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Writer's pictureRetail Design Institute

Petco, San Marcos | 52nd International Design Competition Winner


 (Photography by: Zack Benson, San Diego, CA)

Petco

Category: Mass Merchant

Submitted by: Arcadis

Photography: Zack Benson, San Diego, CA


🏆 This project received an Innovation Award for Wayfinding & Environmental Graphics


  • Clear wayfinding, curated fixture end caps, and wider aisles, in addition to lower fixture heights greatly improved the speed at which customers can find what they need. For services such as veterinary check-in/check-out and self-service grooming, the clear signage band along the wood slat soffit highlights the desired destination. Prototype testing proved significant improvement in product finding and self-service, reducing customer frustration and creating a more efficient shopping experience.



 (Photography by: Zack Benson, San Diego, CA)


  • The materials palette is warm and modern, removing the industrial warehouse feel one typically associates with value big box stores. Instead, Petco delivers a clean and welcoming aesthetic.


  • Storefront design included 2 entrances, each clearly distinguished for veterinary service and retail, to start the customer visit and wayfinding before customers enter the store. The strategic entries reduce confusion in store, and create more direct access for customer needs, most appreciated when they are concerned for their pet’s wellbeing.


  • Improvements to the back of house and store layout created operational improvements resulting in 15 hours of time per week recovered.


  • The San Marcos store went from being the lowest sales performer in Southern California to the top performer across the entire store portfolio.


  • From curated fixture end caps to streamlined wayfinding, and wide aisles, the store is simpler to navigate and provides customers with the ability to intuitively find what they need.


  • Moments of education, especially in the small pet zone, entertain customers as they learn fun facts about the animals in the store.


  • In-store lighting simulates natural sunlight patterns to create a more soothing environment for visitors.


  • Services like online pickup and check in for veterinary are located at the front of the store, creating an efficient visit for customers who have made appointments or purchases online.


  • Unique signage and wayfinding along a uniform branded soffit.


  • Custom retail fixtures at lower heights than the average big box store


  • Wide aisles for easy navigation and passing other pet customers


  • Integrated Services Reception Area and dedicated story entry


  • Fulfillment Center for easy pickup


  • Nutrition Services Center


  • Adoption Center


  • Result of continuous testing and feedback


  • Improved Operational challenges



Architect: Arcadis

General Contractor: Gray

Outside Design Consultants:

Permit Advisors, Inc.

Acertus Consulting Group, LLC

KPFF, Inc.

Suppliers:

Comfort Systems

Rulon

Villa Lighting

 

In addition to Petco, the Retail Design Institute would like to congratulate the Class of 2022, representing the best of the best in retail stores and experiences completed between January 1st and December 31st, 2022:


American Outpost

Clermont

LOVE and Bergmeyer

2022 Store of the Year

Innovation Awards: Branding & Technology and Digital Integration


Sage & Sound

New York

RDC


El Palacio de Hierro Coyoacán

Coyoacán

TPG Architecture


High Street Place

Boston

Gensler


Miller & Lux

San Francisco

MBH Architects

Innovation Award: Finishes & Materiality


Petco

San Marcos

Arcadis Inc.

Innovation Award: Wayfinding & Environmental Graphics


Bentonville Nature Near Pavilion

Virtual, Bentonville

NELSON Worldwide

Innovation Awards: Unbuilt Conceptual Design


Victoria's Secret Bombshell Gardens

New York

MG2/Lionesque Group


Central Park

North York

II BY IV Design


Victorinox

London

Dalziel & Pow Design Consultants

Innovation Award: Fixturing


Clyde & Grain

Glasgow

Gensler

Innovation Award: Wayfinding & Environmental Graphics


Greenwich St. Jewelers

New York

MAOarch Architecture D.P.C.

Innovation Award: Customer Journey


Johnny Cupcakes

Boston

Bergmeyer

Innovation Awards: Visual Merchandising and Conceptual Design


Vuori

New York

Heitler Houstoun Architects, PC

Innovation Award: Lighting


Wilson

New York

Bergmeyer

 





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