Events

Shoptalk, the next-gen retail and e-commerce event, will kick off its 2017 event with 50 speakers on Sunday, March 19, including the VP of Amazon Prime Now, Stephenie Landry.   Sunday’s content will also include a startup pitch contest with significant cash prizes.   Shoptalk take place at the Aria, Las Vegas, March 19-22.   

The Oaks, a 39-year-old Macerich-owned property in Thousand Oaks, California, has been awarded the first BREEAM green standards certification for an in-use building in the U.S.   BRE America, a unit of the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM), bestowed the designation on the Macerich property at an awards event in London this week. BREEAM is the oldest sustainability assessment method for new construction, renovations, and in-use properties.  

Miami’s recently opened Brickell City Centre has unveiled plans for La Centrale, the 38,000-sq.-ft. Italian food hall that figures to be the huge, mixed-use development’s answer to Eataly in Manhattan’s Chelsea district.  

Target’s omnichannel journey may have started five years ago, but newly-emerging digital touchpoints continue to change the game.   By leveraging machine learning to tap into customer demand, the mass merchandiser is defining which touchpoints are not only valuable, but influencing its shoppers’ paths-to-purchase. The initiative was discussed at the “Determining New Omni-KPIs To Hit Goals And Key Drivers” session at eTail West 2017, in Palm Springs, California, Feb. 27-March 2.  

Aldi is ready to introduce its brand to price-sensitive Chinese shoppers.   The German discount supermarket chain plans to start selling online in China this month, a move that will expose Chinese consumers to a selection of German wine, snacks and breakfast products, Reuters reported.    

A cool store from a cooler (literally) and drinkwear company, Yeti’s first physical outpost celebrates the fast-growing brand, which is known for standing up to the harshest conditions.    

In today’s competitive retail environment, no brand can afford to stay still.   Two top brands — one a national giant and the other a regional powerhouse — will give attendees at SPECS/2017 a behind-the-scenes look at how a brand can be reinvented through store design.   Cumberland Farms, a 600-store convenience store chain, will discuss how it is updating its locations with a sleek new design.   

Four retailers and one fast-casual restaurant chain will be honored with Chain Store Age’s annual Breakout Retailer Awards at SPECS/2017. The awards, sponsored by Paint Folks, recognizes innovative retail and restaurant brands that have crossed the “newbie” line and are well positioned for growth in the coming years.  

Saks Fifth Avenue is adding to its store fleet up north.   On Thursday, March 9, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th will open two new locations in the greater Toronto area,      “This month marks our one year anniversary of entering the Canadian market, and we’re excited to continue our Canadian expansion with two new stores in the GTA,” said Jonathan Greller, president, Saks Off 5th and Gilt.   

Hilton Hotels will break ground later this month on a new Tru by Hilton location at Streets of St. Charles, a Cullinan-owned, mixed-use property in the historic Mississippi River town north of St. Louis.   “Since its inception, Streets of St. Charles has been envisioned and developed around the idea of creating a community where there is something for everyone and all would feel welcome to gather and share experiences,” said Cullinan VP and Director of Leasing Kathleen Brill.