News & Trends

As retail enters a new era following novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic closures and restrictions, the industry is also reinventing itself with new design trends and layouts to promote in-store engagement.

According to the “Store Design & Experience Benchmark Survey” produced by online retail industry publication Retail Touch Points, 71 percent of retailers note design, store planning, and visual components of retail are “somewhat more, or much more important compared to two years ago.”

When it comes to a customized project design, tempered glass is a popular choice. It undergoes a specialized heating treatment that enhances durability and overall strength. Annealing, a cooling procedure for clear float glass, facilitates cutting, drilling, and fabrication prior to tempering.

Due to its durable, shatter-resistant properties, tempered glass is utilized for projects with stringent safety requirements. These include office partitions, dividers, and sneeze guards; hotel shower enclosures and doors; retail display cases; sports arenas; and railings. 

Similar to masks and gloves, glass dividers, partitions, and countertop shields have transitioned into necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Whether you’ve implemented these products and safety measures, or are currently doing so to meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reopening guidelines, the process involves several important considerations, such as materials, price, turnaround time, and design elements.

Van Buren, Ark. - April 29, 2020 – Dillmeier Glass Company is introducing a full line of customizable sneeze guards, protection screens, and glass dividers for food service, retail, hospitality, and other industries requiring employee-customer interactions.  

When it comes to glass for safety and protection, either tempered or laminated glass is appropriate. Both are strong, durable, shatter resistant, and undergo specialized fabrication.

When fabricating a frameless glass display case, choosing the right edge type is critical to form and function. 

For Bruce Barteldt, retail innovation has been a daily passion for more than 30 years.

The Chief Innovation Officer at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting—a leading architecture and design firm headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina—has actively participated in several phases of significant growth, punctuated by multiple industry awards and speaking engagements around the world. There is even a documentary chronicling the shift in customer retail experiences away from traditional, cookie-cutter chain stores toward those more personalized and communal, such as via mobile and online shopping.