There is a certain magic to retail done well.
Because whether it’s a small shop, a major department store, or a multi-category big box, a great retail experience doesn’t just inspire you to buy, it invites you to feel something.
I remember that growing up outside of Chicago, when my mom and I would head into the city to visit stores along State Street and the Magnificent Mile. I can still feel the excitement of riding the escalators at Marshall Field’s, seeing the larger-than-life Christmas tree, being a part of the crowds, and hoping the day would never end.
Yes, these trips were about finding gifts for our family and friends, but they were much more than shopping. These were powerful experiences that created some of my favorite holiday memories.
Shopping has changed a lot since I was a kid in the 1980s. But what hasn’t changed is the feeling that retail can spark.
