What’s Next: Nature-anchored Retail

If there is such a thing as slow shopping, this Romanian property has the perfect environment for it.

Like the line separating physical from online retailing has all but disappeared, so too has the barrier between indoor and outdoor environments. This week, we highlight one European property that has fully joined the movement that's taking consu[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

Art at the Forefront

Design Studio

Fox Valley Mall reveals which artist will create an installation live on its upper floor.

On the eve of its redevelopment, Fox Valley Mall is drawing community attention through public art. In early June, painter JB Snyder will produce a 1,200sq.ft. mural that will span the full height and width of the former Sears storefront. It wil[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

Okay. Enough Said

Design Studio

Aritzia makes a bold statement with its line of minimalist totes.

There's no detaining a worker on a Friday evening when she walks out the door with a large tote bag that literally says, "Out of Office." Aritzia calls it the South Beach Carryall, part of the Canadian retailer's in-house Auxiliary brand of hand[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

One of These Mall Models Is an Ex Soccer Pro

Advertising Creative Design, Design Studio

The mega-mall proudly flaunts its local roots in its ad campaign.

If you lived in Edmonton, Canada, you'd know right away which one—that would be Lance Parker. It's an insider's thing that plays right into West Edmonton Mall's marketing plans. WEM, as it is known, celebrates its local Prairie roots with the [...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

Moreno Valley Mall Declares Its Community Love

Advertising Creative Design, Design Studio

After a year of conducting consumer research, the mall has relaunched its brand.

Moreno Valley Mall and its owner, the IGP Business Group, have a new modus operandi for the California property: Love. The word encapsulates the insights that the organizations have gained over the past year spent observing the habits of their l[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

Mirvac Does Mardi Gras

Décor Themes, Design Studio

A strong theme décor sets the stage for two weeks of celebrations.

Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday) is a time to let loose, draw outside the traditional lines, and get into carnival mode. Mirvac's retail centers in inner Sydney (Australia) are doing just that, but with a twist. Celebrating diversity and inclusivenes[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

Shoppers Cozy Up for Valentine’s Day

Design Studio, Visual Merchandising

Madison’s rooftop winter abodes morphed into love shacks with London views.

Last winter, hungry patrons heading to Madison in London (UK) for a Manhattan-style restaurant experience had two choices: Grab a table inside—conventional—or brave the cold on the rooftop terrace and take a seat in The White Forest. The eat[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

The Appeal (and Perils) of Comparative Ads

Advertising Creative Design, Design Studio

Brand match-ups can be entertaining for consumers, but are they effective?

The ad wasn’t rude, obnoxious, or over-the-top. It was actually really quite useful, asking: “Vehicle A has such and such brakes, Vehicle B does not – would you put your family at risk?" I sat up and took note. Of course, I needed the brak[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

Life in Technicolor

Décor Themes, Design Studio

Montreal’s entertainment district gathers the community again around public art.

While enclosed malls offer shoppers in Montreal (Canada) some festive retail escapades—and a break from the cold—the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership is proposing its own holiday therapy through light. The entertainment district is hostin[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

Kids Get Their Own Mini Food Court Here

Design Studio, Visual Merchandising

Enhancing the mall experience for the youngest of visitors was worked into this visual merchandising plan.

For better or worse, children are often the key to opening up shopping parents' purses. The happier and more comfortable they are in a retail environment, the higher a family-oriented mall's productivity will be. That has produced a whole new wa[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...