Design for Retail

Part of the Gensler Monograph series, Design for Retail is a compelling overview of contemporary retail architecture, interiors, and branding. In her introduction, noted design writer Mimi Zeiger explores the issues that drive the design of today’s retail settings. Twenty-six illustrated case studies—ranging from stores for a who’s who of top retail brands to complex, mixed-use retail centers in locations around the globe—document how Gensler works closely with retail clients to deliver innovative solutions and create memorable customer experiences.


A global firm with a worldwide network of clients, Gensler knows the newly empowered shopper quite well. Even as the uncertain economy and rapid changes in technology rock the foundations of traditional retail, the firm employs diverse strategies to make distinctive environments that cater to contemporary consumers. As Gensler tracks the trends that are changing retail on all scales and responds to the needs of both the client and customer, four broad themes weave themselves through the work: place, technology, flexibility, and community. The overlap between each theme sparks connections and innovations—new approaches that apply to a global marketplace, even as localized contexts vary.