The Store Blog

US Retailers Gearing Up for Black Friday - WalMart announces new safety measures

WalMart stores says it will keep its stores open 24 hours and take new crowd-control measures Thanksgiving weekend after a temporary employee was trampled to death in a Black Friday rush last year.

The world's largest retailer says day-after-Thanksgiving sales will begin at 5 a.m. Nov. 27, but most U.S. stores will be open 24 hours to prevent a mad dash. The announcement doesn't affect most of Wal-Mart's Supercenters, which are already open 24 hours.

Federal safety regulators cited Wal-Mart for inadequate crowd management after the Nov. 28, 2008, death of a temporary employee at a Long Island, N.Y., store. A crowd of shoppers broke down the store's doors, trapping the employee, who died of asphyxiation.

  

Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune

Happy Birthday Westfield

The end of October 2009 marked the 1st Birthday of London's Westfield Shopping Centre, the largest in-town shopping and leisure destination in Europe. Since it opened on 30 October last year, the pioneering shopping complex which houses more than 265 shops from 15 countries, has seen over 20 million people walk through its doors. According to Michael Gutman, Managing Director Westfield UK/Europe, "The centre had a very strong summer and is consolidating its role as a must-visit destination on the London tourism circuit".

The Birthday celebrations kicked off on the Friday with a live performance in the impressive state of the art main Atrium, by pop sensation Beverley Knight, who gave the audience a great show with hits from her highly anticipated new album, 100%. Having also just launched her first make-up range 'K by Beverley Knight', she signed products for many of her enthusiastic young fans after her chart-topping performance.

 
  (Beverley Knight performing in the main Atrium)

Shortly after winding down with an amble through the buzzing mall, crowds of people started flocking to various meeting points where it was discovered that a team of roller-girls were handing out delicious cupcakes with opportunities to win fabulous prizes. Simultaneously, the London Community Gospel Choir broke into song with heart rending force which reverberated throughout the mall. A spectacular end to a great evening.

The Birthday celebrations did not end there. Saturday saw the highly acclaimed West End musical "Wicked" cast take to the stage where visitors were invited to take part in Cackle classes and attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the world's largest Halloween gathering. Face-painters transformed children and adults alike into various villains and characters and a festival atmosphere filled the centre. All donations from the day went to Magic 105.4's Cash for Kids and 95.8 Capital FM's Help a London Child campaigns, making all the gooks and spooks worth it.

The goodwill did not end there as the majority of stores and shops offered Birthday exclusive discounts with most offering 20% - 30% off their merchandise. Other acts which performed for the many visitors and shoppers over the weekend included; Hi-5, an educational music and dance show for 2-6 year olds; TagEm, a young and vibrant footwear company which sponsored kids and teens to perform hip-hop, break dance and contemporary dance acts, and; last but by no means least, the Bench Streetdance Show which stole the limelight on the Sunday with entertaining and upbeat performances in the Atrium.

 

Westfield, it seems, can look forward to many more birthdays in style with new signings in the Village including Jimmy Choo, Red Valentino, M. Missoni, Ballantyne and James Lakeland. Furthermore, GymBox is set to open a 19,000 square foot premium gym/fitness centre in the first half of next year, and if that's not enough to keep the customers tantalized, the much anticipated 14 screen, 3,000 seat all digital Vue Cinema will open its doors for the first time in February 2010.

If you missed out on Westfield's Birthday Bash take a look at The Store's video and pictures of the event by clicking on the link here.

By Liane Haig

lhaig@wpp.com

Best Buy windows mimic the Apple store

During a recent visit to the 6 month old Best Buy store on Michigan Avenue, we were struck by how visually interesting the display windows were.  The windows seemed to tell a story and highlight products well.  We immediately drew a comparison to the Apple store just a few blocks south.  Also interesting about this Best Buy location is the understated outdoor signage.  Gone is the oversized neon yellow sign that adorns many locations in strip malls, and is replaced by much simpler signage.

 
 

Freshii comes to Chicago

Freshii, a QSR concept originally from Toronto has opened 3 new locations in Chicago within the past year (and 80 more planned over the next 10 years).  Recently we stopped by the location inside Water Tower Place for a closer look.  Customers are presented with an ordering card that details the options available.  You simply start with a "base":  salad, wrap, bowl, or soup and then indicate the toppings.

Menu variety sets Freshii apart from others in its segment. The eateries offer more than 70 fresh ingredients, including all-natural chicken, grilled steak, shrimp, and albacore tuna, as well as vegetarian options like grilled tofu, tempeh, Portobello mushrooms, and chickpeas. Customers have three choices of greens and can get an extra serving of chicken on their salads or extra tahini sauce for their rice bowls.

Freshii divides menu ingredients into three categories to help guide consumers: Super healthy “24/7” ingredients can be enjoyed every day of the week. They include vegetables such as asparagus, corn, celery, and sun-dried tomatoes. Avocado, grilled steak, and feta cheese are among the “balance” ingredients, which contain essential fats. “Splurge” ingredients, including bleu cheese, smoked bacon, and croutons, should be enjoyed in moderation.

 

- Jenn Phillips, The Store

A visit to the new Barney's in Chicago

Earlier this week we visited the new Barney's store in Chicago.  Located just across the street from the previous location, this store is appx 90,000 sq feet and also features Fred's restaurant and Chelsea Passage on the top floor.

We immediately noticed the patterned tile on the first floor and felt that it was a bit distracting from the merchandise itself, our eye was immediately drawn to the floor.

We wandered down to the lower level to the land of cosmetics and fragrances.  We couldn't help but notice 3 tall cylindar-like tanks that slightly resembled empty telephone booths.  Printed on the tanks was 'Editions de Parfums de Frederic Malle'.  

Apparently when you test perfumes sprayed onto paper strips at a perfume counter, the scent’s top notes grab you (the initial burst of fragrance). If your nose is hyper-sensitive you might even smell the paper.

We were told you could be missing the more subtle aspects of the fragrance — the middle notes (which occur after the top notes fade), and then the dry down (which is like the scent’s finale). To appreciate the fullness and complexity of the Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle scents, the staffsuggests we ditch the paper strips and use one of the store’s special scent chambers to fully appreciate the line.   The chambers even have fans that run once you're done to neutralize the air for the next person.  A very innovative and fun display for customers!

- Jenn Phillips, The Store

Lunch at my fingertips

Recently, my husband introduced me to the new iphone app from Chipotle.  Chipotle, the popular QSR from McDonalds Corportation has brought fast food to a new level.  The app tracks down the closest Chipotle and then allows you to go about building your burrito, burrito bowl, taco or salad, throwing in more ingredients than would be polite to ask for in the restaurant itself, and allows you to include special instructions.   The menu is quick and intuitive, even letting you store your favorites to avoid re-typing tomorrow's lunch.  Yum!

- Jenn Phillips, The Store

Superbrand Oprah takes over Magnificent Mile

Oprah hit the streets of Chicago on Tuesday to kick off the 24th season of her talk show. The city agreed to shut down a four block stretch of the Magnificent Mile for the queen of talk.   In the five hours leading up to the taping of the show, the crowds were treated to live performances and even learned a choreographed dance to the latest Black Eyed Peas single.  Not since the Macy's Day Parade have we seen this kind of hysteria for a super brand.  Proof that even retail stands still for the queen.

 

- Jenn Phillips, The Store

TJMaxx Makeover

The newly remodeled TJMaxx offers just enough style to make shoppers feel a little less like scavengers and a little more pampered.  The ambiance is upgraded with more organized merchandising, especially in housewares.  The culinary graphics and displays rival an upscale department store presentation.

Simple red brand signage reinforces the "treat yourself to a deal" positioning in each department.  Even the dressing room looks a little more Victorias Secret, a little less Filenes Basement.

 

 

  - Gwen Morrison

Buy Buy Baby opens in Chicago

This new store from Bed, Bath and Beyond uses a similar big box format with a total focus on baby.  It has everything a new mom needs and more.  The prominent gift registry and complimentary gift wrap makes it easy to get in and out for the next baby shower.

- Gwen Morrison, The Store

  



WalMart hosts farmers market on Chicago's South Side

Last weekend, WalMart hosted a "Farmer's Market" on a vacant site where it hopes to build a second Chicago store in the Chatham neighborhood. 

The event is a move to in which the retailer hopes to win enough votes in the City Council to pass an amendment that would remove a restriction to the development agreement that has kept the discount chain out of the south side shopping center.

Truckloads of fruits and vegetables were available from 10am - 2pm and provided by WalMart suppliers.  According to news reports, the residents began lining up early and lines wrapped around the block.

In addition, WalMart unveiled a web site, called the Chicago Walmart Community Action Network,  www.chicago.walmartcommunity.com, which features videos from the event, interviews with local residents and community leaders supporting the new store and has a box where Chicago residents can type in their address to find their ward and their alderman.

All proceeds from the event benefitted the Chatham Business Association.

- Jenn Phillips, The Store