Retail

Cincinnati – A redesign has upped the customer experience and increased sales at casual-dining chain Pollo Tropical.

The 120-plus-unit, Caribbean-themed casual-dining chain, part of Fiesta Restaurant Group, recently underwent a store redesign as part of a national growth strategy and repositioning, with the efforts led by FRCH Design Worldwide.

New York -- American Express Co and Costco Wholesale Corp. are at it again.

A lawsuit has been filed accusing American Express of misleading investors about the loss of its contract with Costco after having failed to reveal how significant that business had become to the credit-card company, Reuters reported.

Tampa, Fla. -- The power of Bass Pro Shops’ brand of retail was evident at the company’s newest store opening this week, in Brandon, Florida. The store is the company’s 10th in the Sunshine State and features 130,000 sq. ft. of outdoor gear, apparel, footwear and nature-themed gifts.

Shoppers were undeterred by a massive traffic jam and a lack of parking, which forced some grand opening attendees to walk nearly a mile for a look inside.

Seattle -- Starbucks Corp. is making good on its pledge to spur job growth among “opportunity youth,” or young people aged 16 to 24 who don’t have jobs and aren’t in school.

New York -- The Association for Retail Environments is bullish on the future.

The organization is predicting good days ahead for the U.S. economy in general and retail construction in particular. According to A.R.E.’s economic advisors, all indicators show that the 2016 economy in the U.S. will grow faster than it did in 2015. And while economic growth will slow in the back half of 2015, it will not be negative.

Portland, Ore. -- Adidas is taking its act on the road and letting shoppers get up close and personal with its high-tech footwear.

Adidas has launched “Boost Experience by Adidas,” an interactive mobile space celebrating Adidas products and its “Boost” cushioning system. To see a video of the space, which will tour the country’s top running events, click here

New York -- Foot Locker has named a digital head from Target Corp. to head up its technology efforts.

The specialty athletic retailer named Pawan Verma as senior VP and CIO, effective Aug. 10. He joins Foot Locker from Target, where he has worked since 2013, most recently serving as VP, digital and marketing technologies and services platforms.

Verma succeeds Peter Brown, who retired in April after 38 years with the company.

New York -- Another retailer is going from clicks to bricks.