Chain Store Age honors the winners of its 28th annual store design competition, which attracted entries from around the globe. Barbie Shanghai, which celebrates one of America’s most iconic brands, was awarded top honors, Retail Store of the Year.

In addition, there were 19 first-place awards and seven honorable-mention awards in the various categories.

The judges for this year’s competition were Johan Ahlqvist, director of store planning and design, David’s Bridal, Conshohocken, Pa.; Leo Clavel, director of store planning, new concepts and prototype development, Toys “R” Us/Babies “R” Us, Wayne, N.J.; Patrick Dooley, VP design and construction , Red Door Spas, Stamford, Conn.; John Duncan, adjunct instructor, interior design, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City; Navid Maqami, principal, GreenbergFarrow, New York City; Randall Stone, senior partner/director of customer experience and retail design, Lippincott, New York City; and Ali VanHorn, principal, Ali B Designs, Hunter, N.Y. (Judges whose companies submitted entries did not vote in their respective categories.) All the winning projects are profiled in this special section. All placed first except where noted. For additional photos of the projects and a list of related resources and supplies, go to chainstoreage.com.
By Marianne Wilson
 

International i To i

City of Dreams, Macau

Design : rkd retail/iQ, Bangkok

Featuring the most complete luxury sunglass brand assortment in its market, I To I has a modern, upscale look that complements the gods on display. The planning and design encourages self-selection and trying on – all merchandise is presented in an open-sell environment. At the try-on bar, customers can gather multiple frame options and then edit and select while sitting comfortably.