In this presentation from RetailSpaces 2026, Gabe Wilson, former VP of Development at WSS, and Richard Dirstein, VP, Creative & Innovation at SLD, share the two-year journey to modernize WSS (Warehouse Shoe Store), a neighborhood-focused footwear retailer. They explain how they overhauled the store’s “stack it high and let it fly” layout into a human-centric […]
Canadian consumers are officially facing reward fatigue. While the average Canadian signs up for 13 different loyalty programs, they actively use fewer than five, and a staggering 90% of loyalty apps are uninstalled within the first month. Jean-Pierre Lacroix held the floor at the 2026 Loyalty & Rewards Forum to share insights from his research
Loyalty & Rewards Forum 2026 Read More »
In our 2026 SLD Trends Report, we identify how nationalism is influencing the way people trust and choose brands. Shoppers are looking closer to home to find more meaning in their purchases. A recent poll reveals that 53% of Canadian shoppers are intentionally choosing local options, even if it means paying a bit more. For
Navigating the New “Local”: Nationalism in a Global Community Read More »
/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/walmart_casestudy_banner.mp4 FUN & Games Colourful connectivity in the toy zone CLIENT Walmart PROJECT Walmart Toy Zone RELATED SERVICE EnvironmentalGraphic DesignWayfinding THINK Walmart is the number one destination for toys in Canada. To maintain that title, the retailer asked SLD to create simple but impactful elements to transform the zone into a playful space. The experience
SLD is starting the year on a high note. Our design work for White Swan has been honoured by the 62nd edition of the GDUSA Awards for excellence in graphic and brand design. Presented by Graphic Design USA, the GDUSA Awards are among the industry’s longest-running competitions. Founded more than six decades ago, the program
White Swan Wins GDUSA Award for Design Excellence Read More »
We’re proud to share that our design work for Krema Yogourt has been recognized with a Good Design Award 2025! The Good Design Award is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious honors in industrial and graphic design. Founded in Chicago in 1950, the program is organized by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture
SLD Brings Home a Good Design Award Read More »
2026 brings a new set of pressures and expectations as global tensions, economic strain, and rapid technological shifts reshape how consumers interact with brands. In this atmosphere of rapid change, relevance comes from understanding the tensions people are navigating and designing experiences that bring confidence and clarity. In our 2026 Trends Report, we explore six
2026 SLD Trends Report Read More »
We’re excited to announce that SLD has been honored as a winner in the RTF (Rethinking the Future) Awards. This international design competition recognizes excellence and innovation in architecture and design. Our design work for the CQRC Flagship was selected for its bold vision and ability to connect brand and consumer experiences. The Rethinking The
SLD Win’s its First RTF Award Read More »
/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Progressif-casestudy-banner.mp4 A Progressive Telco Design Gen Z-focused store design moves the category forward CLIENT Progresif PROJECT Flagship Store RELATED SERVICE Retail Design THINK Since its launch in 2015, Progresif has positioned itself as a challenger brand in Brunei’s telecommunications sector. Within five years, the company experienced significant growth and set its sights on the next
/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WSS_header_v01.mp4 Best foot forward A community-driven brand walks the walk CLIENT WSS PROJECT Store Transformation RELATED SERVICE Retail DesignGraphic DesignStrategy /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WSS_04_v2.mp4 THINK WSS (Warehouse Shoe Store) has been serving SoCal communities for decades, building authentic connections within neighborhoods that were often overlooked by competitors. Looking to expand beyond their home territory, WSS wanted a new
The Brand Promise Think Blink Gap: A Comprehensive Analysis of Restaurant Chain Performance in the Fast Casual and QSR Landscape This joint study by SLD and The Customer Obsession Advantage analyzes 2,000 customer reviews across 18 major restaurant chains. It reveals that customer loyalty hinges on four key drivers and shows how the ThinkBlink framework
SLD is celebrating the end of the summer with an award from the 2025 LOOP Design Awards for our work for the CQRC Flagship Experience. The project reimagines the flagship experience by blending functionality with storytelling, creating an immersive space that reflects CQRC’s brand values while engaging customers on an emotional level. Established in 2019,
Design with Impact: SLD Wins 2025 LOOP Interior Design Award Read More »
You’ve likely seen them trending on your social feeds or lined up in specialty stores. The blind box craze isn’t slowing down anytime soon. But what is behind their viral appeal? Blind boxes spark nostalgia, deliver surprise, and leverage the Blink Factor by prompting quick, emotional decisions. They show proof of how a single, well-designed
The Gamification of Blind Boxes Read More »
https://www.sld.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/wireless_wave_banner.mp4 GET WIRED! An expertise-driven model for tech-savvy consumers. CLIENT Glentel PROJECT Store Transformation RELATED SERVICE RetailGraphicDigitalStrategy THINK Wireless Wave was one of the first Canadian telcos to offer a provider-agnostic concept that allowed consumers to match their ideal device with a plan that met their needs. Their brand promise was to offer the best
In recent years, branding has been all about polished storytelling, aspirational lifestyles, and curated perfection. But somewhere between the perfectly aligned flat lays and hyper-curated copy, something got lost: realness (a.k.a “authenticity”). Some brands are trading polish for personality, control for chaos, and perfection for raw, messy humanity. We see the anti-brand strategy commonly adopted
Perfect Is Boring: What Big Brands Can Learn from the Rise of the Anti-Brand Read More »
Healthcare systems around the world are struggling to meet the needs of patients. Governments hope pharmacies can fill the gap by allowing them to offer a wider range of services. In many countries, patients are accustomed to seeking out a pharmacist’s advice, often in place of going to a doctor. North American consumers, however, see
How to Successfully Offer Health Services at Retail Pharmacies Read More »
Color and shape not only catch the eye, but they also guide our perception and emotions. Together, these elements transform a logo into an icon, a package into a feeling, and a brand into a relationship. Studies show we process images 60,000 times faster than text, as the majority of information we absorb is visual,
A Quick Guide on How to Use Shape and Color Choices to Influence Buying Decisions Read More »
A new aisle for CPG brands has fragmented the path to purchase. As the line between social media and e-commerce gradually blurs, platforms like TikTok and Instagram aren’t just influencing buying decisions they’re becoming the shelf. With 34% of consumers shopping online at least once a week and 70% of online purchases influenced by social
The Role of Social Commerce in CPG: Designing for the Scroll, Click, and Buy Journey Read More »
Concerns about theft in retail have been mounting since the pandemic. What’s behind the shifting dynamics of shrink and how can brands address it? Design is only one element of loss prevention, but it’s a key component. Before we get into how design can help, let’s take a look at how theft in retail stores
How Can Design Help Retailers Reduce Theft? Read More »
Loneliness is increasingly being recognized as a global challenge. In May 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General went so far as to call loneliness a public health epidemic, further cementing the severity of the problem. According to our new research, 43% of consumers say they feel lonely at least some of the time – a staggering
The Connection Crisis: How Brands Can Bridge The Gap And Drive Customer Loyalty Read More »
