STORE SPACES

SPECS reveals Tuesday keynote speaker
SPECS, the “Retail Event for Store Innovation,” announced that a highly acclaimed military general who is an expert on security and global affairs will open the second day of the program of its 53rd annual conference, which will be held March 12-14, 2017, at the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee (Orlando), Florida.
North Face offers immersive experience on Fifth Avenue
The great outdoors has come to Fifth Avenue — courtesy of The North Face. The retailer, a division of VF Corp., is opening a two-level, 20,000-sq.-ft. flagship in the old Manufacturers Trust Company building, a New York City landmark of modernist architecture. (The official opening date is Oct. 26.)

SPECS reveals opening keynote speakers

SPECS 2017, the “Retail Event for Store Innovation,” announced that three of the nation’s top financial experts will open the program at the 53rd annual SPECS conference, which will be held March 12-14 at the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee (Orlando), Florida.
First Look: Anthropologie debuts new format, Anthropologie & Co.

Anthropologie’ s experiential retailing concept takes center stage under its new store banner, Anthropologie & Co., with the first-ever location now open in Walnut Creek, Calif. The 30,000-sq.-ft. store is a visual treat, and features fully decorated showrooms, filled to the brim with custom furniture.
Report: Target to test vertical farming — in its stores

Target Corp. is planning to test an agricultural process that involves growing plants indoors in precisely programmed conditions. The discounter plans to test vertical farms within select U.S. stores, according Business Insider. The idea grew out of the Food + Future CoLab, a collaboration between Target, Ideo and the MIT Media Lab.
AT&T goes big in San Francisco, puts modern spin on historic building

AT&T is pulling out all the stops in San Francisco, opening its largest, most elaborate and most tech-centered store to date. The new, two-level 24,000-sq.-ft. flagship is housed in an historic building located next to the busy and popular cable car turnaround on Powell Street. Constructed in 1908, the building has been restored from floor to ceiling back to its original Baroque architectural design.
Registration now open for SPECS/2017

SPECS, the “Retail Event for Store Innovation,” has officially opened registration for its 53rd annual conference, to be held next March. SPECS/2017, exclusively produced by Chain Store Age, is a diverse, dy-namic and engaging window into the world of retail, offering an annual opportunity for education and networking. A lineup of more than 30 workshops and sessions will cover topics and issues that impact store de-sign, construction and maintenance.
Safe Stores: Five Design Ideas to Help Customers Feel Safer

With the FBI calling the attack at Crossroads Center in St. Cloud, Minn., that injured eight people a “potential act of terrorism,” the public’s fear about safety has been heightened. In fact, the news these days is saturated with danger signals. Some people feel the threat of public spaces more acutely than others.
Whole Foods’ new store format has digital foundation

Whole Foods Market opened its third store under its new banner, 365 by Whole Foods Market, on Wednesday, in Bellevue, Washington.

The 30,000-sq.-ft. store boasts a strong digital presence, reported GeekWire, from digital signage to digital scales.
First Look: Lou & Grey, New York

The more casual sister of Loft and Ann Taylor has opened its first location in New York City.

The store, in Manhattan’s Flatiron district, reflects the easy-going, laid-back approach of the merchandise on display, with a design that evokes a soft, clean feeling. It features marble tables and fitting rooms that evoke a lounge space – floating curtains in linen with pink velvet stools.