Catching up with … Harrison Contracting’s Sharon Milton

The Director of Facility Maintenance for Harrison Contracting muses on the best time to get things done, the craziest thing that she has ever heard about on a jobsite and the trait she admires most. What’s the most cherished item in your office? My husband custom made several wall art inspirations for my office. My […]

Kohl’s outlines plans for store investments

Kohl’s plans to open about 100 small-format stores over the next four years as part of a plan to enter markets where it doesn’t have a brick-and-mortar retail presence. The retailer also will invest $850 million this year to open 400 more in-store Sephora shops and update stores with features including zones to highlight emerging […]

IKEA to offer solar panels, services in the US

Select IKEA stores in the US will start selling solar panels and installation services this fall in a partnership with California-based SunPower. The products and services will be sold under the “Home Solar” line, which will be available to IKEA Family loyalty program members. CNN

IKEA, H&M create space for London’s creatives

Sweden-based retailers H&M and IKEA have partnered to open Atelier100, a London store aimed at promoting local artisans and products. The store, which was built using recycled materials from a former Topshop flagship, will include workshop space for the creators who will sell their wares in the shop. Retail Gazette

Walmart’s HQ expansion plans feature a hotel

Walmart has unveiled plans for revamping the retailer’s corporate headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., that will include a 153-room AC Hotel by Marriott. The hotel, set to open in 2024, will also boast a rooftop lounge and 6,000 square feet of space for events and meetings, and the plans also call for a fitness center and […]

Circle K embraces AI-powered self-checkouts

Circle K will install self-checkout machines that use artificial intelligence to automatically ring up items at 7,000 locations over the next few years, after testing the machines in 500 of its convenience stores. The technology, from California-based startup Mashgin, is designed to speed checkout by eliminating the need for shoppers to find and scan barcodes […]