Pathmark Debuts ‘Go Fresh, Go Local’
Pathmark Stores has introduced a new supermarket concept emphasizing its “Go Fresh, Go Local” branding and merchandising initiatives in a newly remodeled, full-service store located in Kinnelon, N.J. The renovated 55,400-sq.-ft. store was designed by the retail division of Coleman brandworx (CBX), the New York City-based strategic branding and design agency.
New decor elements include a warm color palette, flooring, fixturing and specialty lighting, as well as an emphasis on department signage and graphics through a new in-store communication system.
The Kinnelon store features freestanding wooden floor fixtures and a warm color palette. Bounded by a series of refrigerated cases, the department’s core is defined by repositionable track head lighting centered over the moveable floor fixtures that elevate Pathmark’s extensive produce offering to specialty boutique status. Further enhancing the department is eye-catching signage with photos of fresh fruits and vegetables combined with phrases such as “Just picked,” “Farm fresh,” and “Vine ripened” to convey the fresh and local message.
Home Depot Launches Eco Options
The Home Depot has expanded its long-term commitment to the environment and sustainability by launching its Eco Options program in the U.S. Eco Options is a classification that allows customers to easily identify products that have less of an impact on the environment and empowers them to help make a difference in their own homes.
The Home Depot has identified more than 2,500 Eco Options products, including all-natural insect repellents, cellulose insulation, front-load washing machines, organic plant food and vegetables in biodegradable pots. The wide array of Eco Options also includes compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, programmable thermostats and certified wood. The Eco Options line will be continuously expanded to include scores of innovative products that reduce the impact on the environment.
Special Eco Options displays are rolling out in Home Depot stores across the country.
The launch will capitalize on the growing trend of consumers embracing environmentalism.
Meijer Opens Green Store
Meijer has opened a new store in Allen Park, Michigan, which includes features that are environmentally friendly and sustainable. The new Meijer in Allen Park will receive certification as a LEED building (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council.
High efficiency light fixtures, as well as advanced heating and cooling systems are all part of the green plan. Locally sourced materials help reduce environmental impact and also support the local economy.
“Meijer has always been an innovator and we are continuing the tradition of serving our customers with the freshest offerings with this green store,” said Hank Meijer, CEO. “This store embodies design and construction practices that significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact on the environment and on our customers.”
ICP Solar Launches New Coleman Solar Charger Program At Wal-Mart
ICP Solar Technologies’ Coleman Solar Charger program has been implemented in Wal-Mart Canadian stores. The new range of latest generation thin-film solar panels coincides with Wal-Marts corporate objective to increase its involvement in “green” technologies.
Sass Peress ICP Solar, said, “The delivery of this new program places Wal-Mart ahead of any other solar panel retailer in Canada and permits us a testing ground for an eventual similar program across Wal-Mart’s international divisions. The partnership between the Coleman® and Wal-Mart brands is longstanding, and ICP Solar is proud to have developed this latest technology program for its stores. We are already seeing increased sell-through at the retail level and anticipate significant year-on-year growth through this distribution partner."
Lids Kids/Lids Opens In AIRMALL At Pittsburgh International Airport
Lids, a leading retailer of licensed brands and fashionable headwear, opened its first-ever Lids Kids/Lids store in the AIRMALL at the Pittsburgh International Airport. The new store offers an array of hats plus a "while you wait" embroidery service for those looking for a more personalized look.
“The new Lids Kids/Lids store gives travelers the chance to choose from an array of hats that can be personalized through custom embroidery, while the traveler waits,” said Jay Kruisselbrink, Vice President of Development for BAA Pittsburgh. "We are pleased to have the first Pittsburgh location right here in the AIRMALL®.”
RIDEMAKERZ Opens First Car Customizing Experience For Kids
RIDEMAKERZ™, a car-customizing experience for kids, has opened its first shop at Myrtle Beach, SC. The concept is inspired by Build-A-Bear Workshop, and taps into America’s love of cars and the car-customizing movement.
The RIDEMAKERZ experience invites guests into the ultimate car-customizing shop where they can personalize a one-of-a-kind RIDEZ. Between the body styles and colors, tires and wheels, lights and sounds, and accessories, there are more than 649,000,000 combinations.
The durable RIDEZ plastic cars and trucks range from a Fire Engine to a retro Hot Rod. Customizers can have the complete RIDEMAKERZ experience and leave with a car ranging in price from $12 to $28, depending on body and paint style. Radio remote control can be added for an additional $25, and custom accessories range from $5 for monster tires to $10 for a Street-Glow light kit to $15 for a deluxe “Muscle Kit.”
Nickelodeon & Marriott To Create Branded Hotel Experience
Marriott International and Nickelodeon have formed an agreement to co-develop a breakthrough new lodging resort brand and concept for travelers seeking fun and adventure, “Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott.” The first “Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott” property is expected to be a 650-room resort at Liberty Station in San Diego, which will incorporate a 100,000 sq.-ft. water park.
Each resort will feature a wide variety of attractions ranging from state-of-the-art pools to live entertainment programs featuring popular costumed Nickelodeon characters. “Studio Nick,” a state-of-the-art theater will anchor the resorts’ live entertainment programs. The “NickToons Café” will provide a casual and friendly environment. Retail offerings will be a key element of the guest experience, with Nick-themed retail items available that are exclusive to the resort.
Hard Rock Park To Open In Myrtle Beach
Hard Rock Park, the world's first rock ‘n’ roll theme park, is slated to open in Myrtle Beach, SC, in spring 2008. Hard Rock Park will be a 140-acre theme park boasting more than 40 attractions for rockers of all ages, including roller coasters, shows, children’s play areas, restaurants, cafes and retail stores, a multi-purpose live music amphitheatre, and ultra-modern sound system.
Hard Rock Park will feature six “rock environs” celebrating rock’s culture, lifestyle and legends, including: Rock & Roll Heaven, British Invasion; Lost in the 70’s, a large indoor mall where Britannia and America converge; Born in the USA; and Cool Country.
Steven Goodwin, CEO, Hard Rock Park, said, “From the innovative rides and the entertainment experience to the priceless memorabilia we will have on display and special events we will host, visitors can expect a new standard of fun to rock fans of all ages.”
Dress For Success Cleaners Provides Turnkey Display System
Dress For Success Cleaners (DFS) has opened its first in-store dry cleaning location with Baker’s in Omaha, Nebraska, a Dillon Stores format, which is a Division of Kroger.
Baker’s shoppers can now enjoy the one-stop shopping convenience of Dress For Success Cleaners’ quality dry cleaning and laundry at low, everyday prices. Baker’s will benefit from increased shopping visit frequency and customer loyalty.
By meeting supermarket customers' demand for convenience, DFS provides an enhanced one-stop shopping experience.
Nike & Footlocker To Launch New Basketball Retail Experience
NIKE and Foot Locker expect to open up to 50 “House of Hoops by Foot Locker” stores in the U.S. over the next three years, creating a new retail experience celebrating basketball culture for consumers. House of Hoops will be a “hub for all things basketball,” offering exclusively Nike, Jordan and Converse basketball footwear, apparel and equipment product. The first House of Hoops store will open in early 2008 on 125th Street in Harlem, New York.
“House of Hoops will give consumers a unique retail experience not seen in the market today, offering a selection of the game’s most premium athletic footwear, apparel and equipment brands,” said Charles Denson, President of the Nike brand. “House of Hoops reflects our growth strategy-focus on the consumer, create the marketplace, and deliver elevated brand experiences.”
House of Hoops extends an existing store-within-a-store concept featuring Nike basketball product at Foot Lockers nationwide.
Luxury Movie Theater With Dining Opens In Miami’s Dolphin Mall
Taubman Centers’ Dolphin Mall is partnering with Cobb Theatres to offer Miami- Dade County, Florida’s first premium movie theater complete with dining, cocktails, reserved luxury seating and digital projection. The 20,000-sq. ft. cinema will have five digital screens, a restaurant, an outdoor dining patio and a bar located a few steps from Dolphin Mall’s main valet parking area.
Each theater has 75 to 125 seats rather than the typical 200 to 300 to provide more comfort and ambiance than the traditional theater. The high-end leather seats with handmade wood table armrests, that may be folded up to create a “sofa-like” seat, are arranged stadium style, but feature almost six feet between rows rather than the traditional 48”.
Moviegoers may still get popcorn and soda, but they may also sample from the tapas-style menu or they can have dinner before or after a show.
Some of the theater’s special touches include stainless steel railings wrapped in leather, a chandelier, fabric-clad walls behind the bar that have classic movie images projected on them and director’s chair-like seating in the dining room.
Brunton Vineyards To Expand VinoVenue
Brunton Vineyards, a San Francisco, CA-based wine company has , has selected contractor, Terra Nova Industries, to execute the global expansion of its San Francisco based wine lounge, VinoVenue. It plans to have some 200 VinoVenue locations in the U.S.
Ron Taylor, President of TNI, said, “The Vino Venue concept is one of the most innovative ideas of the future; not only will it educate wine enthusiasts but also be a place to socialize and be entertained. It will become an icon and lifestyle wanted around the world.”
Domino’s Pizza Begins Use of All-Electric Delivery Vehicle
Domino’s Pizza has tested delivering its pizzas using ZAP all-electric vehicles supplied to them by The Electric Vehicle Company. The electric vehicle deliveries reinforce Domino’s desire to offer cost-saving, environmentally friendly delivery options. Jim Stansik, Domino’s V.P., Franchise Development, said, “Domino’s is committed to being a responsible consumer of our planet's natural resources by testing the feasibility of using electric vehicles in our stores.”
The Electric Vehicle Company (EVC) of Chicago is making its all-electric vehicles available to consumer product companies for use as an environmentally friendly and cost-efficient option for conducting deliveries, mobile advertising and event marketing programs. Their unique styling definitely catch consumers’ eyes and can be easily wrapped with signage.
Coca-Cola & Ecoist To Promote Eco-Friendly Living
Ecoist, the eco-fashion accessories company, has launched a line of handbags made from misprinted or discontinued Coca-Cola bottle labels. The partnership will leverage the Coca- Cola brand and the growing concern of Global Warming to spread the message of sustainability. As part of the partnership, a tree will be planted for every handbag sold.
"Ecoist is an ideal partner for Coke’s involvement with environmental initiatives. We have made great strides in reducing our waste output, and we are constantly seeking ways to reduce our environmental footprint. This partnership allows us to repurpose materials. We are helping to create greater awareness of environmentally responsible consumption,’ said Kelli Sogar, Merchandise Manager, Licensing Operations, Coca-Cola Co.
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