Displays & Signs

Walmart released an annual top toy list on Thursday with an important distinction from earlier versions – it was selected by kids and will be marketed and merchandise as “Chosen by Kids.”

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us is updating its in-store shopping experience and expanding its omnichannel initiatives for its more important selling season. The retailer detailed its plans on Thursday at a special holiday preview event in New York City.

Starting in October, Toys “R” Us will expand and enhance product categories that have experienced sales growth over the past few years, notably education, tablets and construction, while reducing the space dedicated to areas that have underperformed over time.

Mountain View, Calif. -- Best Buy was the most effective retail brand overall during the 2013 back-to-school advertising season for the second year in a row with an average Ace Score of 561, performing 15% higher than its retail peers, according to TV and video advertising data from Ace Metrix.

Office Depot was the second most effective back-to-school retail advertiser with an average Ace Score of 540.

Shopko is building on its 20-year relationship with the Green Bay Packers by unveiling the Shopko Gate, recent completed as part of Lambeau Field’s South End Zone expansion. Thousands of fans will enter the stadium through the new gate Sept. 15 for Green Bay’s first home game of the season.

Mason, Ohio -- Pearle Vision will unveil its new store design on Sept. 17 in Legacy Village, Lyndhurst, Ohio. The new Cleveland-area location features a completely remodeled design, which includes everything from a new brand logo and signage to modernized displays and a completely transformed floor plan. The store design is by WD Partners, Columbus, Ohio.

Winston-Salem, N.C. - In collaboration with Russian restaurateur and franchise partner Arkady Novikov, owner and operator of LLC Doughnuts Cafe, the first Krispy Kreme doughnut shop in Moscow is scheduled to open on Sept. 12.

Aliso Viejo, Calif. — Honduras has welcomed Johnny Rockets to its first location in the country at City Mall Tegucigalpa. It is the second Central American restaurant — the first opened in Panama City in 2010. The new restaurant spans 2,266 sq. ft. plus a 365-sq.-ft. terrace. It seats 105 diners.

The largest shopping center in the Honduran capital, City Mall features more than 300 shops and restaurants; eight Cinemark theatres; and parking for 1,500 cars.

New York— Robert Graham has announced a new lease agreement to open its first New York City store on Bleecker Street this fall. The West Village Bleecker Street fashion corridor houses Burberry, Brunello Cucinelli, Marc Jacobs, rag & bone, and Ralph Lauren.

Robert Graham currently operates six freestanding stores across the country. They are located in Los Angeles, Houston, Las Vegas, Boca Raton, Fla., Long Island, N.Y., and Short Hills, N.J.