Store Systems

New York City -- Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, the U.S. division of Tesco, has joined the growing number of retailers opening smaller-format stores. The grocery store operator plans to test a new concept, called Fresh & Easy Express, in San Pedro, Calif.

Fresh & Easy’s new format will be in the 4,000 sq. ft. range, compared with its typical 10,000-sq.-ft. footprint.

For more, go to freshneasybuzz.blogspot.com/
 

APOPKA, Fla. – Winn-Dixie announced the opening of the first of several remodeled stores in Central Florida Wednesday as the company looks to reposition itself as the grocery destination in the area.

The store, located in Errol Plaza, is one of 17 planned store remodels. The company expects to invest approximately $5.5 million per store.

Reading, England -- Tesco has committed to the Microsoft platform in an eight year, world-wide agreement. The deal is designed to enable the U.K.-based retailer to improve productivity, decision-making, knowledge sharing and operational excellence across the 14 countries in which it currently operates.

The agreement will underpin Tesco’s strategic objectives of growing its international presence; expanding its non-food business; and offering a broad selection of retail services such as banking, online and mobile. 
 

Mansfield, Conn. -- Westport, Conn.-based Charter Realty & Development Corp. said that ground was broken on Storrs Center, a new mixed-use town center to be located adjacent to the University of Connecticut in Mansfield.

At completion, the project will include approximately 200,000 sq. ft. of retail space, 700 residential units, and significant open space.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s announced Tuesday the launch of its iPhone and Android rich app to complement its mobile-optimized website, which launched earlier this year through mobile commerce leader Digby.

Through this initiative, Cabela’s said it is taking a strategic approach to mobile and leveraging the impact and influence it has across all channels to drive traffic, generate sales, enhance loyalty and gain insight on consumer buying behavior.  

New York City -- Aeropostale has launched a fully integrated Facebook Store, powered by Usablenet's technology platform, that combines shopping and social media and extends full e-commerce functionality to the Aeropostale Facebook community.

In addition to being able to purchase from Aeropostale's entire online inventory, the integrated Facebook e-commerce store allows users to easily 'Like' and share items and purchases with their Facebook network - leveraging the viral nature of Facebook's news feed.

New York City -- Whole Foods Market plans to open a store in Virginia Beach, Va.

The retailer recently signed a lease with S.J. Collins Enterprises for the construction of a 40,000-sq.-ft. store in the Hilltop section of Virginia Beach. It is scheduled to open by yearend 2013.

ROME — Gap Inc. announced that it will open its first Gap flagship store in Rome on Via del Corso, the city’s premier shopping district. The company said it expects to open the store on July 30.