Branding: The Integrated Shopper

That said, Crate & Barrel is the only brand in this article that received lots of positive comments. Most complaints were the result of just working retail, and employees were careful to differentiate between the two. That says a lot about the atmosphere.

Another subtle indicator is the exterior of Crate & Barrel stores. The stand-alone store in Leawood, Kan., for example, features prairiesque architecture landscaped with native grasses. It visually commands one of the most lucrative retail intersections in the state. This isn’t an accident. The website of Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects, which designed the store, explains, “Every store landscape is different, yet every one creates a second glance that supports Crate & Barrel’s brand identity as the best place for home design.”