STORE SPACES

Subway gives itself a makeover — with tech updates
Subway is debuting a new look. On Monday, the fast-casual restaurant chain unveiled a new store design intended to provide a more distinctive and welcoming customer experience. The new "fresh forward" design, by FRCH Design Worldwide, includes a bright color palette, inspired by the hues of fresh vegetables, wall decor that communicates the brand's emphasis on quality ingredients, and more contemporary-looking seating. It also features such tech enhancements, such as self-ordering digital kiosks.
First Look: Adidas Originals, Venice Beach, Calif.
Adidas has upped its game with a store that celebrates the heritage and vibe of its Venice Beach, California, locale. The company has opened a 5,900-sq.-ft. store on Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice Beach, dedicated to its Originals brand. The store combines such classic lines as Stan Smith with new ones such as NMD. The space will also house immersive events and installations on a regular basis in order to encourage localized experiences, create community among streetwear lovers and connect with local culture enthusiasts.

Grocer is first in North American to deploy this technology

When it comes to energy-efficient refrigeration systems, Sprouts Farmers Market is on the leading edge of technology. Hillphoenix said it has installed the first CO2 Booster System with ejector technology in North America at Sprouts' store in Woodstock, Georgia. The supplier is the first manufacturer in North America to introduce the technology as developed by Danfoss in the marketplace.
America’s Top 10 Retail Center Experiences

Last years’ Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, a music and dance fest with rides, drew 130,000 young people on its final day. This summer, Billy Joel will play his 43rd sellout concert at Madison Square Garden, where floor tickets sell in the $200 range. No matter their age or inclination, people still want to leave their laptops and homes behind and be with other people. They just need someone to give them a really good reason to do it.
Industry vet joins WD Partners

WD Partners announced that Elaine Kleinschmidt has joined the firm's Columbus office as executive VP of strategy & experience design. Kleinschmidt joins WD Partners from Big Red Rooster, where she most recently served as VP, digital experience leading work for brands like Macy's, Under Armour and Cabela's with a focus on innovation, omniexperience strategy, and digital engagement. Previously, Kleinschmidt held creative leadership positions at Tweenbrands, Resource Interactive, Target, and Victoria's Secret.
Pet supplies retailer continues store expansion

PetSmart was busy opening stores during its first quarter. The retailer opened 18 new stores in the U.S. and Canada in its fiscal quarter ending May 1, 2017. PetSmart opened 70 net new stores in 2016 and expects to open more than this number in fiscal year 2017.
Sears lowers the ax again

Sears Holdings continues to shrink its traditional store portfolio even as it plans to open more smaller, specialty stores. The embattled retailer on Friday announced that it will close 43 more locations -- eight Sears stores and 35 Kmart locations -- by early October. This is on top of the 265 store closings that it has already announced for this year.
Another retailer is entering the hotel arena

Muji, the Tokyo-based global retailer, will open its largest store to date — underneath its very own hotel. The company will open a hotel in in Tokyo's Ginza district in spring 2019. The hotel will be located in a new, 10-story building that will also house a 35,000-sq.-ft. Muji flagship. The store will occupy one basement floor up to part of the sixth floor above ground, with the rest of the space above devoted to the hotel, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.
Online plus-size retailer has ambitious plans for brick-and-mortar

Eloquii is making the leap to physical retailing — with more than one location. The plus-size fashion brand is set to open a store at The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, Arlington, Va., followed by a location in downtown Chicago, and one at Easton Town Center, in Columbus, Ohio, which will open in September, reported The Columbus Dispatch.
Westlake Ace Hardware hits store milestone

Westlake Ace Hardware has officially hit the 100-store milestone with the acquisition of two new stores. The hardware store chain has finalized its acquisition of two Q.P. Ace Hardware stores in the Omaha area, bringing its total retail hardware location count in the U.S. to 100.