STORE SPACES

Report: Robo-baristas hit San Francisco
A new coffee shop is open in San Francisco. The blend of the day: artisan coffee and automated technology. Taking a page from the AmazonGo experience, Cafe X is an automated coffee shop that opened in San Francisco’s Metreon mall on Jan. 30, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Careful Curation is Key to Avoiding In-Store Sensory Overload
Each moment, it seems, something new emerges to compete for our attention. Our desktop browsers manage dozens of tabs simultaneously, even though we can only process the information contained on those pages one tab at a time. Our phones ping away, constantly keeping us connected to an infinite virtual world.

German grocery giant to make a big U.S. debut ahead of schedule

Lidl is coming out of the starting gate in the United States earlier than expected — and it isn’t going to waste any time ramping up its store base. The discount grocer will open its first U.S. stores this summer, with plans to open up to 100 locations across the East Coast within a year, the Associated Press reported. The chain initially had said it planned to enter the U.S. market no later than 2018.
In-store yogurt cafe coming to Walmart

Target soon won’t be the only discounter to feature an in-store Chobani Cafe. The popular Greek yogurt brand will open a 2,000-sq-.ft. café at Walmart’s new supercenter in the Houston suburb of Tomball, reported the Houston Business Journal. The store is scheduled to open on Feb. 15.
SPECS to showcase Samsung’s experiential retail flagship

When Samsung Electronics America opened the doors to Samsung 837 in the heart of New York City, it unveiled a digital playground that personifies the evolution — and future — of retail. The store will be the focus of a session at Chain Store Age’s upcoming SPECS conference (March 12-14, at the Gaylord Palms, Kissimmee, Florida).
SPECS to put a spotlight on ADA compliance

The Americans with Disabilities Act with be the focus of a special, double-session at Chain Store Age’s upcoming SPECS conference (March 12-14, at the Gaylord Palms, Kissimmee, Florida). Presented by Joan Stein, president of Joan Stein Consulting and one of the nation’s leading ADA experts, the session will examine non-compliance issues, the impact of after-construction changes, how to avoid mitigation costs, and remediation and business interruption.
Report: Walmart tests new c-store concept

Walmart continues to test new store concepts. The chain has opened a 2,500-sq.-ft. convenience store, complete with a fuel station, in Rogers, Ark., at the entrance of a Wal-Mart Supercenter, The Northwest Arkansas Democratic Gazette reported.
Large-Format Experiential Stores Focus on the Customer Experience

At a time when many retailers might be cutting back on brick-and-mortar investments to focus more on e-commerce, a few notable ones are taking the opposite approach and launching large-format experiential stores to immerse customers in the full brand experience and offer items in each product category, from couches to dresses.
The Ins & Outs of Closeouts

Jeff Katkowsky, VP with Sachse Construction, will share his insights and experiences as part of a panel focused on overcoming obstacles during closeouts at SPECS/2017.
Target Open House closed — but just for a couple of months

Target Corp. its updating its experimental concept store in San Francisco, Target Open House, which opened in summer 2015 as a showcase for smart, “connected” home technology. In a blog on its website, Target said Open House has closed for a significant remodel project. It will reopen to the public on Friday, Feb. 10.