|
NEWS - AMERICAS
Uniqlo opens two unique 'flagship' stores in Manhattan, New York
As part of its quest to become the ‘world’s No 1 apparel retailer’ and generate $50bn in global sales — including $10bn in US sales — by 2020, Japan-based Uniqlo has opened two unique flagship stores in the heart of Manhattan’s busiest shopping
districts in the latter parts of 2011.
At 89,000sq ft, the store at Fifth Avenue and 53rd Street is the company’s largest, boasting 49,800sq ft of selling space. Its 64,000sq ft store in Herald Square is the second-largest Uniqlo store worldwide. Both units are designed to take your breath away.
Shoppers who walk into the Fifth Avenue Uniqlo find themselves canopied under a three-story vaulted ceiling and faced with a sleek staircase accessorised with colour-changing LED lighting. Similar lights and LCD color screens are used throughout the store
to project digital images of men and women modelling what’s currently on sale. A floor-to-ceiling LCD screen forms the middle of a second-floor wall, projecting scenes of New York and Uniqlo associates. Mannequins continuously spin on pedestals, giving
customers a 360-degree view of the styles they are wearing.
Subway ranked as a top brand
With more than 35,800 individually owned and operated locations, this year Subway became the world’s largest restaurant chain in terms of number of locations, and was recently named the top-ranked restaurant brand in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual Franchise 500 listings.
In 2011, Subway opened more than 2,100 restaurants worldwide, including 1,000 new locations just in the US and Canada alone — resulting in approximately 21,000 new foodservice job and career opportunities.
Some of the more unique sites where Subway restaurants can be found include a Goodwill Industries training center in South Carolina, the True Bethel Baptist church in Buffalo, a floating restaurant aboard a river boat in Germany, and the construction site of the new World Trade Center in New York City.
As part of their plans to constantly keep growing, Subway are planning to open around 2,500 stores in 2012.
Disney store expands new design
Disney Store announced that its award-winning store design will be in 12 countries by the end of 2012. More guests than ever before in North America will experience the immersive shopping destination as 13 new and remodelled Disney Store locations are
scheduled to open in 2012, and Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Utah, and Virginia will each receive its first new concept store in the state. A store will also open in Ontario, Canada in Summer 2012.
“We take great pride in bringing the magic of Disney to families around the world through Disney Store experiences,” said Jim Fielding, President of Disney Stores Worldwide. “As we reflect on 25 years of accomplishments, we also look forward to all of the
new and exciting places Disney Store will go in the future and we’re excited to create ‘the best 30 minutes of a child’s day’ for the next generation.”
Genting plans casino & hotel project in Miami, Florida
An ambitious multibillion project could transform Miami into a gambling Mecca to rival Las Vegas.
Developers in Florida are bidding to build one of the world’s biggest casino resorts, which will have 800,000sq ft – more than Les Vegas’s top six casinos combined. The $3.8bn plan, being hatched by Malaysian firm Genting, would create 100,000 jobs and generate $600M in tax revenue for the state.
Recently, the state Senate committee voted to allow the project proposal to be debated by the state’s lawmakers. Currently in Florida, state laws only allowed casino gambling to resorts operated by native American tribes.
Genting had submitted a masterplan which showcased hotels, convention and entertainment centres, restaurants, retail and commercial facilities and residential towers on a waterfront site.
Hilton Hawaiian village resort completes renovations
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort’s $45M makeover of the iconic Rainbow Tower is complete. To celebrate this milestone, the resort is offering a new ‘Fireworks over the Rainbow’ room package that includes oceanfront accommodations along the widest
stretch of Waikiki Beach.
The transformation of all 800 rooms began in April with each room receiving a total makeover, including all furnishings, carpet, wall covering, bathrooms, baths, fixtures, drapery and artwork. Architect and designer Ann Matsunami of Pacific Asia Design Group used the colours of Hawaii as the basis of developing themes for the new rooms: the warm and vibrant colours of the sun, the glow of a day at the beach represented by orange and golds.
The tower’s signature suites, the Duke Kahanamoku Suite and the Niumalu Suite were completed with a total price tag of $1M in upgrades. They now feature contemporary and sophisticated interiors with subtle touches of Hawaiian influence. Jewel tones of sapphire blues and golds recall the shimmering ocean in calm, soothing backgrounds of textured neutrals. A large living area and adjacent dining area and pantry with separate sitting area allow for the perfect layout for hospitality and elegant receptions.
Since its opening in 1968, the Rainbow Tower has become a favorite for guests because of its proximity to the beach and Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon. It features the world’s largest ceramic-tile mosaic spanning 286ft high by 26ft wide on each end of the tower. More than 16,000 colourful tiles were used to complete the mosaic. The tower houses the resort’s culinary landmark, Bali Steak & Seafood Restaurant, as well as the popular oceanside breakfast eatery, the newly renovated Rainbow Lanai.
|
|
