With 620 locations across the province, the retail network is a critically important expression of the LCBO brand. DMD is proud to have been selected as an agency of record with respect to all LCBO retail design services.

DMD is part of the team that creates a great shopping experience. We provide new and renovated store design and planning, lighting design, brand and design program adherence, review of barrier free accessibility requirements, bylaw compliance, project management, drawing documentation, management and archiving, and BCIN and building permit application and closure.

DMD’s disciplined approach and obsession for accuracy was key in it being selected by LCBO through a competitive bidding process. Our creativity, knowledge of construction, understanding and use of software technology along with adherence to time lines and budget constraints were also key. Foremost is our ongoing commitment to “play well with others”, be they internal or external team members.

To recap, here’s a list of things we’re looking for:

AutoCAD skills – Yes
REVIT skills – would be nice but not needed
Open minded – Yes
Likes hearing Gowan everyday around noon – Yes
Knows how to make a new play list – Yes
Jaded yet – No
Likes unrealistic expectations – Yes
Enthusiastic – Yes

Lastly, don’t apply if you don’t find this picture funny.

Please send your resume and a portfolio sample (or link) to ptravassos@dmdltd.com

The first iteration of the program opened in Victoria, B.C. just this week and those that camped out overnight to be the first through the doors were thrilled with the experience.

Congratulations to our friends at Princess Auto for their commitment, imagination and hard work. Thank you for the privilege of working with you in bringing the vision to life.

Check out the Princess Auto Facebook page here.

What Customers Are Thinking About

• 60% feel positive about the future but 55% feel worse off than prior to the recession.
• They are concerned about inflation and the economy. Therefore they are looking for ways to cut back including:
• Buying less impulse items
• Stockpiling
• Paying closer attention to prices driving less
• Making things, such as clothes, last longer
• Taking advantage of sales and coupons
• Shopping at discount stores
• Eating out less or eat at cheaper restaurants

Values
75% of Canadians are buying from brands that have similar values to their own.
Entrepreneurism
57% of Canadians are more opportunities for individual businesses to compete with big businesses.
Betterment
People are looking to improve themselves. 60.5% of Canadians agree that they are interested in learning more skills so they can be more self reliant and independent.
Thrift and Adaptability
72.5% of Canadians say they are happier with a more down to earth lifestyle. They are less materialistic in many ways and feel better for it.
Local and Artisanal
72.3% of Canadians will pay a premium for products and services that come from companies that contribute to the local community.
Cooperative Consumerism
71% of Canadians believe they can change behavior by supporting companies that do the right thing.
(From John Gerzema, author of Spendthrift)

What Retailers Need to Think About

Adopting Technology for the Customer to Interface with.
Mobile Interfaces, QR Codes, Digital Messaging etc. will all contribute to the shopping experience. Smart phones are growing at a phenomenal rate and are replacing the PC as the individual’s technology of choice. Customers want to use these devices in retail settings to source information, pricing and more. In fact 77% of them are already using them in the retail space in some capacity, they just need retailers and vendors to help facilitate.

Shift From Selection to Solution
Where customers wanted lots and lots of selection, they now look to retailers to seek out products that offer the best value and then make their choice.

Embracing social media at a pace consistent with the customer.
Canadian businesses have been slow to embrace social media and they are lagging behind customer behavior. Consider that Facebook claims to have provided more referrals to a retailer than Google and 1 in 3 Canadians access Facebook each day (the avg. Canadian has 190 friends, well above the world avg. of 130)

Consider the Social and Cultural Fit
Retailers must consider values and community in planning their brand activities. They need to consider how they will make things better and tell the story.
They must also develop strategies for being part of a smaller catch basin of customers and the local conditions that are required to succeed.

Creating a great retail experience
In a world of increasing commoditization, the in-store experience is the most critical customer touch point for a retailer and it therefore differentiates a retailer’s brand from competitors.

On February 26th, 2011, Euroshop, the world’s largest retail trade show opens in Dusseldorf, Germany. This event occurs every three years and is a must see for retailers and designers who are providing leading edge in-store experiences to their customers.

Trends and new ideas are presented both across an immense trade floor and in educational sessions. As well as store branding and design, attendees learn about energizing retail trends, technologies and products.

Several years ago, Mark Badhwar and Steve Hekman saw how beneficial attending Euroshop would be to North American retailers and associated companies. In 2007 they organized Euro-a-go-go, a show tour of like-minded individuals.

As well as attending the trade show, Mark and Steve plan a number of excursions to network and witness design “at work” in and around the host city. The trip will conclude with a tour of some of Berlin’s most inspiring places.

Having created the Euro-a-gogo logo and attended the inaugural trip, DMD shares their enthusiasm for Euroshop and is proud to be the Communications Sponsor for this year’s Euro-A-Go-Go and as well as a member of the tour.

The trip is fully booked for 2011 but check this section in March where we will be sharing just a few of the many things we learned while on Euro-a-go-go!

Euro-a-go-go will be on line shortly.

DMD (and Toronto East) as seen from the CN Tower, New Years Eve 2011, Photo by: Jacob Milne

DMD’s biggest challenge was that Yamaha needed the design in a hurry – so we hurried! Chris Seldon of Yamaha Canada said “Under incredibly tight time lines, DMD supplied us with a creative solution that meets all of our objectives. This includes presenting our great guitars in a compelling manner.”

That’s music to our ears. Thanks Chris, for the opportunity to work on your really cool project!