‘Tis the season for giving, and Morgan Li is making sure one deserving Chicago nonprofit’s holiday wishes are More than Made this year.   Morgan Li, a leading provider of retail solutions, is launching a new initiative to help deserving local nonprofits upgrade the spaces where they work and serve. Starting today through Dec. 31, Morgan Li is encouraging anyone working for or benefitting from a local nonprofit whose space could use a refresh to nominate their organization for a free Morgan Li makeover.  Nominations can be submitted through this form for nonprofits that currently have ..read more

What does it take to create an unforgettable retail experience? This is the question posed by Authority Magazine’s editorial staff in their latest series titled How To Create A Fantastic Retail Experience That Keeps Bringing Customers Back For More. Authority Magazine Series: What It Takes to Create Fantastic Retail Experiences Over the past three years, Authority Magazine has run this series, speaking with brand leaders, technology companies, and their partners on what it takes to create a meaningful, memorable customer experience. And in a recent article, Morgan Li founders Andy & Jonath ..read more

Whether you’re a DTC brand looking to set up your first flagship or an established brand exploring expansion options, the right location matters nearly as much as the products you sell or the space you create. As we discussed in an earlier blog, success doesn’t come from simply setting up shop in Times Square or on the Magnificent Mile. Not only are these locations expensive, they might not reflect your market. Especially for DTC brands opening their first few stores, it’s better to find an affordable space with a built-in customer base. But that’s not all. In fact, a recent study from the non ..read more

Checkout-free technology is becoming more and more commonplace, with retailers of all stripes testing or deploying the technology. Despite slow uptake among more traditional retailers, the technology is ready for the big time, and it’s elevating the shopping experience in some very specific markets. As discussed in a recent blog, implementing the technology at a live event venue can greatly reduce the time it takes to get a beer and a hot dog. Same goes for airports. But we also mentioned two spaces where an unstaffed store would be ideal—university campuses and hotels. Why? Because they meet ..read more

In today’s student housing environment, experience is everything—and every detail matters. On-campus, off-campus, it doesn’t matter if it’s sophomores or seniors; students expect more from spaces. Whether that’s something a bit more exciting than a lofted double or an apartment built to leave a lasting impression, today’s students crave something different. Something bigger. A launchpad. But it takes a special focus to elevate living—and create an unforgettable experience. That’s why we’re thrilled to be a part of some recent projects at USC, UIUC, USF, and Auburn, projects that brought combin ..read more

Opening up shop in a shopping mall. It sounds like a terrible idea—right? After all, the experts predict that there may be as few as 150 malls a decade from now. But here’s the thing. Predictions are based on assumptions—and the assumption is that developers are going to take ‘the death of the shopping mall’ lying down. Yes, anchors have left or closed. Traditionally ‘on-mall’ retailers are looking off-mall. But mall owners are developing a new plan—that just so happens to look like the original creator’s vision for what a mall could be. But how did we get here? What’s next? And could your bra ..read more

A fire broke out on Monday morning, February 6, 2023 at our factory at 1001 Washington Street, Chicago Heights. While the damage of the fire is massive, the most important thing is that all our people are safe and accounted for.  Morgan Li is a family-owned and run business and we consider all our employees an extension of our family; we will do everything we can to rebuild what was lost and continue to support our people and the entire Chicago Heights community. The location of the fire is one of our five manufacturing facilities and we will continue to support our customers throughout t ..read more

It’s not pretty, but it’s coming. And whether it’s called an enrollment cliff or a demographic storm, the world of higher education is going to see significant change in the next seven years. Something we’ve already mentioned in our Student Housing Megatrends article, colleges, universities, and the players who support them are in for a whirlwind of change as the fallout from the Great Recession turns 18. But how big is it, how will it change recruiting, and what should key players in the student housing world know before they break ground? We hope to answer this and more below.   Case St ..read more

It’s a cynical way to look at things, but always look for ulterior motives. Especially in today’s world of misinformation, journalistic malfeasance, and questionable behaviors, there’s a good reason to handle everything you read with a healthy dose of skepticism. So… if you don’t know who we are, we’ll get it out of the way early. We make fixtures. We’re built on creating unforgettable retail experiences. We have a horse in the race, so to say. Forrester Predicts Challenges for Pure-Play Ecommerce Players But even we were surprised to stumble across a recent report from esteemed analyst firm F ..read more

The pandemic changed the way that we shop. Two hour delivery used to be a pipedream or a big city exclusive. Pickup was inefficient. Curbside was nonexistent. But all this changed. Now, customers can get quick delivery from first-party services like Walmart or third-party apps. Items can be ready for pickup on a dime. Curbside is a reality. But stores are about to adapt to these. Instead of the pandemic hodgepodge, the next generation of stores will be optimized for current preferences. For example, backrooms will be built for fulfillment instead of providing limited storage. Bigger or smaller ..read more