News

READY FOR FALL
There’s no getting around it: It’s been a long, hot summer for the retail industry, one that many retailers will be happy to see end.

From the liquidation of The Sports Authority and Hancock Fabrics to the downsizing of Macy’s and Office Max (to name a few), the past few months have been full of angst as merchants struggle to find their way in a disrupted marketplace.

The good news is that many merchants are rising to the task. They are making the hard calls, however painful, and investments necessary to compete in today’s omnichannel world.
Amazon gets more involved with auto industry via new site
Amazon isn’t selling cars — at least not yet anyway — but it has launched a site where consumers can research and compare cars and read reviews. Called Amazon Vehicles, the new site is designed as a research destination for customers shopping for vehicles, parts, and accessories It includes detailed specifications, photos and reviews for an array of car models, both new and classic, ranging from Tesla Motors' 2014 Model S to the 1965 Ford Mustang.

holiday // planning

Get ready for a very competitive holiday season.
Specialty menswear retailer swings to profit in Q2

Destination XL Group Inc. reported a profit in its second quarter amid the ongoing strength of its DXL larger store format. The retailer of big and tall apparel for men posted net income for the second quarter of $0.2 million, compared with a net loss of $1.0 million in the year ago period.
Target Gets ‘Smart’ About Lighting

Target is taking its lighting to the next level. The retailer tapped Acuity Brands to provide Target stores with smart lighting technologies, featuring energy-saving LED fixtures and dimming controls. Target will be exclusively installing Acuity’s next generation, smart LED sales floor fixtures, along with its store accent lighting and distribution center site lighting.
Unexpected drop for Signet Jewelers

Signet Jewelers Ltd. reported its first drop in same-store sales in six years in its second quarter as the company continues to deal with rumors that it swapped expensive diamonds for cheaper stones. Signet, whose banners include Zale, Kay Jewelers and Jared, posted a 2.3% drop in same-store sales in the quarter ended July 30. Wall Street analysts had expected a slight increase. Net sales fell 2.6% to $1.37 billion.
STORE BARRICADES WITH CURB AND BRAND APPEAL

High-quality, graphically interesting store barricades can turn an unsightly construction or remodeling site into a brand-enhancing billboard for a retailer. Chain Store Age spoke with Bob Putnam, the president and founder of Boston Barricade Company, about the evolving nature of retail construction barricades.

How have retail construction barricades changed over the years?

Thirty years ago, 98% of all retail barricades were constructed using metal framing and drywall. But today, that number is down to 35%.
Kohl’s bets big on beauty

Beauty and skin-care figure prominently in Kohl’s multi-year turnaround plan. The retailer recently finished adding beauty departments to all its stores, the Dallas Morning News reported, and even managed to do it couple years ahead of schedule.
Project Profiles

Los Gatos Village Square

Location: 15466 Los Gatos Boulevard, between California Highways 85 and 17 in Los Gatos, California

Size: 46,235 sq. ft.

Developer: Donahue Schriber Realty Group

Grocery anchor: Trader Joe’s

Key tenants: Pet Food Express, See’s Candies, The UPS Store, AAA Automobile Club, Baja Fresh Mexican Grill
What’s happening in Vegas is staying downtown

Detroit is not the only town that spent the past few decades building outward before looking inward. In June, the Las Vegas City Council approved a master plan for its Downtown district, focusing on both historic attractions and new development to drive more traffic there.

To make it happen, it hired RTKL, an architecture and urban design firm whose completed projects include Mirdif City Centre in Dubai and L.A. Live. Its plan calls for the establishment of a tech business center, expansion of its health care services and at least 5,000 new residents.