Store Systems

Freeport, Maine -- L.L. Bean has launched a mobile commerce website that allows shoppers the ability to search, browse, purchase and read product ratings and reviews from any Internet-enabled mobile phone.

Key features of L.L. Bean’s new mobile shopping experience include: site search, store finder, L.L. Bean Visa Card coupon lookup, click to call customer service, ratings and reviews, e-mail sign up and complete product descriptions.

Atlanta -- Citi announced Thursday that it has renewed its U.S. private-label credit card partnership with Office Depot.
 
“The Office Depot Business Credit Card and the Office Depot Personal Credit Card both provide our customers with the increased spending power they need in these economic times,” said George Hill, senior VP store operations, Office Depot.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens said Wednesday that its sales were up 6.8% in June, as more customers came to its stores and spent more money per trip. Same-store sales rose 4.8%.  Revenue increased to $6.04 billion from $5.65 billion.

Pharmacy revenue rose 6.2% and front-end sales were up 6.4%. The chain said monthly customer traffic rose 1.3% compared to June 2010, and customers spent 3.4% more per trip.

With its array of in-store services, expanded food offerings and unexpected amenities, the new Duane Reade flagship in downtown Manhattan, pushes the envelope of drugstore retailing -- and it does so with a style and ambience that sets it apart from the competition.

New York City -- Tourneau opened a new concept store in Manhattan. The 3,135-sq.-ft. space offers a dramatic departure from traditional jewelry and watch stores in that it does not have counters. Instead, it features a series of long tables in the main showroom that can be approached from all sides.

Tourneau employees, equipped with iPads in hand, unlock the cases when customers want to look at a watch.

The new store was created by San Francisco-based architecture firm Eight Inc., which has also worked on the Apple stores.
 

New York CIty -- With its array of in-store services, expanded food offerings and unexpected amenities, the new Duane Reade flagship in downtown Manhattan pushes the envelope of drugstore retailing -- and it does so with a style and ambience that sets it apart from the competition.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens’ stock was trading up 30 cents to $43.03 on the New York Stock Exchange mid-morning on Wednesday thanks to favorable same-store sales growth of 4.8% for the month of June versus an analyst consensus estimate of 2.8%.

New York City -- What topics interested retailers most in the first half of 2011? The most popular stories with chainstoreage.com readers from January through June ran the gamut, from the top 10 retail markets for 2011 to Dollar General’s ambitious expansion. Take a look at our top 10 most popular stories: 
 
1. Top 10 retail markets for 2011