Store Systems

Retailers executives are bullish on 2017.   That’s according to a survey from TD Bank, which polled 173 retail executives at the National Retail Federation’s annual Big Show in New York City. Seventy-four percent of the retailers said they believe sales will increase in the next 12 months. What’s more, 81% of the retailers reported that they met or exceeded their revenue goals in 2016.   In other key findings:  

Warby Parker has set up shop in downtown Palo Alto in a Spanish Colonial Revival building built in 1927.      The hot eyewear retailer has a knack for combining its signature library-inspired design details, which include walnut shelving, terrazzo tiled flooring, and plush leather seating, with unique elements in each location. In Palo Alto, a mural of original illustrations by artist Maira Kalman adds color and a touch of humor.   

Nordstrom Rack is bullish on Chicago.    The retailer announced plans to open a store at Mellody Farm in Vernon Hills, Ill. The property, which is being developed by Regency Centers, is located 30 miles north of downtown Chicago.   The approximately 30,000-sq.-ft. store, scheduled to open in fall 2018, will be the 15th Rack store in Chicagoland following the announcement of new locations in Kildeer, Ill., and Schererville, Ind., which are opening this spring.   

Target Corp. is entering the mobile payments arena.       Following similar moves by such competitors as Walmart and Kohl’s, the discounter plans to introduce mobile payment features to one or more of its own apps, according to a report by Recode.   

Besser Ace Hardware may be Arkansas's oldest hardware store, but modernized technology is making it more customer friendly.   The retailer, which was established in 1887, has served the downtown Little Rock community in its current location since the 1960’s. When the operator embarked on a complete remodel however, it was time to replace its previous point-of-sale system with robust software.  

Every year after the holidays the same topics seem to dominate media coverage of the retail industry. The numbers are in, who’s closing stores? Who’s going out of business? Who are this year’s casualties in the great Clicks vs. Bricks War? This focus on post-holiday attrition is part of a larger conversation about the future of retail, one often tinged by notes of panic, dire predictions, and dramatic pronouncements such as: Online retail is damaging brick-and-mortar. Malls are dead! Retailers are shuttering hundreds of stores! 

The omnichannel experience continues to raise the bar on the customer experience at Office Depot — all while taking a toll on labor.  

Pep Boys has added 130 stores to its portfolio.   The company has purchased Just Brakes, a privately held an automotive repair and maintenance chain, increasing the number of Pep Boys auto service locations to over 900 locations.