Page 11 - March 2023 #179

NEWS INBRIEF

SHOWCASE IN RAPID EXPANSION
NEW BALANCE DEBUTS NEW STORE The retailer Showcase, which bills itself as “home
of the hottest trends,” has opened its 150th store
CONCEPT IN BOSTON which is located in Huntington Station in New York.
In the last six months the brand has completed the
New Balance has gone customer-centric in its largest and single expansion in its 29-year history,
hometown. opening 31 stores across 13 states in the Northeast
The athletic footwear giant has opened region of the US.
a new retail concept on Boston’s Newbury
Street that puts people - as opposed to WAREHOUSE RETAILER GROWS
products - at the centre of the consumer BJ’s Wholesale Club is adding to its footprint in the
experience. The Boston outpost is the second Sunshine State. The Massachusetts-based membership
of its kind globally, with the first opening in warehouse club retailer has opened a store in
Guangzhou, China in December last year. Davenport, Florida. It is the company’s 36th store
Designed around a central seating area, the in the state and means there is now a total of 236
store aims to encourage customers to come sites across the US. The new club opens as the brand
together and find their authentic style, the continues its expansion beyond its Eastern home base.
company said.
The new concept features an edited
assortment of products. Visual storytelling COEN MARKETS TO ADD UNITS
accompanies select products, highlighting The convenience and fuel retailer is enabling
the makers and origins behind the items and shoppers to pay for purchases without needing to
illuminating New Balance at the intersection stand in line or scan their items. Coen Markets Inc.
of sport and culture. is launching two checkout-free stores in partnership
DAVE AND BUSTERS BRINGS THE FUN with frictionless shopping startup Grabango at
stores in Oakdale and Southpark, both of which are
TO THE METAVERSE in Pennsylvania.

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment Inc. is add-ons that enable them to personalise BOSCOV’S TO HIT A MILESTONE
offering an interactive customer experience their experience through features such as The family-owned business has announced the
on a popular immersive gaming platform. outfits, pets and accessories. The company signing of the lease on the chain’s milestone
The entertainment/restaurant chain is has worked with agency partner Camelot 50th store, at Meadowbrook Mall in Bridgeport,
opening “Dave & Buster’s World” on the Strategic Marketing & Media and Roblox West Virginia. The unit is the company’s first in
Roblox gaming platform. This metaverse developer Melon to create this new West Virginia, whilst the other 49 can be found
environment enables visitors to play a metaverse experience. in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland,
variety of multi-user games, as well as “Dave & Buster’s is the pioneer in midway Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Ohio.
unlock hidden “secret experiences.” and arcade games,” said Chris Morris,
Dave & Buster’s World includes virtual CEO at Dave & Buster’s. “That creativity
versions of all the attractions from a brick- and innovative spirit continues to drive CHIPOTLE TO LAUNCH FARMESA
and-mortar Dave & Buster’s restaurant. us to explore new ways to expand our Chipotle’s Mexican Grill is set to launch a
Users can purchase power drinks for leadership in interactive experiences for “California-inspired fresh eatery” concept. The
greater speed, strength, and skill in arcade our customers. I am excited for Dave & quick-serve restaurant company has said it is
games, while The Winner’s Circle, Dave & Buster’s to enter this rapidly growing digital opening a new brand, called Farmesa, at Third Street
Buster’s prize shop, has been recreated in space with Dave & Buster’s World.” Promenade in Santa Monica, California. The concept
the metaverse. Founded in 1982, the business is is set to have a soft opening with a reduced menu
Metaverse customers can also trade in headquartered in Coppell, Texas and before its opening later this month.
their tickets for in-game customizations like operates over 200 venues under the two
trails and descriptors, or purchase premium brands Dave & Buster’s and Main Event.

MARCH 2023 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL 11