Spring 2007

10th Annual Visual Victories Awards

Our Winners

This year we received a record 1,000 photos for our Visual Victories Awards, which honor the retailers, visual merchandising professionals, and leasing managers who continue to push the boundaries of visual merchandising excellence for carts, kiosks and temporary in-line stores.

The Visual Victories Awards celebrate the best-of-the-best in seven categories:

• Best Cart Display
• Best Kiosk Display
• Best Use of a Prop
• Most-improved Display
• Best Store Design
• Best Store Signage
• Best Promotional Display

In addition to acknowledging innovation and creativity in visual merchandising, the Visual Victories Awards are meant to inspire you and generate ideas that you can use to draw more customers to your cart, kiosk or in-line store.

The judges this year—eleven industry leaders—didn’t have an easy time picking the winners, since so many entries showed originality, ingenuity and resourcefulness.

We salute all of the winners, and the runners-up, who put their blood, sweat and tears into their visual merchandising—and the results speak for themselves.

First, the Judges:

Debi Allison
Owner/designer
Deb & Co.

Mary Cipriano
Manager, Specialty Leasing and Partnerships
Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre, Ivanhoe Cambridge

Kristy Genna
Specialty Leasing Manager
WestShore Plaza, Glimcher Realty Trust

Jeff Hawkins
Vice President, Short-Term Leasing
Simon Property Group

Vicki Henson
CEO
The Henson Group

Steve Malkin
Marketing Director
Fun Feet/Relaxus

Debbie Mineo
Regional Manager Specialty Retail
CBL & Associates Management, Inc.

Denise Monahan
Specialty Leasing Manager
Glimcher Jersey Gardens, Glimcher Realty Trust

Karen Schubert
Director, National Accounts
The Mills Corporation

Nick Tillman
Owner
Earthbound Trading

Gary Yanosick
Vice President, Business Development
General Growth Properties

Best Cart Display

Retailer’s cart: Nature’s Gift

Retailer: Michael Pascal

Mall: MacArthur Center (Norfolk, VA)

Mall developer: The Taubman Company

Entry submitted by: Jenni Brown

Visual merchandiser: Robin Bliss
Green foliage accents add height and depth to this Nature’s Gift display while instantly conveying the product’s main selling point: natural ingredients. A deep, rich blue on posts, case bottoms and risers is taken from the product packaging, which unifies the entire display, giving the cart a vibrant look that attracts attention.

Retailer’s cart: Photo Be A Star

Retailer: Cynthia & Charles Minton

Mall: Jersey Gardens Mall (Elizabeth, NJ)

Mall developer: Glimcher Realty Trust

Entry submitted by: Denise Monahan

Visual merchandiser: Kat Contreras
The black-and-white color scheme—with red accents for impact—reinforces the Photo Be A Star concept: black-and-white photos taken onsite and turned into a variety of personalized products. The video screen captures shopper images and in an instant attracts attention as passersby see themselves on-screen and stop to find out why.

Retailer’s cart: Sticky Paws

Retailer: Tiffany Allison

Mall: The Mall at Tuttle Crossing (Dublin, OH)

Mall developer: The Mills Corporation

Entry submitted by: Jeanie Haddox

Visual merchandiser: Lisa Robinson
Designed to appeal to Sticky Paws’ best customers—women who love to pamper their dogs—this display pops with pink, taken from the Sticky Paws center-stage logo and repeated throughout the display for a cohesive effect. Black-and-white ribbon accents (also taken from the logo signage) tie together posts, case pads and backs, and coordinated cube risers elevate and highlight gourmet treats merchandised with domed cake platters that effectively convey the
gourmet nature of the product.

Best Kiosk Display

Retailer’s kiosk: Nice Nails

Retailer: Aleyda Echevarria

Mall: Madrid Xanadu (Madrid, Spain)

Mall developer: Ivanhoe Cambridge

Entry submitted by: Pablo Gutierrez
How could any shopper not notice this slick and modern Nice Nails kiosk? A variety of visual elements work beautifully together to catch the consumer’s attention—including bold color,
high-impact backlighting and oversized photos that draw the eye in and up, at each juncture showing the customer the end result—nice nails!

Retailer’s kiosk: Faces Cosmetics

Retailer: Ramesh Jolly

Mall: Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre (Vaughan, Ontario)

Mall developer: Ivanhoe Cambridge

Entry submitted by: Mary Cipriano

Visual merchandiser: Amelia James
It’s not easy to effectively display dozens of small items like cosmetics, yet this Faces Cosmetics kiosk manages to do just that. Attractive subdued lighting with a luxury feel, coupled with oversized photography and pink gift boxes serve to catch the eye and draw attention to custom displays that keep the product attractively grouped and organized.

Retailer’s kiosk: The Highlights Store

Retailer: Doug Landgraf

Mall: Polaris Fashion Center (Columbus, OH)

Mall developer: Glimcher Realty Trust

Entry submitted by: Rob McCoy
Oversized colorful graphics create instant brand recognition for this Highlights kiosk, inviting children—and their parents—to enter this well-stocked store. Plush elements draw the eye up and large signage overhead can be seen from quite a distance. Ample lighting highlights the products on display, most of which are kid-level to invite interaction.

Best Use of a Prop

Retailer’s kiosk: Knight TopLine Services, Inc.

Retailer: Greg Carpenter

Mall: Hanes Mall (Winston-Salem, NC)

Mall developer: CBL & Associates Properties

Entry submitted by: Jerry Jones

Visual merchandiser: Belinda Robbins
Created from heating and air conditioning ductwork, this is by far the most creative and eye-catching prop we’ve ever seen for an energy company (and most other companies!). The sprawling prop not only captures the eye (and from a great distance, to boot), but also reinforces the Knight TopLine Services name, creating a mental image that can be easily recalled after a customer has left the mall. Even passersby with no interest in the company’s services will be compelled to tap their friends on the shoulder and say, “Hey! Look at that!”—every marketer’s #1 goal.

Retailer’s store: Kid Concoctions Place

Retailer: John and Danita Thomas

Mall: Westfield SouthPark (Strongsville, OH)

Mall developer: Westfield

Entry submitted by: Michelle Sapara
Scary and fun at the same time, this prop bursts through the wall to grab the shopper’s attention and doesn’t let go! Kids and parents alike are sure to delight in the prop’s realistic detailing, which effectively conveys the store’s purpose: educational fun at its best.

Retailer’s kiosk: The Red Door Mercantile and Furniture

Retailer: Abigail and Russ Fowles

Mall: Mesa Mall (Grand Junction, CO)

Mall developer: Macerich

Entry submitted by: Kris McChesney
Old-fashioned charm is part and parcel of this half-truck/half-kiosk setup from The Red Door Mercantile and Furniture. In an instant the truck prop, festooned with wreath and Season’s Greetings sign, conveys the retailer’s theme: holiday ornaments and accessories that recall the simplicity and happiness of holidays past.

Most Improved Display

Retailer’s cart: Nature’s Gift

Retailer: Michael Pascal

Mall: MacArthur Center (Norfolk, VA)

Mall developer: The Taubman Company

Entry submitted by: Jenni Brown

Visual merchandiser: Robin Bliss
From a scarcely merchandised display where the product is lost and dead space abounds, to a rich and colorful presentation that pops, this transformation makes a world of difference. Before, there was nothing for shoppers to notice. After, bold blues picked up from the packaging make the product pop, and plant props convey the product’s natural-ingredients selling point—in just one glance.

Retailer’s cart: Avon

Retailer: Brenda Reasen

Mall: Muncie Mall (Muncie, IN)

Mall developer: Simon Property Group

Entry submitted by: Jannis King

Visual merchandiser: Monica O’Brien
There’s no doubt that Avon’s target audience will be attracted to this re-merchandised display, which uses a big dose of pink to appeal to women, and color photos to sell the Avon concept. Up top, the fans and a vase of silk flowers not only add more visual interest but take up a good deal of dead space.

Retailer’s store: Classique

Retailer: Tyrone and Kimberly Jones

Mall: The Esplanade Mall (Kenner, LA)

Mall developer: The Mills Corporation

Entry submitted by: Angela Adams

Visual merchandiser: Kimberly Jones
From drab and dull, to classic and classy, this overhauled in-line bears little resemblance to its former self. Fashion takes center stage in the remerchandised interior, with just the right splash of color to make the apparel come alive.

Best Store Display

Retailer’s store: Missha

Retailer: Sam Pak

Mall: Jersey Gardens Mall (Elizabeth, NJ)

Mall developer: Glimcher Realty Trust

Entry submitted by: Denise Monahan

Visual merchandiser: Kodesh II, Inc.
Clean and sophisticated, Missha’s recessed displays have a sensuous feel that’s complimented beautifully by bold photography to create a harmonious presentation of the company’s body care lines. Rich wood accents not only add to the luxury feel of the product but add a visual break to the minimalist white walls that dominate the space. A fantastic example of the limited use of color to create an eye-popping display.

Retailer’s store: KIS Golf

Retailer: George McGill

Mall: Opry Mills Mall, (Nashville, TN)

Mall developer: The Mills Corporation

Entry submitted by: Teresa Nicula
Fore! Customers can almost smell the fresh-cut grass in this mock golf course. Wall-to-wall color photography enlarges this space well beyond its actual dimensions, inviting customers to relax green-side, or pick up a club and have their swings analyzed at the store’s multiple interactive video stations.

Retailer’s store: Oolong Tea House

Retailer: Henry Jakl

Mall: Sunridge Mall (Calgary, Alberta)

Mall developer: Ivanhoe Cambridge

Entry submitted by: Heather Kane
Drawing from its product packaging, Oolong Tea uses deep browns to create a sophisticated look and showcase its gourmet fresh teas. Also taken from the product packaging, a logo projected onto the back wall creates an eye-catching element that reinforces the Asian theme.

Retailer’s store: Chocolate

Retailer: Peter Cullen

Mall: Complexe Les Ailes (Montreal, Quebec)

Mall developer: Ivanhoe Cambridge

Entry submitted by: Claudine Lavoie
Natural subtle accents in browns and greens create a sophisticated yet elegant look for Chocolate apparel and accessories. Open fixtures and an uncluttered main aisle allow the eye to take in the entire store from front to back with one glance.

Best Store Signage

Retailer’s store: The Pampered Palace

Retailer: Cynthia Stevens

Mall: RiverGate Mall (Goodlettsville, TN)

Mall developer: CBL & Associates Properties

Entry submitted by: Janet Church
Fun, funky and feminine, The Pampered Palace signage hits just the right chord to appeal to its tween girls customer base. Accents on the crown create the illusion of movement, while the yellow off-base typeface garners attention and the tagline, “It’s a girl thing!” leaves no doubt as to who this store is for.

Retailer’s store: Kid Concoctions Place

Retailer: John & Danita Thomas

Mall: Westfield SouthPark (Strongsville, OH)

Mall developer: Westfield

Entry submitted by: Michelle Sapara
Weird and wacky kids stuff sold here! The eyeball “o” and test-tube “i” add just enough oddity to the type to convey the store’s theme, yet are entirely readable. Squiggles on the “Kid” lettering create the feel of movement, and although primary colors are dominant, they mix well with more subtle greens and oranges to give the sign a more sophisticated feel than it would have with just a blue-yellow-red treatment.

Retailer’s store: Just Dogs! Gourmet

Retailer: Molly Keener

Mall: North Star Mall (San Antonio, TX)

Mall developer: General Growth Properties

Entry submitted by: Camilla Basse

Visual merchandiser: Edge Productions
A combination of deep and light browns strike just the right upscale tone for Just Dogs! Gourmet, while the center paw print adds a touch of color and fun to complete the brand’s identity. The store awning pulls from the logo colors and draws the eye down to the window display while giving the feel of an upscale café—this one for Fido. The tagline, “The world’s tastiest gourmet dog treats” says it all.

Best Promotional Display

Retailer’s cart: Three Rivers Whitewater Inc. dba Three Rivers Fun

Retailer: Joe Christopher

Mall: The Maine Mall (South Portland, ME)

Mall developer: General Growth Properties

Entry submitted by: Aylin Felch

Visual merchandiser: Rhonda Birkbeck
You don’t have to be a hardcore thrill-seeker to imagine yourself having a heckuva lot of fun taking the plunge with a Three Rivers whitewater experience—and that’s exactly what the company intended. The continuous-loop video invites shoppers to “Imagine yourself here!” and numerous props reinforce the theme and tie together the presentation in one cohesive thought: Have some fun outdoors with us!

Retailer’s cart: Patterson Home Improvement

Retailer: Rex Patterson

Mall: Orange Park Mall (Orange Park, FL)

Mall developer: Simon Property Group

Entry submitted by: Diana Kestle

Visual merchandiser: Diana Kestle
Patterson Home Improvement prides itself on offering the highest quality home improvement products and top-notch craftsmanship, and those concepts show through beautifully on this promotional cart. With dark woods, stainless steel accents and high-impact backlighting, this display radiates quality and invites customers to imagine what their homes could look like after a Patterson overhaul.

Retailer’s cart: Granite Showroom

Retailer: Narangerel Chogsomjav

Mall: Fair Oaks Mall (Fairfax, VA)

Mall developer: The Taubman Company

Entry submitted by: Susan Crusoe-Farris

Visual merchandiser: Robin Bliss
Custom-cut granite countertops are a key element on this Granite Showcase cart, and the center signage gets right to the point: “Buy direct and save money.” The hanging kitchen accents—the grater and colander props—reinforce the kitchen theme, as does the custom lighting that also highlights the product’s elegance.