Quiksilver Youth Store Opens In Los Angeles
Quiksilver, a leading outdoor sports lifestyle company, has opened its Quiksilver Youth concept store at The Grove in Los Angeles, CA.
The store will exclusively carry a fashion-forward mix of apparel, footwear and accessories from Quiksilver Boys, Quiksilver Youth, Roxy Girl and Teenie Wahine lines.
The design of the Quiksilver Youth concept store will reflect the brand's authentic style and commitment to the Quiksilver core consumer.
The store will be a gathering place for boardriders and reinforces Quiksilver's position as the leader and trendsetter in this marketplace.
Designer Tatiana Barhar of Homedata worked in collaboration with Steve Jones of Quiksilver to create a unique place consistent with Quiksilver’s vision.
“Quiksilver wanted to maintain a youthful, urbane theme with clean lines and modern materials,” said Barhar. “We achieved this by using raw concrete, industrial steel pipes with clean plywood shelving and homosote wallboards.”
“The popularity of boardriding is skewing younger and it’s becoming a lifestyle for the whole family,” said Gregg. Solomon, Senior Vice President of Quiksilver’s Retail Division. “With Quiksilver Youth we have not only created a retail location, but a complete boardriding experience.”
Wal-Mart Opens New Plano, TX Supercenter
Wal-Mart recently opened its new Supercenter in Plano, Texas, featuring a store layout, merchandise selection and a range of services unlike any other Wal-Mart store. “With the opening of this store, Wal-Mart is adopting an active approach to understanding and meeting customer needs, particularly those of the selective female shopper,” said John Fleming, EVP, and Chief Marketing Officer. “This store will function as an active laboratory for testing a range of new ideas and merchandise in a fully operational setting.”
The unique features of the new Plano Supercenter are a direct response to the shopping preferences of female customers who make the majority of purchases in Supercenters. These features include: a store layout that positions departments in a way that female customers said made sense for them. New signage and graphics that give each of the store's eight principal areas-home, apparel, health, beauty, food, do-it-yourself, electronics and baby--its own character, to make it easier for customers to find what they are looking for. A redesigned apparel area with its own cash registers, more space around displays and racks and a fitting area that offers more privacy and convenience. A significantly expanded and diversified grocery selection with more than 2,000 premium items in wine, dry grocery, meat, cheese and produce that are new to Wal-Mart Supercenters. A wine section boasts 1,200 different selections, including more than 700 premium items specific to this store. Made-to-order sandwiches, expanded organic and natural offerings, a fresh sushi bar and a spacious Wi-Fi enabled coffee shop. A streamlined checkout area includes new cash registers to help customers check out more quickly.
The Telephone Booth Features Illuminated Wall Display
The Telephone Booth, a chain of over 40 stores across Canada featuring both wired and mobile phones, cell phones and phone accessories, is using this Illuminated Wall Display as the focal point within the store.
Vacuum formed three dimensional, back lit orange “top hat” drums glow in a “T” format to reproduce their corporate logo and accentuate phones and associated products featured in circular illuminated mini showcases.
The Illuminated Wall Display was designed by Shikatani Lacroix Design Inc., of Toronto and engineered and manufactured by DNS Display Industries Inc., of Concord, Ontario, Canada.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Women Want Home Improvement Retailers To Boost Service
Women shoppers are vital to the nation's leading home improvement retailers yet many feel underserved, according to research conducted by Cerebellas LLC, a strategy and marketing company. Although women vary in their knowledge and ability to execute home improvement projects, the study revealed the necessity of good customer service, something respondents found lacking.
“Deficiencies in sales staff's product knowledge are tremendously frustrating to women shoppers,” said Beth Zimmerman, principal of Cerebellas. “Hiring and training the right talent should top the to-do list for all home improvement retailers.”
Study highlights include: Women are most loyal to stores that have products and services relevant to their needs, good customer service and good value. Poor customer service was cited by 77% of women as the chief contributor to an unsatisfying shopping experience. Nearly 97% reported that a single person capable of answering all their questions was one of the most important services a home improvement retailer could provide. 88% want more highly visible markings to ease store navigation. 77% want to see important information at eye level.
Furniture Finds Niche Audience Among Adults 18-34, Vertis Study Shows
Adults 18-34 are more likely to plan furniture purchases this year, compared to other age groups, according to the Vertis Customers Focus 2006 Furniture Study. These adults are also more likely to buy or build a new home in the next 12 months as stated by 14% of women and 13% of men in this age group.
The study also revealed the following: 33% of women 18-34 plan on purchasing bedroom furniture in the next 12 months, compared to 29% in 2002. Similarly, 28% of men 18-34 are planning on purchasing bedroom furniture, a 5% increase from 2002. 48% of men 35-49 and 46% of women 35-49 said worn out furniture was the main reason for making a furniture purchase. 36% of men and 36% of women 18-34 made a furniture purchase because they moved into a new home. 26% of men 50 and older purchase new furniture because they need a change. Women are more price sensitive than men. 39% of women 18-34 and 34% of women 35-49 stated “lowest price” was the most important consideration when selecting where to make a furniture purchase. In comparison, 38% of men 18-34 and 29% of men 35-49 considered price the most important factor when making their last furniture purchase. 26% of men 50 and older considered “highest quality” the most important factor, compared to 22% who stated that “lowest price” was of primary importance.
Deloitte Reports That Many Retailers Are Not Yet Focused On Baby Boomers
As the first wave of baby boomers turns 60, this large and growing audience of older consumers with substantial amounts of discretionary income is only being addressed by a small number of forward-thinking companies, according to a new report from Deloitte & Touche USA. In addition, aging consumers are a diverse group, with lifestyles affecting their shopping preferences as much as age. These trends present numerous opportunities to retailers.
“Every industry will be transformed by this demographic shift,” said Pat Conroy, Vice Chairman for Deloitte’s Consumer Business practice. “In addition to retailers, companies in business sectors such as consumer products, healthcare, real estate, technology, financial services, and travel and leisure will find that aging consumers present tremendous challenges-and tremendous opportunities.”
Supermarkets’ Shrinking Share in
Food Retailing Sparks Opportunities For Alternative Food Retail Channels
Major demographic, lifestyle and technological changes are creating a fertile environment for the re-invention of the food retail market, according to The Future of Food Retailing, a new report from market research publisher Packaged Facts.
Supermarkets continue to see their share of the market fall into the hands of warehouse clubs, natural food chains, C-stores and even restaurants. According to Packaged Facts, food-focused retailers’ share of groceries and consumables has plunged from 73% in 1998 to an estimated 51% in 2005. At the same time, general merchandise-focused retailers’ share of the grocery business has grown from 16% in 1998 to 33% today.
Supermarkets have not been completely remiss in responding to retail and consumer pressures. Many have added in-store eateries, well-promoted organic and private label choices, and “smart carts,” evidence that the future of food retailing is already happening. “Lifestyle stores” are taking off, and well over 50% of retailers have invested in leading-edge technology systems, such as biometrics (finger print and iris identification) and self-checkout to quicken the shopping experience.
Fred Meyer Endcap. This display was created to provide a permanent battery location at checkout for Duracell in Fred Meyer Stores. The display helped to harness the power of an out of category high impulse location and staked out front-end real estate for Duracell at a long term location. It organized a multitude of batteries in an efficient and accommodating fashion. Created by New Dimensions Research Corp. 260 Spagnoli Road, Melville, NY 11747. BRONZE AWARD.
Godiva Modern Allure Unit. Dark Ash wood tones and Matte metallics highlight the Godiva product packaging and send a message of new and modern simplicity for the upscale brand. High visibility graphic headers frame the vertical fixture allowing for maximum product visibility. Shelf cantilevers attached through "SpinTight" fastening technology support l00 lbs. of product. Recessed casters allow the unit to be easily positioned in prime retail locations. Created by Retail Solution Center, Inc., 75 Hanse Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. BRONZE AWARD.
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