WD Partners

Ever wonder where the world of design is heading? We took a closer look at key trends and insights shaping tomorrow's spaces:​
1️⃣ Playful Innovation​
2️⃣ Simplicity in Design​
3️⃣ Bold Monochromatic Moments ​
4️⃣ Biophilic Design​
5️⃣ Unexpected Details​
6️⃣ Sustainability​
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Get the full scoop from Ambriah, Mat, and Miranda in a recent Wayfind here https://hubs.li/Q04zlJQk0

Today is World Architecture Day, and we’re taking a moment to celebrate the brilliant minds who shape the spaces where we live, work, and gather.​
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At WD, architecture is in our DNA. We were founded by an architect back in 1968, and that creative foundation still drives a huge part of what we do today. Just how much architectural talent do we have under one roof?​
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Out of our 545 employees, we have 179 Architectural Associates, that's 1 in every 3 associates at WD.​
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To our incredible architecture team, thank you for everything you do!​
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Interested in joining our talented group? We're hiring architects globally! https://hubs.ly/Q04zd5Dl0

Market tours with Hershey are always a good time! Yesterday we hit the Pittsburgh pavement, dividing up to tackle the market and gain valuable insights. Of course, we had to refuel the right way with a classic Primanti Bros. lunch.

Wrapping up summer the right way, with a remote DIY ice cream social! 🍦 Shoutout to Erynn and Cassady for leading our masterclass on layered popsicles, chocolate dipped bananas, and epic sundaes. A sweet way to end the season together!

Our team is still buzzing after checking out FS/TEC! Zach and Rob dove deep into the current state of foodservice technology, and their key takeaways hit right at the heart of what operators are facing today:​
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1️⃣ Integration is everything: Operators need new tech to plug smoothly into their existing ecosystem (POS, payments, workforce management, delivery, and more).​
2️⃣ Keep the "hospitality" in hospitality: Technology should elevate the guest experience, making it feel seamless rather than purely transactional.​
3️⃣ Empowering people: Labor is a massive driver for tech adoption, but it's all about helping teams work smarter, not replacing them.​

Thanks to the FS/TEC team for an incredible event!

Over the past three decades, we’ve had the privilege of designing 400+ convenience store locations. But what does that scale really look like in practice?​

From concept to construction, it means creating environments that accommodate an estimated 14+ billion gallons of fuel. That’s enough to fill over 21,800 Olympic-sized swimming pools!

Meta’s new Muse agent, which can compare prices and check out on a shopper's behalf, has shot to the top of the App Store with more than 2.5 million downloads in its first two weeks. Meanwhile, Walmart says customers who use its Sparky shopping agent spend about 40% more per order than those who don't.​
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AI is changing how customers find and buy, but as WD Partners' SVP of Strategy & Experience Design Jody Wasbro points out, the core objective remains unchanged: retailer tools must make the experience effortless and inspiring to drive discoverability and sales.​
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Walmart's results make the case: Sparky works because it connects to real inventory, fast fulfillment, and stores. For multi-unit brands, the opportunity is using AI to remove friction while keeping every touchpoint, digital and physical, worth showing up for.​

How is your brand thinking about AI in the customer journey?

When permitting is an afterthought instead of an upfront strategy, projects lose months. Getting ahead of local jurisdictions early is the difference between opening on target and sitting in review limbo.​
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See how forward-looking brands are taking control of the permitting phase in our Wayfind.​
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https://hubs.li/Q04y8Ls70

Our team is heading to Las Vegas for IRDC in early October!​
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They’ll be spending two days soaking up all things retail design, experiential spaces, and visual merchandising. We can’t wait to see what inspiration and new ideas they bring back. ​
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If you're going to be at IRDC, drop a comment or reach out. Our team would love to connect!

When AHF Products needed to showcase their diverse portfolio under one roof, we created more than an exhibit, we built a retail-inspired, hospitality-driven experience.​
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From a central gathering bar to an interactive Private Label Lab where attendees voted on prototype collections, every square foot was designed to drive discovery and turn foot traffic into real conversations.​

The result? The booth took home the Best Large Booth Design award at the 2026 International Surface Event (TISE).