The UPS Store Unveils New and Modern Store Design
September 14 2020 - 11:00AM
The UPS Store, Inc., the nation’s largest shipping, postal, print
and business services chain*, today unveiled a new and contemporary
design of its retail stores, now available for its large network of
franchise owners. The first set of fully redesigned stores, which
include the first major change to the stores’ layout in two
decades, have opened in several markets around the country.
“In a rapidly changing business environment, The UPS Store seeks
to create a place where business happens in real time,” said Tim
Davis, president of The UPS Store, Inc. “We’re elevating the retail
experience to cater to today’s small business owner and consumer,
while helping drive growth and profitability for our network of
franchise owners.”
The transformed look and layout create a more seamless in-store
customer experience while reflecting the new demands of a world
driven by tech and e-commerce. Compared to the previous design, the
new stores are more open in their layout to highlight the breadth
of services, brighter in both color and lighting and feature more
digital elements than ever before.
The new design is part of a continued strategy to help The UPS
Store® franchisees thrive in a highly competitive environment. In
addition to its current network of franchisees, the new design will
be standard for new franchise owners, and the retailer offers both
a veteran incentive program and a minority incentive program for
new franchisee candidates looking to enter the network. To thank
and honor veterans for their service, the veteran incentive program
provides $10,000 off the initial franchise fee. The UPS Store is
committed to fostering diversity through the minority incentive
program. First time minority franchisees are eligible to receive an
approximate 50% discount off the franchise fee. Both veteran and
minority franchisees who take part in these programs will develop
their location under the new store design.
Evolution of The UPS Store Design
The redesign is a result of extensive research and planning
involving key stakeholders, including franchisees, small business
owners, consumers and retail industry experts. The UPS Store design
team worked with Columbus, Ohio-based design firm Chute Gerdeman to
develop the new look, feel and layout.
“We embarked on a collaborative strategic process that shed
light on the need to convey transparency within the in-store
experience,” said Jeff Wietrzykowski, creative director at Chute
Gerdeman. “The new store design radically opens up the retail
space, highlighting the variety of key services that The UPS Store
centers offer while communicating trust and collaboration to its
customers.”
The UPS Store, Inc. spent four years building, testing and
tweaking numerous prototype centers in various communities across
the country to refine the design. Rooted in functionality and
accessibility, it is intended to enhance space utilization and
consumer appeal in response to changing customer needs.
Design Features and Elements
The new in-store experience for The UPS Store network resembles
a contemporary open concept workshop, with light-industrial design
elements and visible work areas that invite customers to easily
navigate the store and interact with associates. In addition, the
redesign includes an option to include 24/7 smart lockers near the
front entry, allowing convenient and secure package pick-ups at any
time, day or night.
Key design features and layout elements include:
- A reimagined open floor plan eliminating walls and dividers,
and instead grouping the store into functional zones thoughtfully
designed for optimal foot traffic flow and space utilization.
- The front of the store is accessible 24 hours a day, with a
security gate closing off other sections after hours. This entry
zone can house mailboxes, smart lockers and self-serve
printers.
- The service counter area is where customers can interact with
associates during business hours for core services including
packing, shipping and printing. In addition, this section offers
space for expert consultation and additional services including
notary.
- A dedicated print consultation area with seating for customers,
allowing center associates to provide an unrushed experience to
explain all printing and design services.
- The back of the store has been transformed to showcase the open
workspace. Full sightlines into this area allow customers to see
the expert work that goes behind the packing and shipping
process.
- More fixtures and services incorporating technology, such as
digital menu boards and smart lockers are present throughout the
store.
- Oak plank flooring greets the customers, adding warmth to the
space, while the workshop flooring is finished with a concrete
aesthetic to convey a modern industrial feel.
- Fresh, bright colors throughout the store stand in dramatic
contrast to the monochromatic color palette of the previous
generation of stores.
- Modular pieces allow for franchisees to customize the space for
different situations, based on customer volume or workspace
needed.
Deemed essential during the pandemic, most The UPS Store centers
have remained open to provide a wide array of services including
shipping, mail and package receiving, printing, scanning, faxing
and notary. General consumers and small business owners alike rely
on easy and safe access to these services now more than ever, and
the store redesign improves the way these needs are met.
About The UPS Store
With more than 5,000 locations across North America, The UPS
Store® network comprises the nation’s largest franchise system of
retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers*. The
UPS Store locations in the U.S. are independently owned and
operated by licensed franchisees of The UPS Store, Inc., a
subsidiary of UPS (NYSE: UPS). Services, products, pricing and
hours of operation may vary by location. For additional information
on The UPS Store, visit theupsstore.com. In 2020, The
UPS Store ranked #5 overall in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise
500 and #1 in the Postal & Business Centers category for the
30th consecutive year. For information on franchise
opportunities for opening a The UPS Store location,
visit https://www.theupsstorefranchise.com/. Follow The UPS
Store on Twitter at @TheUPSStore and like The UPS Store
on Facebook at facebook.com/theupsstore.
*Per IBISWorld Packing & Shipping Service Franchises US
Industry Report OD5561 March 2020
- The UPS Store New Store Design 1
- The UPS Store New Store Design 2
- The UPS Store New Store Design 3
Casey Sorrell
858-642-7986
csorrell@upsstore.com
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