What could you see with NEC? A fresher retail experience. There's no better
way to show off the latest fashions, the hottest accessories or the freshest
produce to every shopper who walks into your store. NEC's large-screen LCD
and plasma displays command attention with clear, colorful, eye-catching
imagery delivered in a slim, elegant design. www.necdisplay.com
This week's newsletter is packed with info to last you for two
weeks, because next week the Pulse will be on hiatus while the
VM+SD staff attends our International Retail Design Conference
in Atlanta.
In case you haven't registered yet, you've got one day left to
sign up online at www.irdconline.com.
You can also register on-site at the InterContinental Buckhead in
Atlanta. It's the best three days you'll spend all year. I look
forward to seeing you there.
— Anne DiNardo, VM+SD Senior Associate Editor
We're Listening! Share your feedback, suggestions or interesting news with us by sending an e-mail to vmsd_feedback@stmediagroup.com.
 |
Remodeling Supervalu
Supermarket retailer will spend $1.2 billion to improve and open stores, develop private label program
In announcing its store-improvement program, Supervalu Inc. (Eden
Prairie, Minn.) says it is basing its plans on the "science of
shopping."
"It's not just new shelves and shining up the meat counter,"
reported The Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "There's little left to chance
in the layout of a grocery store. Aisle widths, product placement,
wall colors and lighting all play a role in sales."
The newspaper cited a study from the Wharton School of Business
spelling out how signage and even the shape of the building matter.
Much of that has to do with shopper demographics. Some research shows
that men grab and go, rarely using a list or paying attention to
price, while women use lists and are more deliberate. The elderly
don't like to stoop to grab things off of the bottom shelf. Some
people move through the store from item to item and need signs to get
around, while others plot a route ahead of time that includes all of
their stops, no help needed. "And," reported the Star-Tribune, "if
kids are along for the shopping trip, it changes everything."
To paraphrase Eddy Arnold's famous song: "Welcome to our world."
You can hear more about SuperValu and other supermarket leaders at
IRDC during "Ask the Experts: Grocery Store Design Trends." For more
information and to register, visit www.irdconline.com.
—Steve Kaufman, VM+SD Editor
What do you think? Weigh in here.
|
 |
Fall is in the Air
The new Ann Taylor Loft window installations evoke the drama of the stage
The new Ann Taylor Loft flagship in the heart of New York's Times
Square takes its cues from the stage. Each window installation at the
42nd and Broadway store features the concept, "Loft girl on
Broadway," with bright lights and dramatic mannequin presentations.
See the drama here.
|
Every week, we'll pose a thought-provoking question related to working in the retail and design fields. This week's question:
Macy's staged its biggest brand launch in history this week,
rolling out the red — or (Martha) blue — carpet at its stores across
the country for its new exclusive Martha Stewart Collection of home
goods and accessories.
Kmart and Michael's once banked on the Martha name to help revive
its fortunes, bring customers into its stores, improve sales. Both
got mixed results. Even Stewart's own company, Martha Stewart Living
Omnimedia, lost money in 2006 and has been experiencing ups and
downs.
Has the Martha brand — from print and television to branded craft
and houseware products — lost its cachet? Will it be a good thing for
Macy's? Or is Martha damaged goods?
Join the discussion.
DEPARTMENT STORES
Adieu,
Parisian
Belk completes $100 million transformation of department store
chain it acquired from Saks
Launching
Martha
Macy's kicks off launch of exclusive line with big- and
small-screen events
Macy's
Loses Another Marketing Executive
Brad Jakeman was behind the new Martha Stewart ad campaign
Passing
Grade
Macy's reports positive same-store sales in August
FOOD/RESTAURANTS
Remodeling
Supervalu
Supermarket retailer will spend $1.2 billion to improve and open
stores, develop private label program
Russian
Brew
Starbucks opens in Moscow
More
Bucks
A&P to add Starbucks coffee shops to some locations in
Northeast
CBS
is Coming to Your Store
Broadcasting company acquires retail video programmer
SPECIALTY
Best
Foot Forward
NexCen Brands finds distributor for new Athlete's Foot apparel
lines
Two
New Pep Boys
Auto supplies retailer hires former Sears vp
Hog
Futures Down
Harley-Davidson says it will cut back on motorcycle shipments in
3Q
Too
Cool for School
Retailers report surprisingly good August, but worry about the
next several months
Eyes
for Chain
Luxottica to open new luxury sunglasses chain
Redcats
Growing Larger
Catalog and online marketer acquires plus-size Avenue chain
OBITUARY
Anita
Roddick Dies in London
Founder of Body Shop, "Queen of Green," was 64
For the Week of September 10th
GFX Intl. Unveils New Logo; Mancini • Duffy Hires Senior Associate; NADI Adds Venue for December Show
The "Ross Collection"
Thompson Contract Inc.
"Triple Face" Sign
Columbus Sign Co.
VM+SD's free job board features regular updates on industry jobs and freelance openings. Here's the latest posting:
Intermediate or Senior Designer
Perennial Inc.
Last Chance to Register
 |
VM+SD's seventh annual International Retail Design Conference is just one week away. Join us in Atlanta September 19-21 for this one-of-a-kind conference featuring speakers from Best Buy, IKEA, Kohl's, Microsoft, Neiman Marcus, Nike, Publix, Wal-Mart and more. Learn best practices in retail design and visual merchandising, make valuable industry contacts and tour Atlanta's most celebrated mixed-use development — Atlantic Station. View the agenda and register now. See you there!
|
October:
- Green Cents: Grocers are leading the way in sustainable retail design. Read how Wild Oats, Whole Foods and Heinen's are proving it's cool and cost-effective to be green.
- The Brand Way: Learn what tools Dunkin' Donuts, Seibu, Coldwater Creek and Finish Line are using to redefine their brands.
- European Fall: VM+SD's European trend-spotter Angelika Frank shares the season's best window displays in Milan, Munich and Dusseldorf, Germany.
|
Back to newsletter list
