Info

Leading retail design and development firm WD Partners has garnered three national design awards, including one for environmentally sensitive design. The annual competitions' winners are highly anticipated as a glimpse at the best stores of the year. WD Partners' winning store design projects include:New Balance, a highly flexible store for New Balance that communicates the company's heritage and commitment to technologically innovative products. The Association for Retail Environments recognized the design of the fixtures and graphics for "Green Awareness." WD Partners devel­oped an environmentally sensitive fixturing system that minimizes the use of formal hardware and frames. In addition, the store's graphic system was printed on recycled papers with non-toxic ink. Citrine Bistro (Safeway), a standalone, fast-casual restaurant designed to help the grocery retailer better understand emerging food trends and consumer expectations. The colorful, contemporary restaurant includes a separate "Dash & Dine" entrance, fresh flowers and wine available for purchase with 'to go' meals, a wine bar and community table. Chain Store Age's "Retail Store of the Year" awards, the Institute of Store Planners'/Visual Merchandising + Store Design's "International Retail Design Awards," and Association for Retail Environments' "Retail Design Awards" are used by retailers searching for new design partners for upcoming projects, as well as by other industry professionals searching for what's new and "hot." Competition judges included executives from Foot Locker, Timberland, Harley Davidson and Macy's, as well as trade publication editors and other designers. WD Partners designed more than 24 million square feet of retail space in 2007. Clients include Starbucks, Best Buy, The Home Depot, Wendy's, Cosi, and Whole Foods.