Displays & Signs

For the first time in more than 15 years, Abercrombie & Fitch is launching a new store format for its namesake banner.  

Banana Republic will be giving shoppers a chance to buy its Olivia Palermo designs right after they appear on the runway.   Upholding its “see now, buy now” presentation model, the apparel retailer will enable customers to purchase pieces from its Spring 2017 collection at pop-up shops at select Banana Republic stores on Feb. 9. The collection is based on the street-style of fashionista Olivia Palermo.  

In its newest partnership, Target has joined up with BaubleBar, the online fast-fashion jewelry brand.   The two companies have come together for a new collection, called Sugarfix by BaubleBar, that will feature original designs and pieces inspired by the brand's most popular styles. The line will be available exclusively on Target.com and in some 900 Target stores beginning Jan. 31.  

Design Within Reach has opened a store in Portland, Ore., in an historic building that dates back to the end of the 19th century.   The retailer opened in the city’s North Pearl District, in a circa 1890 two-story brick warehouse that originally served as a distribution center for pottery and housewares.   "We're thrilled to be a part of the vibrant, evolving Pearl District and the opportunity to support the preservation of this historic building," says DWR president John McPhee. 

American consumers are ready to celebrate the Super Bowl, but they don’t plan on spending as much as they did last year.      Consumers will spend an average of $75 for a total of $14.1 billion as an estimated 188.5 million watch the Atlanta Falcons face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI on February 5, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual Super Bowl Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.  

Lululemon Athletica has opened a community-centric, European flagship on Regent Street in London. The two-level, 6,344-sq.-ft. store is the brand’s second largest in the world, second only to its New York flagship.    Designed by Dalziel & Pow, London, the new Lululemon combines the latest in technology with a locally-inspired design and community experiences. A palette of greys and marbles with hints of bronze help make for a soothing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city streets.    

Walmart is adding a new category to its assortment: automobile sales.    While the chain has always sold tires and accessories, a new partnership with CarSaver, an online auto retail platform, is allowing the retail giant to dip its toe into the car sales industry. The retail giant is setting up CarSaver kiosks at 25 Walmart superstores in Houston, Dallas, Phoenix and Oklahoma City.  

Trion Properties, which is in the business of acquiring and turning around distressed properties, has sold its Valencia Town Center Plaza outside of Los Angeles for $9.8 million.   The 21,186-sq.-ft. Santa Clarita center was less than 50% leased when Trion acquired it for $6.8 million in 2013, according to Managing Partner Max Sharkansky, and now is near full occupancy. He said the center “presented an opportunity for us to increase net operating income through aggressive leasing and cosmetic upgrades.  

When retailers and architects design store layouts, beyond designing for aesthetics they attempt to control the path that shoppers take through the store. Ideally, shoppers follow the most convenient path to find the products they seek, one that is lucrative for the retailer and that gives shoppers the opportunity to notice the maximum number of products during their time in store.  

Amazon has been issued a patent for the design of its Treasure Truck, a vehicle that cruises the streets of Seattle and is stocked with a couple of types of discounted products, Geek Wire reported.    Users of Amazon’s mobile shopping app receive alerts on their smartphones about the deals, which are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.