STORE SPACES

Best Buy in $20 million update of its Chicago area retail stores
CHICAGO - Best Buy’s 43 Chicagoland stores are sporting a fresher look and assortment upgrades after the retailer’s $20 million overhaul earlier this year.

The stores’ face-lifts cover multiple areas, from new fixtures, carpeting, lighting and paint, to new customer experiences and shopping areas in stores.

Store enhancements include:
Velcro opening pop-up store
Manchester, N.H. - Velcro Industries plans to open a retail pop-up store in the SoHo area of Manhattan. Styled as the "Holiday HackShop," the Velcro-branded pop-up store will be open Dec. 1 – 19.

Citizen Watch flagship combined digital elements with sustainable design

LYNDHURST, N.J. - Citizen Watch Company of America opened its first-ever global flagship, in Times Square, New York City. The 1,300-sq.-ft. foot store is designed to appeal to amateur and serious watch enthusiasts alike, with interactive and hands-on displays and exclusive offerings, Multiple 360- degree cases allow for shopping from either side of the case and provide easy movement throughout the store.
Stein Mart swings to Q3 loss, plans 10-plus new stores

Jacksonville, Fla. – Increased selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses helped drive Stein Mart Inc. to a net loss of $1.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to net income of $28,000 in the same quarter a year earlier. Despite this push into the red, Stein Mart plans to open open at least 10 new stores and relocate two stores in 2015, as well as close two stores.
Food Lion remodels 45 stores; 150 more to be updated in 2015

Salisbury, N.C. -- Food Lion has unveiled a new, easier shopping experience for customers in 45 remodeled stores in the greater Greenville, New Bern and Jacksonville, N.C., market. "Our customers told us that they want a grocery experience where it's easy to shop, easy to save and easy to figure out what is for dinner tonight," said Meg Ham, president of Food Lion. "In these stores, we've worked to deliver just that.”
Starbucks’ redesigned Seattle outpost

Seattle -- Starbucks’ new outpost in the Fremont section of Seattle fits right in with the artsy neighborhood. The company moved from a smaller store in the area to a spacious two-level corner site, complete with a mezzanine.
Whole Foods Market uses digital installations to elevate store experience
Store of the Week: Murad, Los Angeles, Calif.

El Segundo, Calif. -- Skincare brand Murad has opened its first stand-alone retail store, on West 3rd Street in Los Angeles.
Eddie Bauer opening holiday pop-up with Twitter-activated vending machine

Seattle -- Eddie Bauer is opening a pop-up store in New York City on Thursday, Nov. 6. The pop-up will be open through Feb. 14, 2015 and transform into a permanent flagship store to reopen in spring 2015. The store is located in the Union Square area of Manhattan.
Paul Frank to open omnichannel holiday pop-up store

Los Angeles -- Lifestyle brand Paul Frank is launching a pop-up shop at the Paramount Hotel in New York City, now through Jan. 30, 2015, with omnichannel features. Customers can participate in two digital activations featuring the face of Paul Frank, Julius the monkey.