World Orlando

FIRST PLACE WINNERS

New or Completely Renovated Full-Line Department Store:

Bloomingdale’s, San Francisco

New or Completely Renovated Specialty Department Store:

Barneys New York, Boston

New Shop Within an Existing Full-Line or Specialty Department Store:

Brown Thomas & Co., Dublin, Ireland

Specialty Store, Sales Area Under 1500 square feet (tie):

Fornarina, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Motorola RED, Chicago

Specialty Store, Sales Area 1500 to 3000 square feet:

Fornarina London 

Specialty Store, Sales Area 5000 to 10,000 square feet:

Paradies Shops at the Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta

Big Box Retail:

Bass Pro Shop, Denver

Shopping Center Kiosk:

Olay Brand Experience Counter, Cincinnati

Specialty Food Court or Counter-Service Restaurant:

Kentucky Fried Chicken, Louisville, Ky.

Sit-Down Restaurant:

Mariposa Restaurant, Boca Raton, Fla.

Specialty Food Shop:

The Market by Longo’s, Toronto

Supermarket:

Carnival Super Market, Dallas

Service Retailer:

The Spa at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Ponte Vedra, Fla.

Manufacturer’s Showroom:

The Design Studio by Remington Homes, Markham, Ont.

Automotive Retail:

Lexus of West Kendal, Miami

AWARDS OF MERIT

Specialty Store, Sales Area Under 1500 square feet:

Judith Leiber, Las Vegas

Specialty Store, Sales Area 1500 to 3000 square feet:

Fido, Toronto

Specialty Store, Sales Area 5000 to 10,000 square feet:

Victoria’s Secret, Chicago

Sit-Down Restaurant (tie):

Jinsei Restaurant, Birmingham, Ala.

Table Restaurant and Bar, Charlotte, N.C.

Benihana, Miramar, Fla.

Big Box Retail:

Hypercity, Mumbai, India

SPECIAL AWARDS

Barney’s New York, Boston (store planning)

M&M’s World Orlando (innovative concept, fixtures and lighting)

The Spa at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Ponte Vedra, Fla. (finishes)

Tool Depot, The Home Depot Canada, Toronto (signage and graphics)