STORE SPACES

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens and solar developer SoCore Energy, Chicago, announced on Wednesday that they will build more than 200 new solar installations at Walgreens stores throughout California, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.

This latest initiative will bring the number of completed solar installations at Walgreens stores to more than 350, making the company the leading retailer in number of solar powered stores.

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Ikea said Tuesday it plans to increase the solar array atop its two-year-old Centennial, Colo. store, with panel installation slated to begin in July.

Completion of what is already Colorado’s largest single-use rooftop array on a commercial building is slated for this fall, and will elevate the project to the state’s largest rooftop array of any use.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Donuts provided highlights of its new store design, the brand's first in nearly seven years. The new layout and contemporary look maintains the brand's focus on helping people get in and get on their way, while incorporating new features to create a warm environment for guests who seek a longer, more relaxed visit.  Inviting seating areas include updated furniture and lighting, as well as convenient electrical outlets and bar top areas for smartphones and computers.

New York -- Sixty-percent of retailers have energy management systems within their site portfolios, but only 46% have a formal energy management strategy in place.
 
Those are among the findings of a survey conducted by Ecova, a total energy and sustainability management company. In other survey findings, 44% of the respondents said they currently benchmark their portfolio or sites, and 21% have applied for the Energy Star label for their portfolio.

Redmond, Wash. -- Microsoft Corp. on Thursday announced that it plans to open 500 “Windows Store” shops in 500 Best Buy stores across the country and in more than 100 Best Buy and Future Shop locations in Canada. The roll out will launch in late June, lasting through September.

The in-store shops will sell exclusively Windows-based tablets and computers and other Microsoft products, with support from dedicated staff, in an interactive environment.  

New York -- Kate Spade Saturday, a new division of Kate Spade, has partnered with eBay Inc. to open four pop-up storefronts with shoppable windows across downtown Manhattan.

The format will consist of a large interactive screen, open for business 24 hours a day. Shoppers can browse and select from among some 30 products and checkout via the screen, with the product delivered in approximately one hour, or scheduled within the week. The pop-ups will be open from  June 8 through July 7.

Ridgefield, Conn. -- Schimenti Construction Company breaks ground on a $15 million retail shopping development in the Deptford Town Center shopping center in Deptford, N.J. The one-story 100,000-sq-ft. building will be the first to include every Bed Bath & Beyond brand under one roof: Bed Bath & Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops, buybuy Baby and Harmon Face Values.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. announced Monday that it will introduce the Gap brand to Paraguay and Hungary through new agreements with existing franchise partners: Neutral for Paraguay and Gottex Brands for Hungary. The first Gap store will open later this year in Paraguay, joining Neutral’s 2012 Gap launch in Uruguay. And, in Hungary, Gottex Brands will open two Gap stores in Budapest. A specific timeline wasn’t released.