I am a retail architecture and branded environments designer with 25+ years of experience leading global store design, customer experience, and experiential environments. I specialize in retail architecture, branded environments, and customer experience programs, delivering scalable, cost-efficient solutions for Fortune 500 and growth retailers. I thrive in cross-functional teams and mentor diverse groups to create customer-centric physical environments that accelerate rollout timelines and savings. I’m passionate about brand storytelling, design thinking, and hands-on execution. I partner with vendors, manufacturers, and stakeholders to translate strategy into compelling spaces that harmonize brand, operations, and guest experience across North America, EMEA, LATAM, and Asia.…

R.J. Fortmann

PRO

I am a retail architecture and branded environments designer with 25+ years of experience leading global store design, customer experience, and experiential environments. I specialize in retail architecture, branded environments, and customer experience programs, delivering scalable, cost-efficient solutions for Fortune 500 and growth retailers. I thrive in cross-functional teams and mentor diverse groups to create customer-centric physical environments that accelerate rollout timelines and savings. I’m passionate about brand storytelling, design thinking, and hands-on execution. I partner with vendors, manufacturers, and stakeholders to translate strategy into compelling spaces that harmonize brand, operations, and guest experience across North America, EMEA, LATAM, and Asia.…

Available to hire

I am a retail architecture and branded environments designer with 25+ years of experience leading global store design, customer experience, and experiential environments. I specialize in retail architecture, branded environments, and customer experience programs, delivering scalable, cost-efficient solutions for Fortune 500 and growth retailers. I thrive in cross-functional teams and mentor diverse groups to create customer-centric physical environments that accelerate rollout timelines and savings.

I’m passionate about brand storytelling, design thinking, and hands-on execution. I partner with vendors, manufacturers, and stakeholders to translate strategy into compelling spaces that harmonize brand, operations, and guest experience across North America, EMEA, LATAM, and Asia.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Owner / Chief Design Officer at Raymond James Design
January 1, 2012 - Present
Design consultancy specializing in retail, store design and development, customer experience, visual merchandising, marketing, design thinking, product design, and experiential environments. Collaborate with vendors and stakeholders to execute design intent and drive retail innovation across customer-facing brands.
Director, Architecture Facades & Branding at Burlington Stores
January 1, 2024 - Present
Led architectural branding and façade initiatives for all new stores, downsizes, remodels, and prototype adaptations across 1,000+ locations. Drove exterior signage strategy, prototype adaptation, and cross-functional coordination while refining processes for remodels and ground-up developments.
Director, Architecture & Design West Coast at Burlington Stores
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2024
Directed architecture, façade, branding, and layout design for new stores within a 24-state territory; managed landlord reviews, municipal coordination, and prototype adaptations; led accelerated Fall 2023 rebrand and exterior signage implementation.
Director, Visual Merchandising Retail Stores at Parallel
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2021
Led concept store design, visual merchandising, and retail experience development across multi-state cannabis retail operations; partnered with millwork and fabrication vendors; improved digital screen uptime from 48% to 98% through process improvements; designed mobile medical cannabis dispensaries.
Manager, Creative & Visual Merchandising Services at Meijer
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2019
Led creative design and execution for customer-facing signage, décor, remodels, and new store development; managed internal teams, agencies, and budgets totaling $8.5M; achieved 20% savings through vendor optimization; led experiential design initiatives.
Global Sr. Manager, Visual Merchandising (Brand Experience) at Dorel Sports / Cycling Sports Group
January 1, 2016 - Present
Led global branded environment and retail experience initiatives, directing store design, fixture development, events, remodels, and partnerships with dealers and big-box retailers; collaborated with marketing and operations on global events and experiential programs.
Global Manager, Visual Merchandising at Dorel Sports / Cycling Sports Group
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2016
Led domestic and international retail design, remodels, merchandising, and fixture development programs; managed sourcing and production with international partners; delivered savings and rolled out digital signage.
Customer Experience Director at Best Buy Co., Inc.
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2012
Led enterprise customer experience initiatives across multiple retail channels and 1,100+ stores; improved customer journey performance, reduced budgets while preserving experience quality; led in-store merchandising and digital content development.
International Design Integration Director at Best Buy Co., Inc.
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2010
Supported international flagship store development, market expansion across China, Mexico, Turkey, and the United Kingdom; led cross-functional global design and build coordination; ensured merchandising consistency.
Senior Manager of Design Integration at Best Buy Co., Inc.
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2008
Directed enterprise retail design projects, fixture development, and graphic production teams; led prototype stores and rollout strategies; integrated experiential concepts from prototype to implementation.
Advisory Board Member at StorePoint Retail
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2013
Provided industry insight and strategic support for retail innovation and supplier engagement conferences.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) in Industrial Design at University of Wisconsin–Stout
January 11, 2030 - May 19, 2026
Mini-Masters Certificate in Business Administration at University of St. Thomas College of Business
January 11, 2030 - May 19, 2026
Certificate in Design Thinking Methodologies at Design Community College
January 11, 2030 - May 19, 2026
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt at The George Group / Accenture
January 11, 2030 - May 19, 2026

Qualifications

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
January 11, 2030 - May 19, 2026

Industry Experience

Retail, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Real Estate & Construction
    paper KFC Next
    What if restaurant architecture became part brand icon, part operational machine, and part customer experience platform? I recently created this future-forward concept exploring how design thinking methodologies can push beyond traditional restaurant design into integrated operational ecosystems. The concept reimagines KFC through: • Iconic architecture recognizable at both highway and street scale • Integrated drone delivery infrastructure • Automated fulfillment workflows • Customer experience-driven site planning • Branded operational storytelling For me, projects like this are less about creating “fantasy concepts” and more about exploring how emerging technologies, operations, branding, and architecture may converge to shape future physical environments. The value is in exploring where design, operations, and technology may intersect next — and helping brands think differently about the future of physical environments and thoughtfully build an iterative roadmap to get there. What keeps you up at night? We can help.…
    paper KFC Next

    The Bucket Concept - Iconic brand design -Future forward
    What if restaurant architecture became part brand icon, part operational machine, and part customer experience platform?
    I recently created this future-forward concept exploring how design thinking methodologies can push beyond traditional restaurant design into integrated operational ecosystems.
    The concept reimagines KFC through:
    • Iconic architecture recognizable at both highway and street scale
    • Integrated drone delivery infrastructure
    • Automated fulfillment workflows
    • Customer experience-driven site planning
    • Branded operational storytelling
    For me, projects like this are less about creating “fantasy concepts” and more about exploring how emerging technologies, operations, branding, and architecture may converge to shape future physical environments.
    The value is in exploring where design, operations, and technology may intersect next — and helping brands think differently about the future of physical environments and thoughtfully build an iterative roadmap to get there.
    What keeps you up at night? We can help.