The Center for Retail Design and Innovation (CRDI) within the Retail Merchandising Program is designed to enrich student experiences through industry partnerships and program involvement. The CRDI is designing, developing, and launching various educational opportunities to support and empower retail merchandising students. It is designed to connect students to resources, industry professionals, and hands-on learning experiences within the retail community to prepare them for success in their careers. As one of the only retail merchandising research centers located within a design college, CRDI will help students and partners develop crucial skills in design thinking, visual literacy, creative problem solving, leadership, and business analysis. Located within the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, CRDI has the added advantage of having many Fortune 500 corporations right at our fingertips.