You're Only As Good As Your Team

So holiday break is over for the The Dadson Diaries and we're back to deliver one last entry before 2009 hits. If you're one of the lucky ones still on your holiday break, enjoy it. Unfortunately, some of us have to work around here. But enough complaining and on with the post...

For someone who isn't a big follower of football, I must admit that it was a huge relief to see our Green Bay Packers send the Detroit Lions into NFL history yesterday afternoon. I mean, it's terrible to go 0-16 on the season, but it could be quite embarrassing to be beaten by a 0-15 team at home, right? Anyway, I come into work this morning to find out that the Lions fired their head coach.

This was not an unexpected move by any means. After all, it's usually the head coach (or executive in the case of a business) that gets the ax for bad performances. I mean, sure, they are supposed to come up with the game plan and help develop and lead the team, but I just have to ask, "What about the rest of the team?" You know, the ones that are hired and trusted to implement and carry out the plan?

I've always heard that you're only as good as your team. Sure, a great coach or manager can add to that team, but at some point it comes down to whether the team makes things happen. I'd guess that in most successful businesses, you'll find teams getting the job done. And when the team isn't getting it done? Well, you could say that someone ends up 0-16 and out of a job.

Top 5 Retail Design Trends for 2009: Value Engineering

The office is buzzing with excitement. Sure, most of it is for the impending holidays, but this blog editor thinks that a little bit of that enthusiasm is due to The Dadson Diaries reaching that pinnacle that is its 100th post. And what better way to celebrate the milestone than by revealing our final trend in our "Top Retail Design Trends for 2009" list?! We've covered flexibility, sustainability, and authenticity. This last one doesn't end in -ty, but it's a biggie: value.

#1: Value Engineering
One other big factor -perhaps the biggest given today's chilly economic climate- that we see affecting retail design and displays is value. Retailers will be seeking additional value for the money they spend. Value engineering isn't new to the scene by any means, but we hear it being brought up in more conversations heading into 2009.

Designers and manufacturers have and will continue to respond in a number of ways. To start, we'll continue to see more modular roll outs. The ease of repetition and consistency of design will be appealing because of the additional efficiency that can be built into the program once it gets started. Secondly, we'll see materials being substituted for more cost-effective alternatives that still offer the same appeal and integrity. This could very well be the year for laminate and veneer, both of which have stepped up their games in recent years to become viable candidates for a wide range of projects. Solid surface and acrylic are also likely to enter the fray as substitutes for more expensive options.

And there you have it, folks. Our picks for the top 5 trends to watch for in 2009. Any thoughts on our list? Leave a comment.


In celebration of our trend list's completion -and also because it's Christmas vacation- The Dadson Diaries is taking Thursday off. Worry not; we'll be back with a new post Monday. Happy Holidays, everybody!

Top 5 Retail Design Trends for 2009: Authenticity (& the Story)

Christmas is just a week away and we've reached the fourth trend in our "Top 5 Design Trends for 2009" list. The first three trends we wrote about focused on flexibility and sustainability. Now we move onto another important -ity word for the New Year: authenticity.

#2: Authenticity (& the Story)
Consumers have become skeptics -especially as of late with reports of "greenwashing," food and product recalls, and executive greed among other things. In the coming year, people will be looking for brands they can trust and connect with.

One of the strongest ways to connect with consumers is through their emotions, and one of the best ways to invoke emotion is through storytelling. Hollywood and novelists know this. Even marketers have caught on. Now it's retail's turn. Look for environments and displays to tell a brand's story. It'll be found in the colors and materials, the graphics and merchandising vignettes -little touches to make a brand believable.

Be sure to tune in Monday when The Dadson Diaries unveils its final trend pick for 2009...

Top 5 Retail Design Trends for 2009: LEED for Retail

Well, we've reached the half way point in our list of Top 5 Retail Design Trends for 2009 list. To get those who have just joined us up to speed, we started the list with Flexible Fixtures (displays and designs that offer store owners some versatility in configuration) and continued with Pop-Up Environments (which are proving to be quite popular this holiday season). For our next trend, we move from flexibility to sustainability.

#3: LEED for Retail
2009 will be the year that green gets certifiably cool. We've seen an increase in environmental and social awareness from retailers in recent years, but with the LEED for Retail program expected to launch in the first quarter next year, expect to see more businesses strive for certification. The new program takes into consideration the special circumstances of retail build outs and will offer two variations - New Construction and Commercial Interiors. This means that designers and manufacturers will need to acquaint themselves with the new programs' guidelines and create solutions that fit within their scope.


Think we're on target or missing the boat with our trend picks? Leave a comment and let us know.

Top 5 Retail Design Trends for 2009: Pop-Up Environments

In our last post, we introduced The Dadson Diaries' "Top 5 Retail Design Trends for 2009" list and kicked it off with a doozie: flexible fixtures. Flexibility is the name of the game for the New Year and our next trend ties right in.

#4: Pop-Up Environments
2009 will not only bring flexibility in fixture designs but also to the retail environments themselves is this next trend has anything to say about it. Pop-up stores and retail exhibits found homes in vacant store fronts, college bookstores, and established retailers in 2008, and as results of these efforts begin to come in, we see these temporary stores breaking out in 2009.

That means designers and manufacturers will have to start thinking in terms of the short-term. Taking a cue from the trade show industry, these temporary environments will call for portable pieces that break down easily -either to be moved to a different location or discarded. In another nod to trade shows, we'll also be challenged to communicate the full brand story in a condensed space without sacrificing impact or appeal.


What do you think of the list so far? Agree? Disagree? Leave your comments.

Top 5 Retail Design Trends for 2009: Flexible Fixtures

Last year around this time, The Dadson Diaries highlighted what we felt would be the top trends in retail displays and design for 2008. We've decided to carry on the tradition (call us sentimental) and created a new "Top 5" list for 2009. Starting today, over the next 5 posts, we'll reveal what made the cut.

#5: Flexible Fixtures
Perhaps it's the economy or something else at play, but it appears that retailers are looking to get more mileage out of their fixtures in 2009. Display designs are on a roll -literally- as more are being outfitted with casters. The added mobility is giving retailers the freedom to switch up floor plans with ease.

Another proponent of the flexibility trend is the addition of flexible display solutions themselves. Whether it's incorporating slat wall with its variety of available display accessories or adjustable shelving, these trendy design elements turn fixtures into one-size-fits-all display pieces that accommodate a wide range of merchandise.

---

Have a keen eye for design trends? We'd love to hear what you think the big trends will be in 2009. Leave your thoughts here and they might just be featured in an upcoming post.

McDonald's New Look

If you've been to a McDonald's recently (say in the last year or so), you've probably noticed some changes happening. It started with the roll out of new interiors and continued with the addition of the McCafe menu items. Well, looks like the fast food giant is at it again - this time taking on its packaging.

According to this article on BusinessWeek.com, McDonald's has begun what will eventually become a global roll out of new sandwich boxes and wrappers, fry containers, and cups "splashed with bold text and crisp imagery." As the article's sub-headline states, the new designs are "aimed at fortifying the brand and staying ahead of obesity concerns."

Ok, I can agree with the "fortifying the brand" part. While the basic design elements of the packaging will remain the same, the text and images will be tweaked to accomodate the local culture. Rolling out a unifying design worldwide ties back to the restaurant's global mission. Allowing some element of customization keeps it relevant to each county.

The part I have some trouble with is the last part, the "staying ahead of obesity concerns" part. The packaging will feature images of the menu items' ingredients as homage to the locally-grown food products McDonald's uses. Sure it makes the food seem more authentic. Still, these pictures do nothing to eliminate any of the gazillion (ok, I exaggerate) calories currently found in a Big Mac. Wouldn't putting some effort into making the food inside the package healthier be a better step to stay ahead of obesity concerns? I applaud the new packaging, but I have a hard time believing it will play a big role in changing a majority's opinion about the healthiness of the food.

The same can be said about retail design and displays. If you're finding yourself falling behind with consumers, implementing a new updated design might be part of the solution, but it's usually not the entire answer. You also need to look at the products and services displayed or housed inside to make sure they also move in the direction you'd like to go.

Bring On the Crowds

On most days, I'm thankful that one of Wisconsin's largest malls is right down the road. It comes in handy -- especially when you forget it's your friend's birthday and you'll be seeing him/her later that day. A last minute gift is never more than minutes away.

But then the weekend before Thanksgiving arrives and so do the people. What was once a quick in-and-out shopping trip now takes an hour or more as I circle the parking lot for a spot, battle through the crowded aisles, and endure the lines at the check out.

The reports are saying that Black Friday traffic was up, but that shopper numbers dwindled as the weekend continued. This surprised me considering the mall parking lot was jammed Friday through Sunday. Even driving by at 6:30 Sunday night, the lot was still pretty full. I expect the story to stay the same for the weekends leading up to Christmas and shortly after.

As for me, to beat out the crowds, I might just have to participate in America's newest holiday shopping tradition: Cyber Monday.

The Dadson Diaries Would Like to Thank...

Last year, The Dadson Diaries listed that we were thankful for the new M&Ms dispenser and those that donate to the 'Keep it filled' fund. Unfortunately, those donations have stopped coming in and Mr. M&M has been empty for a while now. With that, we feel it's only appropriate that we come up with a couple new things we'll be giving thanks for this year:

• Our Accounting Department for coordinating a Thanksgiving potluck and our company Holiday party. Anyone who helps facilitate interdepartmental mingling and the consumption of tasty, holiday-inspired food is great in our book.
• The new Ricoh network printer. This thing prints multi-page documents lightning fast and with exceptioncal color and clarity -a godsend for anyone printing pages and pages of pictures that the boss took at a jobsite.

And, as always, we're thankful for our customers, who continue to instill us with their confidence, and all the FCD staff that helps keep those customers satisfied.

We hope you enjoy all that your Thanksgiving has to offer. Don't be afraid to eat too much. You can always burn off those extra calories by battling the masses to take advantage of those crazy sales on Friday.

Are You 'Hot' or 'Not'?

MSN.com reminded me yesterday that it's that time of year again and I'm not talking about the beginning of the holiday season or the dropping of the temperatures outside. What I'm referring to is that time of the year when People magazine indulges its female readers with its "Sexiest Man Alive" issue, which hits newsstands tomorrow. Invariably, this led to lots of talk of the cover guy -- Hugh Jackman won the honors this year -- as well as speculation of who else made the list. That was yesterday.

Today's MSN headline reads "From Hot to Not." Of course, now comes talk about those former sexy men that have let themselves go. Most weren't a big surprise -- Nick Nolte, Mickey Rourke, and Val Kilmer to name a few. What was a surprise was how quickly some of these guys had fallen from dreamboat status, including Wesley Snipes, who just 3 years ago was a featured Sexy Man but is now facing a 3-year prison sentence.

That just goes to show how quickly things can fall out of favor. This phenomenon isn't limited to celebrities either. It happens to businesses all the time, but the good news is that we can all avoid the "Hot to Not" decline with a little effort. People can exercise, dye their hair, get face lifts. Business, in a way, can do the same.

The key is to constantly reevaluate your business. Noticing a decline in customer satisfaction, market share, sales? You can either ignore the problem and become a "Not" or you can address it. Maybe people find you to be outdated. A store remodel, new product packaging, or a product line revamp might be just what you need to get back to being "Sexy."

News From F.C. Dadson's Construction Consulting Team

Since opening up shop earlier this year, our construction consulting program has found traction with F.C. Dadson's retail and franchise clients. Recently, our construction manager unburied himself from the blueprints and contracts to clue The Dadson Diaries in on some exciting additions being made to the department.

Seems our construction consulting clients have expressed interest in FCD becoming more "hands on" with their build out projects, and we've responded by adding preconstruction services and on-site support to our line-up of available services. Some new perks of the program include:

• Optional preconstruction services (i.e., estimating, scheduling, determining constructability)
• Contractor coordination and oversight
• Site visits by our Director of Construction
• Assistance with punch list completion

And these new services aren't the only growth our construction consulting program has seen the past month. We also added two new team members including Kyle McManus, a construction industry veteran and our new Director of Construction, and BJ Beier, a paperwork whiz and our new Construction Assistant.

Despite the shrinking economy, F.C. Dadson's construction consulting department is growing. To find out more about our construction consulting program, call Angie Borchardt at (800)728-0338 or email info@fcdadson.com.

The Greener Side of Wall Street's Bail Out

When I woke up the other morning to find snow on the ground, I was forced to come to grips with two things: 1) winter is coming and 2) the year is almost over.

A few months back, I posted an advanced warning to those of you looking to make every-efficient improvements to your spaces: do it before the end of the year or lose out on tax incentives. For those rushing around trying to find funds for last-minute projects, I'm happy to report that relief is here -by way of the Wall Street bail out plan.

Now you might be thinking, "Ok, Dadson Diaries, the bail out might make it a little easier for me to find funding for these improvement projects, but that's not helping the fact that there's only a little over a month left in 2008!"

Turns out the bail out plan, titled the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, includes a little thing called the the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008. You can check out the link for the full scoop, but here's a little bit of it I think you time-starved, money-strapped business owners will enjoy:

"Extension of Energy-Efficient Buildings Deduction. Current law allows taxpayers to deduct the cost of energy-efficient property installed in commercial buildings. The amount deductible is up to $1.80 per square foot of building floor area for buildings achieving a 50% energy savings target. The energy savings must be accomplished through energy and power cost reductions for the building's heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water, and interior lighting systems. This bill extends the energy-efficient commercial buildings deduction for five years, through December 31, 2013."

Also, here's a brief article on the topic that's currently featured on the BusinessWeek website.

Green Building LEEDing the Way

For the last Dadson Diaries post, I wrote about publicizing unique materials and practices. Now, I doubt that my entry sparked this conversation, but it appears that some of the top retailers and restaurant operators are choosing to make known their environmental initiatives through this article on the New York Times' website.

While the United States Green Building Council's LEED for Retail is still in the pilot program stage, that's not stopping a growing number of retail and restaurant operators from seeking either particial or full LEED certification. Good news for retailers (what with all the energy savings and good karma) and even better news for Mother Nature.

For fixture manufacturers like F.C. Dadson, this LEED certification wave has implications as well. Not only are we seeing more and more requests for green materials, but this has the potential to change the way we run our businesses, affecting everything from the suppliers we use to how we produce and deliver our products.

I guess it sort of equates to the retailers' decision to build green. Is the initial investment worth it in the long run and can we afford the upfront costs? If today's focus on the environment is any indication as to what tomorrow's retail and restaurant operators will value -and most would predict it will be, the majority of us in the supply chain will have some serious decisions to make.

My Unusual Paperweights

A few months back, our construction manager was researching recycled glass countertops for a prospective client F.C. Dadson was wooing at the time. We didn't end up winning the business, but we were left with a lot of really neat looking countertop material samples -two of which ended up on my desk.

Not really sure what to do with my Vetrazzo samples (one in Charisma Blue and the other in Bistro Green), I just let them sit there. They got caught in the shuffle of daily paper work. Since then, many people have asked me about my "paperweights," sparking conversations about how cool it is that something like beer bottles can be recycled into something that beautiful.

Anything to start the conversation, right?

If you're a business using unique materials or practices to create your products, your retail space, or your displays, why not bring them front and center and to the customers' attention? My recycled glass countertop samples inadvertently became conversation pieces. Imagine the buzz I could have created if I would have publicized my unusual paperweights.

Are You a Scuppie?

While our server was down for maintenance this lunch hour, I took the time to tackle the pile of yet-to-be-read magazines that have been cluttering up my desk for the last few months. The first one I opened -the August 2008 issue of Display & Design Ideas- began with an interesting question: are we green yet? Editor RoxAnna Sway then launched into the relative greenness of retail compared to other industries. It was all interesting stuff, but what really caught my eye was mention of the word "scuppie" in the second to last paragraph of her column.

Wondering what the heck a "scuppie" was, I checked out the website Ms. Sway listed. Waiting there was a wealth of information, courtesy of Chuck Failla (author of the forthcoming The Scuppie Handbook), that will enlighten any visitor to what a "socially conscious upwardly-mobile person" is and what they believe in.

According to the website, a "scuppie" is:

1. "A person who desires all the best life can offer and strives for thos goals in a socially conscious manner.
2. One who is dedicated to the pursuit of peace, happiness and cash (not necessarily in that order).
3. Someone 'green' -- i.e. one who understands to love of money does not preclude the love of nature...and vice-versa."

While I wouldn't necessarily call myself a "scuppie," I'd say it's definitely applicable in today's society (I can think of at least a handful of people who would qualify). Think you might be a "scuppie" or intrigued by the "scuppie" lifestyle? Check out www.scuppie.com for more than a canvas tote's worth of info to get you thinking, delivered with enough wit to make you smile.

Extreme Target Marketing: Proceed With Caution

When starting a business, one of the first things you do after deciding what you're going to sell is figure out who you're going to sell to. Demographics, socioeconomics, and perhaps a few other words ending in "-ics" come into play. Sam's Club is taking targeting to the next level in a string of new store formats. Could this be the next big trend in retail?

The massive wholesaler recently announced the launch of a Hispanic concept called "Mas Club." The new stores will feature products and services geared towards a Hispanic clientele including a full-service meat counter, an event area, and a cafe that sells fresh-made tortillas.

Sam's Club is also hoping to cater to the small business owner with its Sam's Club Business Center -which made its debut in Houston- that features an edited product offering. Also geared toward the business crowd is a new, smaller format store slated for the Garden City, Kansas area.

They say you can't be everything to everyone. Going with that logic, being specific when defining your target market is a smart business move. You can tailor every aspect of your store experience -even down to the type of fixtures you use in the bathroom- to appeal to that segment.

It's a gamble to do this though because you risk alienating others who might actually have a need for what you sell. So I wouldn't suggest painting your entire store in shades of pink unless you're positive you can handle watching a good number of men pass up on your product or service offering.

Boomer Design

It's no secret that our population is aging. Life expectancies are increasing and the Baby Boomers are heading for retirement, leaving demand for "senior-friendly" services to go up. With the sheer size of this demographic segment, it could prove to be a very strategic move to make your business easier for this target to shop.

Last week, Retail Design Diva featured a post on this very topic. Turns out that Europe's population is in a similar aging state and at lease one proactive retailer - Tesco - is doing its best to capitalize on this market by developing a senior-focused store.

But what does a senior-focused store entail exactly? Taking some inspiration from Tesco, The Dadson Diaries came up with a list of possible design elements seniors might like.

• Avoid hard color and lighting schemes.
• Keep carpeting to a minimum.
• Use shelving and displays that keep products within comfortable reach. (If you need to use close-to-the-floor or overhead shelving, make sure employees are readily-available to help retrieve items.)
• Use larger, easy-to-read fonts for all graphics and signage.
• Keep aisles as wide as possible.
• Provide comfortable seating around the store for any needed rest breaks.
• Use fitting room and bathroom locks with simple locking mechanisms. (Small, complicated levels and knobs could be hard to grip and operate for some people.)

For a business looking to target a wider range of ages, these items could easily be integrated in a way that fits whatever design aesthetic you're going for; and even better, these are things that anyone could appreciate.

Independents vs. National Chains

An article in today's New York Times' Dining & Wine section serves up a pieces of sobering news: "Even restaurants that say they're doing fine... can no longer afford to play hard to get." Turns out, many restaurants are noticing more customers "sharing appetizers, buying cheaper wine, ordering less wine and fewer courses, or just not showing up as much."

As a result, these traditionally high-end eateries are being forced to employ some tricks their lower-brow cousins have been using for a while -the value menu and happy hours to name two. Guess this just shows that even "rich and lavish" isn't quite the same these days.

But I think the most interesting point the article brings up is which restaurants are better equipped to weather the storm: independently-owned restaurants or national chains. Those arguing that the independents hold the upper hand say that their flexibility to adapt to changing customer preferences will keep them from suffering the same fate as national chains that have recently claimed bankruptcy. Chain restaurants and franchises, on the other hand, have more hoops to jump through to add or change menu items or specials.

In the other corner, those arguing that national chains have the stronger chance point to their larger advertising budgets and sheer size as advantages. They can hold more sway in negotiations with vendors and have better chances of scoring prime real estate.

Personally, I think there's opportunity for contenders in both categories to win in the long run. As I've seen both locally and nationally, the big dogs AND the small fries have suffered losses. It'll all come down to who can best anticipate and meet changing customer demands.

What do you think? Small and nimble wins the race? Big and steady takes it all? Leave a comment.

Can Green Business Survive the Meltdown?

Over the last few years, one of the largest trends in retail design -and in business in general- has been going green. With the public becoming more environmentally-aware (even the presidential candidates are placing a huge focus on energy this campaign season), we're seeing more and more businesses exploring green options. The cost for green products has come down, but they still can be significantly more expensive than other alternatives. Now that operating budgets are getting pinched, will all these companies still be able to justify the additional cost of greening up their designs?

In an article on BusinessWeek.com, Andrew Shapiro and David Gottesman attempt to answer that question by speculating "what will change, what won't, and how to stay the course" during the economic downturn.

While their article focuses on green business practices in general, I think some of their points can definitely be applied to the retail design world -the main one being that budget crunches will force companies to reevaluate their green programs to make sure they yield both short- and long-term financial benefits.

Thinking in the short-term, activities could include using high-efficiency lightbulbs and/or daylighting to cut down on energy consumption. The article uses this example from Walmart: "by upgrading the light bulbs in the displays of ceiling fans alone, the company saves $7 million per year in energy costs."

With top banks toppling, building consumer trust is important. Crossing into the long-term, being transparent about your green initiatives could put you more in favor with consumers as their concerns for our environment grow stonger (as trends suggest they will). It's one thing to say you're a green company, but it's another to actually explain what you are doing. Consumers are becoming hip to "greenwashing." Showing you're the real deal can only help in the long run -especially as far as retail design is concerned since green elements aren't always that obvious.

Innovative Ways to Support Franchisees

In the franchise game, the success of the franchisor relies heavily on the success of its franchisees. During these turbulent economic times, it's even more important for franchise systems to support franchisees. In an article on Entrepreneur.com, Adina Genn and Harold Kestenbaum explore some of the creative ways franchisors are cutting costs and finding financing for their most valuable players.

The Diaries was excited to see F.C. Dadson customer Kevin Brennan of Rock'n Joe's Coffeehouse & Bistro featured in the article. What's his franchise doing to help keep costs in check? According to Kevin, they've switched to a less-costly, but still appealing bread for their sandwiches as well as focused on training franchisees and employees to "maintain portion control and reduce waste."

Other ideas being employed by franchisors:

• Converting waste cooking oil into fuel for company vehicles (WingZone)
• Reducing store size and specifying more cost-effective interior finishes (Rising Roll)
• Ramping up online advertising (Kalologie Skincare) and using grassroots marketing tactics (CLIX)
• Becoming a Small Business Administration-approved franchisor (Synergy HomeCare)
• Producing educational webinars (Fetch)

That majority of these initiatives cost minimal -if any- extra money and seem like a very solid investment. Not only will current franchisees have increased confidence in the system, prospective franchisees may find you more appealing too.

National Boss Day

October 16th marks Boss's Day. One day a year where we celebrate "The Man" and "The Woman" and thank them for putting up with us throughout the year. We at The Dadson Diaries would be remiss not to recognize those bosses at F.C. Dadson that keep the company in line and moving in the right direction. That said, we'd like to give props to the following head honchos:


Collin Gruthoff - FCD President and fearless leader

Dan Dorchester - VP of Operations

Mary Teal - Controller and unofficial staff "Mom"

Dean Umlauft - Senior Project Manager

Angie Borchardt - Marketing Manager (& The Dadson Diaries' Editor's Boss)

Dave Farrell - Installation Manager

We'd also like to give a shout out to: Adam Hoffman and Dennis Neverman, our 1st and 2nd shift supervisors.

Happy Boss's Day! Relax and enjoy it (because we'll be back to bugging you tomorrow!)

MyAds

Small business owners, by their very nature, are enterprising people. It's a good thing too because, as we're quickly finding out, it sometimes takes a bit of ingenuity to keep the doors open when the economy is not-so-great.

Unfortunately when tightening the budget belt, marketing is often one of the first things to get scaled back. Maybe it's the marketing education in me coming out, but I'd like to say that just because the marketing budget isn't what is used to be doesn't mean you have to cut back on your efforts.

Almost as if to prove my point, I came across this article on BusinessWeek.com that talks about MySpace's new advertising initiative, MyAds. While the "proven-ness" of advertising on social networks is debatable, MyAds does pose and interesting opportunity for enterprising business owners -especially those with small ad budgets.

First, MyAds takes out the creative department and presents a do-it-yourself platform where users can create their own banner ads, set their own pricing, and select their target from MySpace's highly-segment-able database.

MySpace officially unveiled MyAds today and the newness might deter some business owners, but at least some of the companies that test-drove the program during its beta phase saw a "50% to 300%" jump in people clicking on their ads.

Granted MyAds won't work for every business, but if social networking is supposed to continue its dominance on the web, it might not be a bad thing to look into.

The Whopper Bar

I was checking Ddimagazine.com and came across a news brief from Burger King announcing the opening of its new "Whopper Bar" location at Universal CityWalk in Orlando. The new concept is a "condensed and more contemporary" version of BK that comes complete with a "Whopper topper area" where customers can customize their burgers.

So, another giant is getting smaller to fit into tighter spaces. While it's too early to tell (the CityWalk location isn't set to open until spring 2009), I think this downsized concept will work for two reasons:

1. Convenience: the smaller size will allow BK to open in locations that it couldn't before, allowing more customers more access to the burger chain.
2. Customization: while BK has always been about having it "your way," the Whopper topper area will let customers make it their way themselves, adding a level of interaction to the fast food eating experience.

Not to mention the smaller size makes it a more cost-effective alternative to a traditional store.

With financing and credit tightening, it's not surprising to see that more restaurants and retailers are experimenting with smaller formats. Count the added convenience of being able to enter more areas and customers stand to benefit as well.

Design Thinking

Albert Einstein was a smart guy. So when he said, "We cannot solve the problems we have created with the same thinking that created them in the first place," he made a very good point. In order to differentiate our businesses, we need to find new alternatives. We need some "outside the box" thinking. In other words, we need some design thinking.

An NY Times article titled "Design Is More Than Packaging," describes the design thinking process as this: "While definitions vary, design thinking usually involves a period of field research -usually close observation of people- to generate inspiration and a better understanding of what is needed, followed by open, nonjudgmental generation of ideas." Each idea is analyzed and the "more promising" ones are combined and tested as prototypes. (In this sense, prototypes can range from text descriptions or drawings to more complex 3-D models and so on.) The winning ideas are then put into action.

In the retail and display worlds, we should be employing design thinking with every project we work on. Part of creating a branded environment or display is building something that sets the client apart from the competition. If designers rely on the typical solutions, we become one-trick ponies. Not only does design thinking help our clients stand out, it helps us designers and manufacturers stand out as well.

The article uses the example of a Saturn car dealership showroom refurbishment. Instead of reemploying the "touch of home" design elements that were currently being used, design thinking led the design firm to look at the showroom more as a museum exhibit than a retail space. Interactive elements were brought in, including magnetic paint strips that could be attached to the cars and large fabric swatches that could be draped over car interiors. Both designs were meant to create a sense of comfort for potential buyers and both do -in very different ways.

And that's the kind of alternative that design thinking challenges us to find. The main question now is: are we -the designers and manufacturers- up to that challenge?

Halloween: Retail's Bright Spot

A night normally reserved for trickery might prove to be pretty treat-filled for retailers this year. According to the National Retail Federation's Halloween Consumer Intentions & Actions Survey (as report by ddimagazine.com), not only do consumers plan to celebrate the holiday this year, they plan to spend a little more than they did a year ago to do so. Some highlights from the survey:

• Total spending on the holiday could reach $5.77 Billion
• Consumers will spend an average of $24.17 on costumes
• An average of $20.39 will be spent on candy (a conservative estimate for my household)
• That ever-popular 18-24 age group will be the big spenders, averaging $86.59
• The most popular activities include handing out candy, decorating, and pumpkin carving (dressing in costume didn't break the top 3, but made a respectable showing at 35.8%)

It looks like Halloween is popular with the populace. This just shows that even in the middle of uncertain economic times, people still like to celebrate. And, as the article points out, Halloween could provide a little boost to retail, which is in the middle of a less-than-stellar fall.

So, if you're in the Halloween business, enjoy it. If you're not, I'd seriously consider finding a creative way to get in on the action. Pumpkin carving contest, anyone?

A Bright Idea

This month's Lighting Channel feature on VSMD.com offers up one bright idea: incorporating decorative lighting into store design. Pendants, wall sconces, colored glass, etc. all help to define a space. As Martin Robert, president of retail design firm Grid2, offers, a decorative lighting element "casts a warmer glow, provides a pop of color and really makes a statement about your brand."

Decorative lighting also infuses a little "comfort" into a design. In today's turbulent times, that's never a bad thing. By bringing in little decor accents, you can bring a little bit of home into your location. Without the harsh light and stark decor, you're giving people an opportunity to feel more at ease, encouraging them to stay longer. And we all know that the longer they stay, the more likely it is that they'll make a purchase.

Weighing In On Self-Service

I just finished reading an article from the October issue of CRM magazine called "Self-Service Is Just Less-Than-Full Service." As the title suggests, the article examines the flaws of wide-spread self-service -namely that customers see diminished values provided by companies and make more price-motivated decisions. Towards the end of the article, Lior Arussy, the article's author, poses this question: "Do you think customers favor self-service over high-touch, high quality service?" He says no.

But I'd like to argue that sometimes I do. For example, when I run out of milk at home and need to run to the store for a replacement gallon, do I wait in line to be served by an uninterested teenager or head to the self-service lane? Um, self-service lane, please.

Or when I'm at a gas station to fill up the tank, do I swipe my credit card at the pump or run inside to carry out that transaction? It might sound a little lazy, but I'll pay at the pump.

I use ATMs. I use vending machines. Willingly. For me (and I venture to guess a few of you too), it's all about convenience and simplicity. If the transaction is an easy one, I'll take self-service whenever it's offered ESPECIALLY if it means I can get it done faster. But if it's a more difficult process, I'll gladly seek out some help.

Weigh in on the debate: think self-service is the end of the customer service world as we know it? Do you loathe it? Love it? We'd love to hear about it.

Smell this!

A store visit isn't just a store visit anymore - it's an experience! It's not just shopping but interacting. It's not just touching but feeling. It's not just looking but smelling. Wait! Smelling? Really?

Scent is powerful. It invites us to come closer or warns us to stay away. It can make our mouths water or make us gag. Employing scent as a "marketing tool" is nothing new. There were scratch-n-sniff stickers and tester flaps attached to perfume ads in magazines. Lately, I've been reading a lot about how retailers are taking it a step further and hiring scent consultants to come in and create systems that will pump specially-created aromas into the air. The intended result? Creating a sort of scent ambiance that customers will find attractive and appealing.

Considering the immense power of the nose, it's nice to see that it's starting to get some recognition from retailers and their store designers. I'm all for it, but I would suggest using a bit of caution when pumping scents into a store. Subtlety is the name of the game. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Overpowering scents, though they may not be foul, can be irritating to sensitive smellers.

Location, Location, Location!

If one thing's certain in real estate these days, it's that it's all about location. For a retailer, securing the right location could be the difference between making it and breaking it.

With available real estate at an almost all-time high, how can you be sure you're picking the right space for your shop? I'd say checking out BusinessWeek.com is a great way to start because if you do, you would have come across this article about finding the perfect retail location.

In case you missed it, here are some highlights:

• The type of product or service you're selling should be considered when selecting a location. Is it more commonplace with a lot of competition or is it a specialty item? This determines how much of a "destination" your store becomes and influences how far consumers would be willing to travel to get there.
• Your target market should also influence where you set up shop. Demographic information is available from a wide number of sources. Using this info, you can find where your target market lives.
• Budget should factor in as well. Whatever you have to spend on rent is money that you can't spend in other areas like advertising.

Location is really important. So much so that some franchise systems even help their franchisees select prime real estate. But if you're winging it on your own, there are a variety of resources out there, consultancies that will not only help you select your real estate, but also help you through LOI and lease negotiations. A great location and beneficial lease can pay you back in dividends, so the extra money upfront generally proves to be totally worth it in the end.

Green Graphics

When talking about green store and display design, a lot of emphasis gets placed on the construction materials and finishes that are used. Graphics can be easily overlooked , but they really shouldn't be. I mean, graphics get changed out quite a bit more than the rest of the design elements; and discarded graphics stand to take up just as much room in a landfill somewhere.

Luckily for those interested in greening up their graphics programs, printers are now offering a variety of options from biodegradable and recyclable substrates to soy-based inks and more. Depending on the application, chances are there is an environmentally-friendly solution out there.

That's SO Overrated

Be honest. We all have that list of things that we secretly think are overrated. A few brave people over at WalletPop decided to out their top 25 list of overrated things in America. Did any of your list make theirs? I know I found a few of mine on there...complete with some pretty entertaining commentary too.

So, how does a product, store, person, etc. earn the tag "overrated" in the first place? Well, presenting something that's already been seen or creating an idea that can be easily-copied and thusly becomes overkill are pretty much guaranteed ways to get on the list. Not living up to expectations or failing to keep promises is another way. Putting on a front, being over-hyped, and not providing enough value for the money are as well.

How can we keep from being deemed "overrated"? Be original. Be personal. Be reliable. But most importantly, make promises and keep them.

F.C. Dadson's New Incentive Program

Some exciting news has been floating about the F.C. Dadson office the last few weeks. Now that the official press release has gone out, I would surely be remiss not to share it here at the Diaries.

F.C. Dadson has launched a new veterans incentive program for our franchise clients. Wanting a way to recognize those that have served our country, we've created a program that offers discounts on product orders placed by franchise owner who were members of the military.

To qualify, franchisees must be honorably-discharged members of the United States armed forces. They must also be a part of a franchise system that is an active participant in the International Franchise Association's VetFran program. This discount, assessed on a store-by-store basis, will be applied to the total cost for complete store orders.

FCD president, Collin Gruthoff, has this to say: "F.C. Dadson likes to support our franchise clients any way that we can. With this program, we hope to help more veterans pursue their dreams of owning their own franchises."

More info on the Veterans Incentive Program can be found by contacting Angie Borchardt at (800)728-0338 or emailing info@fcdadson.com.

On the Road Again

How high temperatures can go from the 90s to the lower 60s in the course of two days is beyond me, but the good ol' Wisconsin weather reminds me that the lull of summer is over. It's trade show time!

Airfare has been high all summer, but for some convention cities, it's becoming downright painful as exhibition halls begin filling up again. And don't even get me started on hotels. For this travel arranger on a budget, making reservations has become quite the chore.

It starts in Seattle, the site of our first show of the fall season. Coffee Fest Seattle, Sept. 12-14, serves up 3 full days of seminars, networking, and a barista competition. Attending the show and in search of some highly-caffeinated fun? Check out F.C. Dadson's booth, #204.

From there we go cross-country to our nation's capital for Franchise Appreciation Day. Sponsored by the International Franchise Association and running Sept. 14-17, this event gives us the opportunity to express the importance of franchising to our representatives. Watching the Democratic and Republican national conventions has left us feeling political, but even more important than that, we couldn't pass on this opportunity to throw our support behind our franchise clients.

The end of September finds us a little closer to home with the Franchise Development & Leadership Conference, Sept. 24-26, in Chicago. Always fun to catch up with the franchising crowd, this year's show finds us even more excited as our very own Larry Myer returns to the stage as a shreddin' guitarist for the Franchise All-Star Band, which makes its debut at the show's STAR Banquet.

Whew! And that's just September. It makes me tired just thinking about it...

Going to any of these events? Leave us a comment and we'll see you there!

Literally a Store in a Box

It's no secret that construction costs are on the rise. But an antidote to these rising costs might just be the industry's best-kept secret... until now.

MSN ran an article last week about an unusual material that's being experimented with by architects and builders in the residential market -- steel shipping containers. What a novel idea! Thousands of these containers are sitting vacant in shipping yards around the country. Why not turn them into something functional?

Some benefits of using shipping containers in new construction:
Reduced costs: according to the article, you could save up to $100 per square foot over traditional construction.
Speedier turn-around: resembling building blocks, the containers are easier to assemble on site.
Improved stability: heavy gauge steel provides a sturdy frame.
Eco-friendly: reusing a recyclable material is always a good thing.

The verdict is still out as to whether this trend will really take off, but for retailers looking for an unconventional solution to expensive construction, this might be the way to go.

Do-It-Yourself Restaurants

For me, when it comes to eating out, the less work I have to put into the meal, the better. There is, however, a growing population of people who prefer to get more involved in the dining out process.

Dubbed "anti-restaurants" by the New York Times, amateur restaurateurs are opening up shop in homes and apartments across America and serving original dishes to small gatherings. Some dining clubs, like the first described in the Times article (link above), even go so far as to create an environment for guests to get involved in the food-making fun.

Despite the popularity, the future of the underground dining scene remains up in the air. As more people find out about these rogue eateries, they become more vulnerable to being found out by health departments and being forced to shut down.

Now, the Diaries doesn't condone illegal operations, but these underground restaurants do pose an interesting thought -- why not offer a way for customers to get more involved and be creative in a store? These anti-establishments as well as the rise in popularity of meal prep kitchens and other hands-on concepts show that people are not only up to, but welcome a challenge. Childrens stores like Build-A-Bear Workshop and Club Libby Lu have figured it out. Isn't it time the adults get a place to play?

A Store In A Store

Last Thursday I posted about big ideas in retail. While searching for fodder for this post, I think I might have stumbled across one to add to the list –pop-up stores. It feels like I am constantly hearing about a store in a store popping up somewhere. Just this last week I read about two more (Warner Bros. in a Virgin Megastore and Collette in a Gap space). While pop-up stores aren’t quite on the same par yet as the monumental innovations that were included on the list, I think it’s fair to say that these smaller, generally temporary environments are only going to gain in popularity as larger retailers and department stores continue to add celebrity and luxury lines to their offering.

The challenge in creating these spaces is how to effectively convey the brand message in a limited space. It becomes less like store design and more like exhibit design. Fixtures transform into portable show pieces and walls are often free-standing. Pop-ups need to adhere to guidelines presented by their retailer “landlord,” but still maintain enough personality to stand out and be recognizable. While a tough task, designers have stepped up to create some pretty exciting spaces that make a statement and move product.

20 BIG Ideas in Retail

When a person has a birthday, we normally celebrate it with cake and a few gifts. When a magazine has a birthday, a commemorative article is published in the anniversary issue. Display & Design Ideas (ddi) is no exception to the rule as they celebrate their 20^th, but instead of the typical tribute article, they give us 20 BIG ideas in retail that have evolved during their time in print.

Here are a few that made the list:

• Supercenters
• Retailtainment
• Online Shopping
• Celebrity-based Retail
• Open-Air, Village Centers
• Green Retail

For me, one of the biggest ideas to hit is that shopping has become more than buying products, it’s become an experience. Stores have become places to hang out. IKEA has its in-store restaurant. Home Depot has its how-to classes. Not to mention the comfy lounges, interactive media, testing stations and more fill the retail landscape.

Shoppers have come to expect more from stores and retailers have stepped up to the challenge. Now if only we all had a little more time to more thoroughly enjoy the experience.

Less Is More

Display trends come and go, and if VMSD’s International Visual Competition is any indication, visual merchandisers are now riding the “keep it simple” wave all the way to the bank.

As explained in an article highlighting the competition, now more than ever, people are constantly being subjected to messaging, whether it’s from their cell phones, the internet, TV, or in-store. Under the impression that people are looking for an escape from the media-overload, merchandisers are trading in the overloaded displays for simpler set-ups that deliver the same impact with fewer elements.

Just because there are fewer elements to create, that doesn’t mean that the job becomes any easier. Designers still need to get the message out in a way that is easily understandable to consumers. It requires an awareness of space and placement and enough confidence to resist the urge to add extra bits and pieces as assurance that the message will be understood.

But, as the article concludes, many retailers are reaping the benefits of the simplistic style:

“The cost, in money and effort, is generally worth it. Most designers and retailers agree clean and clear merchandising is a more effective visual merchandising method. “It’s easier to see,” says [Tracy] Lanz [designer director at Landor Associates]. ‘It’s the eye candy that gives consumers a reason to come inside the store.’”

The Importance of Communication

Ever have this happen to you: Your boss hands you a project. You’re given no direction and are essentially let out on your own to get the project done. It’s a pretty exciting feeling, isn’t it? Experiencing that sense of freedom to stretch your legs and show your boss what you’re capable of.

It comes time to present your work on the project. It’s perfect except it’s not quite feasible for one reason or another (budget, time frame, etc.). If only you had that information at the beginning, right? Now that ‘pretty excited’ feeling gives way to utter frustration. I have a feeling some of you know what I’m talking about.

With all the hands involved on a retail construction project, effective communication is paramount to get the job done well and right. Not only do all the pieces of important information (i.e., budget, time frame, etc.) need to be vocalized, but everyone needs to be speaking the same language. Design speak is different from construction speak. A great design that can’t be executed is essentially a waste of time and talent.

To keep everyone on the same page:

• Create and communicate the goals for the project upfront to everyone involved
• Schedule regular meetings to make sure everyone is on track
• Implement a program that will monitor the project’s process and immediately flag any discrepancies
• Ask for clarification when needed

Here’s a great article featured in BusinessWeek about what happens when there is a breakdown communication. Keep talking and avoid letting it happen to you.

Rooting for the Underdog

With the Olympics in full-swing, it’s hard not to get into the spirit of things. I’ve always been a fan of the games, cheering on the USA in everything from gymnastics to water polo. Of course there are the celebrities (Kobe Bryant) and the powerhouses (Michael Phelps). There are the underdogs too. And, if the men’s 4x100m free relay results teach us anything, these are the ones to watch out for.

(For those not in the loop, the French were favored to win the event –even with the U.S. putting together a “dream team” of aquatic athletes (including Mr. Phelps) to challenge them. In the days leading up to the event, members of the French team were quoted as saying they were going to crush the Americans. Even the announcers, two-thirds through the race, were doubting Team USA’s chances for gold. Then, Jason Lezak did the unthinkable –he swam the fastest split in history and touched the wall first, capturing gold for the U.S. Check pretty much any major news outlet for more.)

Underdogs in the business world are a force to be reckoned with too. True, they often don’t have the seemingly endless resources like the market “celebrities” and “powerhouses,” but they know what they are up against. Plus, there’s nothing like being counted out before the race even begins to fuel determination and spark creativity. Obviously the stakes are quite a bit higher in business, but I’d argue that this just adds to the need these underdogs have to prove themselves. Once these businesses gain some traction, watch out! There’s no telling what they can accomplish.

Zoned Out…Or Am I?

It’s Thursday morning –a blog posting day – and I’m bored. Feeling a little guilty for zoning out, I frantically search through the day’s news trying to find something to kick the ol’ brain into gear. Unfortunately, it seems like the biggest news is that Brett Favre has been traded to the New York Jets, and that doesn’t do much to pique my interest.

Becoming desperate, I hit up previous days’ headlines and I find this in the New York Times: “You’re Bored, but Your Brain Is Tuned In.” How is that even possible? Turns out that my brain is still working away even when it seems like I’m not all here. “Some experts say that people tune things out for good reasons, and that over time boredom becomes a tool for sorting information — an increasingly sensitive spam filter,” Benedict Carey, the article’s author writes. An internal spam filter seems pretty cool, but it gets better: “In various fields including neuroscience and education, research suggests that falling into a numbed trance allows the brain to recast the outside world in ways that can be productive and creative at least as often as they are disruptive,” Carey continues. That’s not a bad nugget of information to have the next time the boss catches me staring off into space. Who’s to say I’m not coming up with a clever solution to a nagging problem? Don’t know if they’ll buy it, but it’s worth a shot!

The article has a lot of other interesting tidbits about a seemingly uninteresting state of being. If you’re a little bored, reading it could remedy the situation. After all, boredom consists of “frustrated, restless moments,” and that makes it “a state that demands relief.”

“Yes, it’s possible: here’s how”

Carbon footprint? 10 years ago, I’d be thinking, “How can an invisible gas have a footprint?” Today’s version of me knows better. Words like “carbon footprint” and “LEED-certified” have infiltrated my vocabulary and increasing legislation and public awareness are putting pressure on designers, architects, and construction professionals to learn them as well.

Green building requires forward thinking. We know where we would like to be, but how do we get there with the tools available today? A non-profit group called Archtecture 2030 is helping find an answer. Two years ago, the group posed this challenge to the building industry: become carbon-neutral by 2030. Realizing this wasn’t a goal that could be achieved over night, the group recently released a white paper titled “Meeting the 2030 Challenge Through Building Codes” that provides readers with a list of code equivalents, based on existing energy efficiency requirements, that builders can use to help reach the carbon-neutral goal. Finally, someone’s telling us not only what to do, but how we can do it.

As retailers implement new design prototypes and open new stores, it couldn’t hurt for them to also be well-versed in this new “green” lingo. With the 2030 challenge and its endorsement by professional organizations and federal, state, and local legislators, we’re getting a little glimpse of the future. Green isn’t going away, people, and the more we can learn today, the better prepared we’ll be for tomorrow.

For those interested in learning more about Architecture 2030, here’s a great article from BusinessWeek.com about the organization and its founder, Edward Mazria.

Worry Worts: Tierney Says Relax!

It’s been said that worrying is like a rocking chair and that it gives us something to do, but doesn’t get us anywhere. Well, in these uncertain times, with all the reports of doom and gloom, worrying’s become almost second nature for the majority of us –especially small business owners whose stakes a little higher than the rest of us.

But, fellow worry worts, I think I’ve found a ray of sunshine by way of the New York Times. As we enter into the last month or so of summer, John Tierney lightens the mood with a list of 10 things we really don’t need to worry about as we try to enjoy the last of these warm weather days and last-minute vacations.

Some of the things that made his list:

• Your car’s planet-destroying air conditioning –no less efficient than driving with your windows down at 65 mph.

• Cancer-causing cellphones –no definitive conclusions linking cancer to the mobile devices

• The melting ice caps –turns out there’s more ice surrounding the North Pole now than at this time last summer

Just a little light-hearted read for the end of the week.

Where Do You Get Inspired?

If there’s one thing that I learned through writing for the Diaries, it’s that inspiration strikes when you least expect it. Sure, I have my list of usual suspects –news and retail design web sites- that I visit pretty much daily to see what’s new, but I’ve also become more aware of what’s going on around me because I’ve come to learn that I could get a story out of it.

While pondering what I was going to write about today, I got to thinking about inspiration and display design. Where do designers go to get ideas? I suspect that they, like me, are constantly on the lookout, but are there some “usual suspects” in their arsenals that they can turn to again and again for inspiration? Asking around the office, here are some places (and activities) that inspire us:

Window shop.
It’s important to keep an eye on what your competition is doing, but don’t be afraid to check out what’s being done in other product categories. There might be some innovative ideas that can be translated to fit your brand and product.

Take a hike (car ride or walk).
Nature is in, in a very big way. There’s a lot of beauty to be found outside –the colors, shapes, textures, but perhaps the most appealing aspect is its variety. Even if every designer picked up on the nature trend, it’s highly unlikely that any two designs would turn out the same. Urban dwellers need not feel left out either; the city can be just as inspirational.

Local art galleries.
Ultimately you want shoppers to notice the product; the display and graphics are there to emphasize this and add to the experience. One of the best examples of this “product first” attitude is your local art gallery. The art takes center stage. The fixtures blend into the background; and while you don’t necessarily want your displays to completely disappear, art galleries show you how to create displays that complement rather than overpower the product. Plus, the art can be pretty inspiring in itself.

Museums.
Read an article about point-of-purchase or retailing trends and you’ll undoubtedly see something about customer-product interaction. Engaging shoppers comes a little easier when there is some level of interactivity involved. It could be as simple as product sampling or as complex as touch-screen media. Not sure what to do? Why not visit a museum? Museums are in the business of captivating audiences and they do so in many ways. (Children’s museums offer brilliant examples as their exhibits manage to interact with an audience that has a notoriously short attention span.)

There are just a few sources of inspiration for us. What inspires you?

The Energy-Efficiency Bandwagon: Hop On Soon!

There are plenty of reasons retailers should look into increasing their energy efficiency – tremendous cost-savings, improved public image, good karma. Even after that convincing argument, there are still retailers out there that are looking for a little more incentive to hop on bandwagon. Well, here you are: the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

Two main goals of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 are to 1) increase efficiency standards and 2) reduce harmful greenhouse gas. To reach those goals, the government is placing strict requirements on manufacturers and the products they offer, some of which go into effect as early as next year. This means the discontinuation of some products -like most general-service incandescent lamps – that could leave retailers scrambling for alternative solutions.

Perhaps even bigger than the new mandates is the fact that the energy-efficiency tax deduction created by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 will expire at the end of 2008 and not be continued under the new energy bill. That means proactive retailers eager to make upgrades will be rewarded while procrastinators will miss out.

If the government’s going to make you do it anyway, wouldn’t you rather get a tax break for your efforts? I know I would.

Color & the Economy

There’s no denying that retail is heavily influenced by the economy. Decreased spending and a lack of consumer confidence are leaving many retailers’ futures in limbo. Here’s yet another article (this one from BusinessWeek) that foreshadows doom and gloom for the industry and even some retail powerhouses of recent times are closing stores (click here to find out if your beloved Starbucks is closing).

These connections are quite obvious. Going through some notes I had from a past Dadson Diaries entry, I stumbled across another, more “subconscious” connection that retailers can actually use to their benefit – color. Turns out that, historically, changes in our economic cycle have affected colors and trends too.

A little nugget of history that I found in my notes –the Color Marketing Group’s color forecast for 2002 –begins with a reference to the economy and its effect on trends. Think about it. These forecasters were dealing with the uncertainty September 11 created and an economic downturn as well. Given today’s state of the economy, it was kind of cool to read their thoughts on design and color for tough economic times. Some highlights:

• Upturns and downturns change both the appearance and the use of color.

• In a strong economy, lively, bright, richer colors are popular.

• In a weaker economy, more neutral, practical, long-lasting colors are preferred.

• Palettes in a weak economy move back to traditional colors that give comfort and a sense of stability.

They also mention that a traditional, more conservative palette brings a sense of safety and that bright colors used as accents can “raise spirits and alleviate pressure.”

Certainly some interesting stuff and definitely worth consideration as retailers scramble for ideas to bring more consumers into their shops.

Grocers on a Diet

Are grocery retailers finding that bigger isn’t always better? It certainly seems so with all the giants rolling out smaller-format versions of their larger selves these days. First there was Tesco with its Fresh & Easy neighborhood markets. Not to be outdone, America’s grocery giants –Wal-Mart, Safeway, Whole Foods, Giant Eagle to name a few- starting creating their own “small-marts” and the trend was born.

Jewel-Osco is the latest to jump on the bandwagon with the announcement that it’s planning to open its own small-format stores, the first of which will appear in Chicago. Dubbed “Urban Fresh,” the new store will have a focus on fresh and prepared meals.

Some do it to create convenience for their shoppers. Others do it in an effort to fit into the cramped urban landscape. Whatever the reason, the future is looking smaller. And it’s not just grocery retailers that are slimming down either. With less space to work with, designers and manufacturers will be challenged to streamline displays and make smarter use of the space.

Lessons from Moscow's Summer Cafes

I thought that perfect summer days were hard to come by in Wisconsin. After reading this New York Times article about outdoor cafes in Moscow, it turns out Wisconsinites are actually pretty lucky with their three months of mostly marginal weather with a few standout days and occasional weekends mixed in. Summer in Moscow is a mere two months, but boy do they make the most of it; and outdoor cafes are profiting from their patrons eagerness to dine al fresco.

These outdoor cafes don’t sound like anything special: fairly simple construction on cramped real estate. They do, however, provide something you don’t find too often over here –roofs (generally made from vinyl) so the diners can eat outside rain or shine. Talk about catering to your customers. And the customers are showing their appreciation by paying the premium prices and stopping often with some saying they eat at a café every day.

Is there something you could be doing in your stores and restaurants to make the experience more enjoyable for your customers? Maybe it’s offering covered outdoor seating, but it could also be something like installing directional signage that makes finding products easier. Whether its adding convenience or comfort, chances are your customers will appreciate it and reward you for your efforts.

Our New Senior Designer

Fireworks are exciting. I saw some amazing ones last week and I’m not ready to let the excitement end. Neither is F.C. Dadson as they gave me some excellent news to relay -- a little “Dadson Diaries firework” if you will.

F.C. Dadson has a new addition to its design department! That’s right. We’d like to introduce you to Sandi Dahlke, our new Senior Designer. Her background includes earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and working as a store designer, visual merchandising manager and home décor buyer in previous positions.

I asked her about what she was most looking forward to working here at FCD and she had a lot to say. Learning about the manufacturing end of the design process, collaborating with teams, and getting to unleash her creativity on a daily basis were a few things she mentioned. Getting to wear jeans to work everyday also ranked high on her list. (I love that too, Sandi!)

She’s already busy at work, contributing to some upcoming projects we have. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with.

Welcome to the team, Sandi!

Unusual Sources for Financing

With financial institutions tightening their lending standards and the economy as it is, retailers have been challenged to find more untraditional sources for financing new stores. Some have stepped up with some pretty creative solutions, but I think this one takes the cake – selling off a palace of gold.

I admire Mr. Lam’s ingenuity. I mean, he crafted a toilet from gold as a tourist attraction in an effort to build his jewelry company’s brand and new retail operations. The golden toilet led to more golden pieces being added and a hall of gold was born. Granted, gold was a little cheaper then, but what a flashy showroom and sales promotion! And now that gold’s price tag is soaring and his itch for adding more retail stores is growing, the same things that brought Mr. Lam’s initial retail success are helping his dreams come true again.

Just another example of how thinking outside the box pays off.

I guess that about $64 million worth of gold has been melted down and sold off so far and there are plans to unload more if the price of gold goes up again. While they aren’t too discriminating about what goes, Mr. Lam says the toilet stays.

Top 5 Favorite Things about the 4th

High Fidelity was on the other night and for anyone who has ever seen the movie (or read the book even), you know that the main characters are constantly making “Top 5 Favorite” lists. So, in a nod to Rob and his crew, I’ve decided to put together a “Top 5 Favorite” list of my own.

5. The parades
Parades are not for everyone, but I personally enjoy the marching bands, floats, and watching kids practically tackle each other for the smushed Tootsie Rolls and other treats being tossed at the crowd.

4. The weather
This might not make everyone’s list, but for those living in areas where there actually are four seasons, you know where I’m coming from. Summer’s finally starting to come around, the temperatures are going up, and I can finally break out my shorts and tank tops.

3. The food
Is it just me or does everything really taste better when cooked on a Weber charcoal grill? Barbecues are great. Hamburgers, hot dogs, brats –a must-have for any Wisconsin cookout!, potato salad, noodle salad, any other type of salad, whatever as long as it’s on a paper plate being eaten with plastic utensils. Perfect!

2. The fireworks
Oooh! Aaah! A mark of just how cool a holiday the 4^th of July really is. I mean, what other holiday gets celebrated with fireworks? And if you’re a curious person like me, here’s an awesome explanation –complete with diagrams- of how fireworks are made.

1. The day off
Getting a day off in the middle of summer to do whatever I want is enough of a reason to love the 4^th. I can head to the mall and hit up the sales, travel up north and enjoy some outdoor time, head downtown for parades and cotton candy, anything. The day is mine.

Here’s hoping that everyone has a safe and fun 4^th of July weekend!
~ From all of us at F.C. Dadson

A Brand Wake-Up Call

After a long weekend of Canada Day celebrations and graduation parties, it was a little slow-going for me this morning. A cup of coffee, a birthday cupcake, and a few news articles later and I am feeling recharged. Was it the caffeine? The sugar? Probably, but for the sake of this post, I’m going to say that it was all this talk about revamping and re-energizing brands that I came across this morning.

In this article featured on Entrepreneur.com, John Williams shows us how to “spring clean” (i.e. update) our brands without losing the original appeal. While it mostly focuses on logos and marketing collateral, he makes some important points about customer expectations and consistency that apply to retail design as well.

The retail industry is far from static. It’s said that, on average, retailers update their looks every 5 to 7 years. The challenge lies in updating your look enough to remain relevant without completely abandoning the characteristics that your customers have come to appreciate and love. One of the first things F.C. Dadson will do when assisting in a redesign is observe how customers and employees interact with the current design and ask questions to find out what they like and don’t like, what’s working and what’s not. We use this insight to establish guidelines for the design process, telling us what needs to be rethought and what only needs a slight tweaking to bring it up-to-date and be consistent with the new look.

Wal-Mart is a recognizable example of a retailer undergoing a brand revamp. Advertising slogans, store interiors and facades, and now its iconic logo are being changed up in an effort to re-energize consumer and public interest in the company. Know of any other revamped retailers? Have a favorite redesign? Thought of a retailer that needs a makeover? We’d love to hear it!

MOO-ve Over Boring Business Cards

So, I’ve come to the realization that I am not an innovator. I was having this conversation about vacuum cleaners with a friend of mine and we got to talking about how cool a guy like James Dyson is. I mean, he basically re-invented the vacuum. He took something that he wasn’t 100% impressed with and made it better. It took him hundreds of tries, but he got it.

My mind just doesn’t think like that. When it comes to everyday things like vacuum cleaners, I accept them for what they are. Take business cards, for example. The stack I have in my desk drawer is full of different colors and different fonts. Some are glossy, others are printed on recycled paper. But they are all the same size. I’ve come to accept that this is the acceptable size for business cards. I’ve also come to accept each person’s card order comes with just one design. But another innovator, a man by the name of Richard Moross, has me second-guessing.

Checking out Enterpreneur.com like I do every Thursday morning, I stumbled across this article about Moo, a printing company that is breaking the stereotype with every business card it prints. Working off the premise that traditional business cards weren’t giving people a proper platform for promoting personal websites and blogs, he came up with the idea of the MiniCard, a pint-sized card that allowed people to promote their online identities. To make the idea even sweeter, each card in the 100-card set could feature a different photo from the card creator’s personal collection.

I thought the MiniCard was pretty cool, but Moo’s capabilities don’t stop there. You can personalize stickers, notecards, greeting cards, post cards, even gift certificates. And for those traditionalists, the company recently announced that it is going to start printing standard-sized business cards.

Looking for a way to make your company stand out? This could be just the thing to get you noticed.