Visual merchandising for Starbucks flagship coffeehouses
We were invited to partner with the Starbucks Coffee Company on a winter campaign for their Reserve brand—the most elevated expression of their coffee curation. It was the first time an external agency had been assigned to handle the visual merchandising, retail signage, and campaign creative.
This was a significant shift. We were stepping into a previously exclusive internal system that demanded deep knowledge, fast turnaround times, and flawless operational execution. All without a single disruption to the brand's standards. All with minimal onboarding.
High Profile Visual Merchandising Guide
We developed visual merchandising guides for the Chicago Roastery, the New York Roastery, and the Empire State Building store, defining the full spatial layout and table-by-table storytelling for each flagship location. This core system is how every product placement and signage integration translates the campaign vision into a premium experience for thousands of Starbucks superfans.
Our team translated the creative system into buildable instructions by producing detailed planograms for every surface, establishing clear product prioritization and fixture logic. This output guaranteed absolute consistency across all flagship locations and provided store teams with the confidence to execute without further interpretation.
We owned the design and copy for all in-store touchpoints, including merch table feature signs, brewing education content, and scoop bar activation signage. Every piece of communication adhered to strict Starbucks Reserve templates, requiring extreme precision in tone and layout to balance elevated storytelling with functional clarity.
Custom Spot Illustration
By introducing custom spot illustrations into the campaign system, we extended the visual language of the brand across signage and merchandise collections. This approach allowed us to maintain brand integrity while tying the visual storytelling directly to the vibe of each store.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach
Our team delivered a full-stack solution that included visual merchandising, copywriting, illustration, and production design within a highly structured system. We navigated these complex operational and creative layers simultaneously to meet an aggressive, compressed timeline with zero compromise on quality.
We stepped into a previously internal function and delivered at the highest level of brand execution without missing a beat. Creative. Merchandising. Operations. Production. We took it all on and earned huge amounts of trust. Ultimately, this collaboration proved that our team can replace or augment internal functions seamlessly, providing the same level (or better) of precision and dedication as an in-house department.