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OUTSIDE THE BOX
NEW RETAIL PERSPECTIVES
!
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iStock
iStock
For any retailer who thinks they’ve had a
hard time with zoning restrictions, consider
McDonald’s which recently opened a
restaurant just outside the Vatican’s St. Peter’s
Square. The company had to suffer some
fire and brimstone from Cardinals who
objected to the Golden Arches 100 yards
from the Pope’s residence. But as it turns out,
the Vatican owns the building and will be
collecting rent of about $33,000 per month.
Instead of using the backroom to store
cartons, mops and carts, retailers could
use the space to grow food. An experiment
in urban farming or “aquaponics”
is taking place in Brooklyn, New York where
several companies are growing tilapia in old
warehouses.
One company called Edenworks is even
using the waste produced by the fish to
fertilize racks of LED-lit vegetable crops.
Local enough for you?
No one can sell just one category anymore. The solution for fast fashion
retailer H&M is a new concept called Arket, which offers a curated
assortment of apparel and home accessories, all of which is offered
at slightly higher prices than H&M. Some Arket stores, opening in
London, Brussels, Copenhagen and Munich, will also have cafes.
Meanwhile the company is planning to open stand alone H&M Home
stores next year.
If you’re wondering what to do with that
little bit of extra space or alcove in your store,
Staples has come up with a unique solution.
The chain is now offering co-working spaces
at their stores in Boston, branded as Workbar
at Staples. It’s targeting millennials and small
businesses with upgraded workstation at
$130 per month for unlimited use. Maybe
supermarkets can sell them lunch or dinner
while they work?
BACKROOM
Branching Out
When
in
Rome
BOUNTY
Spacing Out
| ALABAMA GROCER
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