Today we’re celebrating National Mom & Pop Business Owners’ Day! Mom & Pops couldn’t be nearer or dearer to our hearts. Our recent session at GlobalShop, the largest store design and at-retail marketing show in the United States, incorporated lessons learned from the retailer perspective, presenting ways in which major retail chains could incorporate some big ideas.

More and more, real retail innovation is showing up around the corner and in the neighborhood at our favorite independent stores. Whether it’s an old-school “Mom & Pop” or a one-off new shop, small, indie retailers are showing the big guys how it’s done, and done well. And today, we honor them!

Did you know that small business owners, including entrepreneurial start-ups, franchises and Mom & Pop stores, are the cornerstone of the U.S. economy? According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there were more than 27 million Mom & PoP and other small businesses in the U.S. in 2011. These small businesses typically account for more than 60 percent of all net new U.S. jobs. In observance of National Mom & Pop Business Owner’s Day, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service is recognizing Mom & Pop and other small business owners with important tax tips and advice to help them achieve the best bottom line on their business and personal taxes. Click here for more information.

The recognition doesn’t end there. Let’s pledge to support these retailers and restaurateurs and all visit at least one Mom & Pop in our area today. We’re happy to report that Columbus, OH is home to an extensive list of small business owners—from North Market to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and some of our favorite retail destinations like Substance, House Wine and Bungalow Home. We reported on some of these and more in our recent session, because what independents do best is put together a concept that breaks “retail rules,” creating something new and exciting. It may be a unique experience or assortment mash-up. It may be filling an unmet need or fulfilling a passion. Indies are behind one of the biggest trends of all—localization. Whether it’s local designers, events like Small Business Saturday and made-in-my-hood apparel, neighborhood spirit has never been stronger. Consumers are loving it and brands are embracing it.

As always, independent retail stirs up the market, brings us new ideas and keeps us shopping! Check out our Intelligence Report, “When Creativity Trumps Budget: What Indie Retail Can Teach Big Brands” for more details about how you can incorporate lessons from the indies. Be sure to support local innovation in your ‘hood, and don’t forget visit your favorite Mom & Pop today!

© 2010 Google, Map Data © 2010 Google, Sanborn. Inset image property of Chute Gerdeman.

During a quick jaunt to Chicago to scope out the retail goings-on, my colleague Bess and I visited House of Hoops by Foot Locker on State Street. Both of us have seen photos of the concept or have been to other locations, but it was Chicago’s House of Hoops that blew us away. The store was thoughtfully designed from top to bottom. The energy was undeniable from the second you walked in with bright colors, glowing graphics and product presentation, and a soundtrack I would rush to download from iTunes. In a word, this store had serious swag.

Image property of Chute Gerdeman

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Images via prnewswire.com, wwd.com and pinterest.com

Editor’s Note: Once in awhile we come across something noteworthy and we want to share it with our readers. However, due to a variety of reasons (it’s too new to obtain research, it’s in a far-away land that we can’t quite reach, etc.) we don’t quite know what to do about it other than tell you “Hey. This is amazing and you should know about it.” Show & Tell is a collection of those recent things.

1. We’re always looking for great examples of digital signage in retail. One example recently brought to our attention was the Benetton Live Windows in Milan created by Fabrica. A sophisticated software system connects ten Benetton flagship stores from around the world in real time—from New Delhi to Moscow, and London to Shanghai. Replacing traditional mannequins, the high-definition, video-walls incorporate the company’s ad campaigns and product offering, as well include interactive elements with the goal of creating visibility and connecting with people outside the stores. Alfio Pozzoni, Project Leader and Creative Director at Fabrica for Benetton Live Windows Project said, “Fun is the key to get a major memory retention. Positive experiences live longer: this is what we want, to offer people new kinds of positive experiences, letting them playing with their own image, in a public context.” We’re not the only ones taking notice, the project took First Place in last week’s Digital Signage Expo in Las Vegas.

2. Brazilian footwear brand, Melissa, known for its colorful jelly shoes, opened its first location outside of Brazil in New York’s SoHo last month. Melissa’s brand director, Paulo Pedó Filho explained that “the point is not to sell a lot of Melissas. It’s a galeria.” The space at 102 Greene St. is very much an interactive experience for guests. Psychedelic video art runs at the back of the store; click here to watch a video.

We reported on the São Paulo location back in October, referring to Melissa as a shoe store mixed with an art gallery. Check out our Changing Façades post.

3. Lots of businesses are using Pinterest nowadays (we reported on the hot online pinboard last year before it went mainstream). We wanted to recognize Guess for using Pinterest to promote their 2012 colored denim. The brand’s Color Me Inspired Contest asks fellow pinners to show how color inspires them in exchange for a chance to win a pair of colored denim! If you’re interested in hopping on the Pinterest wagon, click here to read Inc.‘s 9 Tips to Boost Your Business using Pinterest.

During our Monday morning studio meeting, our Senior Designer of Brand Communications inspired the team with a presentation on the talent and experience of graphic designer and custom chalk letterer, Dana Tanamachi.

Image property of Chute Gerdeman

Image via westelm.com

Recently, I was shopping at West Elm and came across these great typographical paper weights. I, of course, couldn’t resist and purchased the ‘M’ version. At checkout, the cashier informed me that the same designer who created the style behind the series of paperweights also designed a series of wall graphics, that can be seen immediately upon entering the store.
Okay–now my interest was peaked. I had to find out more about this designer. Read more…

Wrapping up the conference, we started out the day with Nielsen’s Senior Vice President Consumer & Shopper Insights Todd Hale. In his closing keynote session, “Insights Into Our Economic Recovery: Tracking Trends That Matter,” he gave some predictions about what’s in store for the future.

Image via Nielsen

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After a kicking off Day 1 with our session, “When Visual Creativity Trumps Budget: What Indie Retailers Can Teach the Big Brands,” we thought why not take a seat and find out what insights some of the other speakers had to share. A few of the highlight sessions we attended were: “Adding to the Mix: How Retailers Are Adding to Their Product Mix to Become One-Stop Shops,” and “Leverage Your Store to Build Brand Value.”

Image property of Chute Gerdeman

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