 | | 
 Do you get The Gist? If not click here to sign up for it
| | Celebrating 20 Years with 20/20 Vision |
|
 |
| |
In celebration of Chute Gerdeman’s 20th anniversary, we’re introducing a new Gist feature—20/20 Vision. Twenty years at the forefront of retail strategy and design has given us a unique perspective on our ever-changing industry, and our trendwatchers are bringing you their insights—everything from consumer trends and hot new concepts to cutting-edge materials and great do-it-yourself visual techniques. We’ll include five great finds in each quarterly Gist this year. By the end of our 20th year, you’ll have 20 great new ideas—all to give you a better view of the retail world.
Who’s Still Buying?
Getting tired of all the bad news? We are! Here’s something to consider: people are still shopping. Moms are still buying clothes for kids (kids don’t stop growing and these moms have the grocery bills to prove it). And women are still enjoying little splurges (lipstick and hair color) and slightly bigger splurges like shoes and the perfect pair of jeans (will we ever stop shopping for those?).
Visual Blast from the Past
We’ve seen this a lot lately—getting back to basics with props, visual merchandising, and packaging. Using found objects can add flavor and interest. Incorporating letters into displays is a huge trend as well—so say something!
 “Your Message Here”
Fred Flare, in conjunction with the artistic duo something's hiding in here blog, set up a roadside marquee sign in their Brooklyn storefront window. Customers, blog-readers, fans, and friends can post their message to the Fred Flare blog page. The messages will be displayed on the marquee starting March 4 and 40 days thereafter. A company that lets you actively participate and be a part of their brand? Love it!
Community Ties
Building brand loyalty is beyond important, and what better way to start than getting involved in the community? Madewell publishes a monthly calendar that mixes promotions with fun facts to know including local happenings.
Visionary Material
We love Angela Adams designs for the fresh colors and nature inspired patterns used in everything from carpet tile to handbags to stationery. But did you know that Angela Adams now offers a line of sustainable wallcovering? Made with a non-PVC substrate, 100% post consumer recyclability, and low VOC emissions, this line has the benefits of “Green” wallcovering and meets Type II requirements. To find out more about sustainable wallcoverings please vist www.mdcwall.com
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| In Other News… |
|
|
 |
Experience Barbie® Flagship with Chute Gerdeman |
|
|
In celebration of Barbie’s 50th year, Mattel opened the first ever Barbie flagship store earlier this month in Shanghai China.
Partnering with the world’s premier toy company, Mattel Inc., Chute Gerdeman Retail has created Barbie-themed experiences within the first ever Barbie flagship store, which opened earlier this month in Shanghai, China. [More] |
|
|
|
|
 |
Let's Meet Up at GlobalShop |
|
|
As you plan your visit to GlobalShop, we would like to invite you to learn why Chute Gerdeman Retail is one of America's fastest-growing and most respected branding and retail design firms.
Please join CG’s President and Chief Creative Director, Brian Shafley, and Paul Currie of Hamleys, the iconic U.K. toy retailer, as they share the story of Hamleys’ expansion into the Middle East, Ireland, India, and Asia. The two are featured speakers at the session “Interpreting Your Brand Globally,” on Tuesday, March 24, from 3:00-4:00 p.m. [More] |
|
|
|
|
 |
Cheap and Chic: Store Makeover on a Budget |
|
|
WSA Today invited Chute Gerdeman’s Bess Anderson, Director of Visual Strategy to critique Pashmere, a boutique in Smyrna, Georgia. In the January issue, Bess offers suggestions on how to give Pashmere a fresh, new look on a budget. [More] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Chute Gerdeman-designed Logos Named Award-winners |
|
|
Chute Gerdeman’s logo designs for Swiss Farms, Shopko, Flippers Pizzeria, and the Association for Retail Environments were chosen as winners in the American Graphic Design & Advertising competition. The four logos will be published in American Graphic Design & Advertising 25, available November 2009. [More] |
|
|
|
|
 |
Katie's Top Five |
|
|
Read on as Katie takes us on a visual “blast from the past,” with these retro-inspired materials. [More] |
|
|
|
|
 |
CG at the Podium |
|
|
Denny and Joanna will be on the road this spring speaking at major industry events around the world. Check your calendars and hit the road with us. [More] |
|
|
|
|
 |
Q&A with Wendy Johnson
Senior Program Director for Barbie® Shanghai |
|
|
The Gist sat down with Wendy Johnson, Executive Vice President of Account Management, in its continued quest to get inside the creative minds at Chute Gerdeman Retail. Wendy joined Chute Gerdeman as the firm's first college intern and is now one of Chute Gerdeman’s most tenured executives. [More] |
|
|
|
|
 |
CG in the News |
|
|
Several Chute Gerdeman concepts have recently been featured in the news. Read more about Hamleys, Shopko, and Shopko Express. [More] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
