Store Systems

For the second time in the past six years, 99 Cents Only said it was unable to file its annual report within the timeframe specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The company’s annual report on form 10-K for its fiscal year ended March 30 was due at the SEC no later than June 28. However, because of a range of inventory valuation issues identified by auditors and a new CFO, the company said it was unable to file the report without unreasonable effort or expense. The company did not indicate when it planned to file the report other than as soon as practicable.

For years, doomsayers have been predicting the end of brick-and-mortar shopping in favor of the more convenient – albeit two-dimensional – online store experience.

Call me an optimist, but I’ve never bought into the gloom-hype. My feeling has been that brick-and-mortar stores will always be around, and malls (whether open-air or enclosed or flavor-of-the-day format) will survive. A recent announcement by Staples only underscores my optimism.

East Cleveland, Ohio -- A switch from fluorescent lights to LED in its frozen-food cases will result in total annual energy and maintenance savings of approximately $570,000 for Stater Bros. The supermarket retailer has retrofitted the cases in nearly all of its 166 stores with GE’s LED refrigerated display lighting,

After evaluating lighting options, Stater Bros.’ retail marketing team chose GE’s 17-watt Immersion RV40 LED systems to replace the 60-watt fluorescent fixtures in freezer cases.

Regional sporting goods retailer Sports Chalet has opened a smaller format prototype store in a new downtown Los Angeles retail development known as FIGat7th.

Cherry Hill, N.J. -- A reimagined Build-A-Bear Workshop will open at Cherry Hill Mall this fall in a new 2,000-sq.-ft. location in the J. C. Penney wing. The new design incorporates technology into the personalized stuffed animal-making experience.

Atlanta - Spanx, the fast-growing dollar undergarment and apparel company, will open a custom designed, expanded company headquarters and a flagship store in Buckhead Atlanta, a major mixed-use project in the heart of the area’s business district. (The project, now under construction, was initially called Streets of Buckhead.)

The headquarters will occupy three floors, a rooftop garden terrace and additional balconies. Spanx is anticipated to move in November 2014.

Davenport, Iowa - Von Maur announceed that its newest store, located at the Iowa River Landing in Coralville, Iowa, will open on July 27, 2013.

The 80,000-sq.-ft., free-standing brick store will feature Von Maur's signature exterior entrance and residential ambiance, along with an expansive open floor plan and larger departments that are designed to allow for greater product selection and more easily navigable aisles and common areas.

To counteract weak demand for conventional office products, Staples is peddling some decidedly non-traditional office products as part of an expanded assortment billed as, "summer celebration essentials."

The company is offering condiments such as ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard along with grills, coolers, bottle openers, patio furniture, salty snacks and disposable cutlery to appeal to Fourth of July shoppers.