Ace Express Stores for smaller spaces

The following article appeared in the latest edition of Chain Store Age. It continues a direction that more retailers are going to follow with the increase in online shopping and expense of brick & mortar locations but filling the need for necessary items at a more convenient proximity:

Ace Hardware launches 'Express' store format for smaller spaces

JULY 16, 2012 | BY MARIANNE WILSON

Oakbrook, Ill. -- Ace Hardware has launched an “Express” format for both current Ace retailers and other business owners seeking to integrate the Ace brand into their existing offerings. The new, more compact stores average 5,000-sq.-ft. or less, and include customized merchandising displays and stock more than 11,000 of the most popular and profitable hardware products.

“At this time, there are nearly 400 successful Ace Hardware retail locations operating within less than 5,000 sq. ft., and the consistent high performance of these stores proved we had an incredible opportunity to create a specialized, smaller-format Ace retail model,” said Mike Berschauer, director, retail development, Ace Hardware Corp. “Our goal is both to drive incremental store growth for Ace and to mirror the ‘best in class’ offerings available at our larger stores. Essentially we’re providing the same top-notch brands and exceptional customer service, but just in a smaller space.”

The Ace Hardware “Express” format makes it possible for Ace to continue growing share in markets that aren’t able to accommodate additional full-size retail locations and is ideal for the following retail scenarios:

Ace will provide incentives of up to $150,000 to retailers utilizing the “Express” format. In addition, the company has created a variety of tailored resources to support these retailers – including merchandise profile guides, plan-o-grams to ensure that product selection is “shoppable” for customers, customized fixtures to create space efficiencies and a variety of incentive programs.

In addition, the in-stock product selection at “Express” format locations will mirror that available in a larger store model.

Currently, there are “Express” format Ace Hardware locations in six states across the United States – including Kansas, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.

New Zara Flagship Store in Manhattan

Zara has opened a new flagship store in Manhattan on Fifth Avenue at 52nd. It is their largest store in the United States and has many new eco-friendly features in addition to a stunning black and white interior. For more information, take a look at this article in Chain Store Age for more information

.Specific eco-friendly features include:

Motion detectors in the storeroom dim the area's lights by 80% when no one is present. Motion detectors for lighting are also installed in restrooms and back-of-store corridors.
The lighting dims to 66% of normal during janitorial and merchandise loading and unloading shifts.
Electronically regulated air curtains at store entrances prevent the influx of colder or hotter air from outside.
Speed-controlled mechanical escalators help reduce energy.
Energy-intensive systems are turned on in a sequential pattern to prevent demand spikes

Clean New Store: Primark Edinburgh Scotland

Primark is a department store retailer in Scotland that opened a new location in Edinburgh. What I like about this particular shop are the clean lines of the displays, graphics and merchandisers. It would be a very easy store to shop yet gives an upscale feeling at not so upscale pricing structure. More pictures of this store are available at DDI Store Design blog.

Apartment 32....new retail concept

New York retailer, Weatherproof, has opened a new store based on replicating a 2,000 sf Manhattan apt. Customers are encourage to leave their Blackberrys at the door in order to experience a more relaxed, electronic free environment during their visit. The entire article and more photos are available in the latest edition of Chain Store Age.

Cellular Connection Stores..design highlights

Cellular Connection is a chain of 600 stores across 26 states. Their take on cellphone displays is interactive for the customers and excellent customer service. Check out the rest of the photos in Retail Customer Experience for more information and photos.

Fred Meyer creates first LEED certified store in Kroger group

Fred Meyer has attained a Silver LEED certification for it's remodel of their Hawthorne store (from DDI Magazine) in Portland Oregon. This is a first for any Kroger store in the country. The architect for this store is MulvanneyG2 Architecture.

Steve Jobs Influence on Retail

This is a very good article that was written in Retail Customer Experience.com about the influence of Steve Jobs on his thoughts and influence on retail store design. The customer experience from entering the store through checkout is all targeted to the same fluid flow and resulting loyalty.

Bartell Drugs New look

The Bartell Drugs on Roosevelt in north Seattle (6401 12th Ave. NE) is in the final stages of completing a new interior remodel with an updated emphasis in the look of the Cosmetics/Beauty, Camera and Pharmacy departments as well as a new overall color scheme. It is very well done and adds an element of pizzazz to their basic drug store look and layout.

Prime Essentials Rx...New York

Prime Essentials Rx. Residents of New York’s Tribeca neighborhood is set up to be a one stop shopping experience. Being a cross between tradition drug store and adding grocery and household items, this allows drug stores to fill a void in downtown and urban markets. Check out the article in Drug Store News article.

Corripio in the Dominican Republic

In reviewing store designs recently I came across this one in the Dominican Republic, Corripio. It was done by a Michigan company, Design Fabricators, Inc in conjunction with DR based arch Robledo Oquet. I like the way the store is tied together using the same color but each of the category departments are differentiated by different shapes and textures. Corripio in ddionline.com

Duane Reade takes it to the next level in New York

Duane Reade has added some interesting departments and added some new twists to their new flagship store in downtown Manhattan. This pushes the envelope for other drug chains to up their game when it comes to up-scale locations. Chain Store Age:Duane Reade opens big on Wall Street

Good to see signs of expansion in Retail Construction

There are some good signs of expansion in the Retail Construction group. These are just a few of the headlines from Chain Store Age. Chains like Borders are still having issue but others are taking up space and trying to keep available lease spaces occupied.

Casual Male to Open 100 New stores

Microsoft to open 75 stores next two three years

Bottom Dollar Grocery chain expanding

Swiss Army Retailer Expanding

Example of building reuse design

I appreciate the effort that Walgreens made to preserve, reuse and refurbish the exterior of this building. The upgrading of buildings instead of tearing them down is beneficial for the environment and for the customers and neighbors of those spaces. This is a store that won honorable mention in the Chain Store Age store of the year contest for 2011. Chain Store Age 2011 Store of the Year

New Award Winning Wireless Phone store in China

This is a store in Shenzhen, China..Holpe+, I like the store because of the simplicity and clean look....the product is the thing and appears easy to shop and maneuver. From Retail Design Blog

Virtual Greeter to debut in new Duane Reade store in New York

The newest Duane Reade store to open in New York is introducing a "Virtual Greeter" much like one you might encounter when entering a WalMart store except this one is a hologram. The article included in the latest issue of Chain Store Age is very interesting

Report from McGraw Hll for 2011 Commercial Construction

Below are three charts by McGraw Hill that show the current state of the economy with regard to Commercial Construction, where it has been and the projections for 2011/12. Things are looking slightly better with an upturn in most areas but the recovery is still a long way from what it was a few years ago but headed in the right direction.  McGraw Hill Report on 2011

Cooper Lighting>New LED accent lighting

Cooper lighting has introduced new accent light fixtures that have reduced the wattage used and heat produced by standard spots. They will help in the battle to reduce overall operational costs for retailers.

Nike at Selfridges

An interesting piece from Retail Design Blog about Nike's placement in Selfridges and how they are able to adapt their concepts to the immediate customer and their current experience.Retail Design Blog

Tommy Bahama Beach House/Laguna Beach CA

Interesting article in the latest edition of Visual Merchandising that discusses Tommy Bahama's return to roots in their newest store in Laguna Beach CA. They have used a beach house theme throughout very effectively in both the resturant and retail areas. Visual Merchandising:Tommy Bahama Beach House

Using Google Sketch-up program

One of the more useful software systems available for use in showing items in 3-D is Sketch-up available for a free download from Google. They have some good tutorial videos on how the system works and best ways to set up your own processes. It is very intuitive and with some practice and patience, fairly easy to learn. It is  useful in the design of store fixtures through doing an entire store and the ability to change camera angles and to actually walk through areas is very helpful in client presentations.