Page 10 - February 2022

americas news

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO IS SET TO OPEN AN

EPIC UNIVERSE THEME PARK BY 2025

NBCUniversal’s parent company Comcast has revealed that Epic
Universe, the fourth theme park at Universal Orlando Resort in
Florida, is expected to open by summer 2025. During an investors
call, NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell said: “Epic is full steam ahead. I was
down there a few weeks ago and the construction is going really well.
We expect that park to open in 2025 and certainly in time for the
summer of 2025.”
Epic Universe was originally set to launch in 2023, but work was
paused in spring 2020 due to Covid-19. Construction resumed
in March last year. In an earnings report, Comcast said its theme
parks posted their most profitable fourth quarter on record. This
was down to an increase in attendance and visitor spending at its
attractions in the US and Japan.
Epic Universe will be Universal’s largest theme park in the US.
It will feature lands and attractions based on DreamWorks and
Illumination content, as well as a Super Nintendo World.

RIHANNA’S LINGERIE LABEL SAVAGE X FENTY HAS OPENED ITS FIRST BRICK-AND-MORTAR STORE IN LOS ANGELES, OFFERING A “FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND RETAIL EXPERIENCE” THROUGH
TECHNOLOGICAL ACTIVATIONS AND IN-STORE INNOVATION. AS THE FIRST OF FIVE STORES TO BE OPENED, ITS LAUNCH MARKS THE POPULAR RETAILER’S STRATEGY TO BRING A “FULLER
EXPRESSION OF THE BRAND TO CONSUMERS IN KEY MARKETS”. THE PHYSCIAL SPACE MIRRORS THAT OF SAVAGE X FENTY’S ONLINE IDENTITY AND E-COMMERCE, CONVEYING ITS SOCIAL
COMMUNITY OUTSIDE OF THE DIGITAL-ONLY REALM. THE LAUNCH IS TO BE FOLLOWED BY OPENINGS IN LOS ANGELES, HOUSTON, PHILADELPHIA AND WASHINGTON DC.

CHECKERS & RALLY TO DAVID’S BRIDAL TO GROW
GROW COAST TO COAST ITS STORE PORTFOLIO

The drive-thru restaurant chain is accelerating its growth plans for The bridal and special occasion clothing brand will open two
2022 as it continues to expand nationwide. In 2021, Checkers & Rally stores in the first quarter of 2022, in West Chester Township,
executed 90 new commitments towards new restaurants. Ohio, and at Del Amo Fashion Center Torrance, California.
The company has already approved 60 new franchisee locations The new locations continue the momentum that David’s built
scheduled to open this year and is eyeing continued expansion in in the back half of last year, with new stores in Naperville,
California, Texas, Arizona, Massachusetts, Connecticut and North Illinois, and Clive, Iowa.
and South Carolina. Last month, Checkers & Rally’s unveiled its The West Chester Township and Torrance stores are
“restaurant of the future” design, with the first location expected to strategically located in shopping areas to better reach and
open later this year, in Lakeland, Florida. It has also announced plans serve their new and existing customer base. The opening
to roll out automated voice ordering. of the locations is part of a continuing commitment to
“As we enter a New Year full of new opportunities, our goal is update and improve David’s existing store base and its
to continue our rapid growth and expansion into new markets physical footprint to better serve the modern customer, the
that are currently underdeveloped,” said Kristen McDonald, VP of company said.
Development at Checkers and Rally’s, which has 850 locations. David’s has launched a number of new initiatives during
In addition, the company has announced a 15-store development the past 18 months, including most recently a “Guaranteed in
agreement for Orange County. Stock and Ready to Ship” bridesmaid dress collection.

10 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL FEBRUARY 2022