Home Improvement

Shoppers can view and try out — but not buy — the innovative product line up from Toto at its new showroom space in New York City.    The world's largest plumbing manufacturer is opening a high-design, experiential gallery to display its innovative bath products in Manhattan’s Flatiron district, the heart of the city's home design industry.   

Ikea is installing the largest solar rooftop array in the state of Tennessee atop its location in Memphis.

The store’s 250,675-sq.-ft. solar array consists of a 1.46 MW system, built with 4,424 panels that will produce approximately 2,000,000 kWh of electricity annually for the store, the equivalent of reducing 1,406 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)).

For the development, design and installation of the Memphis customized solar power system, Ikea selected Hannah Solar, an Atlanta-based full service, certified solar integrator.

James Han has joined Lowe's Cos. as senior VP of business development.    In this new role, Han is responsible for accelerating the company's business development strategy which involves identifying and implementing growth opportunities through new and emerging businesses, exponential innovation and corporate ventures. He reports to chief development officer Richard Maltsbarger.  

Sears Holding Corp. is hoping to capitalize on the upswing in home improvement projects.   The retailer announced it is bringing back paint and related accessories to its stores under three different brands: Craftsman, Weatherbeater and Easy Living. It’s the first time the Craftsman brand will be extended to the paint category.        Sears will test the new offerings in 23 stores nationwide before a chainwide rollout.   

West Elm doesn’t believe in cookie-cutter stores.   The home furnishings retailer will open its location in the state of Rhode Island, in Providence’s Wayland Square neighborhood on Sept. 1. The 11,473-sq.-ft. store will incorporate unique design elements that pay homage to Rhode Island’s history and coastal proximity.  

Wayfair Inc. has launched an in-house developed virtual reality app to help customers plan their outdoor patio area.    The retailer’s new Patio Playground application uses Facebook’s Oculus Rift platform, Developed by Wayfair Next, the company’s in-house research and development team, the app allows shoppers to immerse themselves in an inspirational landscape, where they can explore, rearrange, and discover furniture and décor from Wayfair’s catalog.  

Ikea is extending its renewable energy commitment with plans for its first biogas-powered fuel cell system on the East Coast.    The home furnishings giant contracted Bloom Energy, Sunnyvale, California, for the design, development and installation of the system, which will be located at Ikea’s location in New Haven, Connecticut. Combined with the 940.8-kW solar array that was installed atop the store in 2012, the fuel cell project will help generate a majority of the store’s energy onsite.   

Best Buy Co. exceeded analysts’ expectations on several fronts in its second quarter.   Profit surged a better-than expected 21% in the quarter ended July 30, rising to $198 million from $164 million in the year-ago period.   Best Buy’s overall revenue totaled $8.5 billion, which was basically flat with last year, but also better than expectations.