STORE SPACES

Lidl reveals more U.S. store openings; to build fourth DC
German discount grocer is expanding its presence and investment in the U.S. — on two fronts. On the heels of its first 10 stores opening in the U.S., Lidl is expanding with more locations. On July 13, the company will open two stores in Virginia (in Chesapeake and Culpeper) and two in North Carolina (Havelock and Wake Forest).
U.K. supermarket chain in LED first
Sainsbury's will become the first supermarket retailer in the United Kingdom whose stores will be lit entirely by LED lighting. The retailer is partnering with GE's Current division in an extensive lighting upgrade. Current will upgrade 250,000 LED fixtures across more than 450 Sainsbury's stores, cutting the chain's lighting energy consumption by 58% and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 3.4% annually.

Online menswear company in U.S. store expansion

Made-to-measure menswear brand Indochino continues its expansion from the Web into physical retail.
Sears debuts new store concept

Sears has opened a freestanding store concept dedicated to two of its strongest categories. Sears debuted its first store under the Sears Appliances & Mattresses banner, in Pharr, Texas. The format expands the concept of the Sears Appliance store, which opened in Ft. Collins, Colo. in 2016. The location has surpassed projections since its opening, Sears said.
TJX Cos. bucks retail’s store closure trend

As a number of traditional chains across the industry continue to struggle, TJX Cos. is being called one of the country’s fastest growing retailers. Traditional retailers industry-wide are blaming shifting consumer tastes, digital options and new competitors for not only stealing their wallet share, but for declining foot traffic and related sales. However, this could not be farther from the truth for TJX Cos.
Study: Why shoppers choose offline over online

Physical stores still have some key benefits over online retail.
Wireless carrier expanding its store network in California

Sprint continues to expand its presence and investment in Southern California. The company plans to add more than 550 new jobs and 78 new retail locations throughout the Southland by the end of 2017. The new jobs will include a combination of retail, operations and technical experts. Currently, Sprint operates more than 300 branded retail locations throughout the Southern California region.
Up Close: Shoppers review Lidl
West Elm to make Phoenix debut

West Elm is adding to its growing retail footprint. The home furnishings and decor brand, a division of Williams-Sonoma, will open its first location in Phoenix, in the revitalized Uptown Plaza shopping center, on June 29. The 11,000-sq.-ft. store will include a curated assortment of local products highlighting 10 Arizona-based makers and designers.
Home goods retailer turned hotel operator adds new location

West Elm has announced the newest location for its fledgling West Elm Hotels portfolio. The company, a division of Williams-Sonoma, is teaming up with Signature Development Group and Jordan Real Estate Investments to develop a hotel in Oakland, Calif. Expected to open in 2020, the hotel will be located in Oakland’s Uptown neighborhood, and will celebrate the rich diversity and history of the location.