STORE SPACES

Nordstrom's expansion into Canada continues
Nordstrom has opened its sixth location in Canada. The department store retailer on Friday opened its doors at CF Sherway Gardens, its third full-line location in Toronto. The two-level, 140,000-sq.-ft. store follows the retailer's openings at Toronto's CF Toronto Eaton Centre and Yorkdale Shopping Centre last fall. The opening comes as rumors mount that the company is about to go private in a buyout deal. http://www.chainstoreage.com/article/nordstrom-edging-closer-going-private
The Tile Shop expands in Michigan
The Tile Shop has expanded its presence in greater Detroit with the opening of its sixth metro store in Troy. The new location features 14,750 sq. ft. of showroom space and over 4,000 tile designs for consumers and the professional trade. It also features more than 30 fully decorated displays providing design inspiration

Footwear giant opens first store in Saudi Arabia

DSW Inc. is making good on its promise to create a foothold in the Persian Gulf. The footwear giant opened of its first warehouse store in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The new 15,000-sq.-ft. store is located at the Mall of Dhahran.
Supermarket giant to open its first restaurant

The Kroger Co. is looking to extend its share of consumers' food dollars — this time, however, it’s aiming for the dollars spent on meals outside the home. The supermarket retailer is opening its first-ever full-service restaurant, which will be located next to Kroger's new Marketplace store in Union, Kentucky. In a nod to the year Kroger was founded, the restaurant will be called Kitchen 1883. It will open in late October.
First Look: Hot online start-up opens NYC store

The maker of what it calls "the world's most comfortable shoes" has set up shop in New York City. Allbirds, the eco-friendly online brand with a fast-growing and devoted following (especially in the Silicon Valley), has opened its second brick-and-mortar location, in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood. The company opened its first store, on the ground floor of its San Francisco headquarters, in April.
Target expands health clinic initiative

Target Corp. is adding more health clinics to its stores. Target is opening clinics staffed and operated by Kaiser Permanente in 31 of the chain's stores In Southern California. The expansion builds on an existing collaboration the two companies launched in 2014.
Department store retailer steps back from the off-price retail game

Off-price retailing is hot, but Neiman Marcus is emphasizing what it knows best. Neiman Marcus will close 10 of its 37 off-price Last Call stores in order to focus on its full-line luxury department stores. Prior to the news, the retailer has already closed three Last Call outlets this year, including its locations at Allen Premium Outlets, Allen, Texas, and Legacy Place in Dedham, Mass.
Experiential retailer in store closings

High-end bath, kitchen and appliance retailer PIrch is relying on its California roots for future growth.
Online footwear startup to try out brick-and-mortar

Birdies has gotten some new seed — seed funding that is The San Francisco startup, known for its stylish and comfortable house slippers, announced it has raised $2 million in seed funding. The round was led by Forerunner Ventures, the investors behind Jet.com and Dollar Shave Club, with participation from Slow Ventures, Graph Ventures, Social Capital and a few strategic individual investors.
First Look: Pottery Barn flagship, New York City

Pottery Barn is showing off its latest store concept at its just-opened flagship in Manhattan's Flatiron District. Located in a landmark Beux-Arts styled building, the 17,000-sq.-store features original columns and adorned ceiling accents. It emphasizes local partnerships, design services and exclusive products, including one-of-kind vintage items.