Displays & Signs

Au Bon Pain is updating its brand experience with a new customer-centric design that gives the store a more distinct personality. It also makes the space easier to navigate, with the layout redesigned to speed service.

“We’re taking the customer experience to the next level,” said Sue Morelli, CEO for Au Bon Pain, which operates 318 locations in the United States and internationally. “The response we’ve been getting to our new prototype has validated our decision to accelerate our growth, including going to new markets nationally.”

By Wil Putt, [email protected]

Some companies were more aggressive with promotions last months and others were less so, but Target held steady producing the same number of circular ad pages (109) in May 2011, and it did the same month the prior year, according to data collected by the Chicago based firm Market Track.

LAS VEGAS — Nickelodeon has announced the launch of Team Umizoomi, the first line of preschool products to focus entirely on math, to be sold exclusively at Toys"R"Us stores. The line, which is based on the TV show of the same name, will debut with the Team Umizoomi Preschool Math Kits, appearing in stores this July. The Team Umizoomi Math Kits also can be purchased online from Nickelodeon in mid-July.

The Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 takes place next weekend at the Michigan International Speedway, and Walmart stores near the track are rolling out the checkered carpet to capitalize on race fever. A variety of special events will be held at stores near the track beginning on Wednesday, June 15.

In keeping with its renewed focus on EDLP, the average number of promotional pieces per market decreased to two in May compared with 2.8 the prior year, but the average number of pages increased to 40 compared with 30, according to the Chicago-based firm Market Track.

New York City -- The Walt Disney Co. will open its first-ever Disney Baby store next year at the Americana in Glendale, Calif., the Los Angeles Times reported.

The company plans to open Disney Baby locations -- one on each coast -- to display the best of its new infant line, according to the report.

The stores will give Disney executives the opportunity to interact with the parents of newborns and refine product offerings that span infant apparel, nursery items and bath products.
 

Express is launching a store design concept created by the hot Japanese design firm Wonderwall. The new format, debuting at King of Prussia Mall, King of Prussia, Pa., has a modern, sophisticated look and combines elements of refined chic with more unconventional materials. It also introduces social media into Express’ store environment. The same concept is sets to launch at Kenwood Towne Center in Cincinnati.