Dive Summary:

• This week, Verizon Wireless announced a new concept design for retail store locations centered on "totally transforming its customers' retail experience" through its 1,700 retail locations.
• The company partnered with retail designer Chute Gerdeman to launch the strategic initiative, and recently unveiled the new design at its retail outlet store inside Mall of America.
• Verizon currently operates roughly 100 new Verizon Smart Stores with plans to integrate the design into its remaining corporate-owned stores though 2014.

Dive Insight:

Verizon’s new design concept implemented through the Smart Store initiative is aimed at catering to consumers through hands-on interaction with Verizon hardware and gadgets. Educational courses for consumers are vital to the store’s new concept features, and Verizon is betting that informed consumers will help drive the company’s profits into 2014 and beyond.