STORE SPACES

Amazon continues brick-and-mortar push
The nation’s capital has been added to the list of cities that will soon feature an Amazon Books store. The newest Amazon Books location will reside in a 10,000-sq.-ft. space in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C., The Washington Post reported. The store, which was formerly occupied by Barneys New York, will be Amazon’s 13th bookstore.
Crayola Experience heading to Texas
The Lone Star state is set to get a big dose of Crayola color. The iconic brand will open a Crayola Experience at The Shops at Willow Bend, Plano, Texas, in spring 2018. This is the fourth location for the attraction, which also has locations in Orlando, Fla., Bloomington, Minn. (at Mall of America), and its hometown of Easton, Pa.

Casual clothing and workwear retailer expands

Duluth Trading Co. has hit a milestone of sorts. The Belleville, Wisconsin-based clothing retailer has opened its 20th location, in Warwick, Rhode Island. “Opening our 20th retail store in Warwick is a milestone for Duluth and it is also the fourth location in the eastern U.S. to serve our largest concentration of customers,” said Stephanie Pugliese, CEI Duluth Trading.
Bobbi Brown opening lifestyle shop

Lord & Taylor has entered into a partnership with make-up icon Bobbi Brown. The department store retailer appointed Brown as creative consultant, and has launched an in-store shop concept, justBobbi, at select Lord & Taylor locations, including its Manhattan flagship, and online. The initiative is the first Brown has entered into since her recent departure from Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, which she founded in 1991.
Publix to grow its GreenWise store banner

Publix Super Markets is revving up for growth in the organic and natural foods store space. Publix announced plans to reignite its GreenWise store concept. The grocer launched the format in 2007, and currently operates three stores under the banner. It has not opened a new GreenWise location since 2008.
Discount chain reported a Q4 profit — and plans for expansion

Dollarama ended the year with a strong fourth quarter, an increase it credits to higher customer spending. For the fourth quarter ended January 29, 2017, the Canadian discount retailer’s sales increased by 11.5% to $854.5 million. The chain’s gross margin was 41.4% of sales, compared to 40.8% of sales.
Report: Hy-Vee to add clothing boutiques in 4 stores

Hy-Vee shoppers will soon be able to buy new clothes while they grocery shop. Two Hy-Vee locations in Nebraska will soon feature F&F clothing boutiques through the Iowa-based retailer’s franchise agreement with the British clothing line owned by supermarket company Tesco, reported The Anchorage Press.
Department store retailer creates 'dress destination'

Lord & Taylor is looking to engage shoppers with a new luxe concept dedicated entirely to one of its core categories: dresses. The retailer has transformed the fifth floor of its Manhattan flagship into a dedicated space for dress shopping for all occasions. Spanning over 30,000 sq. ft., the updated space includes a rotating pop-up shop that launches with one-of-a-kind vintage designer dresses, a concierge service, and The Gallery, a dedicated area for designer dresses.
Sears Canada launches in-store off-price concept

Sears Canada Inc. is going all out with its plans for an in-store off-price shop. The chain will unveil the dedicated shop, called The Cut, this spring, and plans to roll it out to all its 94 stores. The off-price concept launched its own e-commerce website last week. The Cut will take up from 30,000 sq. ft. to 40,000 sq. ft. inside the stores and will be evenly split between apparel and home offerings, according to Women’s Wear Daily.
Fine jeweler to launch discount model

The nation’s largest family-owned and operated retail jewelry chain is opening its first-ever outlet stores. Rogers & Hollands Jewelers will launch a discount store prototype, Rogers & Hollands Outlet, this April. Two Rogers & Hollands stores in the Chicago area, one at North Riverside Park Mall and one at Golf Mill Shopping Center, will be rebranded, remodeled and reopened under the new banner.