Cross-Merchandising

Some of the biggest names in retailing and foodservice used experiences to encourage a high percentage buyers to visit at least once last year.   Specifically, Walmart, McDonald’s and Target had more than five out of six U.S. consumers shopping with them in 2016, according to “The Checkout Penetration Index,” from The NPD Group’s Checkout Tracking.   

Footaction opened the doors to its newest flagship store — its first outside of the United States.   The store, which is located in the Toronto Eaton Centre in Canada, features 6,500 square-feet of premium retail space. Presenting a unique layout, the new Footaction store is organized largely by brand, rather than by product category — a move that enhances the customer shopping experience.   

Publix Super Markets is revving up for growth in the organic and natural foods store space.    Publix announced plans to reignite its GreenWise store concept. The grocer launched the format in 2007, and currently operates three stores under the banner. It has not opened a new GreenWise location since 2008.   

On March 7, Edward Stack, CEO and chairman of Dick’s Sporting Goods, announced the company is dropping 20% of its brand offerings. This news is part of a larger redirection for the sporting goods retailer, one designed to optimize its inventory for increased sales.  

The department store chain is putting a new spin on formalwear rentals.   Through its partnership with tuxedo rental startup The Black Tux, Nordstrom hopes to attract male millennials to its new formalwear showrooms in six stores, according to ReCode.  

Hy-Vee shoppers will soon be able to buy new clothes while they grocery shop.    Two Hy-Vee locations in Nebraska will soon feature F&F clothing boutiques through the Iowa-based retailer’s franchise agreement with the British clothing line owned by supermarket company Tesco, reported The Anchorage Press.  

Destination XL is expanding its presence in North America.   The male apparel retailer is opening its first Canadian store in Ajax, Ontario. The 5,028-sq.-ft. location features more than 100 brands and thousands of styles from top designers, including Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Buffalo Jeans, Nautica, Levi’s and Cole Haan, as well as exclusive brands, such as Brooks Brothers and Lacoste. Private-label brands Harbor Bay, 28 Degrees, Oak Hill and True Nation, round out the assortment, DXL said.  

Shoppers will soon be able to personalize and accessorize the shoes they buy at DSW Inc.   The retailer has entered into a partnership with Trend:Bar, a new, Los Angeles-based  company that produces luxe fabric stickers, appliques, charms, shoelaces, patches, and creative add-ons that customers can use to personalize footwear and accessories.       Under the partnership, DSW will offer Trend:Bar items in select stores and on DSW.com.