News

Five Design Ideas for Safety
There is little doubt the public’s fear about safety has been heightened. In fact, the news these days is saturated with danger signals. Some people feel the threat of public spaces more acutely than others.
Having been trapped in a building two blocks from ground zero on 9/11, I myself have become hyperaware. I’ve devoted a lot of thought to how we can make shoppers feel more secure in the spaces we design so that they will be drawn to a store, be comfortable staying, and finally, lose themselves in the experience and want to return another day.
Regional grocer deploys mobile emergency communications system
H-E-B is taking steps to keep its employees, customers and food supply safe. The supermarket retailer is modernizing its emergency communications with a software platform from AlertMedia that combines multichannel, two-way messaging and 24/7 monitoring services. The infrastructure consolidates communication channels – such as voice, text, e-mail, social media, and Slack – enabling users to interact with its audience from any mobile device.

Northeastern Exposure

Packed and bursting with opportunities
Ground-up projects are hard to come by here, but shopping center innovation and new retailers are not
Density and diversity. The two D’s. That, in short, is what sums up the Northeast market for retailers. It’s the place where chains with national expansion plans or new formats to test need to be.
Amazon plans for second Jacksonville DC

The Sunshine State will gain another Amazon fulfillment center. On the heels of its recent announcement to open a new warehouse in Jacksonville, Fla., the retail giant is planning to open a second facility in the same city, and employ an additional 1,000 workers. Jacksonville’s first fulfillment center was announced six months ago.
Expanding North

DLC Management Corp.’s grocery-anchored shopping centers can be found in places such as Dallas; Milwaukee; Columbus, Ohio; and Birmingham, Ala.; but the company has a special stake in the Northeast. In October, DLC closed the biggest deal in its history, acquiring a passel of 16 centers, all but one of them in New York state. Chain Store Age Real Estate Editor Al Urbanski talked with DLC CEO Adam Ifshin and asked him what retailers need to know about the Northeast market.
2017 Update

RILA looks ahead to what retailers can expect in the coming year
With the historic 2016 election behind us, there has been much speculation about what to expect from Washington in the coming year.
With consideration of a Republican-controlled Congress and President-elect Trump’s proposed policies, the Retail Industry Leaders Association has outlined below the key legislative and regulatory issues retailers should be aware of in 2017:
Macy’s details store closings, restructuring amid poor holiday sales

Macy’s gave more information about its previously announced store closing plans as it unveiled a series of actions to streamline its store portfolio, intensify cost efficiency efforts and execute its real estate strategy.
Tech to the Rescue

Tech solutions helping secure safety of customers, employees
Retailers have been making investments in technology for years, mainly as a means of improving the customer experience. However, as more shocking incidents, such as active shootings, take place at retail malls, new technology investments focus on solutions that ward off violence.
Disruption Heads Up NRF’s Big Show

As digital disruptors continue to alter retail operations, brands are working to harness these emerging innovations to drive engagement among shoppers and employees. Look for the National Retail Federation’s upcoming 106th annual convention to educate attendees on these and other critical business strategies.
Holiday spending better than expected

Initial reports about holiday spending bode well for retailers. Consumers spent 16% more on holiday purchases this year than in 2015, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers Post-Holiday Shopping Survey.