STORE SPACES

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.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Stater Bros. Markets with its GreenChill Partnership's "Best Emissions Rate" award.

The honor recognizes the supermarket chain for maintaining the lowest corporate-wide refrigerant emissions rate among large retail GreenChill partners — some 10,800 stores in all — in 2014. It is the third time Stater Bros. Markets has been recognized with this distinction.

Lifetime Fitness has selected a fixturing solution from Cubic Visual Systems for use in its pro shops.

“Their retail fixturing solutions seemed to offer the durability and design flare that we were searching for in our pro shops,” said Julie Yager, senior VP of Lifetime Fitness.

The Chanhassen, Minnesota-based fitness company, which has its own millwork resources, is using Cubic Visual Systems’ hardware resources in eight to 10 shops. Lifetime Fitness intends to work with Cubic Visual Systems going forward.

A.R.E. (Association for Retail Environments) and POPAI (Point of Purchase Advertising International) have merged. The new association, which will be renamed in the coming months, creates one industry association representing all of the companies that provide end –‐to –‐end products and services for retail store environments and customer experiences.

Brookstone’s new store display should appeal to its gadget-loving customer base.