BUSINESS NOTES New Store Openings Outpace Store Closings In a Retail Gets Real podcast from the National Retail Federation (NRF), Anjee Solanki, U.S. national director of retail for Colliers, notes that there are more store openings today than store closings. Colliers manages more than 2 billion square feet of retail establishments in the United States. “Not only are new-store openings outpacing store closures, we’re seeing new formats — formats that are highly digitized, smaller in footprint,” Solanki says. “We’re starting to see rent collections bounce back. I’m still extremely bullish when it comes to retail, and I’m excited to say that as an organization here at Colliers, we’re also quite bullish.” Solanki says nontraditional retail such as wellness centers and new pet-store concepts are changing the traditional retail space and inviting customers in. Meanwhile, experiential retailing concepts are maturing. Retail that sparks the five senses — touch, hearing, sight, taste and smell — creates a memorable moment and connection that Solanki describes as the sixth sense of a retail experience.
Department Store’s New “Spokes-character” is a Teacher JCPenney, which turned 120 years old on April 14, is introducing a new spokes-character named Penny James, played by Saturday Night Live star Melissa Villaseñor. James is a mom, teacher and JCPenney superfan described as “the ultimate all-in shopping enthusiast who’s right
at home in her ‘shoppy’ place.” The company was founded in Wyoming by James Cash Penney In a series of ads, James will share “all the reasons to love the JCPenney shopping experience, from modeling fabulous outfits, cozying up with home décor, relaxing with a hair treatment and style, and buying a pair of sassy, JCPenney-red prescription glasses.” Her catchphrase is “Shopping is back!” which allows the company “to spotlight our standout portfolio of private brands, national brands and partnerships, the inclusivity at the heart of our company and product assortments and the work we’ve done as a business to evolve once again,” said VP of Marketing Bill Cunningham, in a statement. Despite its past struggles, the retailer is now focused on providing “diverse, working American families” with “fashion, quality, convenience and value no matter where, when or how they want to shop.” “The character of Penny James is a playful tribute to our customers and what they love about JCPenney,” said Carl Byrd, VP of creative and brand synergy. “We found a dream collaborator in Villaseñor who graciously helped us create an unforgettable and endearing representative of our brand.” Other campaign elements include a brand refresh and a crosscountry tour with James described as a “block party-style celebration with local food vendors, games, music and giveaways” in 12 cities from May to August.
14 April 2022 — EducationalDealerMagazine.com
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