STORE SPACES

Specialty retailer sets sights on new market
The Tile Shop is entering the most populous metropolitan market in Texas The specialty retailer of manufactured and natural stone tiles has opened its first store in the Houston market, in the suburb of Webster. Throughout 2017, The Tile Shop will open several other stores in the greater Houston area, including a second location in mid-August, in Sugar Land. With the two Houston openings, the retailer will have a total of 132 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia,
Dick's Sporting Goods in store openings
Dick's Sporting Goods will be busy in August, opening five stores in three different states. The nation's largest sporting goods retailer will open two namesake stores and three Field & Stream stores in the first half of August. In Prosper, Texas, Dick's and Field & Stream will open under one roof at the Gates of Prosper. And in Houston, Dick's will open at Post Oak Shopping Center.

Target expanding its college store footprint

Target is hitting the books.
Golf superstore retailer continues to expand

PGA Tour Superstore is betting on Las Vegas. The retailer has signed a lease to open its first store in the Las Vegas market, a 30,000-sq.-ft. space in downtown Summerlin. The location, expected to open later this year, is the company's 31st store. It will be staffed with PGA teaching professionals, have five state-of-the-art swing simulators, multiple practice hitting bays, an expansive putting green and a junior putting green along with an in-house club-making and repair facility.
Chain Store Age announces SPECS/2018 Advisory Board, new marketing

Chain Store Age announced the selection of the Advisory Board for SPECS/2018, the annual retail event produced by CSA and attended by retail and food-service executives who plan, design, build, and maintain stores and restaurants nationwide. Now in its 54th year, SPECS will host its 2018 conference in Dallas, at the Gaylord Texan, March 18-20. The event will focus on what’s next, and what is shaping the future of physical retail.
Empire Outlets enlists top fashion artist

Empire Outlets, the outlet center taking shape on the Staten Island side of the Staten Island Ferry, has turned to Manhattan and Holly Nichols to help promote the center. Nichols’s illustrations have guided campaigns for Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman-Marcus, not to mention New York and Boston Fashion Weeks. Her work has 600,000 followers on Instagram, and originals sell to collectors on Etsy.
Now Trending: Eight clicks-to-bricks retailers to keep an eye on

Digitally native retailers are infusing the retail industry with something it can always use: new blood. Here are eight interesting newcomers to the physical space: Away
Fast-fashion giant trying on vending machines

Uniqlo will be popping up at airports and malls across the nation — but not through retail storefronts. Putting a new spin on the term “fast fashion,” the Japanese retailer is launching 6-ft.-high vending machines that will enable customers to purchase T-shirts and lightweight down jackets, the Wall Street Journal reported. Merchandise is packaged in boxes and cans.
Mattress start-up doubles down on Amazon relationship for store success

Amazon is extending its brick-and-mortar brand exposure, once again — albeit in an unconventional way. Mattress retailer Tuft & Needle will open its newest store in October, in Seattle. And the self-funded specialty retailer is relying on Amazon’s technology and services to drive its success, according to ReCode.
Home furnishings chain adds new hotel location

West Elm is expanding its hotel portfolio — even before it opens its first location. The retailer, a division of Williams-Sonoma, announced Portland, Maine as the newest location for its West Elm Hotels collection. Expected to open in 2020, the 150 room, full-service boutique hotel will be developed on Portland’s waterfront by Portland Foreside Development Company LLC, and operated by hotel development and management company DDK, which is West Elm Hotels’ exclusive operator.