Store Systems

ABC Fine Wine & Spirits is showing off a new, modern store concept in Ocala, Fla. The contemporary design reflects the retailer’s evolution from the corner liquor store and bar to a 150-plus-store purveyor of fine wine and spirits. It’s also more in sync with the brand’s shifting customer base, which has grown more upscale and increased from 30% to 55% female.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Donuts provided highlights of its new store design, the brand's first in nearly seven years. The new layout and contemporary look maintains the brand's focus on helping people get in and get on their way, while incorporating new features to create a warm environment for guests who seek a longer, more relaxed visit.  Inviting seating areas include updated furniture and lighting, as well as convenient electrical outlets and bar top areas for smartphones and computers.

New York -- Foot Locker has received approval from the Federal Cartel Office in Germany to complete its acquisition of Runners Point Warenhandelsgesellschaft mbH (RPG), initially announced in May 2013. RPG is majority owned by private equity group Hannover Finanz and operates more than 200 specialty athletic retail stores in Germany, Austria, The Netherlands and Switzerland under various banners, as well as an e-commerce site.

The transaction, valued at roughly $94 million, is expected to close early next month.

Long Beach, Calif. -- Nordstrom announced plans to close its Long Beach City Place Nordstrom Rack store in Long Beach, Calif. Originally opened in August 2002, the 33,000-sq.-ft. store will close to the public in late January 2014.

The company will continue to serve customers at three nearby Nordstrom Rack locations in Lakewood, South Bay and Edinger.

TROY, Mich. — PayAnywhere, a provider of mobile point of sale technology, has launched an upgraded version of its mPOS app for iOS and revamped its merchant portal PayAnywhere Inside.

The app is available for download from the Apple App Store and works with the PayAnywhere mobile credit card reader, which plugs into the audio jack of an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch device, so merchants of all sizes can accept credit and debit card payments directly from their phones or tablets.

By Peter Witham, [email protected]

New York -- Sixty-percent of retailers have energy management systems within their site portfolios, but only 46% have a formal energy management strategy in place.
 
Those are among the findings of a survey conducted by Ecova, a total energy and sustainability management company. In other survey findings, 44% of the respondents said they currently benchmark their portfolio or sites, and 21% have applied for the Energy Star label for their portfolio.

Glenview, Ill. -- Eco Gym will open an 8,300-sq.-ft. solar- and human-powered health club at Glenbrook Market Place in Glenview, Ill., a North Shore suburb of Chicago, according to Mid-America Asset Management Inc., the landlord’s representative.

The fitness center, Eco Gym’s second, will use a combination of human kinetic power and solar power to generate electricity for its equipment. As members use the equipment, they generate more power to the central power grid, which lowers monthly dues.