STORE SPACES

Creative use of lighting is having a major impact on the in-aisle customer experience at a new ShopRite store.

The 90,000-sq.-ft. supermarket, in Burlington, New Jersey, uses high-performance accent lighting from Amerlux Lighting Solutions.

New York -- Teen fave Nasty Gal is deploying cutting-edge LED technology to show off its on-trend fashions.

The online retailer has opened two brick-and-mortar stores (one in Los Angeles and the other in Santa Monica), and both feature LEDs by Solais Lighting, a division of PowerSecure Lighting and part of PowerSecure International.

Much has been said lately about the proliferation of mobile and online shopping. But brick-and-mortar retail continues to thrive – a fact that tends to get glossed over.

Interior build-outs in the retail sector can be some of the most expensive construction projects, with cost per unit area far exceeding that of an exterior build. They are also often more logistically complex. For example, coordination of all the different trades and the delivery of materials, fixtures, and products is key to ensuring quality, containing costs, and avoiding delays.

Aliso Viejo, Calif. – Johnny Rockets is now focusing its global expansion efforts on developments in Southeast Asia. The casual dining chain is seeking area developers for expansion into Thailand and Vietnam.

Johnny Rockets currently operates Southeast Asian franchise stores in Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia through its 14 open restaurants and eight others in development.

New York -- Quality flooring is a critical component of every store, and today's retailer has more options than ever before.
 
CSA, in partnership with Tennant, would greatly appreciate your perspective on store flooring, including material preferences, performance factors, and maintenance needs.
 

Columbus, Ohio -- Retail and brand consultancy Fitch has announced a new senior appointment in North America.
 
Michelle Fenstermaker returns to Fitch in the role of strategy director. She will lead the team and be responsible for spearheading strategic planning and vision for Fitch North America.

San Francisco -- Gensler announced that Jim Crawford has joined its lifestyle team as director of strategy and experience design. Crawford most recently served as chief experience officer at Chute Gerdeman, where he was responsible for integrating technology into award-winning store and experience design projects.

At Gensler, Crawford will utilize skills to enhance the firm’s practice and work with clients in multiple industries connecting digital and physical design with business and consumer objectives.
 

Cincinnati – A redesign has upped the customer experience and increased sales at casual-dining chain Pollo Tropical.

The 120-plus-unit, Caribbean-themed casual-dining chain, part of Fiesta Restaurant Group, recently underwent a store redesign as part of a national growth strategy and repositioning, with the efforts led by FRCH Design Worldwide.

New York -- The Association for Retail Environments is bullish on the future.

The organization is predicting good days ahead for the U.S. economy in general and retail construction in particular. According to A.R.E.’s economic advisors, all indicators show that the 2016 economy in the U.S. will grow faster than it did in 2015. And while economic growth will slow in the back half of 2015, it will not be negative.