STORE SPACES

Chain Store Age announces SPECS/2017 Advisory Board
Chain Store Age announced the selection of the Advisory Board for SPECS/2017, the annual retail event for store innovation produced by CSA and attended by retail and food-service executives involved in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of stores and restaurants nationwide. Now in its 53rd year, SPECS will host its 2017 conference in Orlando, Florida, at the Gaylord Palms, March 12-14. The event will focus on what’s next, and what is shaping the future of retail.
Q&A: Combatant Gentlemen CEO Discusses Move to Brick-and-Mortar

Build-A-Bear Workshop going out to sea

Build-A-Bear Workshop is teaming up with one of the world’s leading cruse lines. The retailer has entered into a partnership with Carnival Cruise Line to bring its retail-entertainment experience to the line's fleet. The first Build-A-Bear Workshop At Sea will debut aboard Carnival Dream, and is expected to be in place aboard all 25 Carnival ships by summer 2017.
Barnes & Noble adds attractive concept to campus stores

Barnes & Noble has previously ventured into new product categories such as e-readers and toys and games, but the bookseller is going further outside its established niche than ever before.
Fast-fashion giant profit slides; remains upbeat about store growth

H&M isn’t letting a weak second quarter performance stand in the way of its ambitious expansion plans. The Swedish retailer’s profit in the quarter, which ended May 31, fell 17% to 5.357 billion Swedish kronor ($649.6 million), according to MarketWatch, as unusually cool weather dimmed sales of spring clothing and a strong U.S. dollar added to its costs. The strong dollar will have a negative impact on purchasing costs for the third quarter and a neutral effect in the fourth, the chain said.
First Look: Target’s new 'Connected Living' in-store pilot

Target Corp. is testing some of the concepts from its innovative Open House format in San Francisco in a traditional store setting. The discounter has debuted Connected Living, an in-store experience dedicated to showing customers how connected products can work together to make life easier, more convenient and more efficient. The test is taking place in Target’s Ridgedale location in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Saks Fifth Avenue, The Galleria, Houston

Saks Fifth Avenue has relocated its store in Houston’s The Galleria, opening a larger space that offers the ultimate luxury department store experience.
Johnny Rockets, Destiny U.S.A., Syracuse, New York

Johnny Rockets is celebrating its 30th anniversary year — and reaching out to millennials — with a brand refresh that does away with the company’s signature '50s nostalgia.
Eatery plans to open 80 locations in five years

East Coast Wings & Grill’s ambitious growth plans are poised to benefit from a data-driven approach to site selection made possible by the Buxton Analytics Platform.

The casual dining chain currently has 31 locations and has signed agreements to add 80 new restaurants across the country within the next five years. To ensure those restaurants are in the optimal locations, East Coast Wings & Grill partnered with customer analytics firm Buxton.
MBH appoints new principal

MBH Architects, Alameda, California, announced the appointment of a new principal, Dimple Manghani, who previously led the retail team as a senior associate and studio director.

A licensed architect and a LEED accredited professional, Dimple has 12 years experience building relationships with such clients as Williams-Sonoma, Levi’s, and H&M. Additionally, she is responsible for the acquisition of the firm’s luxury retail clients, including Dior and Tiffany & Co.