News

The RoomPlace growing its store portfolio.   The family-owned company has opened a new showroom and warehouse distribution center in Indianapolis. The location is part of a strategic initiative to expand the furniture retailer's footprint in the city.   The new outpost also marks The RoomPlace's 25th store, with locations across Illinois and Indiana. It is one of the company's largest, at over 70,000 sq. ft. features a 16,000-sq.-ft. clearance center.   

West Marine Inc. is going private.   The retailer of boating gear, apparel and other waterlife-related products has agreed to be acquired by New York-based Monomoy Capital Partners for $12.97 per share. The deal has a total equity value of $338 million.  Following the close of the deal, West Marine will continue to be operated independently by the company's management team.  

Vitamin World’s commerce and supply chain operations are undergoing a digital transformation.  

Nike is opening up shop on Amazon.   The sportswear giant has entered into a pilot program with the online giant to sell a limited (at least initially) selection of footwear, apparel, and accessories on the online site. Nike products have long been available on Amazon, but only through unauthorized third party sellers. This will be the first time that Nike has sold directly on the Amazon.   

Consumers are ready to leave paper-based checks behind.   In fact, 80% of Americans are in support of "futuristic" payments technologies and currencies, including tools like sensor fingerprinting, facial recognition, retinal scanning and voice control, as well as currencies like bitcoin. This was according to research from Viewpost, a B2B network provider for invoicing, payments and cash management.   

Specialty luxury retailer Barneys New York has been recognized for the lighting design at its new downtown flagship in New York City.  

Williams Sonoma will open the largest version yet of its new dual-concept format, which combines its traditional kitchen and food products with home furnishings.  

Regional supermarket operator Shnucks is the latest grocer to offer customers same-day delivery.

Camping World Holdings has given an update on its plans for Gander Mountain.   Camping World, which acquired the assets of Gander Mountain and boating division Overton's in a bankruptcy auction in May, said it plans to operate 57 locations — assuming details can be worked out with landlords and final acceptable leases agreed to. Liquidation sales started in May at all 160 Gander stores.   

With home remodeling and housing starts on the rise, The Tile Shop is in a sweet spot. The specialty retailer of manufactured and nature stone tiles, which reported a 8.8% increase in net sales and a 4.9% increase in same-store sales for its first quarter, displays its collections in a showroom-like environment that includes full-room tiled displays and a design studio where customers can utilize 3D renderings to visualize their design ideas.