The Store Blog

Target Gets A Makeover

We saw Target's cosmetics do well during the down economy.  Recently, Target has brought in department store quality brands to their cosmetic aisles.  Some of these products can tend toward department store prices instead of the traditional Target bargain, though they offer many opportunities to sample, and sometimes will bring in professional makeup artists and experts to consult with.  We are intent on seeing how Target performs with these new lines and fresh approach

Sources: Target, Gwen Morrison

-Adena Stein.

Look Out UK Retailers, Here Comes Forever 21!

 
Forever 21 announced that it will open in the Bullring shopping center in Birmingham in July, 2010. Forever 21 has more than 450 stores worldwide, and its affordable fashion for youths will place it in competition with Topshop, River Island, H&M, and New Look in the UK. The store will be the first in Europe, and at 50,000 square feet, it will undoubtedly be a large addition to the value fashion segment.

Sources: DailyClips

- Adena Stein

Walmart Testing New "Virtual Mirror"

Walmart is now testing a new technology system called a 'virtual mirror' to aid in sales of cosmetics.  The mirror uses a digital camera and screen to help the shopper test makeup.  The hope is that this mirror will increase sales, reduce loss on having to throw away tester products.  Ten Walmarts are currently testing the technology, with four mirrors in each store.

Sources: Daily Clips

-Adena Stein

Macy's and Best Buy Become Launch Parters with Shopkick

The latest retail cell phone app, ‘Shopkick’ has recently partnered with both Macy’s and BestBuy in anticipation of its summer launch.  The location-based retail app was created in the hopes of increasing sales by creating personalized offers and suggestions to consumers, product information, and peer reviews. Now retailers will be able to reel in customers and establish stronger-than-ever brand and store loyalty, and also distribute discounts to app holders to boost downloads. The creators and investing partners in Shopkick firmly believe that mobile outreach is the next wave of successful strategies to get customers into the stores.

 

Sources: DailyClips, viewsflow.com, iTunes

- Adena Stein

J. Crew Opens Bricks-and-Mortar Bridal Store

 

On May 27^th, 2010, J.Crew opened its first ever bridal boutique on Madison Ave. in New York City.  The floor includes an appointment-only showroom and four bridal suites complete with two dressing rooms each. The store sells a range of wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses,and tuxedos, and has partnered with Bobbi Brown cosmetics, and jewelry designers like Lulu Frost. They launched a brand new label, 769 Collection, of cocktail dresses exclusively at this J. Crew store. They also carry wedding staples like Cosabella lingerie and Spanx. 

J. Crew has been in the bridal sector since 2004 and this is their only bricks-and-mortar store.

 

Sources: thepreppyprincess blog, NY Times

- Adena Stein

The Power of the Peer

    

In a recent webinar, PowerReviews with The E-Tailing Group focused on 5 Social Shopping Trends and how they will shape the Future of Ecommerce.  Their number one trend with extreme importance was customer reviews. They found that 65% of shoppers use customer reviews in online research and shopping.

This illustrated the importance of generally unbiased opinions of the consumers’ peer. With all the competition and information about products on the internet, consumers are seeking comfort and peace of mind in taking stock of others’ opinions of companies and products in layman’s terms. The E-Tailing Group suggests having links and indicators to reviews all over the website for easy access, and include reviews from a wide spectrum of people: brand experts, product experts, and consumers.

Sources: urbanoutfitters.com, the e-tailing group

- Adena Stein

Fashion = Philanthropy

Gap recently partnered with current and past CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners - Alexander Wang, Rodarte, Sophie Theallet and Thakoon - to create eight original gowns for guests to wear to The Costume Institute Gala Benefit on May 3rd. 

Now these one-of-a-kind collector's items are being auctioned off, with all proceeds being donated to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in support of The Costume Institute.

Gowns can be viewed at Gap at 680 Fifth Avenue in New York City, at gap.com or on facebook. 

Topshop Make Up

Wednesday 5th May 2010 saw the launch of the highly anticipated Topshop Make Up range. Devised by Topshop designer Lizzie Dawson, the Core Collection is made up of main line make up essentials such as bronzer and blusher, while the Trend Collection will issue new styles and colour palates with each season.

Tried and tested by acclaimed make up artist, Hannah Murray, both ranges offer endless colour variations with the current Spring/Summer '10 Collection reflecting the festival spirit and encouraging individuality and experimentation.

Walking into the Oxford Circus store, you are immediately drawn to the huge posters showcasing the make up adorned models. The make up display itself, with large mirrors and round diffuse lights, tends to replicate a film set or professional photo shoot. There are also two permanent "beauty queens" to give advice and professional makeovers. The range, which is competitively priced, will no doubt be another Topshop success story.

Liane Haig, The Store

Take a look at the photographs and Topshop Make Up presentation below:

Download Topshop Make Up

Earth Day 2010

 

Earth Day, designed to promote awareness and appreciation for the planet we inhabit, took place on 22 April. With the current climate change and global environmental challenges, the earth is in greater peril than ever.

This inspired us to take a short trip to the National Geographic Store on Regent Street in London to take a look at what they had done for the Earth Day Campaign and to see what new retail ideas they had in-store.

As part of their awareness campaign, the store broadcasted several documentaries in the Seminar Area, at 5pm during the weekdays and at 3pm on the weekend from 11-22 April. A large blank board was also erected on the 1st Floor where visitors could leave their environmental messages or drawings to portray the importance of looking after the planet in small ways which make a big difference. Inspirational posters were dotted about the shop which gave details and an insight into the importance of Earth Day.

 

 

The store, which won Retail Destination of the Year at the Retail Interior Awards 2009, has kept up its eco-friendly and adventurous image with its innovative displays and earthy designs.

 

 

Having wandered through their “Colours of Africa” exhibition it’s easy to see why one can get completely submerged in the exploration of this space and leave feeling as though you have visited a branch of the Natural History Museum or Art Gallery rather than a retail store.

 

 

 

By Liane Haig, The Store, WPP

GROCERY AT TARGET

Rather than open more SuperTargets, Target is converting existing stores to offer" mini grocery". With fresh meat, limited produce and dairy added to their previous assortment, the mix offers " just enough" to get routine grocery shopping done.

-Gwen Morrison, The Store