Store Systems

Warrendale, Pa. -- Teen apparel retailer rue21 has unveiled a new retail concept, rueGuy, with stores in Shore, N.Y., Harlingen, Texas, and New Boston, Ohio. The company plans to open an additional four locations by the end of August, and is on target to open approximately 20 rueGuy stores by yearend.

The Converse flagship in San Francisco is not only the sneaker brand’s first Northern California location; it’s also its largest and most innovative location to date. The 8,200-sq.-ft. store, which features Converse’s full line-up of footwear, apparel and accessories, is big on personalization, with an interactive system for designing one-of-a-kind Converse sneakers and clothing.  

New York -- Rabeanco, known for quality leather accessories and fashion forward styles, opened its first American storefront, in the Westfield Santa Anita Mall, Arcadia, Calif. It is the first of three U.S. locations the company plans to open in 2013.  

Designed by Rabeanco in collaboration with interior designer Yukiharu Takematsu, the 2,000-sq.-ft. store has a modern, chic interior. A 7-ft.-high video display flashes various product and glossy ad campaign images.

New York -- AT&T unveiled its newest store design, at a new location in LaGrange, Ill. The store is built around the customer experience, with a goal of providing a glimpse of what the future of retail will look like. The new design will be rolled out at new and redesigned store locations across the country, and continuing into 2014. (For a video tour of the store, click here.)

New York -- H&M has launched online shopping in the United States, effective Aug. 1. In addition to offering the same merchandise as in-store and some exclusive “online only” items, the site marks the debut of the H&M Home collection, available exclusively online.

Camp Hill, Pa. — Rite Aid had another month of positive sales growth in July, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

Rite Aid said same-store sales for the four-week period that ended last Saturday increased by 1.3% compared with the same period last year. The increase included a 0.7% increase in front-end same-store sales and a 1.6% increase in pharmacy same-store sales. Same-store scripts increased by 0.4%. Total sales for the month were $1.898 billion, a 0.9% increase over $1.881 billion last year.

Winnipeg, Manitoba -- Silver Jeans Co., the Canadian-based mid luxury denim brand, will open its "loft" concept store at La Plaza Mall on Sept. 13, in McAllen, Texas.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold USA has appointed Nick Bertram as its senior VP store strategy and execution, the supermarket operator said Thursday.

Bertram previoulsy worked for Jewel-Osco, where he oversaw operations across Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. He was also senior VP of Supervalu and worked in executive positions at Walmart in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. His new position at Ahold USA will be based out of the company's Carlisle, Pa., headquarters.