Image via Jen Burton

This fair skinned blonde loves a good Pale and Strong Ale. Heck, throw in a Stout for dessert, and I’m set. Clearly I’m not alone in my love, especially in Columbus, where the beer snobbery and hop demands are in full force. We have also seen this passion in some of our current clients and others from grocery to restaurants to specialty retail. If I had to guess, and in simple terms, I think we started to drink our way out of some tough economic times. And, maybe, just maybe, we are celebrating some better horizons now. I have highlighted some of the best new local spots for both selection and design.

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Offering healthy options isn’t just good business, it’s profitable. In 2012, restaurant chains providing lower-calorie food offers demonstrated superior same-store sales growth and increased customer traffic, according to a report from The Hudson Institute. We’ve noticed a few emerging concepts successfully serving up healthy fare.

Image via philadelphia.foobooz.com

Sweetgreen, a fast-casual concept serving salads, wraps and frozen yogurt, was developed in 2008 by three Georgetown college students who were frustrated with the lack of healthy options available on campus. They wanted to create a concept that provided local, organic food at an affordable price in a cool environment—better yet, a sustainable environment. Sweetgreen offsets 100% of their energy with wind energy and uses high efficiency equipment, 100% plant-based compostable packaging and furniture made from reclaimed woods. They even compost food scraps in their kitchens, and in some stores, they’ve added solar panels on the roof. This farm-to-table salad shop is growing in popularity with a total of 16 locations spanning the northeast.

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Image via LYFE Kitchen

LYFE Kitchen (an acronym for “Love Your Food Everyday”) was created in 2011 by former McDonald’s chief operating officer Mike Roberts, and offers consumers freshly prepared, healthy foods in a quick-service setting. The menu features items that are made with organic and local ingredients and tally a mere 600 calories or less. When it comes to sustainability the menu is not the only focus; building materials include furniture made from recycled milk cartons and tables made of bamboo and salvaged wood. One of the signature elements in the space is an indoor herb wall featuring the various herbs that are found in the meals, including chives, basil, sage and thyme. Roberts is aiming to franchise the concept and make it as accessible as the Golden Arches that are found on most street corners.

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Image via Starbucks

Starbucks, the brand that successfully created the “third place,” saw an opportunity to cater to consumers beyond coffee. The brand identified the cold-crafted juice segment as a huge opportunity in the market for the health-minded consumer. In 2011, they purchased the brand Evolution Fresh and created four retail locations offering cold-pressed juices as well as wraps, salads, soups and more. The stores utilize mostly white and neutrals, which allows the vibrancy of the vegetables and their ingredients to stand out through imagery and packaging. A beacon of the space is their “tap wall” with eight spigots offering a variety of juice flavors that can be enjoyed individually or blended together for a custom creation. The brand encourages consumers to “Drink It All In” and “Squeeze Life.”

Adding a social element to the retail environment creates an opportunity to develop a deeper, more personal relationship with consumers. One category that we’re seeing make great strides in this approach is the sports apparel and footwear category. We’ve watched brands evolve from just selling products to supporting a lifestyle. Lululemon, a pioneer in the yoga lifestyle category, has paved the way for many to follow.

Image via Reebok

Reebok recently made the move to capitalize on one of the hottest fittest trends of the moment, CrossFit. For those not familiar with CrossFit, it’s a high-intensity workout that incorporates such activities as weightlifting, powerlifting, kettlebells, medicine balls and box jumps. You can check out this Reebok CrossFit video to see more of what it’s all about.

Image via psfk.com

As the title sponsor for the annual CrossFit Games, it makes sense why Reebok would want to bring that energy into a retail space. The Reebok CrossFit store on Fifth Avenue combines the retail and gym experience. The main level, referred to as the “Fit Hub,” offers product for every skill level and expert staff to help you find the product right for you.

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Image via facebook.com/GoSproutIt

I have a friend who has always had the best garden; throughout the summer her yard and kitchen are filled with fresh herbs and vegetables that cannot be beat by anything bought from the grocery store. I have always been a little envious of her green thumb but never had the confidence to try out my own. Lucky for me, and everyone else who has ever hesitated to start a garden of their own, she put her gardening and design expertise to work and created Sprout it; a web based app that takes the “guessing out of gardening.”

Image via Sprout It

Created by Sarah Bush, Matt Armstead, Brooke Paul and R. Brian Stone, Sprout It helps users to design and maintain their garden by guiding them through growing plans, planting tips and advice and notices that are specific to your garden and location.

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GlobalShop 2013 kicks off in just under three weeks, and the Chute Gerdeman team is looking forward to taking part in our industry’s premier event for store design, visual merchandising and at-retail marketing. We’ll be on the ground in Chicago from beginning to end, April 16–18, walking the show, meeting with clients, partners and friends, and keeping up on the latest happenings in retail trends and technologies.

CG takes the stage
Two of Chute Gerdeman’s creative directors will be on the podium for an exciting session that’s sure to be a hit. Join us and see how the consumer trend for healthier living is a leading influence on retail across a variety of channels.

“Healthy Lifestyles = Healthy Stores”
Wednesday, April 17 at 1:30pm

Chute Gerdeman Presenters:
Joanna Felder, VP, Intelligence & Brand Strategy
Bess Liscio, VP, Visual Strategy

Explore the cultural and personal dynamics that are making glowing skin and a healthy lifestyle the new must haves. Active apparel is becoming mainstream fashion—with high-style options that go from the gym to high street—and surprising new players are turning healthy fare into on-the-go fuel. We’ll explore how this trend is shaping retail from apparel to footwear to c-store innovation, and the consumer dynamics behind the movement. Join us as we highlight retailers who are shaping the trend right now.

CG at the Design Inspiration Showcase
In addition to Joanna and Bess, several other Chute Gerdeman senior leaders will be on hand in the Design Inspiration Showcase, including Denny Gerdeman, Elle Chute, Brian Shafley and George Nauman. We’ll be on the Expo floor throughout the week, sharing CG’s unique capabilities and industry expertise. While you’re at the show be sure to visit us in booth number 3030-I in the Design Inspiration Showcase.

Stay connected via CG!
We’ll be live-blogging from the show, with some on-the-fly observations and retail reporting from the Windy City! Be sure to check back to the Gerdeblog as well as follow us on Facebook and Twitter before, during and after GlobalShop. We look forward to hearing from you or catching up at the show.

Editor’s Note: As ever-vigilant trend spotters, we’ve noticed a few ideas worth keeping our eye on in the new year. One of the trends to watch in 2013…

The trend I see for 2013 is how augmented reality technology will bring a more accessible, personalized experience to the banking industry. Today’s banks and other financial institutions often claim in their commercials and print collateral that they offer their customers a personalized experience, be it through the branded branch experience, online technology or smartphone accessibility.

Image via TheFinancialBrand.com

I recently read an article on TheFinancialBrand.com that makes me think the banking industry will take a giant leap in 2013 to remain relevant and accessible by utilizing augmented reality technology to better create a signature branch experience. I predict we’ll see large brick-and-mortar branches begin to be replaced by smaller, more technology-oriented branches. Target customers will be those that still want the comfort of a bank when making important transactions or life-changing financial decisions.

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