DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION

  • Now Trending: Eight clicks-to-bricks retailers to keep an eye on

    Digitally native retailers are infusing the retail industry with something it can always use: new blood. Here are eight interesting newcomers to the physical space:    Away  
     

  • Home furnishings chain adds new hotel location

    West Elm is expanding its hotel portfolio — even before it opens its first location.   The retailer, a division of Williams-Sonoma, announced Portland, Maine as the newest location for its West Elm Hotels collection. Expected to open in 2020, the 150 room, full-service boutique hotel  will be developed on Portland’s waterfront by Portland Foreside Development Company LLC, and operated by hotel development and management company DDK, which is West Elm Hotels’ exclusive operator.  

  • One of the world's fastest-growing character brands opens Times Square flagship
    An Asian brand whose characters were originally created for use as emoticons on a mobile messenger app has opened its first store in North America.     Line Friends, whose characters include whimsical-looking bears, ducks, bunnies and more, has opened a 4,628-sq.-ft. flagship in Manhattan's Times Square as part of the company's global expansion efforts.  It currently operates 84 locations in 11 countries around the globe.   

  • Promotion at Nest
    Nest, a leading consultative advisor and technology provider specializing in multi-facility maintenance and construction services, announced the promotion of James Porreca to director of estimating and construction.    Due to recent growth and client demands, Nest made the commitment to add a new division to the company that will help serve their clients’ needs in a more enhanced way.  

  • Department store retailer plans $40 million investment in remodels, new stores
    Not all department store retailers are closing stores.   Charlotte, North Carolina-based Belk said it plans to open three new stores, part of a nearly $40 million investment in store remodels, capital improvements and new store openings in 2017.  

  • Build-A-Bear Workshop narrows its loss in Q2, plans new stores
    While Build-A-Bear Workshop continues to navigate amid declining store traffic, the company continues to open new stores.   Build-A-Bear plans to reopen a location in the Southern California market at the end of September. The company recently closed a store operating in the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, California.  

  • Toy retailer’s concept store steps up digital game
    Toys “R” Us is pulling out the stops to engage its in-store shoppers.   The toy retailer describes its concept store in Langley, British Columbia, as “the evolution of our digital future.” To maintain this reputation, Toys “R” Us is partnering with Cineplex Digital Media, and adding an in-store digital signage and kiosk network.  

  • First Look: Beauty giant launches new store concept
    Sephora continues to experiment with store formats, and this time it's going smaller.  

  • Wireless retailer details new store openings
    Sprint is expanding its growing store network in the Pacific Northwest.   The company plans to open 12 new retail locations throughout Washington by the end of 2017. Currently, Sprint operates more than 107 stores throughout the state.   In Oregon, Sprint plans to open nine stores in the Portland Metro area by yearend. The carrier current has more than 64 locations throughout the market.  

  • Online apparel brand with big following to open flagship
    A clothing brand know for its "radical transparency" is putting down roots in its hometown.   Everlane will open its first permanent brick-and-mortar location, in San Francisco. The opening date hasn't been announced yet, but the company has posted a variety of available jobs, including "flagship store leader," on its website.  The storefront, on Valencia Street in the city's Mission District, is already identified with the brand's "100% Human"  tagline.   
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