The retail industry’s creative professionals collaborative community
since 1961
WELCOME
We are the retail industry’s creative professionals. We were founded in 1961 to be a collaborative community where ideas, knowledge and passion would be shared at a local level and enable our members to fulfill the fast-paced planning and design needs of retail. Today, our membership includes architects, graphic designers, lighting designers, interior designers, store planners, visual merchandisers, resource designers, brand strategists, educators, trade partners, trade media and students of design.
NEWS AND EVENTS
50th International Design Competition Winners Announced
The Retail Design Institute has named 25 finalists in its 50th annual design competition. The judging panel consisted of Professional members of the Institute representing its various Chapters.
These projects make up the Institute’s Class of 2020, for retail projects opened in 2020 (January 1 through December 31) and represent design achievement in categories ranging from pop-up stores to fine dining. This year’s competition attracted submissions from 62 retail teams around the globe.
The Institute’s 2020 Store of the Year will be announced October 12 at a virtual event to be simulcast from New York City on YouTube. Additionally, the Institute’s coveted Innovation Awards, ranging from planning and circulation to lighting design and decorative material usage, will be announced as well.
The following winning projects make up the Institute’s “Class of 2020” — projects represent the “best of the best” stores opened in 2020. The Institute’s annual “class” represents the best of the best regardless of store format or retail merchandise/service classification.
The Retail Design Institute’s Class of 2020
AT&T Experience Store, Dallas. Design: AT&T Creative Innovation Team, El Segundo, Calif.
Buff City Soap, Dallas. Design: CallisonRTKL, Dallas.
Christopher Bates, Toronto. Design: dkstudio architects inc., Toronto.
Clean Market, New York City. Design: Heitler Houstoun Architects, New York City.
El Palacio de Hierro, Perisur, Mexico City. Design: TPG Architecture, New York City.
Fresh St. Market, Vancouver, BC. Design: King Retail Solutions, Eugene, Ore.
Holt Renfrew Ogilvy, Montréal. Design: Jeffrey Hutchison and Associates, New York City.
Ippolita, Chicago. Design: Jeffrey Hutchison and Associates, New York City.
Joe Fresh, Toronto. Design: Burdifilek, Toronto.
Knock Knock Spirits, Lexington, S.C. Design: api(+), Tampa, Fla.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, New York City. Design: Chute Gerdeman, Columbus, Ohio.
RS No.9 Carnaby, London. Design: GH+A Design Studio, Montréal.
Sleep Number (at CES), Las Vegas. Design: Sleep Number, Minneapolis and Centerpoint, Woodbury, Minn.
Snow Peak, Portland, Ore. Skylab Architecture, Portland, Ore.
SONIC, Tahlequah, Okla. Design: ChangeUp, Miamisburg, Ohio.
Spazio Lenovo, Milan. Design: Italian Design Excellence srl (Alessandro Luciani Designer), Milan.
Sprayground, American Dream Mall, East Rutherford, N.J. Design: GH+A Design Studio, Montréal.
Strictly Cycling Collective, New York City. Design: TPG Architecture, New York City.
Sweet Seven Cannabis Co., Waterloo, Ont. Design: dkstudio architects inc., Toronto.
T-Mobile, Plano, Texas. Design: IA Interior Architects, Seattle.
Tempur-Pedic, New York City. Design: CallisonRTKL, Seattle.
The Raider Image Official Team Store, Las Vegas. Design: RGLA Solutions, Inc., Schiller Park. Ill.
Walmart, Springdale, Ark. Design: Landor & Fitch, Columbus, Ohio.
Whole Foods Market, Sherman Oaks, Calif., DL English, Pasadena, Calif.
Yu Seafood, Toronto. Design: dialogue 38, Toronto.
Cadillac House, Shanghai, is the 2019 Store of the Year!
Cadillac House in Shanghai, China, is the Retail Design Institute’s 2019 Store of the Year. Claudia Cerchiara, the Institute’s International Chairman and Chair of its Awards Committee, made the official announcement July 2, 2020. “We congratulate the Cadillac House team on their impressive win that combined elements of a classic car showroom with the interactivity of an educational exhibit.” The space combines education with aspiration and brand elements “that communicate the space as clearly Cadillac,” Cerchiara explained. In addition to its distinction of Store of the Year, judges also bestowed three Innovation Awards on Cadillac House — one each for Architecture, Customer Experience and Digital Integration.
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Retail Design Legion of Honor Inducts Paul Lechleiter
Paul Lechleiter is the latest practitioner to be inducted into the Retail Design Legion of Honor. Lechleiter, who has logged more than 35 years in the retail design industry, is chief creative officer of FRCH NELSON, Cincinnati. As FRCH NELSON’s creative visionary, Lechleiter’s role is hands-on involvement in day-to-day creative output, providing creative leadership for a variety of client relationships….
James Farnell Named Fellow of the Institute
Farnell joined the Institute in 2009 as a Professional member through the Southern California Chapter and later serving as its President August 2011 through October 2014. He was named Professional Member of the Year in 2013 for his work on behalf Southern California. Farnell has consistently upheld the mission and values of the Institute, representing the interests of all Institute’s membership from student to professionals and trade partners…
Announcing the Mark V. Looper Award for Design Collaboration
“We’ve added the ‘Mark V. Looper Award for Design Collaboration,’ because Mark was a champion of collaboration,” notes Andrew McQuilkin, FRDI, chairman of the Student Design Competition.” Throughout his career, McQuilkin explains, “Mark invited and inspired individuals to work together. So the Institute feels strongly about using this opportunity to recognize those who do at the earliest stages in their design profession.”
Retail Design Institute
Recent News
Latest articles and galleries from the Retail Design Institute and Chapters.
JOB POSTINGS
Below are a few of the most recent job postings. Full listings are available to members here.
Marketing Coordinator, The Lionesque Group, New York City - MARKETING COORDINATOR This role is responsible for working closely with our New York studio Principals as well as our diverse creative team to tackle projects including collateral development, presentations, TLG initiatives, and more. Just as proficient in storytelling as you are at design, this role will also be responsible for the voice, tone, content calendar,… Continue Reading- Senior Designer, MG2, New York City - SENIOR DESIGNER This role is responsible for working closely with our CEO in leading teams and clients in a variety of project types with a common focus on creating transformative experiences. The Senior Designer will work in multi-disciplinary teams, leading and soliciting contributions from all levels of expertise. RESPONSIBILITIES TO INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:… Continue Reading
- Project Manager, The Lionesque Group, New York City - PROJECT MANAGER This role is responsible for working with our senior project management team to assist and ensure seamless project deliverable execution in bringing our design projects to fruition. RESPONSIBILITIES TO INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: Reading and interpreting design documents, from renderings to full CD sets Analyzing project sites for feasibility and code concerns… Continue Reading
