Make the most of our Retail Development Specialists’ expertise by asking the right questions—it can make a huge difference in helping your store reach its full potential.

The Retail Development team has ushered hundreds of stores like yours through the WPN Premium process, and they're standing by to tailor your Premium experience. All you have to do is ask.

Are you considering Premium? Have you applied? Are you already on the path? Here are the questions you should ask at each stage—and why they matter:

• All WPN Members: Is Premium right for my store?


• New Applicants: How much work will it take to reach Premium?


• On the Path: Is this shelf/table/chair Premium?

All WPN Members: Is Premium right for my store?

We think any store that wants to be WPN Premium can achieve it. All good things take time and effort and support, which is why our Retail Development team is here. You don’t have to go it alone!

You and your Retail Development Specialist will talk through the changes that can take your store to Premium and an estimate of how much work you'll put in.

For some stores, that may be as straight forward as buying new tables and chairs. Others might focus on building a brand identity or creating an online sales platform.

Once you know what to expect, you can make the most informed decision on what's best for you right now.

If you decide to go for Premium, great! But if you decide you don't want to pursue the designation, that's fine, too! Your Retail Development Specialist is still there to help you succeed in the WPN. (You can always apply for Premium again if your situation changes.)

New Applicants: How much work will it take to reach Premium?

The effort required for Premium depends on several factors: how many changes you're making to your store, how much time you have to put into the process, budgeting, and more—that's why it's so important to ask this question and get a personalized answer.

The typical path to Premium takes about two and a half months from application to designation. But every store is different, and there's no such thing as "too long" on the path to Premium—recent Premium addition Hairy Tarantula worked on the designation for a year and a half—and we'll work with you as long as you're interested in pursuing Premium.

On the Path: Does this shelf/table/chair meet Premium standards?

You don't have to set up an official call every time you're thinking about a new shelf—just send your Retail Development Specialist a quick Facebook Message with a link to your prospective purchase and see what they think!

We want to encourage WPN Premium stores to showcase their own unique brands and identities and fit within the WPN Premium guidelines. Contacting your Retail Development Specialist before making a purchase will ensure that your new fixture does both before you spend the money.

A bonus tip for stores in the US and Canada: apply for a Retail Improvement Grant once you've picked out those fixtures. They cover up to 50% of a wide range of store improvements, from furniture to complete construction overhauls—there's no reason not to apply!

These questions kickstart the Premium conversation with your Retail Development Specialist, whether you're just getting started or are looking for the next best step on your personal path to Premium. Send a message to your specialist today and see what you can accomplish together.

If you're at all interested in WPN Premium, you should apply today—we have a step-by-step guide to applying for Premium that will walk you through the process—and start working with your Retail Development Specialist to build the best version of your store.