To me, good retail stirs an emotion. ABC Carpet & Home (abchome.com) does just that, and more. The sheer volume of product and the layering they do wows me the minute I walk through the door. It evokes a feeling of being in an Old World market from another time. The mix of product is always world class, and it never fails that I end up having something shipped home. I also always try to visit De Vera (deveraobjects.com) when I am in New York or San Francisco. I have been going to De Vera since the mid '90s when (owner) Federico had his shops in Hayes Valley. He is a master at display, of creating a feeling that transports you to a slower time. The physical space in New York is truly one of the most amazing retail spaces I have ever been to. — Ted Kennedy Watson, Watson Kennedy, Seattle, watsonkennedy.com

Anthropologie (anthropologie.com), a great mix of personal accoutrements tastefully mixed with home accents. Tennille & Co. (tennilleandco.com) in Suwanee is a wonderful mix of antique, reproduction and new; more on the home accents side. Parsons Gift & Collectibles (parsonsgifts.com), Cumming, Ga. Owner Katherine Willis is a "retailer's retailer" and Parsons is Georgia's largest gift and collectibles store. They have everything from home accents to homemade fudge. It's an experience just going into their store, and even more fun during their Pink Panty Party. Katherine knows her stuff and passes it on to her staff. — Pamela Reeves, Ambiance Interiors & Gifts, Suwanee, Ga., ambianceworldwide.com

I love the General Store of Minnetonka (generalstoreofminnetonka.com)! It has something for every shopper with a wide assortment of merchandise categories and price points. The entry is always a great reflection of the current season/holiday and it has a fantastic cafe with homemade desserts, salads and soups. An ideal destination shopping experience. — Shannan Harris, Moments on Main, Red Wing, Minn., momentsonmain.com

Nordstrom (nordstrom.com). They are on top of their game. Their stores are always clean, sales associates deliver exceptional customer service and the product is fresh. — Christi Tullis, Ambiance Interiors & Gifts, Suwanee, Ga., ambianceworldwide.com

The Hermes flagship in Paris. I don't know that I've ever seen more creative and provoking window displays. You don't even need to go inside; the windows captivate, charm and get the wheels spinning in my head. Apple —— while not a furniture store, they certainly sell items that become as visible as any item we sell. They have mastered the white canvas, and they have mastered the experience. Retailers must remember it's not about what you sell, nor the best price, it's about creating an experience that builds loyal customers who return and promote your brand to their network. The Sundance concept store (sundancecatalog.com). I think their only unit is in the Park Meadows mall south of Denver. Just like the catalog, they mix clothing, jewelry, housewares and furniture. Nothing is priced to give away. The architecture is true to their brand. It's comfortable, and designed so that you want to stay and look at everything. — Ronald E. Werner, HW Home, Denver, Boulder and Greenwood Village, Colo., hwhome.com

When we travel, my husband and I always visit as many stores as we can. I often come back to our shop all excited and energized, with plans to rework the floor, redo the displays and give the whole place a boost. For can't-miss inspiration, visit Watson Kennedy in Seattle (watsonkennedy.com). The flagship store at Pike's Market always looks like a million bucks, with interesting and witty displays, great merchandising and a warm ambiance. Their second store, Watson Kennedy Fine Life expands on the assortment of the first and adds more home items. Their Web site is interesting, too. Another favorite is The Gardener in Berkeley, Calif. (thegardener.com). This is another merchant with style and flair and a wonderful ability to merchandise a variety of product with far more than just outdoor items. Both of these stores offer a variety of price points, key for success in any economy but crucial in these trying times. With their passion for creative merchandising and display, they can make unusual items look approachable and common products look wonderful and enticing. — MaryLiz Curtin, Leon and Lulu, Clawson, Mich., leonandlulu.com

I love ABC Carpet & Home. The antiquey-ness of it excites my senses. Walking through is like walking through someone's imagination. — Barbara Collins, The Whistling Elk, Chester, N.J., thewhistlingelk.com

Mantiques Modern (mantiquesmodern.com) is an incredible store that I am in love with and have purchased from. They sell vintage and one-of-a-kind objects including Gucci clocks, Lucite coffee tables, artwork and oddities. It's a brick and mortar store in Manhattan, as well as a Web site. One can spend hours in the shop discovering wonderful finds. Owner Cory Margolis has been honing his eye for over 37 years. — Stacy Weiss, Weiss House, Pittsburgh, Penn., weisshouse.com

I had a chance to pop into a great store called Washington Interiors the last time I went to McLean to check out progress on the Green House ... it's truly a little gem! Sun Lee, the owner, has a wonderful eye, and she has beautiful product interspersed with the tools of our trade: wallpaper books, fabric swatches and trims. I plan on taking a couple of pages from her book to use in my own shop. I love finding other retailers who are willing to share ideas and collaborate, especially in this economy! — Lynni Megginson, L&M Designs, Gaithersburg, Md., lm-designs.net

For more stores that Wow! Click here.