The National Association of Store Fixture Manufacturers named Toys “R” Us in Times Square, New York City, "Store of the Year" during the association's 31st annual awards presentation held in Chicago on Thursday, April 18, 2002. Skinmarket's FSL Kiosk in Rockaway, New Jersey, was named "Fixture of the Year." In addition to these two top awards, NASFM also presented 22 Outstanding Merits, 12 Grand Prizes, and 18 Special Merits for Outstanding Store Fixtures. Display & Design Ideas was the Presenting Sponsor of the awards program and published a magazine supplement in May 2002 devoted to comprehensive coverage of the winning projects.

The 2002 Retail Design Awards drew the second highest number of entries ever, making the judging process a daunting one. Judges for the 2002 competition were: Judith Bell, Corporate Manager of Innovation, Target; Dennis Gerdeman, Principal, Chute Gerdeman Group; Anthony J. Mancini, Senior Vice President - Global Retail Store Development, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts/Imagineering; Terri Roberts, Manager-Casework, Starbucks Coffee Co; Kathy Socha, President/Design Director, Phase One Design Services Inc.; RoxAnna Sway, Editor, Display & Design Ideas; Marianne Wilson, Senior Editor, Chain Store Age; and Carole Winters, Associate Publisher, VM+SD Magazine. Judges Judy Bell, Barb Fabing, Rudy Javosky, and Tony Mancini were presented with special awards commemorating the completion of their judging terms.

Retailers, designers, and store fixture manufacturers were recognized in the hour-long awards ceremony, which took place in the Vista Ballroom of McCormick Place at the conclusion of the first day of GlobalShop in Chicago.

The winning entries successfully integrated strong brand identity into their store and fixture designs. Many used traditional materials in unique ways to support their store brands. Projects were completed between January and December of 2001. Projects from the Northeast U.S. brought home the lion’s share of awards with 17 total, followed by California with 12, the Midwest with 11, and the Southeast with 10. Canada, The Philippines, and Mexico rounded out the international roster of winners.