STORE SPACES

Kohler Co. is debuting a retail format designed to showcase its full offering of products and offer on-site product immersion — literally.      The first-ever Kohler Experience Center (KEC), located in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, houses fully-functioning displays of Kohler's global product line — including showers, tubs, sinks and "intelligent" toilets — in what is a first for the brand. The center is open to trade design professionals and regular customers.   

Ikea is looking to open its second location in Tennessee.   The home furnishings chain plans to submit plans to the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee, for a store in the Nashville area. Construction of the 341,000-sq.-ft. proposed Ikea could begin in spring with an opening in summer 2020.  

Starbucks is keeping good on its latest national initiative.    The coffee giant said it will open a store in Dallas, in spring 2018, and Trenton, New Jersey, later this year, as part of its program to invest in at least 15 underserved communities across the U.S. by 2018. To date, Starbucks has opened six similar stores, including in Ferguson, Missouri, central Phoenix, and East Baltimore.  

Amazon is beefing up the team responsible for its grocery store concept.    According to a job description on LinkedIn, the company is looking for an "innovative" store designer to join its Amazon Go ACE (Architecture, Construction & Engineering) team. The ideal candidate, according to the posting, is a "self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment and has a deep passion for innovative retail design."  

Start your engines: Ace Café, a motorcycle and car-themed chain, has parked itself in downtown Orlando.     The 35,000-sq-ft. entertainment, dining and retail destination is the first North American location of the London-based brand and the sixth Ace Cafe in the world. Ace Cafe Orlando spans two floors and features a full-service restaurant, four bars, a coffee bar, a stage, a mezzanine that overlooks the main floor dining area and stage, and private and semi-private spaces for groups.  

Walmart is expanding—and updating—its footprint in the Sunshine State.   The retailer will open nine new stores across Florida in its current fiscal year, creating more than 800 jobs, and also execute a multi-million-dollar capital investment plan by remodeling more than 40 locations across the state. Walmart currently operates 375 stores in Florida.    

Walmart will be making big changes to a lot of stores this year, according to a report from MLive.com. Among the roughly 400-640 stores that will get a remodel this year are 12 Michigan locations, the report said.

MLive notes that among the changes coming to stores undergoing a remodel will be a lounge-like area for in-store pickup, the locations of which will move to the front of the store, more fresh and organic offerings, wider aisles and changed sightlines. Three markets in Michigan also will see the piloting of online grocery ordering for in-store pickup, the report said.

TJX Cos. is importing one of its Canadian/European brands to the United States.