Insights

Notes from the field.

Practical reading on retail strategy, technology, and teams — written by people who build and run stores for a living.

RetailSense
Retail Strategy & Innovation1 min read

5 Mistakes Tenants Make on Their First Buildout

The biggest budget killers in retail TI projects — and how to avoid them before you sign the lease.

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RetailSense
Retail Strategy & Innovation1 min read

How to Read a Tenant Improvement Allowance

TI allowances are negotiable — and they almost never cover what you think they cover.

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RetailSense
Retail Strategy & Innovation1 min read

Stockroom Design That Protects Margin

The room your customers never see is often the room that decides whether your store is profitable.

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RetailSense
Retail Strategy & Innovation1 min read

Lighting Spec for Apparel Retail

Color temperature, CRI, and beam angle decisions that actually move conversion.

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RetailSense
Retail Strategy & Innovation1 min read

Hiring a Contractor vs. a Construction Manager

Two very different roles, and which one you actually need for your retail TI.

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Emme Hair Vancouver: How Two Sisters Turned Hair Loss Into a Leading Salon for Restoration and Extensions
Retail Strategy & Innovation3 min read

Emme Hair Vancouver: How Two Sisters Turned Hair Loss Into a Leading Salon for Restoration and Extensions

When Maria experienced unexpected hair loss during her pregnancy in 2007, she never imagined it would spark a thriving Vancouver business. But alongside her …

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How Zaatar w Zeit is Bringing Middle Eastern Street Food to Vancouver’s Retail Hubs
Retail Strategy & Innovation5 min read

How Zaatar w Zeit is Bringing Middle Eastern Street Food to Vancouver’s Retail Hubs

In today's changing retail market, restaurants are no longer just about food—they are about the entire customer experience, digital engagement, and brand sto…

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Sabai Thai Spa: Innovating Vancouver’s Wellness Scene with Thai Tradition & Technology
Retail Strategy & Innovation3 min read

Sabai Thai Spa: Innovating Vancouver’s Wellness Scene with Thai Tradition & Technology

In the heart of Greater Vancouver, Sabai Thai Spa is redefining wellness by seamlessly blending time-honored Thai traditions with modern digital innovation. …

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Navigating finances in the Persian Canadian community: Challenges, trends, and solutions
Retail Strategy & Innovation3 min read

Navigating finances in the Persian Canadian community: Challenges, trends, and solutions

Managing personal finances can be a complex journey. For immigrant communities such as the large group of Persian Canadians living on the North Shore, the ch…

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