What is Retail Design? Defining a theoretical framework

Abstract

The twentieth century saw the expansion of retail formats to meet the demands of economic growth, increasing personal income, wealth and consumption. Reflecting its origins, retailing has been dominated by western-centric approaches to design. However, a contrast has emerged between developing retail markets and those in the mature, developed world. In this more complex global scenario, the design of stores and their interiors requires a more detailed understanding of its contexts and relationship to theory. The aim of this conceptual paper is to meet these needs by explaining the tensions between retail design’s contribution to corporate branding and to the stores as social and participative spaces.