News

Tanger hits the NASCAR track with car sponsorship
Tanger Outlets is putting its pedal to the metal marketing-wise, signing on as lead sponsor of Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 78 NASCAR racer and his Furniture Row Racing Team. The striking red-and-black Tanger Toyota will debut at the Federated Auto Parts 400 on September 10 at Richmond International Raceway in Virginia before motoring on through the 10-race Chase playoff series.
C-store chain in money-saving lighting retrofit
Quik Mart Stores has made the move to LED lighting. The Tucson, Arizona-based convenience store/gas station chain replaced the existing fluorescent and HID interior and exterior lighting with solid state LED lighting at 25 locations in the Tucson market. The retrofit was completed by SCS Energy Solutions Corp.’s SCS Lighting Division, which also developed a solution for beverage and freezer cooler lighting, as well as enhancing existing merchandise displays.

Sephora, Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Sephora has debuted its high-tech, high-service Beauty Tip Workshop format on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue. The 10,040-sq.-ft. store offers an array of classes, group as well as one-on-one makeovers and boasts a number of innovations, including a new digital makeover guide. Click here for more.
Sephora goes high-tech in Chicago

Sephora has brought its tech-savvy Beauty TIP Workshop store format to Michigan Avenue in Chicago, complete with some new flourishes. At 10,040 sq. ft., the new store is the beauty giant’s 400th freestanding location in North America, and only the fourth here to feature the TIP (teach, inspire, play) format. The other locations are Powell St., San Francisco; Prudential Center, Boston; and Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto.
Big Lots profit tops Street; raises forecast

Big Lots Inc. isn’t letting soft sales in the second quarter damper its outlook. Instead, the retailer raised its profit forecast for the year. The discounter on Friday reported fiscal second-quarter net income of $22.7 million, which surpassed analysts’ expectations, from $17.64 million in the year-ago period. Revenue totaled $1.2 billion in the period, which missed Street forecasts. Same-store sales inched up 0.3%.
Off-pricer rolling out new prototype

Tuesday Morning Corp. continues to expand its new prototype. The off-price retailer announced the relocation and upgrade of two locations in Southern California. Its store at California Oaks Center in Murrieta, has relocated to Palm Plaza in Temecula, and its store at Foothill Village Shopping Center has relocated to Terra Vista Town Center (both are in Rancho Cucamonga). The new locations feature the chain’s latest prototype, which includes new fixtures, improved lighting and a redesigned layout.
How ‘shoppertainment’ elevates the in-store experience to drive traffic and sales

Online retail sales continue to grow as changing shopper behavior places greater expectations on brick-and-mortar retail. Despite this trend, store-based retailing remains more profitable than direct-to-consumer retailing, largely due to the high cost of free shipping and returns associated with online sales.
Retailers Need to Think Like Restaurants

At the Converse Store on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, “customization maestros” help sneaker fans manufacture their dream shoe.
Amazon continues to expand Texas fulfillment network

Amazon announced plans to open a fulfillment center in Coppell, Texas. It will be the Internet giant’s eighth center in the Lone Star State. “Our ability to expand Texas operations within three short years is the result of two things: incredible customers and an outstanding workforce in the state,” said Akash Chauhan, Amazon’s VP of North American operations.
Can Sears be saved?

On Thursday, Aug. 25, Sears Holdings Corp., on the heels of another dismal quarter, announced it had accepted a capital infusion in the way of a $300 million loan by CEO Eddie Lampert’s hedge fund.
GameStop Q2 sales fall

GameStop Corp.’s revenue fell short of expectations in the second quarter as a lack of new game titles cut into its core business. Sales fell 7.4% to $1.63 billion in the quarter ended July 30. Same-store sales fell 10.6 %. Net income rose 10% to $27.9 million, in line with Wall Street projections.
Arts and crafts giant cuts sales outlook

Michaels Cos. said increased spending cut into its bottom line in the second quarter. The chain lowered its same-stores outlook for the rest of the year, citing a “choppy” retail environment. For the quarter ended July 30, the company posted a profit of $35.6 million, compared with $35.7 million in the year-ago period, amid spending to integrate recently-acquired arts and craft wholesaler Lamrite West and the timing of distribution expenses.