Let’s Walk Stores Together
Retail in Real Time ● December 21
Some of my favorite retail moments don’t come from walking stores alone.
They come from walking them with someone else.
Last Friday at Mall of America, I spent a few hours walking stores and, just as importantly, walking them with Michael Abata. Two people who genuinely love retail. Two different lenses. A lot of ideas exchanged. And a lot of fun along the way.
Walking stores with someone else changes the experience. You notice different things. You ask better questions. You stop, debate, laugh, and sometimes completely change your perspective because the person next to you saw something you didn’t.
That’s where the real learning happens.
Why walking stores together matters
When I walk stores solo, I’m focused and observational, quietly taking it all in.
When I walk with someone else, the experience becomes more dynamic.
One person notices space planning. The other catches signage. One sees storytelling. The other sees friction. Together, you get a fuller picture of what’s actually working and what isn’t.
Michael and I came at stores from different angles, which made the walk better. We bounced ideas off each other, challenged assumptions, and pointed things out in real time. Most importantly, we had a great time doing it.
Retail should feel like that. Curious. Engaging. Human.
A quick detour into the cold
Yes, I stepped into the Canada Goose cold room. Minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Fully intentional. Fully memorable.
It’s a great reminder of why walking stores with others is so powerful. One person experiences the moment. The other captures it. Both walk away with a shared story and a much stronger impression of the brand.
Those moments stick. They’re even better when you’re not experiencing them alone.
I’ve done this before, and I want to do more
A couple of weeks ago, I had the chance to walk stores at Galleria Edina with Mike Percic. Different stores. Same outcome.
Every time, I walk away sharper, more inspired, and reminded that retail is at its best when it’s experienced together.
If you’re in Minneapolis and you love retail, whether you’re a retailer, a brand leader, or someone who simply enjoys great stores, let’s walk them together.
I’m officially booking retail walks for the new year.
How I can help
I help retailers and brands see their physical spaces more clearly by walking stores, asking better questions, and translating real-world observations into practical insights that improve customer and brand experience.
If that sounds fun and useful, you know where to find me.
Let’s walk stores together.