News

Art Van rounds out Illinois Power Center
Art Van Furniture will take over a 34,000-sq.-ft. space vacated by H.H. Gregg at Gurnee Town Center in Illinois, according to owner Retail Properties of America, Inc. The electronics chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year. Art Van will bring the center to 98% occupied, according to RPAI, joining DSW, Old Navy, Starbucks, Ross Dress for Less, Five Below, and Bath & Body Works at the center west of Waukegan.
Study: Cash is still king for U.S. consumers
Despite the rise of electronic, mobile and contactless payments, physical currency remains a favored choice for consumers in the United States. This was according to “In Cash Consumers Trust. But How Do Retailers Make it Pay?,” a report from cash technology solutions provider Glory. The study is based on responses from 1,500 consumers in the U.S., U.K. and Australia.

Toys ‘R’ Us in ‘play’ mode

The nation's largest toy retailer wants everyone to take some time out to play. Toys "R" Us announced that, this fall, it is launching "play labs" at 42 stores where kids (and parents) can play with some of the season's hottest toys. The retailer said that adults can use the lab to test the items on kids' holiday lists to check for age appropriateness before they make a purchase.
DSW going back to its roots for store of the future
Walmart targets rival with relaunch

Walmart is looking to expand its share of the lucrative market for baby products. The discounter announced it is relaunching its Parent's Choice line of baby essentials with an expanded line of products and a new logo. Parent's Choice, which began 20 years ago with just baby formula, will grow to 275 items. The relaunch comes as Target Corp. has been focusing on baby with new Cloud Island baby brand, which recently added has bedding and nursery decor to its assortment.
Study: Even younger shoppers like stores

More than three-quarters of consumers are shopping at bricks-and-mortar stores just as much as or more than they did a year ago. That's according to Consumer View, a new quarterly report from the National Retail Federation. NRF is working with Toluna Analytics to produce the report, which is designed to gauge consumer behavior and shopping trends related to stores, online channels, customer loyalty, technology and other issues.
Amazon doubles down on Echo—and then some

Amazon's Echo is in expansion mode just in time for the holiday rush. The online giant on Wednesday announced five new Echo products, along with several other new gadgets. And none of the items cost more than$150, TechCrunch reported. The new items include Echo Plus, which will do double duty by also serving as a hub for smart home devices.
Baton Rouge center recruits bloggers in re-brand

“Our belief is that retail and mixed-use places need to evolve or risk irrelevance,” said Trademark Property Co. CEO Terry Montesi, who’s putting that belief to the test at a mixed-use center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Retailers support new tax reform proposal

The National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association are throwing its support behind the tax reform proposal released Wednesday by the Trump administration and congressional leadership. According to the NRF, the measure could provide a major boost for the nation’s economy.
CVS Pharmacy in big Times Square debut

CVS Pharmacy has brought its new store format to the "crossroads of the world."