Be Nimble

IF FIXTURES HAVE taught us anything over the past several years, it’s to remain flexible.

Through the lens of several footwear brands, this issue examines the latest trends in fixture designs, which remain overwhelmingly modular (pg. 34). Arguably, a major trend to emerge post-Covid is the emphasis on customer- or human-centric designs: Even though we’ve heard “the customer is always right” for countless years, the prevalence of conveniences like curbside pick-up and BOPIS have helped redefine what frictionless retail – what service – really means. (Stuart Weitzman’s King of Prussia store is a prime example of in-store customer service, pg. 30.)

And speaking of those who create experiences at retail, we’re excited to unveil our 2024 Top Design Firms which ranks design, architecture, engineering firms and independent designers from around the world, based on submitted retail design firm fees from the previous year. You can check out the annual ranking on pg. 22 and be sure to visit the full Retail Design Firm Resource Guide, our comprehensive design firm listing, that lives year-round on vmsd.com.

We’re also pleased to announce that registration has opened for VMSD’s 24th annual International Retail Design Conference (IRDC) in Kansas City, Mo., Oct. 9-10! Taking place at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown hotel, the agenda for this year’s event is nearly complete, and you can read more about our presenters by visiting irdconline.com.

The Shop! Association Ideation and Retail Challenge (Oct. 7-8) will also be co-locating with IRDC again this year, and the Retail Challenge – an all-day creative sprint focused on the creation of a pop-up, store design or brand activation, emceed by NELSON Worldwide’s Bevan Bloemendaal – will be a bonus add on for IRDC attendees. If you’re looking to stretch your creativity and get even more hands-on experiences, we highly encourage you to attend this one-of-a-kind event the day before IRDC kicks off. (The winning Retail Challenge team will get to build out their display during 2025’s Shop! MarketPlace – read about the 2024 event on pg. 46.)

Stay tuned to our upcoming July/Aug issue, which will feature the winners of our coveted International Visual Competition, and our Sept/Oct issue, highlighting our Retail Renovation Competition winners alongside our 2024 VMSD/Peter Glen Retailer of the Year … all of which will be celebrated during IRDC 2024. Just another reason to come visit us in KC this fall!