Store Design Insights Reach New Heights — Join us on the Tour!

Sept. 12, 2011 - PRLog -- SAN DIEGO — As consumers gravitate toward “shop anywhere” at any time and on the go, the experience of shopping in a physical store has taken on greater significance as a safe haven, free of distraction.

Forward-thinking retailers recognize this opportunity to elevate the brand and delight the senses by creating a retail sanctuary where consumers will want to linger, to escape, to imagine and to rediscover the joy of shopping as a leisure activity, not merely a task to be checked off the “to do” list.

In recognition of store design’s growing star power, RetailConnections introduces Store Tours, a provocative new component of the Fall Business Executive Summit, which gets under way here next month. RetailConnections Store Tours, scheduled Oct. 13, is a unique opportunity to explore live retail environments and experience them through the eyes of retail marketplace experts.

The guided tour will include visits to at least five stores in San Diego's Fashion Valley Mall. Among them are Crate & Barrel, Bloomingdale’s, Microsoft, Stacked and possibly, Sephora. For updates about additional tour stops, visit http://www.retailconnections.com.

The objective of the tour is to highlight and discuss innovative consumer brand strategies implemented by the nation's leading retail brands. Led by Ikonic Tonic’s design, branding and strategy experts Brian Dyches and Jude Elledge, the tour includes some of the most popular destinations in San Diego’s Fashion Valley Mall. Tour participants can expect to learn about store design’s impact on buying behaviors and how technology offers new opportunities to better connect with shoppers.

Retail executives already registered to attend the RetailConnections Fall Business Executive Summit, Oct. 11-13, 2011, can sign up for the optional tour by contacting Kathy Dehm at kathi@retailconnections.com. Retail executives not yet registered for the Summit can do by visiting http://www.retailconnections.com. RetailConnections Store Tours are open to retail executive guests attending the Fall Business Executive Summit. There is no cost but seating is limited and available on a first-reserved, first-served basis. Transportation and lunch are included in the four-hour tour that gets underway at noon Thursday, Oct. 13, following the conclusion of the Summit.

RetailConnections Store Tours are produced in cooperation with SIMON Properties, operator of the Fashion Valley Mall. Fashion Valley Mall is home to more than 200 stores and restaurants including department stores Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Bloomingdale's and J.C. Penney. Other popular mall destinations include Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Anthropologie, Tory Burch, Coach, Max Studio, Juicy Couture, and more.

The RetailConnections Fall Business Executive Summit is designed for senior-level (VP and CXO) retail and brand executives and seating is limited, so immediate registration is encouraged to reserve your spot. For more information on attending and registering for the Summit, contact Denise Power | denise@retailconnections.com | 773.573.3939 or Marc Millstein | marc@retailconnections.com | 914.620.5947 or visit http://www.retailconnections.com.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Tia Potter, tia@retailconnections.com | 917. 846.5185 or LuAnn Hallberg, | luann@retailconnections.com | 814 516-4965.

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RETAILCONNECTIONS serves senior retail executives by hosting events that provide exceptional learning and networking. We believe the value of establishing new business relationships in person far outweighs other forms of communication.