Consumer Electronics

New York -- Yet another online company has entered the physical retail space: Google has opened an in-store shop in Currys PC World, on Tottenham Court Road in London. It is the first time the Internet giant has opened a retail space under its own name, and two additional shops are slated to open later this year, in Currys PC World’s Fulham and Thurrock locations.

Grapevine, Texas - GameStop customers can now sell select gift cards at any GameStop retail location, as well as online. This is part of an expanded offering launched online in 2014 through a partnership with gift card exchange platform Cardpool.

New York -- New concepts remain the lifeblood of retail. Here are four currently in the works:

1. Ice hockey equipment manufacturer Bauer Hockey is throwing its puck in the retail arena. The company will open its first-ever store this summer, in the Boston suburb of Burlington, Massachusetts, followed by a second location in the fall, in the Minneapolis area.

Grapevine, Texas – GameStop Corp. is launching a nationwide rollout of Apple Pay to its more than 4,200 U.S. video game stores this month. In GameStop stores, Apple Pay will work with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and the upcoming Apple Watch.

As Barnes & Noble tries to write a new, more profitable chapter by spinning off its college division, the company reported that its Nook division is still weighing on revenue. 

The company said same store sales at Barnes & Noble Inc. (excluding Nook) increased 1.7% in the third quarter, which ended Jan. 31. Analysts had estimated a 1% decline. Taking Nook sales into account, same store sales declined .3%. Third quarter revenue of $1.96 billion declined $35 million as compared to the prior year.

Baltimore -- Under Armour has opened its largest store to date, on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. With nearly 30,000 sq. ft. of retail space, the store is designed to provide an immersive and interactive brand experience.  It features the latest in video and digital technology, and also includes a section dedicated to wearable fitness devices.  And for a local feel, a large wall is covered in ivy, inspired by the Wrigley Field ivy.
 

Jeffersonville, Ind. – Despite a large amount of hype, most consumers interested in wearable technology are not currently planning to but an Apple Watch when it becomes available. According to an anonymous online survey conducted in February 2015 by Accent Marketing, four out of five wearable consumers say they do not plan to buy the Apple watch

Pricing and launch details about the highly anticipated Apple Watch were released on Monday and calling the device a watch hardly makes sense.

Aside from being worn on the wrist and offering users the ability to tell time, the Apple Watch represents a new generation of wearable technology that promises to create new challenges and opportunities for retailers who now have another screen to consider.