Strategy

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, a specialty grocer focusing on fresh, natural and organic foods at accessible prices, is on a roll.

Barely two years out of the gate (the first store opened in April 2014, in Illinois), the Chicago-based company now counts 32 locations throughout the Midwest.

Its aggressive growth strategy calls for 60 stores by 2019. Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana and Ohio are among the states targeted for growth.

Fully customized pizzas tailored to each guest’s liking, served up in minutes. That’s the idea behind PizzaRev, a Los Angeles-based fast-casual pizza chain whose “build-your-own” approach is bringing food customization to a new level.

Deals in “Mind” Games

Brain fitness might seem an unusual specialty for a retailer, but it’s proved a sweet spot for Marbles: The Brain Store.

Founded by Lindsay Gaskins and Scott Brown, the Chicago-based retailer sells games and other items designed to stimulate the brain. It made its debut in 2008, with a kiosk in a local mall. People were intrigued, but they wanted a more engaging shopping experience, said marketing director Hallie Steube.

Fabletics, the online fashion activewear brand co-founded by actress Kate Hudson, is flexing its muscle. The company is adding physical stores to its subscription-based e-commerce model and men’s workout gear to its mix.

It wasn’t all that long ago that the industry was embroiled in the “bricks versus clicks” debate. On one side were the traditionalists, who were sure that online shopping would never really catch on (much less ever occur on a phone). On the other side were the true believers, who had stores going the way of the dinosaur in no time flat.

Fred’s Super Dollar continues to see sales increases as 2016 continues. The company reported Thursday that for the four weeks ending Feb. 27, it saw net sales of $171.1 million, a 12% increase over the same period last year. The announcement follows January’s sales, which also increased 12% over the same four weeks in 2015. Comparable store sales rose 0.8% for the month, compared to flat comps in February 2015.

Toys “R” Us is adding some communications expertise from Best Buy as the toy retailer announced it has named a a new executive VP.

The retailer said Amy von Walter will join the company as executive VP, Global Communications and Public Relations, effective March 14. She will report directly to chairman and CEO Dave Brandon.

Pacific Sunwear of California has hired financial advisors to help deal with its maturing debt, according to The Wall Street Journal.

In 2011, PacSun received a $100 million credit line from Wells Fargo and a $60 million loan from an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital. Both loans will be due in December, the report said.

Similar to other teen retailers, PacSun has been dealing with increased online competition and a shift in teen spending. The company has had three consecutive quarters of declining sales and negative same-store sales.

Kansas City -- Taubman Centers and The Macerich Company announced a joint venture for Country Club Plaza location in Kansas City, Missouri from Highwoods Properties. The mixed-use retail and office property was purchased for $660 million cash, excluding transaction costs. Taubman and Macerich each own a 50% interest in the center.

Philadelphia -- PREIT announced that its recent sale of Palmer Park Mall marked the ninth lower-productivity mall sold by the company since having announced its plans to divest non-core properties in late 2012. These properties generated average sales per sf of $254 at the time of sale. The company also has four additional malls under contract with significant non-refundable deposits. Pro-forma January 31, 2016 portfolio sales per square foot excluding the assets sold or under contract for sale are $451.