design:retail - January/February 2020 - 6

FROM THE EDITOR

DESIGN:RETAIL

JAN/FEB 2020

Moments of
Wonder

D

transformational
era retail finds itself in today,
design-that's right, the good ol'
stop-them-in-their-tracks, perfectly
executed, dazzling DESIGN-
continues to be an immovable
cornerstone of brick-and-mortar
retail. Of course, innovative technologies, immersive experiences, brand storytelling, seamless
cross-channel integration and human connection
also play equally important roles-but none of them
would be possible (or at least wouldn't make much
sense) without the steadfast pillar of design holding
it all together.
In honor of great design, we've dedicated this
issue to "Wonder," and have curated a selection of
stories that paint a picture of what remarkable design means in retail today. Perhaps one of the best,
and easiest, examples of this theme you'll find is on
page 40, where we recap the winners of our annual
Winning Windows competition that honors the
most outstanding holiday window displays in
Manhattan each year. These windows are literally
the physical embodiment of "Wonder"-awing, delighting and entrancing onlookers of all ages. From
a series of heartwarming windows that spread the
holiday spirit through storytelling and flawless
interactivity, to bird's-eye view vistas depicting
a colorful and festive collection of party scenes, to
precious bauble-loving white mice interacting with
sparkling rings, the visual prowess and design eye
candy serves as an inspiring treat. (Be sure to scan
the smart code on page 46 with your smartphone to
get access to an exclusive Q&A with the visual masterminds behind this year's Winning Windows.)
And speaking of candy, on page 34 we delve into
the massive "candy department store" known as
IT'SUGAR that recently debuted at the American
Dream mega-mall in East Rutherford, N.J. Creativity
reigns supreme here. Using a little inspiration from
Willy Wonka and Dr. Seuss-and a whole lot of
jelly beans (more than 1.5 million of them adorn
a three-story replica of the Statue of Liberty!)-the
ESPITE THE MASSIVE

"In honor of great
design, we've
dedicated this
issue to 'Wonder,'
and have curated
a selection of
stories that paint
a picture of what
remarkable
design means in
retail today."

6

design and visual teams worked tirelessly to bring
this whimsical, over-the-top vision to life.
In the less traditional sense, we explore design
in the form of the pop-up. Now a mainstay retail
format to test new markets, raise brand awareness
and deepen connections with consumers, the popup takes many shapes, but a visually stimulating,
interactive and immersive environment is usually a winning formula. In our "Pop-up Roundup"
(page 28), we highlight some of the most exciting
pop-ups that hit the retail scene over the holidays,
including the vibrant TuppSoho store (our cover
shot!) that celebrates leftovers (well, sort of) at
Tupperware's first-ever retail location.
Lastly, we take a closer look at how design works
in tandem with innovation with an in-depth story
on Neighborhood Goods (page 24), which is experimenting with the art and science of retail to
evolve the department store concept (think shopper data and analytics) while providing a relevant
and thoughtful customer experience.
We hope these stories inspire you with wonder
and reinvigorate your drive to pursue (and, yes,
sometimes defend) great design. Now, onward
and upward!

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design:retail - January/February 2020

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