Brand Activation
A campaign, event, or experience that drives consumer interaction with a brand.

Branded Shop Within a Store
A single branded shop or department within a department store, e.g., Chanel Cosmetics within Saks Fifth Avenue or Timberland PRO within Ritz Safety.

Convenience Store
Small grocery stores predominantly selling convenience items, including snack foods and sandwiches. Gas station c-stores are encouraged to submit.

* Department Store (New or remodeled)
A traditional department store with several distinctive areas devoted to various product classifications or brands, which might include apparel, cosmetics, home goods, linens, electronics, etc.

Department Within a Store
A single specialty department within a department store, e.g., menswear, shoe department, etc.

* Hardline Specialty Store (New or remodeled)
Stores, including themed environments, where at least 50 percent of the merchandise is hardlines, such as toys, electronics, audio visuals, hardware, eyewear, cosmetics, jewelry, appliances, equipment, furniture, or variations thereof. Additionally, floral, bath and body products, and books are defined as hardlines. Stores in this category are further divided by square footage.

Pop-Up Store
Any retail environment that sells merchandise/ services or offers a brand experience in a temporary installation of one year or less. This category may include tented spaces, moving vehicles, barges and other mobile retail, as well as seasonal and special promotional events held in retail or non-retail buildings.

Restaurant/Casual Dining
Any store that sells meals for immediate consumption at moderate prices, including casual and family restaurants, delis and cafes.

Restaurant/Fast Food
Any store that serves meals prepared for onsite, drive-thru or take-out consumption that can be prepared in 3-5 minutes or less while the customer waits. Must be classified as a fast food chain.

Restaurant/Fine Dining
Any store that serves meals prepared on- site for immediate consumption and creates a fine dining experience that features a high level of service, comfort and décor.

* Service Retailer
Any establishment that sells a service rather than a product, such as banks, brokerages, financial services, hair salons, spas, business service centers and travel agencies.

* Softline Specialty Store (New or remodeled)
Stores, including themed environments, where at least 50 percent of the merchandise is softlines, such as apparel, shoes, textiles and linens. Stores in this category are further divided by square footage.

* Specialty Food and Consumables Retailer
Any store that merchandises and sells as its main product specialty foods, beverages, or products that are consumable such as tobacco and cannabis. This category differs from the Restaurant categories in that the food product sold is not generally for immediate consumption, with the exception of some food retailers that offer food and drink bars as an added service.

* Specialty Store Over 25,000 square feet (New or remodeled)
A store specializing in one or more product lines, generally but not necessarily incorporating both hardline and softline goods. Shop! reserves the right to further subdivide this category as necessary in order to ensure accurate, equitable store comparisons.

* Supermarket/Grocery Store
Any store that merchandises and sells a variety of food and beverage types. May include some prepared food sections as one of many departments.

Window Display
A store or shop window displaying items for sale or otherwise designed to attract customers into the store.

Brand Flooring
Any aesthetic or functional enhancement to flooring within a retail environment

In-Store Communications
Signage, interactive technology and/or digital media presentations within a retail environment

In-Store Visual Display
Any visual or thematic element or elements, including cosmetic presentation (seasonal or other); graphic communication; mannequin displays or groupings; seasonal presentation; themed prop or Environment; and window display

Lighting
Any aesthetic or functional enhancement to lighting within a retail environment

Signage/Graphics
Static signage/graphics including brand and lifestyle graphics as well as wayfinding, exterior/storefront, and retail brand messaging signage.

Store Fixture
Any unit, units or kiosk used to hold or display merchandise in a store, shop, or as a freestanding center

Storefront/Exterior
Retail exterior/facade that reinforces the store as a destination, exemplifies branding, creatively solves an architectural challenge, or adds aesthetic beauty while meeting functional needs.

Sustainability
Any sustainable element or innovative sustainable aspect of your project

Use of Technology
Application of technology in-store or on the storefront to enhance the in- store experience, engage consumers, reinforce brand positioning, increase dwell time, attract attention, increase sales, assist with product selection, provide customized products or services, etc.

Wall Treatment
A decorative process or art form used to enhance a wall within a retail environment