Store Systems

In today’s competitive retail environment, no brand can afford to stay still.   Two top brands — one a national giant and the other a regional powerhouse — will give attendees at SPECS/2017 a behind-the-scenes look at how a brand can be reinvented through store design.   Cumberland Farms, a 600-store convenience store chain, will discuss how it is updating its locations with a sleek new design.   

Pandora UK is embarking on a new strategy to engage with shoppers post-purchase.   The jewelry retailer is partnering with Ecrebo to provide shoppers with digital receipts that are emailed to shoppers following their in-store transaction. When the receipt arrives in their inbox, shoppers have the option to opt-in to receive regular newsletters, and share feedback about their in-store experience.   

Big Lots on Friday posted an unexpected decline in total revenue in its fourth quarter as a reduced store count cut into its sales. But the chain’s earnings topped the Street.      The close-out retailer also boosted its dividend and initiated a new share buyback program.  

A store designed by women and for women. That’s Sport Chek Women, which made its debut on Thursday at CF Chinook Centre, in Calgary.  

With its busy spring selling season about to commence, The Home Depot wants to make its hiring process as easy as possible.   By creating a shorter digital application and mobile-optimized “Careers” site, the home improvement chain has shortened its online application process to 15 minutes, a move that speeds up the task by as much as 80%, the company said.   

Privately-owned, family-operated Meijer announced plans to invest more than $375 million in new and remodeled stores in 2017 across its six-state footprint.    The investment includes the construction of seven new Meijer supercenters and 22 remodel projects. While Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin will each welcome new Meijer supercenters later this year, dozens of other Meijer stores have begun or will soon begin remodel projects to enhance the customer shopping experience.  

Best Buy Corp. came up short on top line growth in its fourth quarter amid problems with product availability. But its income topped expectations, helped by operational improvements and store closures.    The consumer electronics retailer on Wednesday issued a first-quarter forecast that missed Wall Street's expectations. It also detailed the next phase of its turnaround, which includes expanding its in-home advisory program, accelerating growth in Canada and Mexico, and more cost cutting.  

Target Corp. has a lot on its plate for the next three years.   Among other initiatives the retailer will open 30 small format stores in 2017, doubling its presence in urban markets and on college campuses. By 2019, Target will operate more than 130 smaller stores.