Store Systems

Wakefield, Mass. – Most consumers in the U.S., U.K., and Australia are not using mobile technology for holiday shopping this year, but many will use mobile devices for product research and in-store showrooming. According to results of the 2013 Holiday Preferences Study from SDL, the majority of consumers in the U.S. (64%), U.K. (68%) and Australia (67%) are not using a tablet or smartphone more this year to purchase gifts.

Hointer converges mobile and in-store shopping

Hointer Inc., a Seattle-based denimwear retailer, may be new (the first store opened in April 2012) and small (two branded stores in Seattle plus a pop-up inside a Levi’s store in New York City), but its goal is impressively large.

Convenience store operator Wawa is expanding through Florida with a fresh, new prototype whose palette, materials and textures complement the look and feel of the Sunshine state. The use of warm colors and abundant natural light enhance the store’s inviting, upmarket vibe.

The prototype reflects the language and style associated with Floridian architecture. Exterior elements include pastel colors, clapboard siding, pitched roofs and front porches that reference historic south and central Florida building types.

At presstime, construction was wrapping up on Walgreens’ new location in Evanston, Ill. The store is the drug store chain’s — and the nation’s — first net-zero energy retail store. In addition to seeking LEED Platinum certification, Green Chill Platinum certification and Energy Star Certification, it will be the showcase project in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Building Challenge.

Hingham, Mass. – Building #19, a closeout retailer with 10 stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, is reportedly planning a giant closeout sale of its own. According to the Boston Business Journal, Building #19 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Nov. 1 and requested permission to obtain the services of liquidation sale specialist Gordon Brothers.

Von Maur has opened its first location in Alabama, just outside of Birmingham, at Riverchase Galleria in Hoover. The 185,000-sq.-ft. store is one of the largest locations in the country.

Publix credited its customer service for helping fuel third-quarter sale sales of $7 billion, a 5.6% increase from last year’s $6.7 billion. Comparable-store sales for the third quarter of 2013 increased 4.1%.

The company reported net earnings for the quarter of $359.9 million, a decrease of 2.3% from $368.4 million in 2012. Earnings per share for the third quarter decreased to $0.46 for 2013, down from $0.47 per share in 2012.

Camp Hill, Pa. – Rite Aid reported a same-store sales increase of 2.1% for October 2013 as compared to the same month in the prior year. Front-end same-store sales actually decreased 0.6%, but gains of 3.4% in pharmacy same-store sales and a 1.1% jump in prescription count drove the total growth.