Content about high-tech

Build-A-Bear Workshop has gone high-tech. The company has unveiled a new store environment that combines its signature hands-on bear-making experience with innovative digital technology designed to appeal to today’s tech-savvy kids.

New York -- Macy’s has unveiled the redesigned shoe department of its Herald Square flagship in New York City. Described as the “world’s largest shoe floor,” the 63,000-sq.-ft. space features more than 250,000 pair of women’s shoes in an upscale environment.   

Build-A-Bear Workshop has gone high-tech. The company has debuted a new store design that combines its signature hands-on bear-making experience with innovative technology that’s right in line with today’s digitally savvy kids. The new format, which premiered in Build-A-Bear Workshop’s renovated location at West County Center, St. Louis, also provides more interactive options to keep shoppers coming back.

St. Louis -- Build-A-Bear Workshop announced Tuesday that it is introducing a newly imagined store design in six markets across the U.S. in 2012. 

The new store design, which has been over two years in the making, merges the Build-A-Bear Workshop hands-on bear-making process with technology to enhance the customer experience.

“I am very excited about the enhanced features that will allow us to continue to lead in the interactive retail space,” said Maxine Clark, founder and chief executive bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Uniqlo’s, the expansion-minded Japanese apparel retailer, has opened its largest store in the world, an 89,000-sq.-ft., three-level flagship on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

Designed by the cutting-edge Japanese firm Wonderwall, the new Uniqlo is sleek and futuristic. It is massive in scale, with 100 fitting rooms, 45 checkouts, 100 LCD and LED screens, four glass elevators and an escalator that takes customers from the entry directly to the third level, which is the main selling floor.

Uniqlo is popping-up all over Manhattan. As the prelude to the opening of its Fifth Avenue global flagship in October, the Japanese apparel retailer opened four temporary “Brand Shops” around the city. Each location is cleverly designed and smartly outfitted.

Quincy, Mass. -- Stop & Shop Supermarket has opened a store in Andover, Mass., that offers a variety of high-tech shopping solutions, including Check It! self checkout lanes, and Scan It! hand held devices that allow customers to scan and bag groceries while they shop. Customers can also pre-order deli items at designated Order It! kiosks.

New York City -- Ron Johnson, the man credited with building Apple’s wildly successful retail empire, is leaving the high-tech company to become CEO of J.C. Penney Co.

Making your NRF Show plans? Don’t forget to allow yourself time to check out the Big Apple’s exciting retail scene. Here’ s a quick hit list of the city’s newest retail stars:

So many stores, so little time. That’s how I felt as I was putting together my annual Big Apple retail hit list. This year’s crop of stores is particularly diverse, and ranges from fast-fashion leader Forever 21 to the cult French candle-maker Cire Trudon — with some Disney magic thrown in for good measure. Let’s get started: