Chicago Is Fertile Retail Testing Ground

Chicago, Three major retailers have selected the Windy City as the testing ground for new retail concepts.

Gap Inc. is launching a new chain for women 35 and older, called Forth & Towne, which will be tested in four Chicago-area malls. Best Buy chose the Chicago area to test its Studio D electronics store, a teaching-oriented format for women, and its urban-looking Escape electronics and video gaming store. And Costco Wholesale Corp. will test the in-store sale of caskets in Chicago.