Page 11 - November 2020

americas news inbrief

MEIJER HAS CONTINUED THE EXPANSION OF FLORIDA BECOMES FIVE BELOW’S

ITS SMALL-STORE GROCERY CONCEPT NUMBER TWO MARKET NEW AQUARIUM TO LAUNCH
Set to launch in the Spring of 2021,the aquarium
will be operated by Blue Zoo. Occupying a space
The 37,000sq ft Capital City Market is located in downtown The pandemic has not interfered with Five of 16,000sq ft, the new Blue Zoo Aquarium
Lansing, Michigan, on the first level of the new mixed-use Block600 Below’s aggressive expansion plans in the will be located on the first floor of the Mall
development. It offers a wide assortment of fresh and prepared foods, Sunshine State. Thirty new store openings in of Louisiana. The opening is critical for the mall
including bakery items, fresh meat, deli offerings and an international 2020 gives the brand 93 locations in Florida, given that now more than ever traditional retail
food aisle. Meijer and national brand products are featured, along making it the brand’s second most covered continues to struggle amid Covid-19.
with an estimated 3,000 local, artisan items. state after Texas with 109.
The new market, the third that Meijer has opened, also boasts a Five Below’s expanded footprint there
coffee shop with a full functioning coffee and espresso bar and a beer, includes malls, town centres and outdoor SAME-DAY DELIVERY AT BELK
wine and liquor counter. shopping centres. New locations include The department store retailer will now offer
The design of Capital City Market was inspired by the local culture Southland Mall and Mall of the Americas in same-day delivery for any orders placed directly
in Lansing’s downtown Stadium District. The store features six the south-east, Century Town Center and via their website. Operating 300 stores across
garage-style doors that open to an outdoor fresh produce and floral The Loop in central Florida, and Bay City 16 states, customers are now able to utilise a
area. One side of the market has an oversized mural of vibrantly- Point and Shoppes at Paradise Bay in the same-day delivery option, with a Belk personal
coloured produce. Panhandle. shopper filling the order and delivering by 9pm.
Meijer unveiled its neighbourhood grocery format in 2018, opening Most of the new stores conform to its
Bridge Street Market in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 8,500sq ft prototype, but some were larger
to fit in particular centres. RETAILER GROWS FOOTPRINT
Dick’s Sporting Goods continues to expand its
DOLLAR GENERAL TO LAUNCH NEW, nationwide footprint and add new concepts
to its store portfolio. In October, they added
MORE UPSCALE STORE CONCEPT 11 new stores and also began the opening of a
limited number of Soccer Shops, which are being
billed as “a new, elevated soccer experience”.
Dollar General is launching a new retail ranging from $50,000 to $125,000 the
concept aimed at a more upscale shopper company announced.
than its namesake stores but one that is just The new concept leverages Dollar SMOOTHIE BRAND ON TRACK
as appreciative of a bargain. Genral’s merchandising learnings and real The fast-casual chain has now opened 75 new
The discounter’s new format, called estate and operational excellence, but locations across the US so far this year out
Popshelf, will feature a non-consumable offers a different shopping experience. of a plan to open 85. Tropical Smoothie Café
merchandise mix that includes seasonal and Merchandise will be continually refreshed opened their first location in 1997 and ever
home décor, health and beauty essentials, and include seasonal specials and limited- since the launch of this store, customers have
cleaning supplies, party goods, crafts and time items. The interior has a bright, enjoyed their unique and refreshing smoothies.
more. Nearly all – 95 per cent of the items colourful look, with bold graphics and a
are priced at $5 or less. Stores will average purple and white colour scheme.
about 9,000sq ft. “We are excited to introduce Popshelf WINN-DIXIE IS SET TO EXPAND
Popshelf will make its debut in the from a position of strength, further The company is going to open four stores this
HOME FURNISHINGS RETAILER ARHAUS HAS UNVEILED A NEW FORMAT THAT SPECIALISES IN INTERIOR DESIGN AND CUSTOMISATION SERVICES. THE FAMILY-OWNED AND month in its home state, with more to come.
OPERATED HOME FURNISHINGS RETAILER HAS OPENED ARHAUS STUDIO, IN CARMEL, CALIFORNIA. THE NEW CONCEPT MARKS THE COMPANY’S NEW STRATEGY AND APPROACH coming weeks, with two locations near highlighting our innovative spirit and
TO BRINGING ARHAUS INTO THE HEART OF LUXURY COMMUNITIES. ARHAUS STUDIO OFFERS A SERVICE-FIRST APPROACH TO THE SAME HANDMADE FURNITURE AND DÉCOR THE Nashville, Tennessee in Hendersonville building on our proven track record of Southeastern Grocers, parent company of Bi-Lo,
BRAND IS KNOWN FOR, BUT WITH A SMALLER STORE FOOTPRINT AND MORE INTIMATE SETTING. EACH STUDIO WILL HAVE ITS OWN TEAM OF DESIGNERS. and Clarksville. Dollar General expects to store format innovation,” said Todd Vasos, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-
open approximately 30 locations in various CEO, Dollar General. “We have leveraged Dixie grocery stores, has announced plans
CHARMING CHARLIE NEW FURNITURE markets by the end of next year. Popshelf robust consumer insights to create a unique to open four Winn-Dixie stores throughout
Florida on 11 November.
will be targeted towards suburban women
store that we believe will resonate with
MAKES ITS COMEBACK CONCEPT TO LAUNCH with a total household annual income new customers.”

Women’s apparel and fashion accessories retailer Charming Charlie Loves Furniture & Mattresses has announced its first locations.
is back in business months after closing its 261 locations nationwide The retailer, which was established this year when it purchased
and selling its trademark at a bankruptcy auction. the inventory and assets of 27 Art Van Furniture, Levin Furniture
The retailer has opened a location at Cumberland Mall in Atlanta and Wolf Furniture stores, will make its debut with two locations,
and the store is housed in an original Charming Charlie site and Pittsburgh and McMurray in Pennsylvania.
features the brand’s signature colour-grouped displays of apparel, Additional stores are due to open in the coming weeks, and
handbags, jewellery, gifts, shoes, scarves and more. the company has said it is currently hiring to support 31 locations
The company plans to roll out additional retail locations in markets across Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan.
across the US during late 2020 and early 2021 respectively. The next The Loves Furniture & Mattresses stores will carry an array
Charming Charlie opened in early October at Towson Town Center of home furnishings, including mattresses, sofas, loveseats, dining
in Towson, Maryland. furniture and more, with both name brands and exclusive ones
Charming Charlie filed for bankruptcy in July 2019 - its second availalbe across all price points. A rotating selection of seasonal
filing in two years - and subsequently shuttered its 260 locations accessories will be featured in a designated “Loves Treasures” area. explore...
and e-commerce site. Company founder Charlie Chanaratsopon Customers will have the option to choose how they want to
acquired the chain’s trademarks at a bankruptcy auction in fall 2019, shop - either independently, or with the assistance of employees
with plans to revive Charming Charlie as an omni-channel retailer. who will provide support in-person or online.

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