Boca Raton, Fla. — Joseph T. Lower, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Office Depot, Inc., intends to leave the company on January 10, 2020. He will assume the role of chief financial officer at AutoNation, Inc. “We are grateful to Joe for his leadership over the past 2 years in advancing our transformation efforts and wish him every success in the future,” says Gerry Smith, Office Depot’s chief executive officer. “Joe is supported by an outstanding finance organization that will continue to serve the company and its …
retailers
New York City — This month, Studs, a new ear piercing experience that enables consumers to express themselves through earscaping, launches nationwide online and in its first brick-and-mortar location in New York City’s Nolita neighborhood. The company plans to expand its physical retail presence to additional locations in 2020. Founded by Anna Harman and Lisa Bubbers, Studs was created to modernize the traditional “mall piercing” experience. By combining healthy ear piercing services with omnichannel retail operations and a wide assortment of accessibly-priced earrings, the company offers consumers a seamless path …
Tampa, Fla. — Six Sprouts Farmers Market grocery stores in Florida have been awarded Manomet’s Grocery Stewardship Certification (GSC), bringing the total number of Sprouts stores in the GSC to 90. The GSC recognizes Sprouts’ commitment to operational best practices that reduce a store’s environmental impact, reduce operating costs and save resources. The certification for the Florida stores is the latest sustainability milestone for Sprouts, one of the fastest-growing retailers in the country. “Sprouts Farmers Market takes sustainability seriously,” says Peter Cooke, director of retail sustainability for Manomet. “Sprouts believes …
Orlando, Fla. — Orlando, Fla.-based Williams Company Southeast has started seven more Target store remodels in Florida and Texas for a total of 15 Target stores in 2019. The newest work in Florida involves stores in Brandon, Deerfield Beach, Ft. Myers, Ocala and St. Petersburg, while the Texas stores include Houston and Pearland. The scope of work includes exteriors and interiors and follows Target’s next-gen store design to further enhance the guest shopping experience. Since 1990, Williams has constructed over 100 new Target stores plus more than 200 Target store …
Hoffman Estates, Ill. — Sears Holdings Corp. plans to close 96 underperforming stores by February 2020, according to the retailer’s parent company, Transform Holdco LLC. The closings will consist of 51 Sears stores and 45 Kmart stores, leaving 182 operational Sears and Kmart stores remaining in the United States. The closing stores are scattered throughout all regions of the country, including 28 located in California. A full list of store closures can be found here. “Since purchasing substantially all the assets of Sears Holdings Corp. in February 2019, Transformco has …
San Francisco — Gap Inc.’s president and chief executive officer, Art Peck, will step down from his position and from the company’s board. Peck will leave Gap after a brief transition. Effective immediately, Robert J. Fisher, the company’s current non-executive chairman of the board, will also serve as president and CEO on an interim basis. Additionally, the board has appointed Bobby Martin, chair of its compensation and management development committee, as lead independent director. “On behalf of the entire board, I want to thank Art for his many contributions to …
Woonsocket, R.I. — CVS Health plans to close 22 underperforming drugstores during the first quarter of 2020. The pharmacy chain is shifting its model to provide more healthcare services. In its third quarter results of 2019, the Rhode Island-based drugstore giant reported a 36.5% increase in revenue from $47.3 billion in 2018 to $64.8 this year. During 2018, CVS closed 46 underperforming stores and acquired health insurance and Medicare company Aetna for approximately $70 billion. The integrated companies moved forward with major asset redevelopments, including a “hub-and-spoke” model wherein smaller …
Atlanta — Psycho Bunny, the men’s contemporary and golf clothing brand, has opened its second stateside retail location at Lenox Square in Atlanta. The brand’s successful pop-up-to-permanent retail strategy was applied to the Atlanta market with the opening of an interactive pop-up in October, followed by a permanent space that opened on November 6, 2019. The 12×20 pop-up and 1,500-square-foot permanent store were designed and developed in partnership with international architecture and design firm, Adelifca. Launched in fall 2019, the pop-up showcases the brand’s fall collection, in a unique mobile …
FRCH NELSON Teams Up with American Girl to Design In-Store Experiences for the Holidays
by Katie Lee
Cincinnati — American Girl unveiled two new in-store experiences this month in its New York City flagship store on Rockefeller Plaza. Award-winning retail design firm FRCH NELSON partnered with the brand to envision both experiences that will be open throughout the holiday season. Girls can now experience a day in the life of one of American Girl’s most popular dolls, Julie. The pop-up called “Julie’s Groovy World” immerses guests in her 1970s world. The in-store activation encourages interactive play between girl and doll and brings Julie’s message of girl empowerment …
Hartford, Conn.— Express Kitchens is in expansion mode, opening more locations and tweaking the store lineup to include retail showroom in and around Boston. By the end of 2019, Express Kitchens will open three new retail stores followed by five new showrooms in the year 2020. In addition, the company has taken a big step toward fulfilling its environmental stewardship commitment by implementing renewable energy practices to its business operations. The successful installation and functioning of solar panels to its Hartford, Conn., offices is an initiative that reflects company’s holistic …