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Issue link: https://ccr-mag.epubxp.com/i/190248
iNduStry NewS industry news intheNews retail Toys R us Toys R Us plans to add 900,000 square feet of new, relocated or converted store space through traditional and outlet stores this year. New and converted store space includes conversions at 14 stores in the United States; new, wholly owned stores in 10 countries outside of the United States; and additional licensed stores worldwide, including seven in South Korea. Nordstrom Nordstrom aims to signifcantly expand its presence in the United States and increase its number of Nordstrom Rack stores from 127 to more than 230 by 2016, starting with 24 new stores this year. The concept will make its debut in new markets from Brooklyn, N.Y., to Eugene, Ore., and will tailor its assortments to local tastes as it increases its presence in California, Texas, South Florida and the Chicago area. macy's Macy's will add licensed sports team merchandise from Lids Sports Group at 25 of its U.S. department stores next month and open an additional 175 Locker Room by Lids in-store shops next spring. The shops will sell hats, apparel and other memorabilia associated with professional and college teams, and Macy's will also sell the items online. Lululemon Athletica Yoga wear retailer Lululemon Athletica has mapped a growth plan that calls for opening standalone men's stores beginning in 2016. The retailer already sells men's apparel including golf polos and underwear in its existing women's stores, and sales of menswear account for more than 10 percent of total sales. Aldi Grocery store chain Aldi plans to add 80 U.S. stores per year, while expanding beyond low-income neighborhoods. . Offcemax OffceMax will open its frst OffceMax Business Solutions Center in Chicago this summer. The 3,900-square-foot store will be the chain's smallest store to date and will boast a new format aimed at catering to small-business customers with a mix of offce supplies and services. restaurant Landry's / morton's Grille Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Landry's will launch Morton's Grille, a casual and less-pricey offshoot of its upscale Morton's the Steakhouse, in a community north of Houston next week. Casual spinoffs from high-end steakhouses are catching on with other brands – Del Frisco's Restaurant Group opened the frst Del Frisco's Grille in New York City in 2011, and the chain has since grown to six units. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts predicts a smaller prototype will reaccelerate corporate and franchised unit growth after a quarter in which the company grew revenue and domestic same-store sales more than 10 percent. The chain plans to open 157 smaller U.S. stores by 2017 that will focus strictly on higher-proft retail sales. Caribou Coffee LongHorn Steakhouse Darden Restaurants' LongHorn Steakhouse is testing a more upscale look at one of its locations in Sanford, Fla., with dramatic elements including a stone freplace and brightly colored abstract art inside and an outdoor waiting area that includes a fre pit and fat-screen TV. The new look comes as the chain gears up to compete with larger rivals Outback Steakhouse and Texas Roadhouse, which also are upping their games. Caribou Coffee's moves earlier this year to close 80 stores and rebrand 88 others as Peet's Coffee & Tea will help to better position the brand to stand out and grow in the markets where it is already established. Smokey bones bar & Fire Grill Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill put its growth plans on hold for half a dozen years when the recession hit, but the 65-unit chain has plans to open at least 11 new restaurants in the next two years. One of the biggest challenges when you grow rapidly is how to keep the culture the same and maintain the core beliefs. We have to have the same culture and beliefs, we have to talk the same language and communicate effectively with each other in all departments. – Jack Butorac, CEo of Marco's Pizza, on the retailer's growth strategy with its franchisees 12 CommerCial ConstruCtion & renovation — September : OctOber 2013