News

COO Reset
Omnichannel environment places evolving demands, challenges on C-suite executives
The transformation of retail from brick and mortar into a digital omnichannel environment has caused an evolution in certain key roles in the C-suite.
Antony Karabus, CEO of HRC Retail Advisory, spoke with Chain Store Age about how the key role of the chief operating officer is evolving to enhance the transformation of retail companies in today’s more complex environment.
What is the typical scope of responsibilities of a retail COO?
Spotlight on New Formats
Two big retail names, Dollar General and Abercrombie & Fitch, recently unveiled new store formats that differ dramatically from their traditional concepts. Here’s a look at their new initiatives:

Dollar General
One of the nation’s fastest-growing retailers is putting the focus on convenience, targeting a new demographic with a smaller-store concept called DGX.
Dollar General debuted the new format, which has 3,400 sq. ft. of selling space, in Nashville, Tenn. A second location is set to open in Raleigh, N.C.

Spotlight on Sign Management Management

Retail signs have undergone a major evolution in recent years fueled by the adoption of digital technologies. Marilyn Brennan, business development manager at Egan Sign, spoke with Chain Store Age about the status of sign management in retail.
What trends are you seeing with regard to retail sign programs?
Decoding the Code

Newest ASHRAE standard reduces LPD allowances
The ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1 energy standard provides a model energy code to jurisdictions interested in regulating the energy-efficient design of commercial buildings. ASHRAE recently published the 2016 version, which supersedes the 2013 version.
The U.S. Department of Energy recognizes the 2013 version as the national energy reference standard. Starting in October 2016, all states were required to have an energy code in place at least as stringent as 90.1-2013 or justify why they could not comply.
Brand Activation

I’ve seen the future of retail. And it’s not all online, not by a long shot.
First, let’s deal with the elephant in the room. Yes, traditional brick-and-mortar retailers are confronted with challenges on multiple fronts. Adapting stores to accommodate today’s digitally savvy and demanding customers is no easy feat.
Trending Topics

Apple’s Spaceship to Land

Apple will open its highly anticipated new campus in April. Dubbed Apple Park, the site is located on a 175-acre site in Cupertino, Calif.

The heart of the campus is a futuristic, ring-shaped, 2.8 million-sq.-ft. headquarters building that’s clad entirely in panels of curved glass. Designed in collaboration with Foster + Partners, Apple Park is powered by 100% renewable energy. With 17 megawatts of rooftop solar, the campus will run one of the largest on-site solar energy installations in the world.
Going Against the Grain

Large-format experiential stores focus on customer experience, convenience
At a time when many retailers are cutting back on brick-and-mortar investments to focus on e-commerce, a few notable ones are taking the opposite approach. They are launching large-format experiential stores to immerse customers in the full brand experience and offer items in each product category, from couches to dresses.
Driving Unified Commerce — with Drones

The quest to be a leader in unified commerce remains on top of retailers’ to-do lists. And those companies that tap the power of drones could be positioning themselves to become leaders in the game.
A process that breaks down operational silos, unified commerce requires retailers to transform their organization, business processes and technology to align with customer demands. The result: the ability to drive a top-notch, frictionless, non-frustrating and valuable customer experience.
SHOP TALK

Trending Stores: Adidas has opened its largest store in the world — a 45,000-sq.-ft., four-story flagship on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Sleek and ultra-modern with industrial accents, the store marks the debut of the athletic giant’s stadium retail concept, a format inspired by high school stadiums. It features high-school reminiscent bleacher stands for live-game viewing on big screens, locker room-style dressing rooms, and track and turf sections where customers can try out products.
Analysis: Target needs to balance online growth with store growth

The holidays did not bring much cheer for Target, which saw both sales and profit decline during the golden quarter. Worryingly, comparable sales fell at an accelerated pace, ending up at their most negative point for of the fiscal year. The one bit of sparkle in an otherwise dreary set of figures came from digital where sales grew by a stellar 34%, a pace of expansion well above online growth in the whole U.S. market.
Target misses bullseye in Q4 as profit, sales fall; gives weak 2017 outlook

Strong online sales were not enough to help Target Corp. overcome a very disappointing fourth quarter, whose sales and earnings were far below Wall Street expectations. And the discounter offered a weak outlook for 2017. Target on Tuesday issued a full-year profit forecast that was far below market expectations, and said it plans to invest more money into enhancing its digital online platform and cutting prices. The chain said it would sacrifice gross margins this year to stay ahead of the competition.
Starbucks pulls plug on juice stores

Starbucks is shuttering its remaining Evolution Fresh stores, but the brand will live on. The coffee giant will close the two Evolution locations, both of which are in Seattle, but will continue to sell Evolution Fresh cold-press packaged juices in its coffee shops and at supermarkets. It also is launching new flavors. Starbucks bought the brand in 2011, reportedly with an eye to rolling out stores nationwide. But it never grew beyond a handful of locations.