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OUTSIDE THE BOX NEW RETAIL PERSPECTIVES

Being a retail icon doesn’t shield you from losing sales to online sources. What’s to do? Sell some real estate. This is what Lord & Taylor, the 114-year-old retailer did. The retailer, which has been operating on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue since 1914, sold its 12-story flagship building to WeWork, operators of shared work spaces. L&T and its parent Hudson’s Bay Co., is using the proceeds to pay down debt. Not a bad deal since the building appraised for $650 million a year ago was sold for $850 million. Strategic Sales

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SWEATING IT OUT In an effort to attract younger women, UK-based Debenham’s department stores are installing in- store gyms called Sweat! In three stores, offering studios for spin classes and aerobics, free weights and other equipment. The move will also enable the chain to take advantage of cross-marketing opportunities.

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ROOM FOR

When one part of your business is slowing down what do you do? Look for something else to pick up the slack. That’s exactly what WHSmith, the retail chain with locations in airports, railroad stations, hospitals, and even post offices, did as the magazine and newspaper business became more challenging. Their answer is to expand its food-to-go business with its Munch line of healthy snacks and convenience foods and is beefing up a new format with M&S Food-To-Go. ON-THE-GO

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It’s been said that the hardest part of supply chain logistics is the last 100 feet. Amazon.com has come up with a delivery solution that consists of taking over package rooms at large apartment buildings in order to get products to consumers more efficiently. The company has reportedly signed contracts with apartment owners and managers of about 850,000 units to install Amazon lockers, many of which were available before the peak holidays. Apparently, packages, not building maintenance are the landlords’ biggest problem.

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