SHOP TALK

RANDOM NOTES: Microsoft made its Manhattan debut with a 22,369-sq.-ft. flagship on Fifth Avenue — its largest location yet. Designed in collaboration with Gensler, the store has a striking, all-glass facade that provides a full view of the contemporary, multi-level interior. High-definition video walls and digital signage are featured throughout the space, streaming video, images and information. A two-story video wall is located behind an “answer desk,” where shoppers can receive assistance and training. ... American Eagle Outfitters acquired upscale menswear brand Todd Snyder New York, and Snyder’s Tailgate Clothing Co., a vintage sports-inspired brand that operates a college-town store concept. American Eagle reportedly sees a large store-expansion potential for Tailgate, and is also looking to open a Todd Snyder store. ... East Los Angeles is the site of Nike’s newest “community store” location. Community involvement is at the heart of the neighborhood-friendly format, whose mission — accomplished through a variety of initiatives — is to build and empower a healthy community through the unifying power of sport. Dubbed “Nike East Los,” the store has a modern, streamlined look, and stocks the athletic brand’s apparel, footwear and workout gear, along with “East Los”-branded merchandise to encourage neighbor pride.



COMPANY UPDATES: Callison and RTKL have officially joined forces as CallisonRTKL. Eric Lagerberg, previously managing principal at Callison, will lead the combined firm’s retail practice group. Norm Garden, formerly executive VP at RTKL, will lead the firm’s commercial practice group. Both firms were previously acquired by the Netherlands-based global design consultancy Arcadis.



CALL FOR ENTRIES: There is still time to enter the Retail Design Institute’s 45th annual international store design competition. The deadline for entries is Dec. 31, 2015, and projects completed between Nov. 1, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2015, are eligible for consideration. For more information and/ or to submit an entry, go to retaildesigninstitute.org/designcompetition/?page= designcompetition. The Institute recently announced it will partner with Chain Store Age and hold an awards ceremony and gala honoring the winners of the design competition in Dallas on Saturday, March 12, 2016, at the Hilton Anatole, the day before CSA’s SPECS conference opens.