Researchers studying experiences in retail environments have typically restricted their attention towards examining the influence of individual atmospheric variables upon customer behavior. In this respect photographs and video are common environmental simulation techniques. This research approach not only concerns researchers active in consumer culture theory, but also interior architects and retail designers. As holistic inspired practitioners, they maintain that interiors function as 'Gestalt' environments, interacting with their users.Inspired by their viewpoints, in this paper, the authors reflect on the use of the inductive, holistically inspired method of photo-elicitation in research concerning experiences in retail environments. In addition, they report on the application of photo-elicitation in two empiricalprojects. The findings demonstrate the value of photo-elicitation in gaining insight into customer experiences in retail interiors.Keywords: photo-elicitation, retail design, retail interiors, customer experiences 2 STUDYING RETAIL INTERIORSWith the development of marketing research in co-creativity between producer and consumer (Lusch & Vargo, 2006a, 2006b) and studies of consumer experience, it has become important to re-assess the service environment. The rapid growth of consumption in developing economies, but also the continuing development of retail formats and omni-commerce in more mature markets, further supports the store environment as an important focus for new research and an examination of complementary research methodologies.The aim of this research is to develop understanding of retail environments as sites of complex visual sensory experiences and the application of photo-elicitation as a research methodology. The article is organised firstly with a discussion of the literature relating to current research approaches used to obtain knowledge with regards to customer experiences in retail environments. Secondly to explain the visual methodologies and their application in social sciences, and the use of photo-elicitation in particular as a methodology for studying customer experiences in retail environments. Thirdly to analyse the application of photoelicitation in two empirical projects. Finally, the authors discuss the contribution of photoelicitation to research methodology together with managerial implications and future research opportunities. RESEARCH APPROACHES TO GAIN INSIGHT IN CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES IN RETAIL ENVIRONMENTSThe effect of the store environment on its users is reported in the literatures of environmental psychology, marketing, architecture and design (Greenland & McGoldrick, 1994, 2005. In the past few decades, a range of studies have demonstrated that consumer behavior towards stores and store patronage is influenced at least to some degree, by the store environment 3 (e.g., Donovan & Rossiter, 1982;Baker, Levy & Grewal, 1992;Baker, Grewal & Parasuraman, 1994;Lam, 2001;Davies & Ward, 2002;Baker, Parasuraman, Grewal & Voss, 2002). There are various possible ...

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Architects today still highly rely on intuition attempting to handle more emotional, well-being-related design requests of clients. It seems that newly formed design demands present challenges that cannot be fully answered through the current existing design paradigms. Additionally, a 'humanization' trend in architectural design can be noticed of influences that steer architecture on a more 'humane' course, thereby advocating the viability of 'well-being' as a structured design approach in architecture. This paper aims to answer to this current momentum in architecture, by explicating a novel design approach called 'Design for Human Flourishing' (DfHF), based on a literature study of well-being theory through an architectural lens. Concretely, five well-being related attributes will be identified that define DfHF's characteristics. Furthermore, what DfHF means in architectural practice will be illustrated via a design example.

This article discusses elderly consumers' physical and social needs and wants in the marketplace, and presents case studies of two European food retail stores, which were designed to meet these concerns. The authors review information on the elderly consumers' segment and discuss literature on retail design and retail branding, and question how designers should be more aware of multiple modes of interpreting brands, given generational differences and the existence of various types of retail settings. Given that the physical and social aspects are considered key to improving the shopping experiences of elderly consumers, the authors also review literature that focuses on the importance of creating efficient, user-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing shopping environments, which pay particular attention to intangible social aspects.

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This research aims at demonstrating how retail designers through empathic interviewing and listening to the story that retailers tell about their retail concept, can program the retail design task, identify inconsistencies not thought of using the "retail design thematic map" developed and give better advice to retailers. Using independent retail as case the article sheds light on the empathic interview as method, strengthens retail design as a relevant discipline for retail strategy, and clarifies the role of emotion in the clientretailer relation regarding strategizing.

Her research interests pertain in particular to designing for experience in designed environments and for diverse user groups, and research related to design for subjective well-being in architecture and interior architecture. Ann chairs the Design Research Society's Special Interest Group on Design for Wellbeing, Happiness and Health. She has presented her work at various national and international conferences, reviews manuscripts for several journals, and is editorial board member of The Design Journal. Currently, together with prof. Cain (Loughborough University, UK), she is finishing a book for Routledge which will be entitled 'Design for Wellbeing: an applied approach'.

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