The retail industry's collaborative community for creative professionals since 1961.

Retail Design Institute Chapters hold hundreds of amazing educational and social events throughout the year. Among the Institute’s signature events is the Design Awards & Store of the Year Presentation.

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The Institute hosts the longest-running and most well-respected international design competition for professionals. It also sponsors the oldest student design competition in the industry.

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We are the largest and oldest non-profit organization dedicated to the store planning and design profession with appellations that indicate membership.

Latest News & Trends

Heartland - February Member Appreciation Happy Hour Recap

The Heartland Chapter board makes its way through the crowd at Westport Social to secure our group a stellar spot to spread out and connect during our Member Appreciation Happy Hour on February 19th, 2026. On a lively Thursday evening at Westport Social in St. Louis, the Heartland Chapter gathered for our first in-person event of the year: our February General Membership Happy Hour, sponsored by our good friends at VizEx . Westport Social itself was buzzing... lively music pu

Heartland

Heartland - January General Membership Meeting Recap

A big, bold thank you to everyone who joined us for our January General Membership Meeting (including our new friend from the Southern California Chapter!) We shared an initial look at our 2026 programming framework, discussed our chapter's goals for the year, and opened the floor for candid conversation about what feels most urgent — and most worthwhile — right now. If you weren’t able to attend, you can: Watch the meeting recording: Share ideas or feedback via our brief su

Heartland

Augmenting The Future Of Retail

Explore how immersive and augmented spatial design, experiential retail, and emerging display technologies are shaping the future of retail environments.

Thought Leadership

Join the Retail Design Institute today and be a part of the most innovative and creative community in the retail industry. Your membership supports our mission to empower the future of retail through collaboration, education, and innovation.

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I found tremendous value in the automatic vetting of partners to connect and willing to cross-promote each other, vital for our success. The Institute attracts the best and brightest in the design industry who encourage and believe in supporting each other.

- Adam Jones, Trade RDI

Founder & CEO, Siren Collaborative

Trade Member, Southwest + Pacific, Since 2014

Empower the Future of Retail, Join The Institute Today!

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