The Store Blog

Target Says Goodbye to Garden

Target is in the process of eliminating the Garden section of their stores in favor of expanding food aisles to contain fresh produce and groceries.  They hope to have phased out Gardening sections by September, and while some gardening tools and materials will still be available in different sections of the store, the chain has decided that food and groceries are more profitable and encourage more weekly or even twice weekly customer visits.

Sources: NRF Smartbrief, OrlandoSentinel.com

- Adena Stein

Pop-up Stores Prove Popular

 

Landlords in New York are adopting the practice of renting out their real estate temporarily for pop-up stores.  Comparing it to test-driving a car before asking for the pink slip, pop-up stores are a great way for possible tenants to feel out the area and its consumer reception, like an open house, before committing to a long-term lease. They allow the retailer to focus on a concentrated and consistent message around the brand, and for the landlord, space is filled and they charge rent while it is occupied.  This short-term, experimental occurrence is becoming increasingly popular-- and beneficial.

Find the article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/23/realestate/commercial/23popup.html?scp=1&sq=pop%20up%20stores&st=cse

Sources: NRF SmartBrief, New York Times

- Adena Stein

J.Crew Gaining Momentum under Mickey Drexler

J. Crew is regaining momentum, and it is being featured in this month's Wall Street Journal Magazine. WSJ printed an eight-page spread and interview with Micky Drexler, the CEO responsible for the turnaround of J.Crew.  Having significantly increased competitive retailers progress, such as Ann Taylor and GAP, the article profiles the 'merchant prince' as a businessman, a boss, and a person.  Any apparel retailer with lines like this on a weekday has it right, and Drexler is responsible for that.

You can read the entire article here:  http://magazine.wsj.com/features/the-big-interview/retail-therapist/

Sources: Wall Street Journal Magazine, wsjmagazine.com

- Adena Stein

ALDO Promises Kohl's Exclusive Shoe Line

 

As it continues to gain momentum, Kohl's has established exclusive relationships with many private brands and designers, including Lauren Conrad, Daisy Fuentes, and Avril Lavigne to promote and sell merchandise.  It has been announced that Kohl's newest partner will be ALDO International, a shoe and handbag designer and national retail chain.  ALDO will be designing an exclusive shoe line just for sale at Kohl's.  The line will debut Spring 2011 and is sure to rake in sales for both companies.

Sources: JS Online, NRF Smartbrief

-Adena Stein

Other Retailers to Offer iPhone 4 on Launch Day

 

The newest version of the iPhone, the 4^th generation, will be officially released on June 24, 2010. It has been confirmed that besides the usual retailers—AT&T and the Apple Store—other electronics retailers will have the phone available on launch day.  Wal-Mart will put the phone on their floor, and it is rumored that Best Buy and RadioShack will have them too, but without any presale or pre-order option that AT&T and Apple offer.

Sources: NRF SmartBrief, CNET News

- Adena

Target Gets A Makeover

We saw Target's cosmetics do well during the down economy.  Recently, Target has brought in department store quality brands to their cosmetic aisles.  Some of these products can tend toward department store prices instead of the traditional Target bargain, though they offer many opportunities to sample, and sometimes will bring in professional makeup artists and experts to consult with.  We are intent on seeing how Target performs with these new lines and fresh approach

Sources: Target, Gwen Morrison

-Adena Stein.

Look Out UK Retailers, Here Comes Forever 21!

 
Forever 21 announced that it will open in the Bullring shopping center in Birmingham in July, 2010. Forever 21 has more than 450 stores worldwide, and its affordable fashion for youths will place it in competition with Topshop, River Island, H&M, and New Look in the UK. The store will be the first in Europe, and at 50,000 square feet, it will undoubtedly be a large addition to the value fashion segment.

Sources: DailyClips

- Adena Stein

Walmart Testing New "Virtual Mirror"

Walmart is now testing a new technology system called a 'virtual mirror' to aid in sales of cosmetics.  The mirror uses a digital camera and screen to help the shopper test makeup.  The hope is that this mirror will increase sales, reduce loss on having to throw away tester products.  Ten Walmarts are currently testing the technology, with four mirrors in each store.

Sources: Daily Clips

-Adena Stein

Macy's and Best Buy Become Launch Parters with Shopkick

The latest retail cell phone app, ‘Shopkick’ has recently partnered with both Macy’s and BestBuy in anticipation of its summer launch.  The location-based retail app was created in the hopes of increasing sales by creating personalized offers and suggestions to consumers, product information, and peer reviews. Now retailers will be able to reel in customers and establish stronger-than-ever brand and store loyalty, and also distribute discounts to app holders to boost downloads. The creators and investing partners in Shopkick firmly believe that mobile outreach is the next wave of successful strategies to get customers into the stores.

 

Sources: DailyClips, viewsflow.com, iTunes

- Adena Stein

J. Crew Opens Bricks-and-Mortar Bridal Store

 

On May 27^th, 2010, J.Crew opened its first ever bridal boutique on Madison Ave. in New York City.  The floor includes an appointment-only showroom and four bridal suites complete with two dressing rooms each. The store sells a range of wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses,and tuxedos, and has partnered with Bobbi Brown cosmetics, and jewelry designers like Lulu Frost. They launched a brand new label, 769 Collection, of cocktail dresses exclusively at this J. Crew store. They also carry wedding staples like Cosabella lingerie and Spanx. 

J. Crew has been in the bridal sector since 2004 and this is their only bricks-and-mortar store.

 

Sources: thepreppyprincess blog, NY Times

- Adena Stein