Retail Design Management (RDM) is the operational discipline that ensures every tenancy progresses from concept to opening day smoothly, safely and in accordance with the centre’s standards. Design Clarity provides a structured approval pathway that supports retailers, leasing teams and contractors through the full design and delivery process.
By reviewing concepts, verifying documentation, coordinating services and conducting on-site inspections, we protect design integrity and reduce delays. Our experience across major portfolios—spanning hundreds of brands and centres—allows us to anticipate challenges, resolve issues early and keep projects aligned with the vision of the development.
RDM orchestrates the entire tenant design and fitout journey. It begins with a comprehensive briefing where we outline the centre’s design expectations, operational procedures and technical requirements. Retailers receive clear guidance on how to prepare their submissions and what standards their design must meet. This early communication reduces ambiguity and sets a collaborative tone.
Our team manages a disciplined two-stage design review process. The concept review verifies brand alignment, shopfront strategy and the general feasibility of the proposal. The detailed design review assesses services coordination, building code compliance, signage documentation, joinery details, accessibility requirements, fire protection integration and all other technical components. We provide precise, actionable feedback, ensuring tenants progress confidently toward certification and construction.
During the fitout phase, we maintain direct contact with retailers, designers, contractors and centre management. We conduct site visits, resolve construction queries and monitor installations for compliance. Final defect inspections confirm that the as-built result corresponds with the approved design package, guaranteeing consistency across the precinct.
RDM is ultimately about coordination, quality control and architectural discipline. It reduces programme risk for landlords, supports tenants through a complex process and ensures that every new store enhances the value and presentation of the centre.
Streamline the Approval Journey
RDM optimises the pathway from initial briefing to design approval. Our structured methodology—refined across countless large-scale retail projects—clarifies what tenants must deliver at each stage and what the centre requires for compliance. Timeframes are established upfront, documentation standards are defined, and expectations are communicated without ambiguity. This removes unnecessary back-and-forth and keeps projects moving efficiently. By overseeing submissions and providing direct, concise feedback, we minimise delays and ensure each tenant reaches construction-ready status on schedule. The result is a predictable, transparent process that benefits both landlords and retailers.
Protect Design Quality
Our role is to safeguard the architectural standards of the centre. We examine each design submission rigorously, ensuring it aligns with the precinct’s character and meets all technical criteria. Whether reviewing shopfront geometry, material selections, lighting performance or services integration, we identify risks early and propose solutions that maintain both creative integrity and operational feasibility. This oversight ensures that every tenancy contributes to a visually coherent environment. By maintaining consistent quality across all fitouts, RDM strengthens the centre’s reputation, enhances customer experience and preserves long-term asset value.
Coordinate All Stakeholders
RDM serves as the central communication hub for tenants, designers, contractors, leasing teams and centre management. We translate guidelines into practical instructions, clarify site conditions, and mediate between competing priorities. This coordination eliminates confusion and ensures everyone works from the same information set. As construction progresses, we respond rapidly to queries, resolve technical issues and keep the programme aligned with critical dates. Effective stakeholder coordination reduces friction in the delivery chain and creates a more predictable and collaborative environment for all parties involved.
Verify Delivery On-Site
Design compliance does not end at drawing approval. Our team conducts on-site inspections throughout the fitout period to ensure the built outcome matches the approved documentation. We check structural integration, signage installation, lighting performance, finishes execution and general workmanship. Any deviations are addressed promptly, protecting the centre from inconsistencies and ensuring tenants open with a fully compliant, high-quality fitout. This meticulous on-site presence guarantees that the design intent is upheld in practice, not just on paper, and that every tenancy adds to the overall standard of the development.
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David Slade
Director of Leasing Westfield
United Kingdom
Peter Coroneo
CEO QIC Properties PTY Ltd
Australia
Nicholas Mulders MSc
Director - Development Shopping Malls Majid Al Futtaim Properties LLC
United Arab Emirates
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