The Retail Design Institute proudly announces its 54th Annual International Design Competition, continuing its more than 50-year tradition of recognizing excellence in retail design.
The competition celebrates retail environments that push boundaries with innovative planning, design, graphics, lighting, and visual merchandising techniques.
Winners will be honored at the International Design Awards Celebration in New York City on Thursday, 9 October 2025, where the prestigious Store of the Year will be revealed.
This year’s competition introduces several significant changes:
- Expanded Eligibility: For the first time, general contractors, allied trades, fixture manufacturers, and material suppliers may enter the competition with consent from the designer or design firm responsible for the overall design of the project.
- Enhanced Submission Platform: A new submission portal offers improved functionality, allowing entrants to save progress, receive better communications and updates, and navigate a more intuitive submission process.
- Refined Categories: The competition features newly clarified submission categories that better reflect today’s diverse retail landscape, including Activations, Softline Stores, Hardline Stores, Large Format Stores, Service Retail, Grocery & Supermarket, Food & Beverage, Restaurant, Med-tail, Beauty & Fitness, Hospitality & Entertainment, and Commercial Development.
- Outstanding Merit Awards: Previously known as Innovation Awards, the revamped Outstanding Merit Awards recognize excellence in specific design elements including Architectural Elements, Community Activation & Engagement, Sensory Engagement, Signature Moment, Store Planning & Circulation, Storytelling & Brand Communication, Strategy & Ideation, Sustainability & Wellness, Technology, and Visual Merchandising & Display.
The Institute is accepting submissions for retail projects completed between 1 January 2024, and 31 December 2024.
The competition welcomes entries from contract design firms, in-house retailer design teams, and now allied trades and suppliers from around the globe. Projects of all formats are eligible, from traditional department stores to specialty apparel shops, restaurants, kiosks, and pop-up experiences.
For complete competition details and to submit entries, please visit the official website.
Retail Design Institute 54th International Design Competition – Entry Fees
Entry fees are $250 USD for Institute members and $375 USD for non-members, with an optional $50 USD add-on fee for Outstanding Merit Award consideration.
