Home Improvement

A new solar project will make Ikea the largest non-utility solar owner in the state of Ohio.   The home furnishings giant plans to install solar panels atop its future store in Columbus, Ohio, due to open in summer 2017.  It will be the second Ikea solar array in Ohio. The chain installed a 1.026-MW rooftop array at its Cincinnati-area store in 2012.   REC Solar will develop, design and install the solar power system at the Columbus store, which is being built by Pepper Construction. 

Floor & Décor has signed a lease for a 74,200-sq.ft. superstore at the planned Richmond Plaza in Woodbridge, New Jersey. The site is located within the super-regional trade area commanded by General Growth Properties’ Woodbridge Mall.  

A full-service event design company is extending its brand.   White Lilac has opened its first retail location, a home décor store, at South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, Calif. The company specializes in large-scale parties, exclusive weddings, corporate functions, and private parties.     The boutique showcases a whimsical collection of gifts, housewares, accessories, furniture, décor and more inspired by White Lilac event designs for celebrity clients, dignitaries and iconic venues.

Online spending hit a new record this past Black Friday, surpassing the $3 billion mark for the first time.   According to Adobe, Black Friday online spending surged 21.6%  year-over-year to $3.34 billion. Total online spending for both Thanksgiving and Black Friday hit $5.27 billion, reflecting a 17.7% increase over last year.  

In a new post on Target's A Bullseye View blog, Target CIO Mike McNamara explains the reasoning behind the retailer's decision to offer an extensive Cyber Monday promotion: 15% off site-wide and store-wide from Nov. 27 to Nov. 28.   McNamara says the retailer's move to combine stores and online for a more seamless holiday shopping experience marks a new chapter in Cyber Monday history.  

Quincy Plaza in Ottumwa, Iowa, was purchased by Beaumont, Texas-based Albanese Cormier Holdings for $5.5 million. Mid-America Real Estate brokered the deal on behalf of a fund managed by Cincinnati-based Phillips Edison.   The 137,389-sq.-ft center is anchored by Kmart, Hobby Lobby, and Rent-A-Center in the southern Iowa retail hub on the Des Moines River. Quincy Plaza is located across the roadway from Target and the Quincy Place Mall.

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Lowe’s Companies is partnering with an unusual and very tech-savvy retailer to sell “smart” home devices.    The home improvement retailer has teamed up with San-Francisco-based b8ta to launch an in-store shop concept dedicated to demystifying and simplifying the purchase of smart home devices Called “SmartSpot powered by b8ta,” the new concept is currently in place in three Lowe’s stores in California (Livermore, Burbank and Aliso Viejo).  

A retailer that specializes in reproductions of classic home products and house parts is expanding under the ownership of Williams-Sonoma.       Rejuvenation will open its seventh retail location on Nov. 21, in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. The 6,000-sq.-ft. store is the retailer’s first Midwest location.