OfficeMax To Open New Concept Stores
OfficeMax is opening nine new concept stores in Minnesota to provide a colorful environment where professionals can shop, check email, print documents and sip gourmet coffee.
The nine new stores will replace the industry-standard warehouse format with a fun retail concept encouraging exploration. The new design allows customers to try out the latest electronics showcased in a central technology hub. The new stores also will provide a community area called OfficeMax Café, featuring WiFi connectivity so customers can download reports and have them printed at OfficeMax Print and Document Services while they watch cable TV news, shop for suppliers or enjoy a cup of free gourmet coffee. Soft lighting and a soothing color palette of golds, oranges, greens and blues set the tone for the new stores.
OfficeMax’s new store concept was created by FRCH Design Worldwide.
Disney Mobile & Mobile ESPN To Launch Co-Branded Mall Kiosks
Disney Mobile and Mobile ESPN will launch mall kiosks nationwide as part of a distribution agreement that will extend the retail reach of both wireless service providers. Brightpoint will act as a master dealer and manage independent mobile dealers to operate the retail locations.
The kiosks, which reflect the unique products of Mobile ESPN and Disney Mobile, offer Mobile ESPN and Disney Mobile-approved wireless service plans, equipment and accessories. Brightpoint, Disney Mobile and Mobile ESPN have selected 60 key mall locations throughout the U.S. to test the concept and anticipate a national roll out later this year.
“Shopping malls will be essential to reaching our family audience and we think it is a great retail channel for us,” said George Grobar, Sr. V.P. & GM, Disney Mobile. “The dual-sided kiosk featuring both Disney Mobile and mobile ESPN will capture attention in these high traffic locations.”
Said Manish Jha, Sr. V.P., & GM, Mobile ESPN, “Kiosks offering Mobile ESPN and Disney Mobile together are a one-stop shop for two of the wireless industry’s most powerful new brands to showcase and sell their products in an expertly-staffed setting. We are pleased to add another exciting retail outlet to our distribution strategy.”
Sephora To Roll Out Store-Within-Stores At JCPenney
Sephora USA and JCPenney Co. have announced that Sephora will open “store-within-stores” and be the exclusive beauty offering in JCPenney stores, beginning this Fall.
The Sephora in JCPenney stores will feature top beauty brands carried in Sephora’s 120 stores across the U.S. Each JCPenney Sephora will be in a prominent location in the center core of the store. It will have the signature Sephora look, including open-sell gondolas and wall linears, and be staffed with a professional team of product consultants trained under the “Science of Sephora” education program.
“We see this initiative with JCPenney as a way to dramatically increase our retail presence, while we continue our core strategy of aggressively building free-standing stores across the country,” said David Suliteanu, CEO of Sephora USA.
Sears & ABC Launch ‘Winds Of Change’
Sears and ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition have formed a partnership, titled “Winds of Change,” which will invite people to contribute to the rebuilding efforts spearheaded by NeighborWorks America in hurricane-damaged communities.
Sears and ABC will rally viewers and customers to contribute at Sears’ 930 Full Line, Sears Essentials and Sears Grand Stores. All donations will benefit the Gulf Coast region rebuilding efforts of NeighborWorks, a nonprofit organization focused on community-based revitalization efforts. The program will be featured on special “After the Storm” episodes of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
Winds of Change will be supported by TV ads and special store signage at Sears cash wrap areas featuring spokesperson, Ty Pennington.
Ford Promotional Campaign Targets Women
Ford Motor Co., has launched a promotional campaign targeting women for its Ford Fusion. At the heart of Ford’s strategy to reach women is Fusion Studio D, a unique lifestyle experience center which is currently traveling to malls across the country. It’s a pop-up store set up in the mall where women can interact with the Fusion while they’re being treated with everything from beauty services and fitness training to music and health information. It also offers visitors the opportunity to test-drive the car.
“Fusion Studio D was designed to touch on the three ‘passion points’ of women: beauty, fitness and music,” said Linda Perry-Lube, Ford Communications Manager. “It’s all about engaging women where they already are -- in the mall -- in a completely non-threatening, non-showroom environment so that they can start to connect with the brand and see that we have this cool vehicle.”
OnStar Now Available In Spanish
With the Hispanic population approaching 45 million in the U.S., GM and OnStar are strengthening their commitment to provide subscribers the best in-vehicle assistance service by launching an industry-first service enhancement-OnStar en Espanol. The new service, available in OnStar-equipped 2006 vehicles at no additional cost, provides subscribers a more holistic Spanish experience including voice-recognition and hands-free calling.
“In 2005, more than 20% of all new vehicles sold to Hispanics were GM products,” said Tony DiSalle, OnStar’s V.P. “The launch of Spanish language services helps OnStar and GM enhance the customer experience and provides a unique differentiator for GM vehicles.”
Kirkland’s Home Prototype Launches
Kirkland’s, the home décor company, is launching a new store prototype for its off-mall strategy, designed to spark new decorating ideas with vignette displays that heighten the overall shopping experience.
With the look and feel of an art gallery, the expansive art area inside the new prototype puts framed wall art front and center in a series of display cabinets for comfortable browsing.
“The new prototype provides an inspiring lifestyle visual presentation that brings our merchandise together with a decorating idea focus,” said Andrew Gallina, Kirkland’s V.P., Marketing.
The first four prototype stores will be in Memphis, TN; Myrtle Beach, SC; suburban Chicago, IL; and West Hills, CA. JGA, a retail design firm, designed the new store prototype.
Mattress Firm Opens ‘King Size’ Flagship Location In Texas
Mattress Firm has opened a new 18,000-sq. ft. flagship store in Houston, TX, making it the largest of the chain’s 300 stores. “Our vision was to design a store that would offer the largest selection of bedding products, as well as special features not normally found in a mattress store,” said Steve Stagner, Mattress Firm COO.
The store features wood flooring, ceramic tile and carpet throughout, along with artwork and natural wood fixtures to create a comfortable, home-like look and feel. Customers can catch a program about how to get a great night’s sleep on the Company’s exclusive in-store FIRM TV Network, or enjoy a coffee and a massage in a Human Touch robotic massage chair in the store’s customer relaxation area.
Lane Bryant Introduces Cacique Plus Size Lingerie Stores Nationwide
Lane Bryant, the nation’s largest women’s plus-size specialty apparel retailer, is opening Cacique intimate apparel stores across the country, featuring the latest styles and trends in lingerie and sleepwear for women sizes 12-28.
The new Cacique stores offer plus-size women a shopping experience specifically created for them. Larger dressing rooms with flattering lighting and tri-fold mirrors allow customers to view themselves from every angle. The feminine, romantic, boudoir-esque décor creates an atmosphere where the long-underserved plus customer can feel comfortable, find beautiful lingerie that fits her body, and enjoy a sensual shopping experience.
Wal-Mart Soundcheck Debuts
Wal-Mart Stores has launched Wal-Mart Soundcheck, a new, original music performance series dedicated to bringing exclusive, cutting-edge and popular music content to customers.
Wal-Mart Soundcheck gives customers an insider’s look at emerging and superstar musicians and bands performing in an intimate studio setting, as well as exclusive, in-depth interviews with the artists. The performances are featured every month in stores on Wal-Mart TV and the HDTV wall in the Electronics department. The artist selection covers an array of music genres, including rock, pop, punk, country, hip-hop and R&B.
“Wal-Mart Soundcheck allows our customers to take their music experience at Wal-Mart to a whole new level,” said Kevin Swint, Wal-Mart’s Merchandising Manager for Digital Media.
Performances on Wal-Mart Soundcheck are co-sponsored through a media partnership with Gillette Fusion razors.
Solstice Sunglass Boutique Plans Expansion
Solstice Sunglass Boutique is planning to open 30 sunwear specialty stores in 2006 and plans to soon become a 155-store chain.
Solstice's innovative open sell retail environment and unmatched assortment of designer sunglasses has tremendously helped the chain grow in popularity and sales. The demand for fashion sunwear is at an all time high, according to the Company.
“We have become the dominant channel of distribution for the high-end fashion sunglass brands and as a result, have capitalized on this market niche and have differentiated ourselves from the other sunglass specialty players,” said Ed Jankowski, COO of Solstice.
Target Launches ‘Time To Play’
Target has introduced “Time to Play!,” a new toy boutique filled with specialty toys to engage the next generation of young musicians, scientists and artists. Previously, parents who wished to make their children's playtime both fun and educational had to search out specialty toy stores. “Playtime is a crucial part of every child’s development,” said Keri Jones, Vice President, Target. “Time to Play! offers our guests a broad assortment of specialty toys in the convenience and value of a Target and positions our toy department as the ultimate one-stop destination.”
Within Time to Play!, Target also introduced its own line of high quality toys called PlayWonder, featuring an assortment of specialized products for children ages two to five years and includes furniture, room décor, and coordinating toys as well as themed play environments for children such as kitchenettes, playhouses and grocery markets.
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