Brand Experience Briefs
Brand Experience Briefs capture insights and analysis from my audits of new and interesting retail and restaurant concepts.
If you’re interested in learning how to improve your in-store experience, sign up for a Brand Experience Day. We’ll head out into the field to experience leading concepts and apply the insights to transform your brand experience.
If you’re an editor or reporter looking for a source on a story, check out the expert perspectives I’ve provided and contact me at mail AT deniseleeyohn DOT com.
brand experience brief: Nike and New Balance
The New Balance and Nike stores across the street from each other in New York City's Flatiron district deliver unique brand experiences in their own way.
brand experience brief: C9
C9 is Target's new active apparel store at San Francisco's Metreon center. Featuring apparel from Champion, the store is a cross between a Target and a Gap, and represents the company's first move into specialty retail.
brand experience brief: CityTarget
Target is experimenting with a new store format, CityTarget. The effort is intended to reach more Americans, and their money, who have been leaving the suburbs for the city. Check out all that's great -- and a couple of things that aren't -- about the CityTarget in downtown Chicago in this video briefing:
brand experience brief: LYFE Kitchen
LYFE Kitchen is a new restaurant concept started by a former McDonald's executive who developed a conscience about good-for-you food. Here's my take on the experience and growth plans.
brand experience brief: REI in SOHO
REI’s first store in New York City is the quintessential flagship store – it’s big, it’s in aprominent location, and it showcases the brand like no other retail store. Here's my video recap of this extraordinary experience.
brand experience brief: Denny's on Fremont Street
Denny’s is embracing the brand positioning “America’s Favorite Diner.” Its new flagship location on Las Vegas’s Fremont Street reflects this new positioning, while including several Las Vegas touches including a working wedding chapel.
brand experience brief: Walmart Neighborhood Market
Walmart Neighborhood Market, a smaller format store, competes against dollar stores and grocery stores -- it looks to me like they just might win the fight.
brand experience brief: Caffe Bene
Caffe Bene may be to Starbucks what Smashburger is to McDonald's -- a niche competitor with a distinctive product and memorable experience.
brand experience brief: Pei Wei Asian Market
Many fast-casual restaurant start-ups are trying to copy Chipotle, so it’s refreshing to experience one that does things it’s own way. Pei Wei Asian Market, the newest concept from P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, offers a cool environment, innovative menu items, and affordable prices. Check out this brief on the brand experience that’s not like Chipotle.
brand experience brief: Protein Bar
Everyone, it seems, is trying to figure out the healthy fast casual business. From LYFE Kitchen in California to Energy Kitchen in New York, there are dozens of budding concepts attempting to make it big by tapping into consumers' desire for food that's fast and good. How is Protein Bar in Chicago faring? Check out this video briefing:
