New York City — Blink Fitness, a premium-quality, affordable fitness concept, has hit its stride with multi-unit franchising. In the past few months, Blink has signed three major franchise development agreements representing nearly 40 units in Sacramento, Calif.; Boston and Nashville, Tenn. These deals increase the brand’s franchise footprint by 50%. “We’re growing strategically — and quickly — with experienced multi-unit operators across the country,” says Todd Magazine, CEO of Blink Fitness. “Our franchise opportunity is gaining widespread attention, especially with multi-unit groups who are seeking a low-labor concept to …
retailers
Seattle — Leading fashion retailer Nordstrom, Inc. has hired Teri Bariquit as chief merchandising officer. In this newly created role, Bariquit will serve as a member of the company’s executive team, leading the full-price and off-price merchandising areas. She will report to Pete Nordstrom, co-president. “We believe we have the best merchandising team in retail. Teri has been an integral part of the development of this team and she is well positioned to lead this organization into the future as we evolve our relationships with our brand partners and deliver …
Minneapolis — The Walt Disney Company and Target Corporation have formed a creative retail collaboration to help bring the magic of Disney to the joy of shopping at Target. The collaboration encompasses experiential retail and merchandising — including the launch of 25 Disney stores within select Target stores nationwide on October 4, 2019, with 40 additional locations opening by October 2020. Additionally, a new Target store will open at Flamingo Crossings Town Center at the western entrance of the Walt Disney World Resort in 2021 to bring the convenience of …
Nagoya, Japan — 2nd STREET USA, Inc., a subsidiary of Japan-based GEO Holdings Corporation, will open 2nd STREET NoHo in Manhattan in mid-October as part of its ongoing international expansion. The retailer plans to have 10 U.S. stores by the end of next year. 2nd STREET USA, Inc. is a company that buys and sells secondhand clothing and accessories. Its first store in the United States opened in January 2018 on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. In June 2018, the second U.S. store opened in Old Pasadena, and the third …
Seattle — Located at 225 West 57th St., near Columbus Circle in New York City, a 320,000-square-foot flagship store for Nordstrom will open on October 24, 2019. Developed by Extell Development Company and designed by Callison RTKL, the new Nordstrom NYC flagship will represent the biggest and best statement of the brand — and the largest single-project investment in Nordstrom history. Situated directly opposite the Nordstrom Men’s Store, which opened in April 2018, customers will be able to shop 320,000 square feet of retail space located on seven levels: two …
Rochelle Park, N.J. — Avenue Stores LLC will close all 222 of its Avenue stores across 33 states after failing to procure a buyer for the plus-size women’s clothing chain. It was not made immediately clear if the retailer will continue to operate its e-commerce platform. Philadelphia-based Versa Capital Management acquired Avenue Stores LLC in bankruptcy in 2012 when the retailer operated 433 stores. Avenue will hold liquidation sales in all of its stores, offering 30% to 50% off clothes, accessories and even store fixtures. Hilco Merchant Resources and Gordon …
Franklin, Tenn. — More than five retail chains are opening stores for every retailer that is closing stores in 2019, according to new research from IHL Group. This is up from 3.7 in 2018. The company also reports that the number of chains adding stores in 2019 has increased 56%, while the number of closing stores has decreased by 66% in the last year. “Retail Renaissance – True Story of Store Openings/Closings” reviewed 1,660 retail chains with 50 or more locations in the United States across nine industry segments. For …
Plano, Texas — J. C. Penney Company, Inc. has appointed Stacey Shively, a senior executive with nearly 25 years of retail merchandising experience, as senior vice president, general merchandise manager for its home division, effective Sept. 9. Reporting to Michelle Wlazlo, executive vice president, chief merchant, Shively will be responsible for overseeing the company’s home merchandising strategies. “Stacey is an accomplished merchant who has spent her retail career curating products and experiences that appeal to a value-oriented customer based on lifestyle needs,” says Wlazlo. “Her extensive background in merchandising, product …
Deerfield, Ill. — Walgreens plans to close approximately 200 stores across the U.S. starting this fall as part of a cost-management program. Specific store locations have not been disclosed, but the new closures represent less than 3% of Walgreens’ U.S. footprint. The announcement was made in a Walgreens Boots Alliance regulatory filing the first week of August. The Deerfield, Illinois-based company had previously unveiled plans to close 200 stores in the United Kingdom. Currently, Walgreens operates more than 18,500 stores in 11 countries. SOURCE: REBusinessOnline.com
New York City — On August 9, 2019, Foot Locker opened a community-based Power Store in the Upper Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Heights. The new store features a full suite of immersive capabilities for consumers to experience, including an activation space on the second floor. The 9,000-square-foot store is also the first among Foot Locker stores to showcase Nike App at Retail digital technology, bringing consumers digitally-led experiences and services in-store through the Nike App. “The launch of the Washington Heights Community Power Store serves as an opportunity for us …