Northern California - Spring 2026 Newsletter
- Retail Design Institute
- 55 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Greetings to the Northern California Chapter of the Retail Design Institute!
Spring is in the air.
A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of flying to Düsseldorf, Germany, to attend Euroshop through the Euro a Go Go group. Being immersed in what’s happening across global retail (and chatting with so many folks plugged into the industry) was energizing and inspiring. Nineteen buildings across the Messe Düsseldorf filled with innovation, materials, technology, and spectacle were a lot to absorb. To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement.
Back home in Oakland, though, I’m always awestruck by the natural beauty of the place we are lucky to call home, especially on the cusp of spring. I was out walking my two dogs and in a single dog walk in my neighborhood, I could see San Francisco Bay and Pacific Ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge, Mt Tamalpais, the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains 135 miles away (a rarity, but it can be seen on a clear day from the Oakland hills), the downtowns of San Francisco and Oakland, and the Farallon Islands. In a single dog walk! I’m reminded that inspiration and perspective can come from even something as mundane as a dog walk. It doesn’t take an exhibition hall to spark creativity or innovation. Sometimes it’s just about perspective and the sense of renewal that spring signals.
Momentum In Our Chapter
That sense of range of experiences, different viewpoints, and different energies is something I see in our Northern California retail design community too.
In 2025, our chapter grew by 25 members. Twenty-five! Because of that growth, we’re able to hold more events, explore more formats, and create more opportunities for connection. Thank you to everyone who has joined our chapter, attended our events, and continue to show up for the community. You are shaping what this chapter is becoming.
At the end of January, the board gathered at my home in Oakland for our annual in-person planning session. There was no shortage of ideas from the board, but more importantly, there was a shared commitment to building something sustainable, welcoming, and worth peoples' time.
This year, we can look forward to:
Informal gatherings and happy hours
Thoughtful panel discussions
Opportunities to connect across disciplines
What’s Inspiring Us
Inspiration can come in many forms and from many sources. Several members of our board found inspiration in the Super Bowl commercials and the creativity it takes to pull off these endeavors. The Olympics also offered inspiration, with our board Secretary Anna Han writing that:
“I usually don't watch live TV, but between the Super Bowl and the Olympics, it’s been inspiring to see how retailers are marketing themselves in that platform, apart from the physical design world we live in.”
Arnet Yu, our Communications & Social Media chair, added,
“Anna’s message is taking me back to a few weeks ago during the Super Bowl which had thousands of people flocking to the city for festivities. It’s so cool that people have been “rediscovering” San Francisco and noticing that the city can be quite lovely despite it being dragged in the media over the past couple of years.”
Valerie West, our Events chair, chimed in as well:
“Yes, the Super Bowl was epic. I loved the Levi’s and Empire Records collabs and events highlighting Bay Area artists. Also the NFL had 3 collabs with local designers and tons of retail activations in unique setups, making it fun to shop.“
Board Member Spotlight - Gabby Rosi, RDI
One of the things that inspires me is the dedication of our board. I wanted to take a minute to spotlight Gabby Rosi, RDI, our Vice President, who has been a part of this chapter for several years. Gabby has been a stabilizing force on our board and is someone I rely on consistently to help lead the chapter.
1. What originally drew you to retail design, and what has kept you in it for over two decades? I have always loved shopping and retail. It's the discovery, the food, the brands, the energy of great stores. Plus, retail is fun! I started out working in stores, so not only was I having a good time, but retail allowed me to be creative and connect with people. Once I learned the beauty of shaping experiences that people connect with every day, I was sold.
Retail never sits still. I love the challenge of bringing a brand to life in a space while solving real operational problems. When a project is both beautiful and highly functional, that’s the magic.
2. What role has community played in your career — and why does RDI matter to you? Community is the backbone of my life, every step of the way. I’ve always been deeply collaborative, and delivering great retail environments only happens when people come together with trust, agility, and shared purpose. For most of my career, I worked for a company that prided itself on making an impact on its community through listening, connecting, and curating products and experiences for the local community. That’s why RDI matters to me; It’s one of the few places where our industry’s creative professionals can genuinely connect, learn from each other, and elevate the discipline. As Vice President of the Northern California Chapter, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when designers, retailers, thinkers, and makers all gather in one room.
RDI isn’t just a network — it’s a community that keeps our field vibrant and future‑focused.
3. What do you think makes the Northern California design community unique?
Northern California’s design community has this rare mix of global innovation and local soul. We sit at the intersection of big‑thinking tech, mission‑driven brands, and diverse independent retailers. That creates an environment where experimentation is encouraged, and new ideas become reality fast.
Plus, the Bay Area itself is endlessly inspiring. The region’s cultural mix, food scene, and independent retail ecosystem constantly feed my design brain.
4. What’s something in retail or design right now that’s capturing your attention?
I’m fascinated by the secret sauce of mixing experience, efficiency, and mission. Brands today are rethinking physical spaces not just as stores, but as platforms for community, service, and belonging — all while navigating new operational realities. The evolution of new retail formats, experiential environments, and the interplay of digital and physical keeps pushing design forward, and that’s exciting.
5. What advice would you give to emerging designers entering the field today?
Stay curious. Learn the craft, but also learn the business behind it — retail is a living, breathing system, and the best designers understand operations AND aesthetics.
Be agile and collaborative. The most successful designers I’ve worked with are great relationship‑builders who can adapt quickly and communicate clearly.
And finally: keep it fun. Retail is fast, challenging, and sometimes chaotic — but when you bring joy, curiosity, and a solutions‑focused mindset, you’ll thrive.
Looking Ahead
As the days get longer and as winter blooms into spring, we are looking forward to gathering again in person, building connections across our region and across our industry. I care deeply about connecting the retail design community and providing opportunities for us to learn and grow together. Thank you for being part of this chapter. Here’s to perspective, renewal, and the quiet work of building something that lasts.
Onward!
Jesse Moyer, RDI
President
Retail Design Institute, Northern California Chapter