Chris Niesen explores the physical spaces that bring retail brands to life. As an executive and strategic advisor, he has helped brands such as Target, Whole Foods, Sally Beauty, and Party City reimagine their store formats, space planning, and merchandising approaches. He believes store environments should clarify the brand’s mission, create an enjoyable space for store associates to work, and connect with every customer beyond the transaction and long after they’ve left the store.

He has walked more than 3,000 stores in the past 18 months and writes Retail in Real Time on Substack (chrisniesen.substack.com), field reports on what’s working on the floor and what it means for your business. He also hosts the podcast Making Space: Real Time.

When not exploring retail experiences and environments, you can find him hiking, traveling, reading, and on the sideline of his two sons’ soccer and tennis events. Chris lives in a suburb of Minneapolis with his wife Jee and their two sons.