Strategy

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores said Tuesday it has lowered its holiday layaway fee from $15 to $5, saying that the move is in response to customer feedback.

Customers may begin to open layaway accounts under the new fee arrangement on Sept. 15, and it runs through Dec. 14.

According to Duncan Mac Naughton, chief merchandising and marketing officer, Walmart U.S., “this is a direct response to feedback we received since announcing this year's Holiday Layaway program. [It] makes Walmart more competitive in the marketplace.”

Seattle -- Nordstrom said Tuesday it will open two new full-line stores – one in Jacksonville, Fla., and the other in Woodlands, Texas.
 
The Florida store will open at St. Johns Town Center, a Simon Property and Ben Carter-owned shopping center. The 124,000-sq.-ft. store will be two levels and is expected to open in fall 2014.

Bensalem, Pa. -- SB Capital Group, Tiger Capital Group and Great American Group jointly announced Tuesday that, in tandem, they will begin to sell off all of the inventory in the 568 Fashion Bug stores in the United States.

The Charming Shoppes unit will be divested and fully closed.

As part of the process, Fashion Bug has retained more than 5,900 store and district personnel to assist in operating the stores through the completion of the sale process.
 

New York -- As part of its landmark, multi-year, $400 million dollar renovation of Macy’s Herald Square, the department store retailer debuts the Herald Square Café this week.

Located on the second floor with the shoe department, the 1,434-sq.-ft., 45,-seat café will serve Starbucks coffees, chocolates and high-end champagnes.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us said Tuesday that it will waive upfront service fees for its holiday layaway program, kicking off immediately and running through Oct. 31.

The retailer will also remove its minimum purchase requirement, and customers have until Dec. 16 to pick up orders.

Year-round layaway programs will continue, but will have the customary $5 service fee attached.

By Kathy Gersch, [email protected]

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Regency Centers said Friday it is asking Baltimore residents to suggest stores and restaurants they want to open at their local Parkville Shopping Center through an online crowdsourcing platform called Popularise. 

The leasing recommendations will be considered as part of the grocery-anchored center’s renovation, which has begun construction. 

Dallas -- Cypress Equities said Friday that Iconic Salon Suites will open at Village on the Green in north Dallas.

Iconic Salon Suites will occupy a 6,800-sq.-ft. retail space beside Jos. A. Bank, and joins recent additions such as Allstate, Plush Nails & Spa and Chiro One Wellness Centers.

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Brixmor Property Group announced that Rainbow recently expanded from 4,000 sq. ft. to 6,000 sq. ft. at Morse Shores, located on Palm Beach Blvd. in Fort Myers, Fla.

Brixmor, based in New York City, is the owner of Morse Shores.
 

Philadelphia -- Plymouth Meeting, Pa.-based Fameco Real Estate said that it represented Ulta Beauty in a 13,647-sq.-ft. lease at 1619 Walnut Street, the former Westinghouse studio, developed by Vesper Property Group and located in Center City, Philadelphia.

The lease marks Ulta’s first retail location in Center City. It will open a three-level store much like its other signature urban store in Chicago.