From his humble beginnings as a customer service associate 13 years ago, Landino has set standards in the grocery retail world that are widely emulated by others. He steadily worked his way up the ranks at Whole Foods Market to manage the retail design of multiple flagship stores. Highlights include the Lakeview, Chicago site; a remodel of the original flagship in Lincoln Park, Chicago; Detroit and Birmingham stores in Michigan; and stores in Toronto. Landino champions innovative designs that put the food front and center, creating a sense of discovery while maintaining key Whole Foods’ ideals like community connection and local relevance. His expertise ranges from fixture planning and equipment design to interior packages and signage. Through the years, he has received numerous regional and global Whole Foods Market All-Star Awards. Peers think of Landino as a jack-of-all-trades within his field, as well as a strong leader and creative strategist.
PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT OF THE PAST YEAR
In the last year, I’ve had the opportunity to not only drive the décor and interior architectural design for two new stores debuting this fall that will hold some interesting new concepts for Whole Foods Market, but I’ve also been able to be deeply involved in fixture planning. Being able to design from the fixture plan all the way through to the tile selection and décor on the walls has been extremely fulfilling. I’ve also had a few opportunities to mentor other designers on my team. Watching new designers coming in with big, bold ideas and helping them make them a reality is a different level of pride.
A PIECE OF MEDIA THAT INSPIRED ME RECENTLY
The sets of The Queen’s Gambit were phenomenal. The maximalist mid-century patterns and color stories in every scene, in every episode, had me designing spaces in my head for weeks. It’s always incredible to see colors and patterns and finishes work together that you have been told could never.
FUN FACT ABOUT ME
In my free time, I make small-batch, hand-built ceramics, and pre-pandemic, I sold them online and at craft fairs.
