CONSUMER GOODS
A consumer goods organization’s workplace is increasingly expected to be a conduit to its consumers with engaging touchpoints bridging the gap between internal and external experiences. Companies are beginning to seek out design expertise that begins with workplace design services and then digs deeper — making sustainability commitments outwardly visible, telling comprehensive brand stories, and putting the product development process on full display.
Knoll Chicago Showroom, Chicago
01
All-in-one real estate can blend product innovation with consumer engagement.
Consumer goods real estate is moving toward the development of holistic experience centers. These all-in-one sites blend workplace, research, and product showcasing. Experience centers help brands better understand their target audiences and provide consumers with a peek behind the curtain to learn how their favorite products are made.
02
Sustainable products will continue to attract consumers.
A concerted movement is underway to decarbonize as many products as possible, inclusive of the supply chains and workplaces that produce them. Among consumers searching for ways to positively impact the environment through their spending decisions, companies that commit to net zero real estate and workplaces will get high marks.
03
Consumer goods companies are now competing for tech talent.
The acceleration of e-commerce has consumer goods companies competing for talent that understands and can create virtual experiences — typically the domain of technology companies. Facilitating equitable experiences for workers with different styles, skillsets, and preferences will be top of mind for companies seeking to ramp up quickly as new talent pours in.
04
The workplace will continue to morph.
Consumer goods companies are constantly searching for new ways to engage customers, both in person and across various social media platforms. One growing trend in the industry is to use the office to create fully integrated, high-tech broadcast spaces that can generate engagement and set unique stages for product stories straight from consumers.
05
Real estate will continue to support a brand’s mission and purpose.
There is an increase in demand for curated spaces that celebrate a brand’s heritage and history, while also reflecting on the future of the business. Within consumer goods, such spaces serve a dual role, reinforcing a company’s mission among its workers while also conveying it to consumers.
“Real estate’s new source of value is that it is the platform outside of the home for experiences beyond the virtual.”
—World Economic Forum article by Gensler Co-CEO Diane Hoskins
Bringing Spaces to Life: The Integral Role of Service Design in the Design Process
Service design acts as a bridge that connects the physical design of a space with the user-centric experiences within it.
When It Comes to Workplace Design, Beauty Drives Performance
Beauty plays a crucial role in driving workplace performance, going beyond mere aesthetics to shape overall functionality and impact the employee experience.
A Field Guide to Authentic Amenities
To create authentic amenities that workers truly want, designers and companies should think outside the box.
More consumer goods workers would prefer to be in the office full time than in any other industry.
Spin Master
Toronto, Ontario
The Canadian children’s entertainment company Spin Master partnered with Gensler Toronto to create a refined, creative workspace for its entertainment division.
Limited Brands, Inc.
New York, New York
This 400,000-square-foot workspace for Limited Brands consolidates five offices, unifying staff under the design concept of “workplace as a stage” for...
Campari Group North American Headquarters
New York, New York
Relocating its North American headquarters from San Francisco to New York City, Campari Group enlisted Gensler to create an inspirational workplace in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
Francesca Poma-Murialdo
Consumer Goods Leader, Design Director, Principal
Francesca Poma-Murialdo is a global leader of Gensler’s Consumer Goods practice and a Design Director who leads interior design projects in Latin America.
Chris VanderWeyden
Design Resilience Leader, Senior Sustainability Specialist
Chris VanderWeyden is a Global Design Resilience Leader for Gensler’s Consumer Goods practice area.
