Solutions, Services, and Social Action. Can Store Design Make a Difference?

Brick-and-mortar retail is primed to benefit from pent-up demand in a post-pandemic world. But should transactions be the only end game? Stores can play a powerful role in promoting causes, showcasing solutions and services, and fostering employee engagement, yet realizing the potential requires a shift in priorities.

Carol’s guest is passionate about harnessing the power of design to make a difference. Ian Johnston is the founder and creative director of Quinine, a UK-based integrated research, strategy, and design consultancy specializing in establishing and scaling brickand-mortar concepts for non-retail companies.

In this multi-topic interview, Carol and Ian discuss how placing a higher priority on achieving higher purposes benefits retailers across every channel. The episode wraps up with Ian giving his fresh take on multi-format retail, sustainability’s next act, the limits of localization and other hot topics.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

Why brick-and-mortar’s distinctions drive digital success

How store design aids retailers’ service expansion aspirations

How to balance uniqueness and scale to level-up localization strategies

Why virtuous brands will win as store shopping surges