July 25, 2008How long will you stand in line?We’ve talked about long lines at stores before, and I came across an interesting poll about line-waiting. It discusses how long customers will stand in line at a store before walking out. According to a poll by Maritz Research, people are more likely to leave a department store because of long waits than other retailers. Seventy-two percent of customers actually have left department stores because the lines were too long, according to the poll. But believe it or not, drugstores scored the lowest, with only 46 percent of customers choosing to leave because of a long line. The research states that it hurts certain retailers more than others if customers become frustrated with long waits. Here’s what Tom Krause, director of strategic consulting for Maritz Research’s Retail Group, had to say about this situation, in a news release. "Specialty clothing stores and department stores have significantly more to lose than most categories if they keep customers waiting longer than expected. Typically these stores are in malls or shopping centers where competitors are plentiful. Plus, among customers who have left due to long wait time, 25 percent say they have not been back to a particular specialty clothing store and 13 percent have not been back to a particular department store.” So, how long will you wait in line before giving up and leaving? For me, it depends on the store and how fast I want to get in and out. And how bad I want what I'm planning to buy! According to this poll, shoppers expect a longer wait at certain stores versus others. Here’s what it says: Respondents indicated that they expect to wait an average of 8.6 minutes at a drugstore, significantly more time than other categories. Mail/shipping service stores averaged 7.5 minutes, while department stores averaged 6.2 minutes, specialty clothing stores averaged 5.7 minutes and convenience stores averaged 3.3 minutes. The longest that I have ever stood in line at a store was 20 minutes and that was getting long! What about you? Can you think of the longest wait that you have had while shopping, and what’s your wait limit? July 21, 2008Openings todayGood morning, blog readers. I’m away on vacation for the week, but you know the drill. You’ll find fresh retail news here each day, so keep reading. 
Puppy Love is located on the mall’s upper level, near Macy’s. Salon del Sol is in the District at Valley View, which is adjacent to the mall. Also, cotton lovers might be interested in a promotion at Valley View. Through Aug. 10, purchase $100 in cotton merchandise and you'll receive a free cotton sling bag. So, if you like the idea of a free bag, start searching out that cotton logo! Check out Valley View's Web site for more details.
July 18, 2008Family Dollar has been revampedFamily Dollars are looking more like grocery stores but without the mega selection. 
The changes are a push by this North Carolina-based discount retailer to appeal to consumers who are looking for convenience and basic goods, from paper products to certain foods. “In looking at how the economy has evolved since last October or November, we really put a focus on those consumable goods that people use every day,” Braverman said. For customers heading to the stores for quick trips, Family Dollars have shifted the placement of certain products to complement others, such as selling plates near the food section, Braverman said. The stores also now are accepting different electronic payments, including credit and debit cards and electronic benefit food stamps. And Family Dollar even is following environmental trends. Tomorrow as part of a celebration of its new look, its area stores, including six in the Roanoke Valley, will give away reusable grocery bags to the first 100 customers. Also, the first 50 people will receive $5 gift certificates. Certain stores discounts will last through Tuesday.
July 11, 2008No more iPhones at local AT&T storesEager for a new Apple iPhone? You won't find one at AT&T's company-owned stores in the Roanoke and New River valleys. These stores sold out of iPhones today, the first day they went on sale, said AT&T spokeswoman Beth Gautier. You'll have to check back in the next week, when the stores will receive fresh inventory, she said. Remember, if you use these new iPhones in Southwest Virginia, your Internet connection won't be as fast as connections in 300 metropolitan areas nationwide, where 3G technology is available. It's not available in Southwest Virginia, Gautier said. But the technology will be expanded to 350 total cities by the end of the year, so Southwest Virginia likely could have it by then, she said. What are your blasts from the past?I know you have them -- good or bad memories of stores and restaurants that no longer exist. For whatever reason, they closed, and they’re not coming back. For example, some people still are lamenting the loss of Hecht’s, which switched over to the Macy’s nameplate in 2006. I’ve heard from a number of shoppers who say they no longer can find their favored brands or style of apparel that only Hecht’s carried. As for me, a restaurant in Staunton, where I grew up, recently closed, and I’m still sad about it. It was the Pullman Restaurant, and it was built in a restored train station in the city’s historic downtown district, alongside the train tracks. Now to you. Comment here with your tales of stores or restaurants that once were in the Roanoke or New River valleys. I’ll blog about the ones with the most mentions. And speaking of retailers closing, The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week that some Starbucks locations already have been notified that they will close by the end of this month. Starbucks will release the complete store closure list next Tuesday. The coffee retailer plans to shut down 600 stores nationwide, though it has not yet identified all of the locations that will close. July 9, 2008Steve & Barry's files for bankruptcySteve & Barry’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today, according to this article in the Chicago Sun-Times. This is the retailer known for its celebrity-endorsed apparel, including Sarah Jessica Parker's "BITTEN" line It’s unclear how many stores could close as a result of Steve & Barry's apparent financial trouble. Locally, this retailer selling inexpensive shoes and largely casual apparel moved into Tanglewood Mall in 2006, taking over a 48,000 square feet space on the shopping center's upper level.
Shopping with your partner: Do you spend more?I like to analyze shopping habits. And if you and your significant other happen to shop together at all, you might find interesting a recent report on this topic. According to a poll in the upcoming September issue of ShopSmart, a consumer magazine, 38 percent of couples spend more money when they shop together, often making joint buying decisions. But if it comes down to one of them making the decision, women take charge. So, how does this relate to your shopping patterns? Do you spend more money when you shop with your partner? Here are some other interesting results from the report, which was conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center: --The majority of couples (84 percent) shop together at least sometimes, and 85 percent always or often stay together while at a particular store. If you agree or disgree with any of these findings, let me know about it and share your shopping stories, too.
July 8, 2008Bears and shoes at Valley View
Also at Valley View's Finish Line store, if you donate gently worn shoes, you can receive $5 off your purchase of a new pair of shoes at this store through July 31. It’s part of a shoe trade-in campaign with Soles4Souls, an international charity that donates free footwear to those in need. But you have to purchase shoes valued at $25 or more to get the discount. July 1, 2008Bedford Lowe's will open next weekLowe’s plans to open its doors in Bedford on July 8 at 7 a.m. This store is located off U.S. 460, near Wal-Mart. The new home improvement store will rise to 106,000 square feet, with an adjacent garden center. The retailer says it will stock 32,000 different items. You can support a good cause on July 10, which is the store’s grand opening. The festivities include a gift card match event. If you buy a Lowe’s gift card, the retailer will match your purchases up to $5,000, to support the Bedford Habitat for Humanity. June 26, 2008Launch Pad launchesIf you're into science, check out a new gift shop at Center in the Square. It’s called the Launch Pad. This store, housed on Center's lower level, used to be a shared space for the art, history and science museums. But the Science Museum of Western Virginia has taken over as its primary operator. It closed the store for awhile to switch up the merchandise to a science theme. The store reopened this week. The selection includes science kits, toys, gadgets and a Rock Sluice, which previously was located in the museum’s fourth floor galleries. For $4 a bag, you receive a mystery bag of gem stones. The upper level of the Launch Pad will be used for different activities, such as summer camps and birthday parties. Museum members and visitors (on the day of your visit) are eligible for a 10 percent discount on purchases at the shop. But the Launch Pad won’t remain at its spot for too long. With Center in the Square’s upcoming renovations, the store may move to an upper level space, possibly in another year, Ferguson said. June 23, 2008Outdoors retail center is bulking upA retail center housing mostly outdoors stores is taking shape in Roanoke County. Tractor Supply Co. opened last weekend. According to the retailer's Web site, Aug. 30 is the grand opening. So, look out for possible discounts and special giveaways that day. Tractor Supply claims to be the largest retail farm and ranch store chain in the country, with 791 locations as of March. It's based in Tennessee. Tractor Supply's Roanoke County store went up adjacent to Gander Mountain, which opened in April off Interstate 81, in the Hollins area. Also, Camping World is slated for this center, though I don't yet know its opening date. Its Web site only states that the Roanoke County store is "Coming Soon." June 9, 2008Skate board shop rolling to new spaceGood morning, everyone! I’m on vacation in Florida this week, but thanks to technology, I’m still blogging. So, keep coming back here and post comments, too. 
By July, it will land a larger space at a strip center that also houses the International House of Pancakes and U.S. Cellular. Kenny Johnson, a retired owner of the Greenhouse who works at the shop occasionally, said finding parking downtown was becoming too difficult for customers. On Saturdays, the store's busiest day of the week, most nearby parking spaces are filled up, said Johnson, whose two sons, Lee and Daniel, now own the Greenhouse shops in Roanoke and Blacksburg. Johnson said the Blacksburg store’s sales are growing, while in Roanoke, they are not. He blamed the sales drop-off on a lack of convenient parking options. At the Greenhouse's new Valley View Boulevard space, “we have parking right in front of us now,” he said. Photo by Roanoke Times photographer Jared Soares June 3, 2008Reflecting on the Slate Hill visionYou may have read a story in today’s newspaper about developer Jim Smith’s plans at a prominent area in Roanoke County, called Slate Hill. Several years ago, this hillside was cleared for what eventually is supposed to be retail and commercial space. According to the story, Smith said he's moving along with plans for a hotel for this location, though he didn't state the name of a specific hotel, so it's unclear where he actually is in the process. Also, he mentions that several retail and restaurant prospects are in the works. Initial plans call for 200,000 to 250,000 square feet of retail. I don’t know about you, but I’ll believe it when I see it! Some of the retailers that Smith has considered as Slate Hill prospects are Filson outdoor suppliers, Smith & Hawken garden and outdoor furniture and The Company Store. The Company Store recently had a Towers Shopping Center location, but it pulled its merchandise from that store to focus on a similar retail concept, Domestications. Smith did mention in the story that many retailers aren’t in expansion mode right now. That’s likely related to a challenging economy. I’m interested in what stores or restaurants you think would do well at Slate Hill. Talk away! June 2, 2008Summertime at Valley View
On July 14, Puppy Love is supposed to open its doors on the mall's upper level, near Macy's. This new store will sell puppies, kittens and pet supplies. Build-A-Bear Workshop will open in early August. According to a mall map, this retailer is set to land in the former spot of Bombay Co. on Valley View's upper level. Also, Salon del Sol is coming this summer to the District at Valley View, though an opening date isn't set, according to the mall's Web site. This new store will carry Aveda hair and skin care products and makeup, as well as offer manicures, pedicures and spa packages. In case you didn't catch one of my latest retail columns, Natural Market Nature's Outlet is another new store planned for the District at Valley View. Look for this retailer to debut in August, selling dry health foods and beverages, including organic beer and wine. Natural Market is owned by the Nature's Outlet chain, which has stores in the Roanoke Valley and Martinsville. May 27, 2008Spending money downtownI’m back after a long Memorial Day weekend, and I hope your weekend was enjoyable. I recently found out about a new way that Downtown Roanoke Inc. wants to draw people to spend money, and it will kick-off this summer. Beginning in July, this organization will be selling gift certificates for use at certain downtown shops and restaurants. You won't be able to cash in these certificates, but if you spend some of the value, you’ll receive the remainder back in cash. Once the certificates are turned in for redemption, DRI will pay merchants the face value in cash. The certificates will expire after one year. You can buy them from DRI and possibly at other locations, though the group doesn’t yet know what those will be yet. I'll let you know the locations once they're announced. May 23, 2008An informal investigation into long linesI usually don’t mind waiting in line at the store. But lately, I’ve hit some pretty long waits at a local Wal-Mart. I’ve walked in between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on some weekdays, and only two or three cash registers are open (not including the self check-outs or the "10 items or less" registers). Lines of people pushing packed carts are looped in a zig-zag pattern at each cash register. There’s hardly room to get by them or to actually get in line. I realize that many retailers shut down some cash registers later in the evenings, but I consider 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. still to be early. I caught up with Mike Young, the market manager for Wal-Mart stores in this region, to ask him why so many cash registers have been closed lately. His answer is interesting. He said the daylight savings time shift likely has changed shopping patterns. The stores usually plan their shifts according to their busiest times. So, in the winter, when it was dark earlier in the evening, fewer people shopped after 6 p.m., and Wal-Mart planned its staff accordingly. Now, since it’s light outside until at least 8 p.m., people are out later and perhaps the store hasn’t adjusted, Young said. He also explained that every Wal-Mart is different. For example, the Bonsack Wal-Mart typically sees one of its largest rushes of the day at 1:30 p.m. That’s when lots of parents stop by for groceries and other items before they pick up their children at nearby elementary schools, which let out in the mid-afternoon. Continue reading "An informal investigation into long lines" » May 21, 2008Heads up on two openingsI have news on two store opening dates coming up next week and this summer.  Also, I nailed down a potential opening month for Kroger’s new store under construction on U.S. 460 in Bonsack. It may open as early as July, said Carl York, a Kroger spokesman. York also said Kroger is not announcing details yet about a new fuel center that appears planned for Towers Shopping Center. Last week, the grocery chain filed site plans with Roanoke City to build a five-pump gasoline station at the corner of 23rd Street and Brandon Avenues. That area is just below Towers. Kroger has a store on Towers lower level. May 20, 2008What kind of shopper are you?You've posted interesting comments about the pros and cons of catalog shopping. Some people think it’s more enjoyable to flip through a catalog, with its colorful images, than to browse a retailer’s Web site. Have you ever thought about how you shop? I ran across a survey by a women’s marketing communications firm in North Carolina, Frank About Women, which discusses whether fewer people are shopping for pleasure in this economically challenging time. From 2005 to 2008, the number of mission shoppers has doubled, while social shopping has decreased. If you’re a mission shopper, you like to get in and out of a store quickly, shopping with a checklist and making practical spending decisions, according to this group. Social shoppers like to shop with friends or family, and for them, shopping is an experience. So, what kind of shopper are you and have your shopping patterns changed? Here are some other shopper classifications, according to Frank About Women: I fall into several of these shopping types. While grocery shopping, I tend to be a mission shopper. While at the mall on my own time, I'm a feel-good shopper, but on weekends or out-of-town trips with family or friends, I fall in the social shopper category. May 16, 2008Who shops with catalogs?
As I left Swedwood, though, one of the heads of the operation handled me a thick IKEA catalog. It’s 371 pages of sofa, tables, chairs and all other kinds of home furnishings and accessories. But it got me thinking, how popular are catalogs anyway? I typically go to a retailer’s Web site to browse selections and make purchases. I rarely consider flipping through catalogs. Long ago, it seemed that every retailer, especially department stores, had its own glossy catalog. Now, they're not as easy to find. Do you use catalogs to shop? And what do you like or dislike about them? May 14, 2008Wal-Mart news likely nixes plans for new retailThe news today that Wal-Mart has bagged its plans to build a supercenter in Clearbrook may have dealt a blow to some retailers that were eyeing Wal-Mart’s current spot on U.S. 220. The traditional Wal-Mart store on U.S. 220, located about a mile and a half north of the proposed Clearbrook site, would have closed if a supercenter went up. Rumors and input from some local retail experts surfaced last year that at least one major chain that’s not already in the Roanoke Valley was considering Wal-Mart’s current spot in the Hunting Hills Plaza, since the big box retailer planned to leave. Now that Wal-Mart has renewed its lease and canceled its supercenter plans, this same space no longer is the running for new retail. Click here to read the Wal-Mart story. May 2, 2008Linens 'n Things will close two Virginia storesLinens 'n Things plans to close two stores in Northern Virginia, along with 118 others nationwide, because it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. These stores include one at Potomac Mills Mall in Prince William and another at Tyson's Corner in Vienna. There are no Linens 'n Things locations in the Roanoke Valley, though I'm sure many of you have shopped in these stores elsewhere. This could be the reason that department store chain, Kohl's, said recently that its home section is lagging behind its other departments in performance. May 1, 2008Kohl's is cutting back on new storesFor all of you who are longing for a Kohl’s department store to open in the Roanoke Valley, a recent announcement from the retailer may dash some hopes. Kohl’s told its shareholders Wednesday that it’s scaling back its store openings nationwide this year and for several more years. It plans to open 70 to 75 new stores this year, compared to earlier projections of 90 new locations. It's also pushing back other expansions from 2009 to 2012 or 2014. The retailer is blaming a tough consumer spending climate on dire predictions for new stores. Rising gasoline prices and grocery and health care costs are some of the factors. Of course, this news doesn't mean that a Roanoke Valley location isn't already in the works, but it's a reminder that economic challenges are impacting retailers' plans. Read this article for more detail. It’s interesting that Kohl’s home segment, which includes pillows and blankets, has been hit the hardest with lagging sales, according to the story. Accessories are performing the best. Kohl’s still is No. 1 on MyRetailRoanoke.com, a Roanoke city operated Web site on which people can vote for the stores they’d like to see come to this area. April 25, 2008NTelos plans to open new storesI have a news tidbit about Keagy Village, a retail center under construction in Southwest Roanoke County that’s far behind schedule. In addition to Bonefish Grill and Scottrade, the center is getting an nTelos store. A spokesman for nTelos, a wireless service provider, told me this week that the Waynesboro-based company is landing a store at this retail center at the corner of Keagy and Electric roads. There's still no word on an anchor store for Keagy Village. Also, I've reported that Starbucks has axed its plans to land at the center. NTelos is coming to another retail center that’s in the works in the Bonsack area of Roanoke County. Kroger is landing its largest area store at this center, named Kroger Square at Bonsack. Some other shops will be headed there as well. Find out which ones are coming in my retail column in this Sunday’s Business section. April 18, 2008Gander Mountain opens next weekGander Mountain will open its new Roanoke County store on Tuesday, in case you missed a blurb about it in today’s Business section. This will be the outdoor retailer's fourth Virginia location. It already has stores in Winchester, Richmond and Fredericksburg. The local store is landing off the Interstate 81 exit near Hollins. May 2 will be its grand opening day, when there will be give-aways and appearances from outdoors celebrities. Stay tuned to Gander Mountain's Web site for details about those events.
April 16, 2008Hokie retailToday marks the one-year anniversary of the shootings of 32 students and teachers at Virginia Tech. Last year, people flocked to local sports stores to snatch Virginia Tech t-shirts, ties, hats and anything else that they could find to memorialize the tragedy. Many stores sold out of Tech merchandise by the end of that week. A year later, merchandise that reflects the tragedy still is moving off shelves, but it's a different mix. Bryan Daniel, a manager at B&C Sports Collectibles in Lynchburg, told me today that New York Yankee hats with the Virginia Tech logo lately have been selling faster than most other Hokie merchandise. The hats have been popular since the Yankees traveled to Blacksburg for a March exhibition game with the Virginia Tech baseball team, he said. The Yankees scheduled the game to support and lift the spirits of the Virginia Tech community. Likely because of the anniversary of the shootings, there has been a slight up-tick in sales of general Virginia Tech items at B&C stores in Roanoke and Lynchburg in the last week, Daniel said. Some inexpensive options are $5 t-shirts that B&C stores have been selling since Christmas. The store ordered the maroon shirts with only the VT logo in the middle “purposely to sell at a low price,” Daniel said. April 10, 2008Economic impact mixed among local retailersRetailers reported dismal sales results for the month of March nationally, according to this story. In the Roanoke Valley, the results are mixed. Stores like the Herb Cellar, a gift and clothing shop at Townside Festival Center in Roanoke, told me last month that its sales have been noticeably slower. It was holding some close-out sales for winter merchandise, but the store did not have any other major promotions planned to attract customers to spring merchandise. “We’re just trying to hold our own,” said store manager Pete Brooks. Herb Cellar has been in business for 12 years. Other store owners have said that sales are steady or better than ever. It’s difficult to establish a clear trend in the Roanoke Valley, but I’ve been keeping my eye on special promotions and incentives offered at area stores, including restaurants. Likely, much of these efforts are happening to drive up sales. One such event is going on at Valley View Mall this weekend. Starting on Friday through Sunday, if you spend at least $100 at mall stores, excluding department stores, you will receive a $10 American Express gift card. The catch is that you have to be one of the first 500 shoppers to present your same-day sales receipts for this amount. It’s not unusual to see sales and promotions at Valley View from time to time. But this one seems different than others, because it requires customers to spend a certain amount before they’re eligible for the prize. Let me know what new promotions you've noticed lately at local stores and restaurants. April 9, 2008Stuffed animals and teeth whitening at Valley View
You'll likely see work soon to prepare for Build-A-Bear. Recently a building permit for the space was filed with Roanoke City. Also, Valley View is becoming a one stop shop for many services other than shopping, including bleaching your teeth. BleachBright, a company that offers teeth whitening services, has landed permanently in an area at the mall’s Marble Court, near Abercrombie & Fitch, states Valley View’s Web site. I don't know who would want to have their teeth whitened while sitting in the middle of the mall, but there must be some strategy for this business to be there. BleachBright has locations at other shopping centers, according to its Web site. A Valley View spokeswoman wasn’t available to comment. April 8, 2008What's in store near Gander MountainSome questions have come up about what else is planned near the site of a Gander Mountain store that’s supposed to open this month in Roanoke County. Below is an excerpt from one of my previous Sunday columns in The Roanoke Times about other stores that we can expect to see at this outdoors themed retail area off I-81, near Hollins University. Hopefully, there will be more news soon about what restaurants will land there. Retail Roundup: April 7, 2008Saving the environment while you shopI blogged about some Earth Day initiatives about a week and a half ago, and here are more to add to your calendar this month. More than ever before, it seems that retailers are using Earth Day on April 22 and much of this month as an opportunity to push environmental causes. Willow Grove at The Forum in Roanoke County: 
The bags will sell at Macy's stores for $3.95, and $1 of that purchase benefits the foundation. Also, for discounts on spending, you can buy a $5 ticket beginning on April 20 for a shopping event that will take place on April 26 and 27. On those days in stores and online, men’s, women’s and children’s merchandise and accessories will be 20 percent off. Home items will be discounted 19 percent. Ticket proceeds also will benefit the foundation. April 3, 2008Relief in the high definition warThe high definition movie format war finally is over. You may be one of the many who is trying to figure out what to do with your Toshiba HD DVD player now that Sony’s Blu-ray machine has won out. Toshiba players no longer will play new movies. Even if you didn’t buy your HD DVD player from Best Buy, the retailer is marketing its trade in center as a way for consumers to receive an estimated value of their HD DVD players and movies. Keep in mind that you still can play existing HD DVD movie titles on these players. Also, for much of the month of March, Circuit City extended its return period for HD DVD players to 90 days, rather than 30 days. For returns, customers can receive a refund for the purchase price in the form of a Circuit City store credit. Let me know if you plan to return your HD DVD player or if you're on the hunt for a new Blu-ray machine. April 2, 2008$4 prescriptions at KrogerKroger now is charging $4 for 30-day supplies of some prescription generic drugs at its stores across the Mid-Atlantic region, including its Roanoke Valley locations. The new price applies to more than 300 generic drugs. Some of these generic medications treat conditions such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease. Click here for the full list of medications and pharmacies. These prices, following similar initiatives by big box retailers to provide discounts on generic drugs, are available at Kroger’s 126 stores in the Mid-Atlantic. Kroger also said Wednesday that its pharmacies are offering generic versions of family planning drugs, including Ortho Cyclen, Ortho Tri Cyclen and a fertility drug. April 1, 2008O'Reilly moves in on Advance AutoRoanoke’s Advance Auto Parts could face some competition for its spot as the second largest auto parts retailer in the country. O’Reilly Automotive, which is the No. 3 player, said today that it will purchase CSK Auto, an auto parts chain with a strong West Coast presence, particularly in California. The O’Reilly acquisition of CSK will give the chain about 3,200 stores nationwide. That’s not far from Advance’s 3,261 stores. AutoZone still remains the No. 1 auto parts retailer with 4,000 U.S. stores. Several months ago, some analysts questioned whether Advance would try to buy CSK instead of O’Reilly. Now that the deal is complete, Advance may have lost out on a chance to expand its footprint. “From a competitive standpoint, we believe the O’Reilly/CSK Auto merger would keep Advance Auto Parts out of the West Coast market or at least the next 10-15 years,” said analyst Cid Wilson, in a research report. Check out this story for more details about the merger. March 31, 2008Realities of retail reportingHappy rainy Monday to you. You may have read a story that I wrote last week about the possibility of a retail development coming to an area along I-581 and Hershberger Road, near Valley View Mall. A Wisconsin developer, Continental Properties, apparently has been contacting residents in a small community off Ordway Drive, related to its desire to land new retail in this area. Continental is known for building retail centers that carry Kohl’s and Costco. I called Costco related to this story, and a spokesperson returned my call on Friday, after the story was published. A spokesperson for this discount warehouse retailer said the company would not discuss future plans for new stores. Kohl’s said the same thing, and I reported that in the story. As the world of retail reporting continues to unfold for me, I’ve learned not to expect national retailers to say much, if anything, about their future plans for new sites. They’re really not obligated to divulge details if a lease isn’t signed, and many are afraid to give away secrets to the media for fear that a deal could fall apart. But if you read between the lines, these retailers often do not say whether or not they are considering an area. They just state in a typical corporate speak that a certain area is not in their immediate store opening plan. So, I mention all of this to say that Kohl’s and Costco could very well already be scouting the Roanoke area for potential stores. But likely we won’t find out that news directly from them. March 17, 2008Claire V. handbags headed for airportUPDATE: Laura Bradford Godfrey will appear at the Roanoke Regional Airport today earlier than previously announced. She'll now be there from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to show off her Claire V. handbags, which are the newest additions to the airport's Hudson News shop. It’s official. A Roanoke handbag company’s creations are landing at Roanoke Regional Airport. 
Tomorrow the handbags will debut at Roanoke’s Hudson News shop. Godfrey will be there from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to kick off the sale. There also will be some giveaways, so it's a good chance to snag for free one of Claire V.’s trendy purses or larger bags. In case you don’t know about Claire V., the company designs silk handbags, and last year it launched a line of baby clothing. Its items are handcrafted by land mine victims in Cambodia and those who are handicapped or living in rural provinces. Claire V. donates 10 percent of the proceeds from its sales to education and health initiatives for women and children in Southeast Asia. Its bags have received national recognition with appearances on ABC’s Desperate Housewives and in some publications, such as Lucky Magazine and InStyle Magazine. March 14, 2008Domestications refines its Roanoke identity
Domestications/The Company Store, which opened on the shopping center’s upper level in 2006, is selling off much of its Company Store merchandise to focus on its Domestications line. Domestications sells bed and bath supplies and home accessories, under HanoverDirect, a catalog retailer based in New Jersey. You may recognize other catalog and Internet retail concepts under HanoverDirect, including The Company Store and Silhouettes. The change is happening in Roanoke, because The Company Store has two retail locations in Wisconsin. There was a need to focus on Domestications locally, said Pete Bather, who is vice president of marketing for The Company Store and Domestications. “From a branding standpoint, it’s a clear message to Roanoke that they know what the store is for,” he said. The Company Store's selection of bath, bedding and home products is similar to Domestications' offerings. The Roanoke store is the only Domestications retail location in the country. It landed here because Roanoke houses a distribution center for HanoverDirect. Now is a good time to head to this store if you're looking for quilts, down comforters and other bedding selections. All Company Store merchandise, which takes up the right side of the store, is 75 percent off. |