The links in this week’s issue go to STORES Magazine’s new online home, STORES.org.

With growing passenger volumes, demand is surging for luxury brands and stores in terminals. Barriers to entry, finicky consumer service needs and challenges in labor and operations make the experience of retailing in an airport drastically different, however.

Rainbeau Curves fills a specific niche in the market, targeting plus-size customers looking for vibrant prints and colors. Recognizing the need to engage with its users on social media, the California brand implemented a social advertising strategy that expanded its reach internationally and saw a peak return on investment of 256 percent.

There is nothing stereotypical about the Nike SoHo flagship store: The 55,000-square-foot space raises the bar on multiple fronts, from personalized services to product customization. The company considers the immersive experience of the store a paragon of sports retail’s future.

Swank Boutiques owner Jody Mallonee says the quality of images available from the stores’ surveillance system is so good, she can post pictures of shoplifters on her Facebook page and find out “within an hour” who they are. The system also includes capabilities that allow Mallonee and her employees to monitor the stores remotely.

Everything is bigger in Texas — even the vending machines. Houston is now home to the nation’s largest fully automated coin-operated car vending machine: eight stories tall and capable of holding up to 30 cars.

The home of the extra-cheesy Quesalupa may seem like an unlikely option for the health-conscious, but Taco Bell is on the road to become one of the healthiest fast-food chains.

It’s long been established that children learn by mimicking adult behavior, and that’s never been truer — or easier — than when it comes to electronic devices. Digital assistants like Amazon’s Alexa have facilitated many a clandestine purchase, including by a six-year-old Dallas girl who ordered a dollhouse and a 64-ounce tin of sugar cookies.

The first jewelry retailer to build a brand around man-made diamonds has opened three U.S. locations. Spence Diamonds’ stores are modeled on the technological sophistication seen in Apple or Nike stores, says CEO Eric Lindberg.

The digital edition of STORES’ February/March 2017 issue is now available! The magazine is packed with must-read pieces including the articles featured here.

Americans will spend more than ever as they put on their favorite green outfits and enjoy St. Patrick’s Day with family and friends this year. According to NRF’s annual St. Patrick’s Day survey, more than 139 million Americans plan to celebrate and are expected to spend an average of $37.92 per person. Total spending is expected to reach $5.3 billion — the highest in survey history.

Since starting lingerie e-commerce startup True&Co. five years ago, CEO Michelle Lam and her team have collected and utilized over 130 million pieces of data to transform the way designers approach bra sizing and fit. NRF spoke with Lam about the importance of consumer data, who inspires her and what she has planned for her e-commerce startup.

Retailers are exploring drone-based delivery and inventory management systems, but what about loss prevention? At NRF PROTECT, James A. Acevedo — also known as “The Drone Guy” — will dive into how retail security departments can use drone technology to control costs, improve efficiency, prevent losses and track movement inside and outside the store.

Bestseller A/S, the international fashion group based in Denmark, has selected Centric Software to provide its PLM solution.

OrderTalk Inc., a provider of on-demand software and service solutions to the restaurant industry, has rolled out new state-of-the-art digital ordering capabilities to Cracker Barrel locations in 43 states. Cracker Barrel extended the customized online ordering option nationwide for catering and plans to extend its online offerings soon.

BigCommerce, an e-commerce platform for fast-growing and established brands, announced health and beauty retailers BPI Sports, Design Essentials and Osmotics Cosmeceuticals have selected and successfully migrated their online stores to BigCommerce Enterprise.

YETI, the premium cooler and drinkware brand, has unveiled its first flagship store in Austin, Texas. The brand brought in customer experience firm Mood Media to help create a distinct, engaging atmosphere for its patrons.

Columbus Consulting International, an industry consultancy specializing in retail business processes and systems, announced today that Soft Surroundings, a multichannel marketer and aspirational lifestyle brand offering unique solutions to today’s active woman, has selected Columbus Consulting to lead the business process, design and implementation of the brand’s new allocation and merchandise planning solutions.

Startup Takeoff Technologies Inc., a solution designed to bring fast, full-selection click-and-collect to grocery chains, has selected the Symphony GOLD platform to support its operations.