Store Systems

Allen, Texas -- Forte Payment Systems is launching Forte Checkout, an intuitive platform for online payment acceptance that supports electronic check in addition to credit and debit card payment methods. Forte Checkout integrates seamlessly and securely to applications that need payment handling capabilities.

Fort Worth, Texas - RadioShack has opened two new concept stores in China and Malaysia, marking the brand's most recent moves throughout Asia and Southeast Asia.

Working with joint venture partner FIH (First Honest Enterprises Limited), RadioShack introduced its first concept store in China on March 21 with a grand opening ceremony at Huacao Town, Shanghai. RadioShack and franchise partner Berjaya Retail Berhad also relaunched a completely renovated existing store at Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 26.

Despite difficult weather conditions during the peak holiday season, Dollarama enjoyed an increase in sales, net earnings and earnings per share for the fourth quarter ended Feb. 2.

"Fourth quarter and full-year financial results came out strong despite the adverse impact of severe weather conditions on store traffic, particularly in December, during our peak sales period. While not as severe, weather conditions did remain challenging for the remainder of the winter season," stated Larry Rossy, chairman and CEO of Dollarama.

Naples, Fla. - Naples Soap Company has chosen Opterus’ Store Ops Center as its communications and task management solution. Opterus’ Store Ops-Center is a cloud solution designed specifically for retail to manage and execute store tasks and communications.

The solution measures and increases operational compliance, communicates corporate policy, manages day-to-day objectives and tasks, and handles issues between corporate office and store locations

Niwot, Colo. -- Crocs Inc. has opened its first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified store, in Syracuse, N.Y. As detailed in Crocs’ new 2013 sustainability report, the store is certified at the LEED Silver level and features a high-efficiency LED lighting system and low-VOC and sustainable building materials.

First it was signage and then came the freezer case and parking lots. Now Walmart and GE are moving forward with their biggest lighting initiative to date.

The companies announced plans to use GE LED lights in ceiling fixtures in hundreds of stores throughout the U.S., Asia, Latin Amerian and the United Kingdom. The new fixtures use 40% less energy than traditional overhead lighting systems and move Walmart forward on its goal of reducing energy required to power its buildings globally by 20% by 2020. It is Walmart’s largest purchase of GE LED lighting to date.

Atlanta -- Miller Zell has named James Warner VP of digital innovation, responsible for driving integrated experiences, digital brand engagements and relevant technology solutions into the overall shopper journey.

Previously Warner worked with W3 Design, Momentum Worldwide and Moxie Interactive, where he led consumer-centric design and technology development for tier one retailers and global brands such as Coca-Cola, Nokia, Verizon, Red Bull North America, American Express, 20th Century Fox and Nike.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart, a pioneer in the use of LED lighting in its freezer cases and parking lots, is now extending its use of LEDs to the sales floor. The retailer plans to install energy-efficient LED ceiling lighting from GE in its new supercenters in the United States, along with stores in Asia, Latin America, and the United Kingdom.