Store Systems

New York -- A switch to LED lighting technology in its refrigerated coolers has resulted in combined energy and maintenance savings of more than $1 million annually for convenience store operator Wawa.

The new technology, Immersion from GE Lighting Solutions, has been installed in Wawa’s 600 locations across the Mid-Atlantic region, and has reduced refrigerated cooler/freezer electricity and maintenance expense by a combined 78% since its adoption.

Many retailers have been slow to embrace technology in their broader operations, technology that has already changed the retail landscape forever – namely by empowering shoppers who are now more tech savvy than the retailers who are trying to catch up. What today’s retailers need to provide is what we at Manhattan Associates refer to as a “Zero Disappointment Experience.” In other words, ensuring that your brand delivers the same experience to shoppers regardless of their choice of engagement.

New York -- H&M will open its largest store in the world, on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, Women’s Wear Daily reported.

The company will open a six-level, 57,000-sq.-ft. store on Fifth Avenue at the corner of 48th Street sometime next year, according to the report.
 

IRVING, Texas — Michaels Stores reported a second quarter same-store sales increase of 2.9% driven by a 3% increase in transactions and a positive impact of 0.9% from deferred custom framing revenue partially offset by a 1% decrease in average ticket.

Net sales for the quarter increased 4.1% to $892 million from $857 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011.

Net income for the quarter increased 30% to $13 million, and as a percent of net sales increased 20 basis points to 1.4%.
   

Fort Worth, Texas -- Dallas-based Cypress Equities said that CD Ski & Sports will open its fifth Climate store, locating it at the West 7th mixed-use project in Fort Worth, Texas.

The new 4,221-sq.-ft. store is slated to open in late September.

SIDNEY, Neb. — Cabela's has named Sean Baker as president of World's Foremost Bank and will be appointed CEO effective Jan. 1, 2013. Baker will replace Joseph Friebe, whose planned retirement was announced in June.

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Ikea said Thursday it is submitting plans for a Miami-Dade store in the City of Sweetwater, Fla., as the second South Florida Ikea store and fourth in the state. 

According to the Swedish home furnishings retailer, construction could launch as early as spring 2013 on the new store, with an opening tentatively slated for fall 2014.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Express Inc. reported a 25% increase in net income for the second quarter. But the retailer slashed its profit outlook for the year and said that same-store sales barely rose last quarter and that it expects about the same for the rest of the year.

Express earned $15.8 million for the quarter ended July 28, better than analysts expected, compared with $12.6 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue increased 2% to $454.9 million, short of the $467 million analysts had expected. Same-store sales inched up 1%.