Displays & Signs

Grand Rapids, Mich. – Consumers will spend the same or more on back-to-school shopping this year as they did last year and many will also finish back-to-school shopping early.

A survey Meijer conducted of its customers reveals 90% of shoppers plan to spend the same or more than they did last year and 40% will have completed their back-to-school shopping before the school year begins. Median spend will range between $101-$150 per student and $201-$250 in total.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Home furnishings retailer West Elm is heading to the Midwest and getting set to open its first-ever retail store in St. Louis, Mo., Thursday, July 25.

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- West Elm is opening its first location in Missouri – at the St. Louis Galleria.

The 8,385-sq.-ft. store, slated to open in July, will incorporate works by local artists as part of its plan to support St. Louis talent.

“Our customers are as passionate about supporting artists in their local communities as we are at West Elm,” said Jim Brett, president of West Elm. “We are proud to be incorporating some of St. Louis’ most talented artists into the assortment for our new store.”

NEW YORK — Macy's is launching its latest Parisian-inspired fashion brand, Maison Jules, atop a limited-edition bicycle — so to speak — in collaboration with Martone Cycling Company.

New York -- The growing appeal of smaller format stores and the increasing number of international moves by emerging market retailers are two of the key trends revealed in the Accenture Globalization Index, Quarter One 2013.

Minneapolis -- Target is making a concerted effort to pick up business from college students with a multifaceted omni-channel marketing campaign. At the center of the campaign is the Bullseye University Digital Experience, a new live online experience featuring popular YouTube personalities in a digital dorm. From July 15-18, college kids will be able to shop products from the digital dorm rooms, interact with the YouTube personalities, enter to win prizes and participate in live-streamed events such as concerts and workout sessions.

Abilene, Texas -- Sam’s Club will open a 136,000-sq. ft. relocated club today in Abilene, Texas. Mayor Norm Archibald and the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Redcoat Committee are scheduled to attend the grand opening.

New York -- Buffalo Wild Wings has leased its first Midtown Manhattan location in Times Square, according to Winick Realty Group.

The 15,000-sq.-ft. flagship restaurant includes a 5,000-sq.-ft. ground floor with 22-ft. ceilings, a 2,000-sq.-ft. mezzanine, two lower levels and a 2,000-sq.-ft. roof deck for outdoor dining.

NEW ALBANY — Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is taking its 2013 Stars on the Rise back-to-school campaign, featuring a group of up-and-coming actors, to the digital arena with a new mobile app that offers potential shoppers an interactive experience. 

NEW YORK — Macy’s is getting social, and that’s the place to be when reaching out to potential shoppers who are getting ready to go back to school.