Corporate Governance

Uniqlo to make Midwest debut in a big way
New York -- Uniqlo will open its second-largest U.S. store to date, in Chicago.

The 60,000-sq.-ft. location, which also marks the Japanese apparel giant’s entry into the Midwest, will open on Oct. 23, on Michigan Avenue near Water Tower Place, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The store will take up three floors in the former Filene's Basement space.

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Target to test new store café options
Minneapolis -- Salads and fancy pizza will soon be on the menu at a very limited number of Target locations.

Starting in October, the retailer plans to test fast-casual concepts in some 14 stores as it responds to customers looking for higher-quality food and more of a café atmosphere, USA Today reported.

Fast-casual chain names DineEquity exec as CFO

Jackson, Miss. -- The fast-growing Newk’s Eatery named Robert Nygren as CFO.

Nygren comes to Newk’s with nearly two decades of financial management experience. He most recently served as VP of finance for DineEquity, the world’s largest full-service restaurant company, overseeing financial planning, analytics and strategy for Applebee’s and IHOP in conjunction with the brands’ operational and development objectives.
It's not your typical Williams-Sonoma

San Francisco -- Williams-Sonoma is spicing up its store format.

The retailer’s new store in Ponce City Market, Atlanta, features a direct pass-through to the latest dining venture by famed chef Jonathan Waxman, with the restaurant outfitted by Williams-Sonoma.
Target bringing its flexible format to Queens

New York -- Target Corp. is getting rid of its CityTarget and TargetExpress signage, but it is definitely keeping its flexible format store strategy.
How Video Verification Will Shape the Future of Retail Security

Whether it’s a blustery storm that rattles your windows, or an employee who forgot their keys behind the counter, everyone has experienced the initial panic that ensues after accidentally tripping a security system alarm.
Sports Authority begins biggest sale of the year

Sports Authority is encouraging customers to line up early on Saturday, Sept. 5 for the retailer’s annual winter sports blowout sale identified for the past 61 years by the quirky name Sniagrab.
First look: Macy's Backstage store in Queens

Macy's is set to open its new format, Backstage, this week in Queens, and the retailer gave the Associated Press a sneak peak of the new effort and what's in store.
Atlanta market to feature new Williams-Sonoma format

Williams-Sonoma is spicing up its store format.

The retailer’s new store in Ponce City Market, Atlanta, features a direct opening to a dining venture by celebrity chef Jonathan Waxman. The adjacent restaurant, due to open in the fall, is being outfitted by Williams-Sonoma. A glass wall strategically placed between the restaurant and Williams-Sonoma will offer shoppers an exclusive view into the dining room, and also give them inspiration while they shop. The floor plan is the first in Williams-Sonoma’s history with an independent business.
Designers on demand available at Macy’s

An innovative company incubated in the fashion tech lab Macy’s helped launched has struck a deal that will expose its roster of designers to the department store retailers’ mass market audience.
JCPenney, Bluemercury featured at retail summit

Some major retailers are participating in the 30th Retailing Summit conference hosted by The Texas A&M University’s Center for Retailing Studies at Mays Business School.
Target is getting into the fast casual food biz

Salads and fancy pizza will soon be on the menu at a very limited number of Target locations.