REI Opens New Prototype In Boulder, CO
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a retail cooperative providing quality outdoor gear has opened its first prototype store to test new retail concepts and green building features. “REI’s prototype initiative is structured around our community involvement, environmental stewardship and commitment to be a gateway to the outdoors,” said Brian Unmacht, REI’s Sr. V.P., Store Development.
Some of the most striking differences in the store’s appearance occur through design changes and the incorporation of renewable materials. Located at the center of the 42,000 sq. ft. store is an elevated community center -- a first for REI. The community center highlights REI’s commitment to connecting customers to resources for recreation opportunities, outdoor and conservation clubs and non-profit organizations.
Green materials, such as bamboo, recycled rubber and cork, have been incorporated throughout the store. Three solar strategies, passive solar, solar thermal and solar electric, were incorporated into the design. Natural daylight is channeled throughout the store through Solatubes.™ A soaring entryway skylight collects energy from imbedded silicon solar cells, and is the first installation of its kind in a retail environment.
Apple Launches iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store At Starbucks
Apple and Starbucks have formed an exclusive partnership that lets customers wirelessly browse, search for, preview, buy and download music from the iTunes(R) Wi-Fi Music Store at Starbucks onto their iPod(R) touch, iPhone(TM) or PC or Mac(R) running iTunes.
When a customer enters a Starbucks Store their device will automatically recognize the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store using a high-speed Wi-Fi wireless network with no connection fee or hotspot login. Customers will be able to browse, search and freely preview millions of songs, including a new ‘Now Playing’ service which displays the name of the song playing in the Starbucks store at that moment, then easily buy and download songs or albums directly to their device. Prices and selection on the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store are the same as on the regular iTunes Store.
“With this partnership, we’re bringing Apple’s leadership in digital music together with not only our retail footprint, but the unique Starbucks experience, to offer customers a world-class digital music experience,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, Starbucks Coffee Company. “Introducing this new service is a natural extension of our music strategy which only enhances the retail coffee experience for customers by helping them discover and acquire new music instantly.”
Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, said, “Imagine walking into a participating Starbucks, hearing a great song, and being able to instantly download it onto your iPod or iPhone. We think this is very cool.”
GlaxoSmithKline Launches “alli Experience” Mall Tour
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare has launched the “alli Experience” mall tour to educate overweight adults on healthy weight loss strategies and to introduce them to the alli program.
Steven Burton, V.P., Weight Control, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, said, “We chose to take the alli Experience to malls across the country as the environment provides a perfect setting for us to talk to consumers in a place that’s convenient and comfortable.”
The multi-media exhibit is divided into 3 zones. In Zone 1 visitors learn how to take the first step towards weight loss. In Zone 2 visitors are greeted by a registered dietician who can provide tips for safe weight loss. In Zone 3, consumers learn more about alli through a number of interactive stations.
Veria Debuts First Retail Wellness Center
Veria, has opened its first Veria Wellness Center, the first of 50 nationwide retail locations to open over the next 18 months. Veria Wellness Centers offer an impressive selection of personal day spa services, plus a large studio area for yoga classes, tai chi, wellness seminars, and more. Veria Wellness Centers will offer an exclusive range of Veria brand products in wellness categories such as nutritional supplements, vitamins and herbal remedies, natural and organic beauty care, aromatherapy, organic fiber clothing, books, music, and natural baby care items.
Veria’s integrated, multi-faceted approach combines the national network of Veria Wellness Centers with a powerful Internet portal, http://www.veria.com and Veria TV, a television network of original wellness lifestyle programming.
Pizza Patron Opens First “Rapidito” Unit
Pizza Patrón, the premier Latino pizza brand, has introduced the first Pizza Patrón Rapidito concept at La Gran Plaza, in Fort Worth TX. The brand’s new Rapidito unit is designed specifically for malls, airports, and other special venues.
La Gran Plaza is a unique mall among the first of its kind in the U.S. which caters exclusively to the Latino consumer. The mall’s architecture and atmosphere resemble that of a typical colonial city in central Mexico creating an environment that is culturally sensitive to the Hispanic family.
Antonio Swad, Pizza Patrón’s Founder, said, “Our new Rapidito unit allows us to serve our core Hispanic customer. As our customer base grows, we need to find new ways to serve them.”
Dennys To Open In Pilot Travel Centers
Denny’s Corp. will develop restaurants within Pilot Travel Centers across the U.S. This new relationship represents the joining of two of the nation's largest companies in their respective categories: the largest full-service family restaurant chain and the largest operator of travel centers.
“Developing restaurants along our nation’s highways has always been an important part of Denny’s heritage,” said Nelson Marchioli, Denny’s CEO. “Denny’s customers, many of whom are highway travelers, will now have the opportunity to enjoy good food at a great value 24/7 while fulfilling all of their travel needs in one convenient location.”
The Denny’s restaurant within the Pilot Travel Center will be based on Denny’s new prototype design with square footage and seating in line with a typical building.
Mattress Works To Establish Store-Within-A-Store At Wal-Marts
Mattress Works, an independent bedding company, has signed a lease agreement with Wal-Mart to establish bedding shops in the vestibule space of Wal-Mart Super Centers.
“Each Mattress Works location will be located in a Wal-Mart Super Center, and each will be managed by a local Operating Partner - an established bedding retailer who knows the local market and operates the store as an independent retailer,” said David Karr, CEO of Mattress Works
“Our goal is to provide Wal-Mart shoppers with the ‘value experience’ they have come to expect,” Karr said.
KB Home & Disney Announce Collaboration
KB Home, a leading homebuilder, and Disney Consumer Products announced a unique collaboration to offer Disney Home product options to KB Home homebuyers. Disney Home products will be offered at KB Home Studios, the retail-like design centers in which KB Home homebuyers select options to personalize their new homes. Jeffrey Mezger, CEO of KB Home, said, “Our Built to Order business model is all about choice, and together with Disney we are offering even more options for the whole family.”
KB Home homebuyers will be able to create custom Disney rooms in their own new homes by selecting among the many Disney options to be offered at KB Home Studios. Disney Home product options may include flooring, window coverings, lighting and more.
“This collaboration reinforces Disney’s place in the hearts and homes of our customers, while positioning Disney Home as a leading lifestyle brand,” said Pamela Lifford, V.P., Global Home for Disney Consumer Products.
Frito-Lay’s SunChips To Feature Green-e Designation
SunChips, Frito-Lay’s popular brand of multigrain snacks, has announced the inclusion of the “Green-e” designation across its full line of SunChips snacks. The updated packaging will feature the Green-e logo, a designation from the Center for Resource Solutions used with certified renewable energy certificates. The Center for Resource Solutions is the national non-profit group that administers the Green-e program. The SunChips brand will be one of the first national consumer packaged goods brands to include the Green-e logo on packaging.
“Including the Green-e on the SunChips line of snacks gives the brand an opportunity to communicate its commitment to support green energy, and hopefully will remind and encourage consumers to take their own small steps to make our world a brighter place,” said Gannon Jones, V.P., Marketing, Frito-Lay.
Safeway Announces First Solar-Powered Grocery Stores
Safeway has launched a new environmental project to power its California stores with renewable solar energy. The company installed solar panels atop a newly renovated Safeway Lifestyle store in Dublin, CA and plans to extend the program as part of a broader renewable energy initiative. Solar equipment at the Dublin Safeway store will provide 20 percent of the stores’ average power usage.
“Safeway is taking its green power initiative to the next level as we identify additional California store locations for its solar stores program,” said Joe Pettus, Safeway Sr.V.P., Fuel & Energy. “The investment in renewable energy, both solar and wind makes sense for both the environment and our company.”
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