News

Starbucks, Seattle
Starbucks has debuted its in-store Reserve coffee bar concept in downtown Seattle. The new store combines the educational aspects of the company’s Reserve Roastery format and its rare small-lot Reserve coffees within a traditional Starbucks setting, complete with such regular coffee and Frappuccinos. It’s estimated that Starbucks locations with the Reserve bar will make up 20% of the company’s global store portfolio over time.
Bakery-café chain looks to double its store count
La Madeleine, the country French-inspired bakery-café, is turning to a new growth strategy that includes selling its corporate owned stores to fast track its expansion.

Confirmed: Walmart acquires another online retailer

Walmart continues to grow both its e-commerce and fashion presence. On Friday, the discounter announced it had acquired the assets and operations of online retailer ModCloth, which specializes in eclectic and quirky apparel and accessories for 18- to 35-year-old women. The company did not reveal the purchase price.
Toy Kingdom, South Korea

Toy Kingdom, a specialty toy store concept from Shinsegae, the largest retailer in South Korea, boasts a store environment that is larger than life and highly experiential.
Apple opening three new stores in March

Apple will be busy on March 25. The company will open three new stores on that day, including a flagship at Brickell City Center, a new mixed-use development in downtown Miami. It will be Apple’s fifth location in the Miami area. The new Miami store will have 13-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, and a forum space with an oversized video display, according to TechCrunch.
Arts and crafts retailer uses Wi-Fi to target in-store shoppers

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores thinks it has found a way to make each mobile shopper’s store visit unique. The crafting retailer is targeting mobile shoppers that “opt-in” to use its new in-store Wi-Fi network with unique coupons, according to Ad Age.
Study: Retailers need to empower their workforces, realign skills to succeed

The increasingly digital customer is impacting the evolution of new, distinct store formats. As stores transition to new concepts by 2020 and beyond, so will the roles of store associates, according to new research from Avanade and EKN Research. Avanade surveyed 161 global retail executives across various retail segments to understand the driving factors of digital and workforce transformation in the industry.
Tiffany shines on demand from Asia

A strong performance in Asia helped Tiffany & Co. beat fourth quarter expectations even as sales as its U.S. stores sagged. The luxury jeweler reported net income of $157.8 million, or $1.26 per share, for the quarter ended Jan. 31, compared with $163.2 million, or $1.28 per share, in the year-ago period. Adjusted for asset impairment costs, per-share earnings were $1.45, beating the per-share earnings of $1.37 that industry analysts had expected.
Burrito chain adds New Jersey location

New Jersey’s answer to Chipotle has signed a lease for another location in that state. Bubbako’s Burritos, a made-to-order chain that got its start in the popular Jersey shore town of Point Pleasant, has signed a lease for a 1,900-sq.-ft. restaurant at Aldrich Plaza in Howell. Other tenants there include Bed, Bath & Beyond, Retro Fitness, and Boston Market.
Amazon putting Alexa inside iPhones

Amazon is making it a lot easier for customers to speak with its voice assistant. The online giant on Thursday started integrating Alex into its main shopping app on the iPhone, with a full rollout expected by the end of next week. Users will be able to ask Alexa for help with shopping, and also to stream books from their Kindle library, play media and request information such as news, weather or sports scores.
Report: Amazon set to offer Chinese sellers air cargo shipment option

Amazon is making its next global logistics move. The online retailer plans to enable its Chinese sellers to fly their goods internationally as air cargo, according to MarketWatch.
Report: Fast-food giant enters mobile ordering race

It’s easier than ever for McDonald’s customers to order a Big Mac — and avoid long lines at service counters. The fast-food chain began testing mobile ordering and payment functionality within its app at 29 restaurants in Monterey and Salinas, California, on Wednesday, March 15. Another 51 restaurants in Spokane, Washington, are slated to launch the service on March 20, according to Reuters.