STORE SPACES

New York -- Armstrong World Industries names Target as its 2012 Flooring Recycler of the Year, an award that recognizes organizations that make significant environmental contributions by recycling VCT materials during demolition projects, resulting in waste reduction in landfill materials, transportation, and energy.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced that it plans to enhance and expand Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, in Central Valley, N.Y. The $170 million project will include architectural improvements to existing buildings and the development of new retail spaces and facilities, landscape improvements, and the integration of new customer amenities.

Englewood Cliffs, N.J. -- In what it called a “first-of-its-kind” installation at a drugstore chain, Nexxus Salon Hair Care unveiled a window display tribute to the Tony Awards and Broadway at the Duane Reade store across from Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan. The installation was created by Simon Doonan, creative ambassador for Barneys New York, who is best known for his whimsical, and sometimes outrageous, window displays.

Walpole, Mass. -- Walmart announced the completion of eight new solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays in Massachusetts, celebrating with an event at its Walpole store.

Seattle -- Based on the success of its recent entries into the Indian and Vietnamese markets, Starbucks Coffee Company plans to enter the Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar within the next couple of years. Starbucks, which opened its first Vietnam outlet in February and started doing business in India last year, also plans to double its store count in Thailand to about 320 in the next five years.

Political and economic reforms in Myanmar have resulted in the European Union dropping sanctions against the country and the United States easing them.

New York -- British retailer Marks & Spencer takes a giant leap forward in its goal of becoming a multichannel leader with the opening of its innovative new concept store in Amsterdam. The centerpiece of the 5,000-sq.-ft. space — which marks M&S’ return to the Netherlands after a 10-year absence — is an “E-Boutique” dedicated to womenswear. The shop features what the retailer calls “the world’s first virtual rail,” a display that seamlessly integrates digital rails with physical rails of clothing samples.

New York -- Ikea has officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its store in Stoughton, Mass. The 118,000-sq.-ft. array consists of a 590.8-kW (DC) system, built with 4,220 laminated panels. It will produce approximately 695,000 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 479 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), eliminating the emissions of 94 cars or powering 60 homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents).