I recently spent some time walking through the luxury wing at Southdale Center in Edina, Minnesota, and I went in curious to look at how the design trends we’ve been hearing about for years are actually showing up in these new retail spaces.

Side note: Did you know Southdale was the first fully enclosed shopping mall built in 1956.

Some of the new brands in the luxury wing include Burberry, David Yurman, Louis Vuitton, Max Mara, Moncler, Tiffany & Co., and Watches of Switzerland / Rolex. Here’s what stood out to me.

BIOPHILIC DESIGN

Greenery showed up everywhere. Not just as an accent, but as part of the overall experience. It softened the space and made everything feel more inviting and elevated.

TECHNOLOGY

We’ve all heard that technology is the future. And yes, it’s there. But when it’s used well, it doesn’t overwhelm the space. It supports it. Screens were used in storefronts and interiors, showing a mix of static imagery and video as another layer of storytelling.

LUXURIOUS STONE

Green marble showed up in multiple stores, especially at entry points and behind cash wraps. It adds weight and richness instantly. One of those materials that quietly communicates value.

ADDED DEPTH ON WALLS

Shelving wasn’t just shelving. Behind the product, there was always something more. Wallpaper, lighting, texture, even carpet in some cases. It’s not enough to just place a product anymore. It needs to be lit, framed, and supported to feel elevated.

ELIMINATED PAPER SIGNAGE

Paper banners are disappearing. Instead, I saw lightboxes with backlit fabric used across multiple stores. Once installed, they’re easier to update, more durable, and more cost-effective over time.

CONCLUSION

Most of this is not new. Many of these trends we’ve been talking and hearing about for years.

It is different seeing them actually executed at a high level. Everything was intentional and thoughtful. And that creates the shift, not following all the trends, but designing spaces that create the full experience. Spaces people want to be in.