News

Design Awards Celebration at SPECS
The Retail Design Institute will hold its 45th Annual Awards Gala & Fundraiser on March 12, 2016, at the Hilton Anatole, Dallas, the night before the kickoff of Chain Store Age’s SPECS Conference.

The winners of the competition, including the Store of the Year, will be unveiled at the event, which will also showcase the latest trends in materials, signage, fixturing and in-store technology.
A penny for their business? J.C. Penney is on a roll
J.C. Penney continues to be a bright spot in the retail sector with impressive increases in same store sales and earnings, as well as a new marketing campaign that is generating a lot of buzz.

On Thursday the retailer announced that same store sales grew 4.1 % for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 30. A combination of strong sales growth, accelerated gross margins and disciplined expense reduction resulted in full year adjusted EBITDA of $715 million, a $435 million increase.

Shoppers love 'healthy living for less' at Sprouts

Perhaps no other retailer is profiting as well from Americans' changing eating habits than Sprouts Farmers Market, which reported record sales and earnings for the fourth quarter.

The Arizona-based grocer said that same store sales during the period ended Jan. 3 rose 7.4%. Net income was $28.2 million and diluted earnings per share were 18 cents. Net sales were $3.59 billion, a 21% increase compared to reported net sales in 2014. Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.86, a 19% increase from 2014.
Foot Locker runs away with record sales, profit

The CEO of Foot Locker credits the company's revised strategic framework with single digit sales gains and double digit earnings gains in the fourth quarter.

For the period ended Jan. 30, Foot Locker reported net Income of $1.14 Per Share, a 13% increase from the prior year quarter. Earnings per share were $1.16, 16% above last year. Same store sales increased 7.9%.
Three ways mobile payment is changing

Although mobile payment is still very much an emerging technology, the next stage of its evolution is occurring. The introduction of Apple Pay is September 2014 could be said to be mobile payment’s introduction as a mainstream technology, and the landscape has been steadily shifting since then.

Here are three key ways mobile payment is changing before the industry’s eyes.
2016 Sweets & Snacks Expo to focus on retail innovation

This year's Sweets & Snacks Expo attendees will be treated to panel discussions by experts from the Consumer Electronics Show, Canadean, and the Center for Advancing Retail & Technology.

All three sessions on the latest advancements taking place in retail will be held at the Expo’s new Discovery Theater located in Skyline Hall, which will host more than 130 new exhibitors and is home to “Innovation Avenue”.
Community of commerce innovators set to gather in Las Vegas

The forces of disruption influencing so much of retail have finally arrived at one of the industry’s most tradition-bound segments. Retail trade events have changed little the past 20 years, but a new event called Shoptalk (May 16-18) is reimagining every aspect of the concept. Event co-founder and chairman Anil Aggarwal spoke with Retailing Today about Shoptalk, what it is, what it isn’t and how he plans to create a community of commerce innovators.

RT: What is Shoptalk?
SmartLabel: Bringing the Future of Shopping to Consumers

Today’s consumer is asking more and more about the food, beverage and consumer products they buy, use and consume. They want to know what is in the product, how to use it and what is in its packaging. They want to know who benefits from the manufacturing and how. And it doesn’t stop there.

The question is how CPG companies can meet this consumer demand when there is no way all of this information would fit on a package label.
Key Corner in Gaslamp Quarter to be redeveloped

San Diego -- OliverMcMillan announced plans to transform the former theatre building at 5th Avenue and G Street located in the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego.

“Our vision is to revitalize this active corner perfectly situated in the heart of the Gaslamp. Redeveloping this prime site will provide Downtown more opportunities to engage our local community and tourists alike,” said Dene Oliver, CEO of OliverMcMillan.
GBT acquires land for new Sprouts Farmers Market location

Dallas -- GBT Realty Corp. announced it has acquired 2.3 acres of the 12-acre retail site at Eldorado and Teel Parkways in Frisco, Texas on Feb. 16 from CMTEX, Inc. for $1.1 million. Sprouts Farmers Market will build its second store in Frisco, Texas on the site. To date, GBT has developed four locations in two states for the healthy grocer that offers fresh, natural and organic foods at great prices.
CBRE arranges sale of White Bear Marketplace

Minneapolis -- CBRE’s Capital Markets Investment Properties Group announced it has arranged the sale of White Bear Marketplace, located in St. Paul Minnesota, on behalf of its client, Oppidan Investment Company. CBRE’s SVP Jim Leary and senior associate Jeff Budish represented Oppidan Investment Company in the transaction.
RCP announces $300 million mixed-use development

Atlanta -- RCP Companies announced a $300 million, experiential, mixed-use development in the heart of Henry County known as Jodeco|Atlanta South in Atlanta. Construction is expected to commence later this year with initial tenants opening doors in 2017.

Preliminary plans for the mixed-use development include retail and restaurants, an entertainment hub, amphitheatre, outdoor fitness and recreation areas and residences within an amenity-rich, urban district.