Engagement Retail makes its debut in Manhattan with the opening of the first Daily Shop by Whole Foods Market. Located in the heart of the Upper East Side, in Lenox Hill, this new concept store, born from the synergistic collaboration between Imoon and Schweitzer, is more than a retail venue – it’s an immersive environment where lighting and design combine to create a unique customer experience, aimed at enhancing consumer engagement.
This groundbreaking project in the food retail sector was born from the collaboration between Imoon, a leader in the design and production of entirely Made in Italy lighting solutions, and Schweitzer—We think Retail—a specialist in retail design and store construction.
Together, they have combined their expertise to create an innovative and one-of-a-kind retail format that is set to become a new benchmark for U.S. convenience stores in dense, metropolitan areas. The concept store was designed with a flexible layout, allowing it to adapt to evolving consumer trends and the seasonal changes in products offerings, which remain the central focus of the space.
“The intense competition in the industry is driving a growing interest in an integrated approach to interior design. Planning the customer journey, furnishings—including refrigerated units—and lighting ensure a flexible, easily managed retail format,” says Pierluigi Gusmani, International Sales Director at Imoon. “In this regard, the synergy between Imoon and Schweitzer enables us to create ‘eclectic shopping worlds’ that enhance product presentation, increase profitability and deliver a rapid return on investment.”
Collaborate: Embracing Future-Proof Specialist Illumination
Imoon’s customized lighting design features high-definition LEDs and special optics that bring out the natural colors and quality of fresh products—a hallmark of Whole Foods Market’s offerings. In this cutting-edge format, lighting plays an active role in the store’s visual communication, drawing consumers’ attention to specific products and highlighting different areas of the store.
From the fresh produce sections to aisles and checkout counters, Imoon’s advanced solutions stand out for their precision in beam angle, power, and color temperature, ensuring a lighting design with excellent performance both in terms of functionality and aesthetics. An emblematic example is the fresh produce section of the Daily Shop, strategically located at the entrance of the store, where Full Color LEDs have been installed to ensure accurate color rendering, delivering a “wow” factor that creates a memorable first impression.
Designing the lighting presented unique challenges, including varied ceiling heights (13.5 feet, 11.5 feet, and 10 feet), a large skylight, expansive windows facing Third Avenue and a furniture layout that’s subject to change over time. To address these issues, Imoon focused on enhancing natural light through artificial lighting, adjusting light intensity and using high-efficiency reflectors to optimize distribution and minimize shadows. Moreover, the system’s electrified tracks form a modular grid, enabling the light sources to adapt to changing store layouts, creating a future-proof lighting system.
Among the various models installed, the Venere PRO and Krios Compact stand out: the Venere PRO is a next-generation projector, in the black version, offering a tilt range of up to 130° and 360° rotation, along with filters and accessories that diffuse light and minimize the glare effect, increasing visual comfort. Meanwhile, the Krios Compact, in the white version, boasts a minimal footprint and maximum efficiency, providing targeted accent lighting with exceptional brightness and vibrant colors.
Adaptive, Immersive, Unforgettable: The Future of Retail Design is Now
Schweitzer, with the support of its sister agency Interstore, spearheaded the development and execution of the new store’s design concept, aiming to boost sales performance through a strategic use of materials and space configuration, all while preserving the existing architectural identity. Specifically, Schweitzer retained original structural elements, such as the brick walls and wooden details, which give the space an authentic and welcoming character, while enhancing its aesthetic appeal. The color palette was carefully selected to reflect the Retailer’s corporate colors, green and white, with custom-designed wall graphics that create an immersive and engaging atmosphere.
The project also included the installation of custom-made display cases and counters by Schweitzer, developed in close collaboration with Whole Foods Market and manufactured in Italy. These cutting-edge solutions ensure maximum efficiency, modularity, and easy space management, thanks to standalone units that are simple to connect.
Lastly, in line with sustainability and energy optimization goals, 90% of the refrigerated units are compatible with the Waterloop system, helping to reduce the environmental impact across all refrigerated foods departments in the Daily Shop.
Imoom, Schweitzer to showcase at NGA Show
Imoon and Schweitzer will showcase their expertise at the stand hosted by the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce, at the upcoming edition of the NGA Show, the premier event for the U.S. grocery sector, scheduled from Feb. 23 to 25, 2025.
Specifically, Schweitzer will design the entire space dedicated to Italian innovation, featuring an advanced refrigerated display counter, while Imoon will take care of the lighting, and will recreate the unique atmosphere of the Whole Foods Market Daily Shop.
The booth will offer a fully immersive experience, blending design and technology to highlight the emotional power of modern retail environments.
