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RANDOM NOTES

Manhattan’s Times Square has a new megawatt attraction: M&M’s World .The 25,000-sq.-ft. store is dedicated to the popular candy brand and sells a wide array of M&M’s-themed merchandise and memorabilia, from key chains and sweatshirts to original artwork. The design, by Columbus, Ohio-based Chute Gerdeman (which also designed the company’s Orlando, Fla., location), uses dynamic colors, including color-changing LED effects, and brand imagery to make the M&M’s candies larger than life and create a one-of-a-kind experience. The space includes what is billed as “the world’s largest wall of chocolate,” a 2-story-high wall made up of 72 continuous tubes filled with M&M’s. The facade is illuminated with two enormous video billboards that feature a constantly moving kaleidoscope of M&M’s and its signature candy characters.… Perfumania is updating its store image. The chain’s new prototype, developed by L2M Inc., Glen Burnie, Md., has a sleek, clean look, with polished ceramic tile and wood accents. L2M has been named national architect for the chain, which has nearly 300 stores nationwide.… American Apparel will expand its presence in Britain. The Los Angeles-based chain, which has three stores in London, plans three more U.K. locations by yearend. It is also looking to open in Ireland. Endeavor Acquisition Corp. recently acquired American Apparel.… Selfridges’ London flagship on Oxford Street is getting a makeover. As part of the project, the ground floor is being transformed from the men’s accessories department to what is called the Room of Wonder. It will house jewelry, watches and luxury food items.… Saks Fifth Avenue is launching a new logo that will appear on everything from store awnings to shopping bags to boxes. Developed by Pentagram Design Inc. and Terron Schaefer, Saks’ group senior VP of creative and marketing, the new black-and-white logo takes its cues from the retailer’s well-known stacked-script one that debuted in 1973 but was later replaced with a cleaner, modern font.

PERSONNEL UPDATES

FRCH Design Worldwide opened an office in Las Vegas as part of its work there as architect of record for the $2 billion redesign of the Tropicana resort.

SAVE THE DATE

Chain Store Age’s annual SPECS conference will be held March 4-7 at Walt Disney World Dolphin, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. For more information, see page 109 or visit www.specsshow.com.

CORRECTION

SBLM Architects, New York City, served as the architect for Century 21’s store in Paramus, N.J. (featured in the December 2006 issue of Chain Store Age).