Apparel

Trending Stores: Adidas has opened its largest store in the world — a 45,000-sq.-ft., four-story flagship on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Sleek and ultra-modern with industrial accents, the store marks the debut of the athletic giant’s stadium retail concept, a format inspired by high school stadiums. It features high-school reminiscent bleacher stands for live-game viewing on big screens, locker room-style dressing rooms, and track and turf sections where customers can try out products.

The off-price segment continues to be one of the brightest spots in brick-and-mortar retail.    Ross Stores on Tuesday reported earnings per share for the fourth quarter ended January 28, 2017 of $.77, up 17% from the prior year, on net earnings that rose 14% to a better-than-expected $301 million. But the retailer offered a cautious outlook amid economic and industry challenges.    Ross’ sales quarter grew 8% to $3.5 billion. Same-store sales increased 4%.   

I’ve seen the future of retail. And it’s not all online, not by a long shot.

First, let’s deal with the elephant in the room. Yes, traditional brick-and-mortar retailers are confronted with challenges on multiple fronts. Adapting stores to accommodate today’s digitally savvy and demanding customers is no easy feat.

In the course of interviewing experts for this month’s open-air report, I heard two admiring references to Woodbury Common. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard the Simon Premium Outlet center used as an exemplar of traits modern retail should strive for — things like great customer experience, well-curated stores, and good food. I thought it time that I take a drive up to Orange County, N.Y., and see what all the fuss was about.

Nasty Gal is getting a new lease on life — but only in the digital space.   The brand, which was acquired out of bankruptcy in early February by British online fashion group Boohoo.com, will live on under new leadership as a pure player. Nasty Gal recently closed its two brick-and-mortar stores, both of which were in the Los Angeles area.    

CSA’s annual award program honors five growing brands

Innovation in retail means breaking down barriers, navigating a fiercely competitive marketplace and making connections with increasingly demanding customers. In this section, Chain Store Age profiles five retailers that are succeeding in both. They are the winners of CSA’s Breakout Retailers Awards.

A regional department store, a warehouse giant, a discount supermarket and an online powerhouse rank among the nation’s favorite retailers.    That's according to the American Consumer Satisfaction Index, which rates consumers’ satisfaction across six retail industries. The report found that satisfaction with the overall retail trade rise 4.7% in 2016 to a score of 78.3 (on a 100-point scale) an all-time high for the sector.  

Large-format experiential stores focus on customer experience, convenience

At a time when many retailers are cutting back on brick-and-mortar investments to focus on e-commerce, a few notable ones are taking the opposite approach. They are launching large-format experiential stores to immerse customers in the full brand experience and offer items in each product category, from couches to dresses.