STORE SPACES

Canadian athletic wear retailer to make U.S. store debut
RYU Apparel is coming to the Big Apple. RYU (Respect Your Universe) announced plans to open a store in in the hip Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. The 2,800-sq.-ft. store, the brand's first in the U.S., will open in the first quarter of 2018.
Nordstrom tries on new look
As retailers consider how to best use physical spaces in a digital world, Nordstrom is going "local," debuting a small-format concept that has no dedicated inventory.

Toys ‘R’ Us in ‘play’ mode

The nation's largest toy retailer wants everyone to take some time out to play. Toys "R" Us announced that, this fall, it is launching "play labs" at 42 stores where kids (and parents) can play with some of the season's hottest toys. The retailer said that adults can use the lab to test the items on kids' holiday lists to check for age appropriateness before they make a purchase.
CVS Pharmacy in big Times Square debut

CVS Pharmacy has brought its new store format to the "crossroads of the world."
DSW going back to its roots for store of the future
Study: Even younger shoppers like stores

More than three-quarters of consumers are shopping at bricks-and-mortar stores just as much as or more than they did a year ago. That's according to Consumer View, a new quarterly report from the National Retail Federation. NRF is working with Toluna Analytics to produce the report, which is designed to gauge consumer behavior and shopping trends related to stores, online channels, customer loyalty, technology and other issues.
Disney testing new store design as part of omnichannel update

Disney is looking to update its customer experience, offline and online, in what it said represents "the next generation of Disney retail." The company is testing a new store prototype in select locations, including Century City, Calif.; Northridge, Calif.; Miami, Fla. (opening Sept. 28); Nagoya, Japan; and Shanghai, China. The prototype is designed to bring the magic of Disney to retail through innovative technology, storytelling and cast member interaction, the company stated.
Discounter opens 'store of the future'

Big Lots has finally unwrapped its store of the future. Located in the company's hometown of Columbus, Ohio, the store has a less promotional, softer look. Gaudy, aggressive signs have been replaced with more traditional aisle markers and color coding have replaced the chain's signs that "shouted" at customers, Columbus Business First reported. Customers are greeted with a big "Hello" on a wall as they enter, with a "thank you" sign on the way out.
Nordstrom in deal with fast-growing online apparel start-up

Nordstrom is collaborating with a retailer known for its high-quality, ethically made fashion basics and "radical transparency." The department store retailer's themed pop-up shop concept, Pop-In@Nordstrom, will be dedicated to a collection of products from Everlane. The in-store shop will launch in eight Nordstrom stores on Sept. 29, and run through Nov. 12. Items will also be available online.
Innovative retail concept in store expansion mode

A tech-savvy retailer with an unusual business model is expanding its brick-and-mortar footprint nationally. b8ta announced plans to open four new stores, designed by Gensler, with locations in San Francisco, San Jose, Calif. (Santana Row), Houston (Galleria), and New York City. The expansion, which brings the company's total store count to nine, kicks off with the opening of a store in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley neighborhood on Sept. 29.