Store Systems

Irvine, Calif. -- KTGY Group, Architecture and Planning, said that Diane's Beachwear will be opening its newest store in Scottsdale, Ariz., at the Scottsdale Quarter in early March.

The new 1,200-sq.-ft. flagship store represents the 19-store chain's debut outside of California. KTGY is the architect for the new Diane's Beachwear store.   Skyline Development and Construction of Norco, Calif., is the general contractor.

LOS ANGELES -- Costco has engaged Creative Channel Services' CyberScholar Retail Network to increase in-store product knowledge and enhance shopper experiences, the company reported.  The warehouse retailer has integrated CCS' CyberScholar portal into its U.S. employee development strategies for consumer electronics (CE) product lines.

Corpus Christi, Texas -- La Palmera shopping center, located in Corpus Christi, Texas, said it has launched a new smart phone application designed for all smart phone platforms, including Android, Blackberry and iPhone.

The new app, in development since September 2010, officially launched with a La Palmera Facebook posting to its 6,600 fans.

Germantown, Md. -- Children’s apparel brand Carter’s will undergo a major network upgrade to deliver stronger security, better performance, and in-store wireless connectivity to be provided by Hughes Network Systems, a global provider of broadband satellite networks and services, and managed network and application services.

New York City -- Athletic goods and footwear company Asics has opened an ultra-modern flagship in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The two-level store, located next to the city's legendary Vondelpark running center, has a sleek, futuristic design and offers several exclusive services, including advanced biomechanical and running analysis systems. Click here to see photos.

ATLANTA -- Digital Signage Expo announced that it has scheduled Intel's Jose Avalos, retail and digital signage worldwide director, embedded and computing Division, to keynote at DSE 2011 on Feb. 24, 2011, in Las Vegas.

In his address titled, "Key Trends Affecting the Future of Digital Signage," Avalos will talk about trends and challenges facing those operating in this space.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Best Buy announced that it is helping consumers get ready for the Super Bowl by offering deals on Samsung products in stores and online through Feb. 5. 

Best Buy's deals include:

New York City -- Robert K. Futterman & Associates said Monday that it has secured a long-term lease for Gap 1969 at 513 Broadway, between Spring and Broome Streets in SoHo, for the brand’s first permanent location in New York City for the concept store.  

Gap 1969 is currently operating in a temporary space at 524 Broadway.  Scheduled to open in early spring 2011, the new apparel store will occupy 2,800 sq. ft. of ground-floor selling space, and 3,000 sq. ft. in the basement and 3,000 sq. ft. in the sub-basement.