Store Systems

Pep Boys is looking to accelerate a range of digital and physical offerings as part of a strategy called, “Road Ahead,” after the omnichannel efforts resulted in 152% growth.

Pep Boys operates 800 locations in 35 states with 7,500 service bays which differentiates the company from parts-only players such as AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts who perform basic services in their parking lots such as changing batteries or wiper blades.

New York -- Best Buy Inc.’s president of U.S. retail stores, Shawn Score, 48, has retired, effective immediately, after spending 29 years with the company. His responsibilities will be assumed by Best Buy’s chief human resources officer, Shari Ballard.

Ballard joined Best Buy in 1993, and has served in a variety of executive positions, moving into the HR position in 2013. Ballard will continue to head up human resources in addition to taking on the new duties.

Atlanta -- Pricer, which provides electronic shelf label solutions, has announced that Carrefour, the world’s second largest retailer, will use Pricer’s latest retail technology for a fully connected store that significantly improves the customer experience.

Carrefour’s store in Villeneuve la Garenne is the first store worldwide that allows customers to benefit from Pricer’s integrated solution using indoor navigation, mobile shopping and SmartTAG graphic labels.

99 Cents Only recently changed its fiscal year from the Saturday closest to the end of March, to the Friday closest to the end of January, to be in line with its retail industry peers. But during the shortened fiscal year consisting of 44 weeks, from March 31, 2013 to Jan. 31, the company widened its net loss.

Total net sales were $1.53 billion, down 8% from $1.66 billion. Same-store sales rose 3.7%.

Itasca, Ill. -- Jewel-Osco has appointed Scott Hays as VP operations for the Chicagoland supermarket chain.

Most recently a district manager with Albertsons LLC’s Southern division, Hays will lead the operations team to support Jewel-Osco’s marketing and merchandising initiatives, including the company’s upcoming remodels and opening their five newly acquired Dominick’s locations.

City of Commerce, Calif. – 99 Cents Only Stores LLC reported a widening net loss in an abbreviated 10-month fiscal 2014 which was shortened from the Saturday closest to the end of March to the Friday closest to the end of January. Net loss grew to $12.48 million from $8.9 million.

Total net sales were $1.53 billion, down 8% from $1.66 billion. Same-store sales rose 3.7%.

Littleton, Colo. — General Growth Properties plans to redevelop its 1.3 million-sq.-ft. Southwest Plaza in southwest Denver. The multi-million dollar project will renovate Center Court with open-air cafes, new seating areas, free WiFi access for social networking, new directional signage, indoor fireplaces, skylights and light coves.

London -- British luxury fashion brand Burberry blends digital and physical retailing at its new flagship in Kerry Centre, Shanghai. The three-floor location has been designed to offer multi-sensory experiences for its customers.

 Inspired by Burberry’s Regent Street flagship in London, the Shanghai store incorporates British craftsmanship and materials with cutting-edge technologies, starting with an illuminated façade that responds to changes in weather and natural light and also displays programmed animation.