Content about Company Expansion

May 8, 2013

Foot Locker Inc. said Wednesday that it will buy German athletic store chain Runners Point Warenhandelsges (RPG) for 72 million euros ($94 million) as it expands in Europe.

New York -- Foot Locker Inc. said Wednesday that it will buy German athletic store chain Runners Point Warenhandelsges (RPG) for 72 million euros ($94 million) as it expands in Europe.  
 
RPG, which had sales of $254 million for 2012, operates more than 200 stores — with its most prominent banners being Runners Point and Sidestep — as well as an online subsidiary, Tredex. Most its stores are in Germany, although there are also Runners Point and Sidestep locations in The Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland.

May 7, 2013

Jim von Maur

President, Von Maur

HEADQUARTERS Davenport, Iowa

TYPE OF BUSINESS Department store retailer

NUMBER OF STORES 35 in 11 states (27 Von Maur stores, eight Dry Goods stores)

Seventeen years ago, in the January 1996 issue of Chain Store Age, Jack Arth, who at the time was president of Von Maur, explained how the circa 1928 department store retailer set out to differentiate itself from competitors such as the then hugely influential Federated and May chains.

April 30, 2013

Uniqlo is taking a breather … but only a short one. The Japanese fashion retailer opened its seventh U.S. store — and its first in an outdoor lifestyle center location — on April 19, at Westchester’s Ridge Hill in Yonkers, N.Y.

New York -- Uniqlo is taking a breather … but only a short one. The Japanese fashion retailer opened its seventh U.S. store — and its first in an outdoor lifestyle center location — on April 19, at Westchester’s Ridge Hill in Yonkers, N.Y. The two-level, 24,000-sq-ft. store comes on the heels of Uniqlo opening at Palisades Center in West Nyack, N.Y., in March. What’s next for the powerhouse brand that has made no secret of its intention to expand across the nation, with 200 stores by 2020?

April 4, 2013

Starbucks Coffee Company reaffirmed its commitment to accelerate growth in Southeast Asia, announcing plans to open 100 stores in Indonesia over the next three years and another 100 stores in the Philippines over the next four years.

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Company reaffirmed its commitment to accelerate growth in Southeast Asia, announcing plans to open 100 stores in Indonesia over the next three years and another 100 stores in the Philippines over the next four years.

Starbucks entered Southeast Asia in 1996 with its first store in Singapore. The company currently operates more than 700 stores across six countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and, most recently, Vietnam.

April 3, 2013

In its annual report filed Tuesday, Abercrombie & Fitch revealed that it plans to open Abercrombie & Fitch flagship stores in Seoul and Shanghai in 2013, as well as 20 international Hollister stores.

New York -- In its annual report filed Tuesday, Abercrombie & Fitch revealed that it plans to open Abercrombie & Fitch flagship stores in Seoul and Shanghai in 2013, as well as 20 international Hollister stores. The news sent the teen retailer’s shares rising on Wednesday.

The company also said in the report that it is maintaining its focus on boosting profitability by simplifying processes, eliminating less-profitable parts of its business, shoring up efficiencies and cutting expenses.

March 27, 2013

Global Franchise Group said it is expanding its Puerto Rican presence via a multi-unit operator.

Atlanta -- Global Franchise Group said Wednesday it is expanding its Puerto Rican presence via a multi-unit operator.

A.M.A. Pretzels International opened two Great American Cookies stores in Puerto Rico -- in Plaza Carolina in Carolina, and Plaza Rio Hondo in Bayamon.

"Global Franchise Group is thrilled to have such outstanding multi-unit franchisees expand the Great American Cookies brand in Puerto Rico," said Global Franchise Group chief development officer John Barber.

 

March 14, 2013

IBM on Thursday announced the creation of the IBM Customer Experience Lab, dedicated to helping business leaders transform the way customers experience their products, services and brands through the use of mobile, social, cloud and advanced analytics technologies.

Armonk, N.Y. -- IBM on Thursday announced the creation of the IBM Customer Experience Lab, dedicated to helping business leaders transform the way customers experience their products, services and brands through the use of mobile, social, cloud and advanced analytics technologies.

The IBM Customer Experience Lab will provide CEOs, CMOs, CFOs, heads of sales and other C-suite executives direct access to a virtual team of 100 researchers, supported by the expertise of thousands of IBM business consultants addressing the opportunities of the digital front office.

March 4, 2013

Coinstar has announced a new feature available at some Coinstar kiosks that enables consumers to deposit or withdraw funds from their PayPal accounts, as well as send money to another PayPal account.

Bellevue, Wash. -- Coinstar has announced a new feature available at some Coinstar kiosks that enables consumers to deposit or withdraw funds from their PayPal accounts, as well as send money to another PayPal account.

The rollout began in February in Texas, Northern California, and Ohio, and will continue at select kiosks throughout the year, said the company.

February 6, 2013

Tata Starbucks Limited, the 50/50 joint venture between Starbucks Coffee Company and India’s Tata Global Beverages Limited, opened Starbucks’ first location in New Delhi.

New York -- Tata Starbucks Limited, the 50/50 joint venture between Starbucks Coffee Company and India’s Tata Global Beverages Limited, opened Starbucks’ first location in New Delhi. The store is designed to celebrate the heritage and history of the city.

January 28, 2013

American Eagle Outfitters announced plans to open a series of vertically owned and operated-stores in Mexico, with the first location set to open on February 20, 2013, in Mexico City.

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters announced plans to open a series of vertically owned and operated-stores in Mexico, with the first location set to open on February 20, 2013, in Mexico City.
   
The store will be located in the Perisur’s shopping center, a mall located in the south part of Mexico City. Each AEO store will include an Aerie presence either in shop-in-shop or side-by-side form.

January 18, 2013

United Airlines on Friday announced the opening of its employee health clinic at O’Hare International Airport.

Chicago -- United Airlines on Friday announced the opening of its employee health clinic at O’Hare International Airport. The clinic, managed by Walgreens, will serve a broad scope of employees’ health needs, such as urgent care for routine illness, travel and other immunizations including flu shots, prepackaged medications, job-related physical training and pre-employment physicals, at no cost to employees.

December 27, 2012

Some are merchants, with long careers in brick-and-mortar stores. Others are tech trailblazers, using new media to match merchandise and buyers. Others are influencing retail in less direct, but no less significant, ways. All share an ability to create new opportunities and, in their own way, are looking to reinvent the shopping experience. And all wield a great deal of influence in today’s complex retail landscape.

November 27, 2012

Not even a hurricane named Sandy could erode the economic upsurge experienced by the northeastern United States over the last year. What this region rebuilt after the Great Recession has managed to stay strong even in the face of Sandy’s 80-mph winds, record flooding and the damage inflicted by its nor’easter sister that arrived just days after the fall 2012 hurricane.

November 26, 2012

Starbucks Coffee Co. advanced its growth plans in China with the opening of its 100th store in Beijing.

Beijing -- Starbucks Coffee Co. advanced its growth plans in China with the opening of its 100th store in Beijing. The company also announced the launch of Starbucks China University, its talent development program.

Starbucks has announced that China will be its second largest market by 2014 and will have 1,500 stores by 2015 across more than 70 cities. It currently operates 700 locations throughout Mainland China.”

October 18, 2012

CANTON, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts has signed a multi-unit store development agreement with existing franchisee Sizzling Donuts, LLC for 16 new restaurants in Salt Lake City, Utah.
 
The first restaurant is planned to open in 2013 and the remainder by 2018.
In February 2012, Sizzling Platter, LLC formed the subsidiary Sizzling Donuts, LLC and signed their first multi-unit agreement with Dunkin' Donuts to develop 11 new restaurants in Denver, Colorado, and eight new restaurants in El Paso, Texas, over the next several years.

 

September 19, 2012

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced plans to open Nordstrom Rack stores in the Milwaukee suburb of Wauwatosa, Wis.; Ann Arbor, Mich., and Columbus, Ohio.

It will be the retailer's first location in the state of Wisconsin.

The approximately 36,000-sq.-ft. store in Wauwatosa, Wis., is scheduled to open in spring 2014 at The Mayfair Collection, a 250,000-sq.-ft. planned adaptive reuse development of a former industrial complex and distribution center.

September 19, 2012

Publix Super Markets announced that it has signed a lease for its first store in the state of North Carolina.

Lakeland, Fla. -- Publix Super Markets announced that it has signed a lease for its first store in the state of North Carolina. The company said it is looking forward to continued growth in the state, and that the new location will be part of a new division based in Charlotte.

The 56,000-sq. ft. store, which will be located in Ballantyne, N.C., is scheduled to open in early 2014.
 

September 17, 2012

Saks Inc. said it has launched AT&T Wi-Fi at all 44 retail locations nationwide.

New York -- Saks Inc. said Monday it has launched AT&T Wi-Fi at all 44 retail locations nationwide.

The AT&T Wi-Fi network connects shoppers with mobile tools such as the new Saks Fifth Avenue app, which offers features such as shareable wish lists, fashion look books, event calendars and more. AT&T customers with select Wi-Fi enabled devices will auto-authenticate to the in-store Wi-Fi service, so frequent shoppers will be automatically connected to Saks Fifth Avenue’s Wi-Fi each time they re-visit the store.

August 22, 2012

Cabela’s Inc. announced today plans for two new stores, including its first-ever locations in Virginia and Delaware.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s Inc. announced today plans for two new stores, including its first-ever locations in Virginia and Delaware. Construction is expected to begin on the new locations in 2013, with the stores expected to open in 2014.

Cabela’s said it will build an 85,000-sq.-ft. store in The Falls, a new retail development in Bristol, Va., that will accommodate about 1.5 million sq. ft. of retail space.

In Delaware, the company will open a 100,000-sq.-ft. store adjacent to Christiana Mall, in Christiana. 

August 20, 2012

Caribou Coffee Co. announced it will be expanding its retail and commercial footprint in the Chicagoland area by teaming up with supermarket operator Jewel-Osco, which is part of the Supervalu company.

Minneapolis -- Caribou Coffee Co. announced it will be expanding its retail and commercial footprint in the Chicagoland area by teaming up with supermarket operator Jewel-Osco, which is part of the Supervalu company.

Caribou Coffee opened its first retail location within Jewel-Osco's Barrington store last week, with plans to introduce two additional coffeehouses in the grocery's Hoffman Estates and Countryside locations in the near future, as well as five additional coffeehouses within Jewel-Osco in 2013.

August 14, 2012

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. indicated Tuesday it has received the OK from Chinese regulators to move forward with its majority stake in e-commerce company Yihaodian.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. indicated Tuesday it has received the OK from Chinese regulators to move forward with its majority stake in e-commerce company Yihaodian.

According to a report by Wall Street Journal, which cited a Wal-Mart spokesperson in Beijing, the approval will allow Wal-Mart to expand its online presence in China. Under the deal, Wal-Mart will increase its stake in Yihaodian from 18% to 51%.

Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

July 23, 2012

Dunkin' Donuts announced that it has signed a franchisee agreement to expand the brand's presence in Germany.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts announced Monday that it has signed a franchisee agreement to expand the brand's presence in Germany.

The new franchisee group, consisting of local businessmen Sadi Sanlav and Mo Rahimi, plans to develop at least 15 new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the Frankfurt, Rhine-Main area of Germany over the next five years.
 

July 16, 2012

CKE Restaurants is planning to expand its Hardee's footprint in the Minneapolis area over the next several years and sees the potential to develop more than 59 new restaurants in the market.

Carpinteria, Calif. -- CKE Restaurants is planning to expand its Hardee's footprint in the Minneapolis area over the next several years and sees the potential to develop more than 59 new restaurants in the market.

“We are excited to expand in the Minneapolis area, and we're now looking for experienced multi-unit operators to join the brand,” said Jim Sullivan, CKE's senior VP domestic franchise development.

July 16, 2012

In an effort to promote retail entrepreneurism among today’s youth, Jones Lang LaSalle is inviting kids ranging from six to 15 years of age to participate in its “Kids, Inc.” program. The program will be hosted at select Jones Lang LaSalle-managed shopping centers throughout the United States.

July 3, 2012

Andrea Thomas, senior VP sustainability, Walmart, talked with Chain Store Age contributing editor Connie Gentry about what sustainability means at Walmart and how the company leverages its scale to make the biggest possible impact for global good.

Throughout the retail industry and beyond, Walmart has earned a reputation as a leader in executing sustainable improvements that deliver positive results for consumers, communities and the company’s bottom line. Andrea Thomas, who joined Walmart in 2007, was appointed the company’s first senior VP sustainability in August 2010. Thomas talked with Chain Store Age contributing editor Connie Gentry about what sustainability means at Walmart and how the company leverages its scale to make the biggest possible impact for global good.