Retail

It’s a challenging world right now. Inflation, rising interest rates, persistent supply chain lags and labor shortages are affecting the retail industry. That’s to say nothing of the always changing retail environment.  But there are also consumers who are ready to put COVID behind them — who are looking for a reason to venture out, be entertained and spend some money (though maybe not as much money, thanks to inflation). You also have shopping center owners who are quite eager to give these consumers what they want.  While architects and designers can’t remove problems like rates or inflation from an owner’s plate, they can help them navigate — and win — in this new market. How? By making sure every detail, dollar and person counts. Multifaceted Designers Strength in numbers is always appreciated when times are tricky. Frankie Campione, principal at CREATE Architecture Planning & Design in New York City, notes designers are collaborating more than ever to get the job done. This type of collaboration is particularly useful during the current materials shortage, he notes.  “There doesn’t seem to be any way to know what shortage may affect any particular project,” Campione says. “There are two projects, both on Long …