Page 11 - February 2022

americas news inbrief

WALMART UNVEILS NEW AND

UPGRADED STORE DESIGN LOWE’S TO ADD PETCO SHOPS
The company is beginning to look beyond home
improvement and applicanes. Lowe’s and Petco
Looking to put the “wow” in its stores, Health and Wellness Company are partnering
Walmart has unveiled a new, signature on a pilot program to open in-store Petco shops
experience at its incubator location (Store inside Lowe’s locations. The first one will open at
4108) in Springdale, Arkansas. The goal the Alamo Ranch, Texas store this month, with 14
is to make Walmart a destination where additional sites to open by the end of March.
customers want to spend their time, the
company said.
In fall 2020, Walmart introduced the RETAILER GEARS UP FOR 2022
first phase of its store redesign, which Tractor Supply Co. finished the year strong,
was focused on navigation and wayfinding. beating fourth-quarter estimates, raising its
Nearly 1,000 stores have since been dividend and giving upbeat fiscal 2022 guidance.
renovated with the design. The next phase The rural retailer plans to open approximately
of the redesign enhances Walmart stores’ 75 to 80 stores and remodel more than 150
physical, human and digital design elements stores in 2022.
“to inspire customers and elevate the
experience.” Elements include lighting,
space enhancements and dynamic displays. DEAL SIGNED FOR NEW SITES
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop plans to expand throughout
AMAZON TO OPEN FIRST-EVER the Southeast. The Texas-based restaurant group
has signed a 50-store agreement to expand into
PHYSICAL CLOTHING STORE the south with new markets in Alabama, North
Carolina, and Tennessee. Additionally, all 50
locations will feature a drive-thru.
Amazon’s latest store concept has been each item displayed on the sales floor. The
designed to combine the personalisation of format will allow Amazon Style to offer
e-commerce with the immediacy of brick- more than double the number of products PIZZA CHAIN READY TO GROW
and-mortar shopping. offered for sale in a fashion store of its size. Little Caesars Pizza will continue its expansion
The first Amazon Style store will open Using the Amazon Shopping app, in Latin America with plans to add 55 new
later this year at The Americana at Brand, a customers will scan an item’s QR code to restaurants in Chile by 2026. Little Caesars has
lifestyle center in Glendale, California. The see sizes, colours, overall customer ratings opened dozens of locations nationwide and the
approximate 30,000sq ft store, designed to and additional product details. With the tap addition of the new stores will bring the total to
offer a high-tech shopping experience, will of a key shoppers can have the item brought nearly 100 restaurants in Chile.
feature women’s and men’s apparel, shoes to a fitting room. If the customer doesn’t
and accessories. The assortment will feature want to try it on, the item can be sent
“hundreds of brands” chosen by fashion directly to the pickup counter. DINE BRANDS SET TO EXPAND
creators and “feedback provided by millions Amazon Style will feature automated The company will bring IHOP to the English-
of customers shopping on Amazon.com,” technologies and processes used in speaking Caribbean islands. “We’ve seen success
according to Amazon. Amazon fulfilment centres for fast delivery in Puerto Rico and believe guests in this new
Not surprisingly, Amazon Style will of requested items to fitting rooms. Store market are sure to fall in love with the brand’s
distinguish itself from traditional clothing associates will provide customer service, world-famous pancakes and familiar comfort
stores with high-tech flourishes. Most of the deliver items to fitting room closets, foods,” said William Urrego, Regional VP of
clothing will be out of sight and kept in the merchandise the store and help customers Franchise Operations, Dine Brands Global, Inc.
back of the store, with only one sample of at the checkout.

LIFTOFF OPENS
AT AREA15

Launched on 3 February, Liftoff, a panoramic
skyline experience has opened at the AREA15
attraction on the Las Vegas Strip.
Liftoff is an open-air ride providing spectacular
views of the Vegas skyline and mountains. It
joins myriad other experiences at AREA15, an
immersive art, events and entertainment district.
Guests will be strapped into their seat with
their feet dangling in the air, before ascending
to the 130ft summit. Liftoff features lighting and
sound effects to create an immersive experience
for visitors.

FEBRUARY 2022 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL 11