Step into one of our recent projects, say for Shell Select in the United States. From the outset, we used architecture to visually disrupt the typical gas-station narrative, adding outdoor seating to signal this is a destination for food and beverage. Inside, layout and design unite to emphasize the local menu offering rather than just commodity transactions.
That store reflects something bigger happening across the convenience sector. For decades, proximity and speed defined success. But heading into 2026, the most competitive brands will be those that deliver something far more powerful: a place that connects, resonates, and becomes part of the customer’s routine. At BDL Partners, we believe this shift comes down to one core principle: storytelling.
Designing a Store That Feels Like It Belongs
When convenience brands lean into narrative, rooted in place, culture, and craft, they transform from utilitarian pit stops into experiences with emotional gravity.
Consider our work with ADNOC Oasis in the UAE. Inspired by the region’s sand dunes and sea waves, we designed a fresh-food zone and beverage island where local tea, Turkish coffee and barista service intersect with brand aesthetics. The result? A convenience store that feels like an oasis.
Or take Oxxo Gas in Mexico, where we used the brand’s signature red LED canopy and yellow banding energy icon to project a confident, modern persona that local shoppers instantly recognize as progressive and relevant.
In each case, the narrative comes first. The materials, lighting, circulation, and food culture then give that story shape, right down to the aroma of espresso when a customer walks in.
Why This Matters for 2026
Industry forecasts show clear momentum: food-service sales rose 5% in 2024 and are projected to accelerate in 2025–26. Meanwhile, the brands achieving 2–3x longer dwell times are those investing in destination design, curated food experiences, and multi-mission convenience.
As mobility behaviours shift, between EV adoption, alternative fuels, and hybrid travel patterns, 2026 will challenge operators to do more than move vehicles efficiently. The stores that win will be those that create:
Rituals, not transactions
Community, not just convenience
Brand worlds, not brand signage
And storytelling is the throughline that brings all of this to life.
How BDL Partners Helps Brands Prepare for the 2026 Retail Landscape
At BDL Partners, our design approach is never solely aesthetic. It is the integration of:
Brand × Community × Efficiency
The narrative sets the strategy and the design brings it to life with intention.
When we applied this method for Alltown in the U.S., a higher-quality food retail experience came to life through natural materials, an open truss ceiling, and dramatic lighting. The impact: a store that feels elevated, memorable, and deeply tied to its surroundings.
Across global projects, we’ve helped retail and convenience clients unlock:
10–15% basket-size growth
Double-digit increases in dwell time
Higher loyalty and repeat visitation
Greater emotional connection to the brand
These are the performance levers that will matter most heading into 2026.
2026 Is the Year to Reimagine Your Stores
As the category evolves, brands that rely on speed and price alone will lose ground to those who build spaces with meaning - places where people pause, connect, and return.
If your 2026 goals include elevating your brick-and-mortar experience, strengthening your food-service program, or redefining how your brand shows up at street level, we’d love to help.
Let’s make your next store a place people talk about, remember, and choose again and again. Reach out to BDL Partners to begin shaping a retail story worthy of your customers and your future.