Strategy

CBRE has widened its footprint in South Florida by buying the business assets of the Brenner Real Estate Group, which has offices in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and Melbourne.   Founded by Scott Brenner in 1987, the company provides leasing brokerage, investment sales, and property management services through more than 20 associates.  

A department store chain is pursuing a new business opportunity.   J.C. Penney now offers business-to-business solutions for operators and facility managers in the hotel and lodging industry, as well as the multi-unit residential industry. And the chain has a few categories that fit the bill.   

Lululemon has named a new chief technology officer.   According to a report in GeekWire, Julie Averill is joining the retailer as its new executive VP and chief technology officer. Currently, Averill is the CIO at REI.  

Harrys of London has a new owner with an interesting portfolio who wants to expand the brand.   The luxury footwear and accessories brand has been acquired by Charles S. Cohen, a New York real estate developer and media entrepreneur. Cohen, who acquired 100% interest in Harrys from Palladin Consumer Retail Partners, will assume the position of chairman. Palladin acquired a majority stake in Harrys in 2014.  

Not one, but two leaders in retail real estate have been named to LinkedIn’s Top 50 Companies list.    CBRE came in at No. 18 and Jones Lang LaSalle at No. 21, ahead of such companies as Adobe, Oracle, and Coca-Cola.   The social media site for professionals determines rankings by interest in a company's jobs, interest in a company's brand and employees, and employee retention among its 500-million-plus members.  

Destination XL Group Inc. posted disappointed earnings and sales in its first quarter, but sounded a confident note that it was back on track.   In its quarterly earnings release, the big-and-tall apparel retailer also refuted a recent report, which it said had been repeated by various media outlets, that called into question the company’s ability to repay its debt.  

David’s Bridal has entered a brand new market.    David's Bridal has partnered with Diltex, a leading manufacturer and retailer of intimate apparel in Mexico, to open its first franchise location in Mexico City. The store opens on Saturday, May 20, 2017.   

Those crazy actin’ and burger-flippin’ Wahlbergs Mark and Donny, along with brother Paul and other family members, have opened at Grand Bazaar Shops on the Las Vegas Strip.   The new center located on Bally’s doorstep and across from the Bellagio picked the busiest intersection Vegas to place a culinary assemblage of the hottest new names in casual dining that are beginning to spread to malls and open-air centers nationwide.