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Illuminating Five Points of Light
Without light, design doesn’t exist and cannot be seen or experienced. Increasingly, light goes beyond pure function, performing an aesthetic role in assuming center stage. Much of this enhanced role is a by-product of almost limitless possibilities in its placement or flexibility, changeability and even practicality of using light sources in places and ways that were previously inconceivable.
Fred's gets February sales lift
Fred’s Super Dollar continues to see sales increases as 2016 continues. The company reported Thursday that for the four weeks ending Feb. 27, it saw net sales of $171.1 million, a 12% increase over the same period last year. The announcement follows January’s sales, which also increased 12% over the same four weeks in 2015. Comparable store sales rose 0.8% for the month, compared to flat comps in February 2015.

TENANT TREND #1: FOOD, FOOD AND MORE FOOD

If you’re after a hot tenant, look no further than food.

From food trucks to high-end restaurants and everything in between, dining has never been more essential to the shopping center experience. “E-commerce has made it more important for retail centers to enhance the experience,” said Terry Montesi, CEO, Trademark Property Co. “And food works great with retail.”
Marbles: The Brain Store

Deals in “Mind” Games

Brain fitness might seem an unusual specialty for a retailer, but it’s proved a sweet spot for Marbles: The Brain Store.

Founded by Lindsay Gaskins and Scott Brown, the Chicago-based retailer sells games and other items designed to stimulate the brain. It made its debut in 2008, with a kiosk in a local mall. People were intrigued, but they wanted a more engaging shopping experience, said marketing director Hallie Steube.
ShopKo accelerating ShopKo Hometown store growth

March promises to be a busy month for Shopko.

The retailer will open 10 Shopko Hometown stores in late March, bringing its total number of stores opened this year so far to 12.

The company plans to continue to accelerate the expansion of its Hometown format with additional locations through 2017. Developed over the past five years to augment Shopko’s larger store model, the concept is focused on serving the needs of smaller rural communities. Stores average 15,000 sq. ft. to 35,000 sq. ft.
Retail employment up

A strong report on Friday from the Labor Department shows that retail employment was up 51,100 jobs in February on the heels of a gain of 52,100 in January.

Compared with February 2015, retail jobs were up by 247,300. The numbers exclude gasoline stations, automobiles and restaurants.
Winter Storm Jonas hurts revenue at Big Lots

Big Lots says harsh winter weather hurt traffic counts and revenue, but the closeout retailer still posted increases in same-store sales for the fourth quarter.

Big Lots reported income from continuing operations of $94.7 million, or $1.91 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 30. Revenue dropped to $1.58 billion from $1.59 billion for the same quarter last year. Same-store sales increased 0.7%.It was the eighth consecutive quarter in which Big Lots has posted positive same-store sales.
Staples offers FTC justification for Office Depot acquisition

Another set of weak quarterly results from Staples and another round of store closures could give the Federal Trade Commission more evidence to support Staples long-running effort to acquire Office Depot.
Does America really need this store?

A new retail concept called The Mint Shack is the latest example of how the narrowest of consumer interests can be served with a digital presence — one that can also expand to a physical presence.

A first-of-its-kind website focused on all things mint. The Mint Shack has a simple philosophy, according to owner Scott Crillo, find the best mint products — from taste to color — and offer them under one roof at a fair price.
Tech Bytes: Three Reasons to Consider Direct Store Delivery

Direct store delivery (DSD), which involves shipping products directly to stores from suppliers and bypassing the retailer’s warehouse or fulfillment center, is not a new idea.

However, several industry developments have made DSD a more attractive and feasible option in many instances. Here are three reasons for a retailer to consider launching a DSD program.

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