STORE SPACES

Texture Plus, the largest U.S. manufacturer of high-impact textured faux wall panels, urged the United States Senate and House of Representatives to quickly pass the “Restaurant and Retail Jobs and Growth Act.”

“Retailers and restaurants depend on remodeling their locations every five years to stay competitive,” said Brian Kampe, CEO. “The standard 39 year depreciation for building remodeling makes those improvements a difficult tax burden.”

Meijer is piloting a new approach to store lighting.

The retailer's remodeled store in Beavercreek, Ohio, is its first-ever location to feature 100% LED lighting. The LEDs, from GE, are expected to save more than a half million kilowatt hours of electricity annually.

The new lighting is part of an extensive $50 million remodeling project that Meijer is undertaking at four supercenters in the Dayton market. According to Meijer, the GE LEDs deployed in the store are 30% more efficient than traditional lighting, with a 50% longer lifespan.

An associate at Food Lion has been honored by the Environmental Protection Agency for his efforts to reduce the chain’s refrigerant emissions.

Nick Cordasci has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2014 Distinguished Partner Achievement Award, one of the agency's individual honors for commercial refrigeration achievements, by the GreenChill Partnership.

Under Armour is using technology to enhance in-store consumer engagement.

The athletic goods marketer is adding charging stations, from ChargeItSpot, to all its “brand house” format stores nationwide, as well as two factory outlets.

Retailers who still think virtual reality is just for hard-core gamers should think again.

In another example of how physical retailers are employing state-of-the-art technology to remain engaging — and relevant — in a digital age, specialty apparel powerhouse Tommy Hilfiger on Tuesday became the first major retailer to employ virtual reality in its stores. The technology offers shoppers who otherwise might never attend a runway show a chance to view close-up and personal the fall runway show of the Hilfiger Collection.

Elle Chute, co-chairman of Chute Gerdeman and widely respected creative force in the retail design industry, has announced her retirement from the firm she founded with her husband Denny Gerdeman 26 years ago.

Gerdeman will continue as chairman and, with CEO Brian Shafley, will lead Chute Gerdeman’s growth with its focus on d excellence in retail and hospitality design innovation.

Twenty-year Walmart veteran Laura Phillips is set to become the company's senior VP of sustainability, effective Jan. 1, according to GreenBiz. Manuel Gomez, who previously held the title, has accepted a new position with Walmart de Mexico and Central America as VP of strategy for e-commerce, the report said.

BrandsMart USA is giving its store in West Palm Beach, Florida, a comprehensive energy-efficient retrofit without tapping into its own capital.

The chain is the recipient of low-cost financing for the retrofit through the Florida Green Energy Works Program. BrandsMart received $2.225 million from a private investor for the project, which will include new HVAC systems, energy-efficient lighting and a new roof.