Strategy

Deerfield, Ill. – Walgreen’s is planning to build a new store on the East Baltimore medical campus of Johns Hopkins University. The store will be developed according to the Walgreens Web Experience format and offer the retailer’s first in-store Take Care health clinic in the state of Maryland. Walgreen’s and Johns Hopkins announced a collaboration in May 2011.

SPARKS, Md. — McCormick & Company reported sales and profit results for the second quarter ended May 31, at which time the company completed its acquisition of Wuhan Asia Pacific Condiments, a leading bouillon manufacturer in central China.

Workforce management tools can help with compliance, control costs

As an industry with one of the largest populations of part-time workers, retail stands to be hit the hardest by the changes required by the Affordable Care Act. Yet as retailers start planning, many of them simply don't know how to comply, and what the long-term effects will be. Unfortunately, there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution, and employers will have to carefully select a strategy that is right for them.

New York -- The Lam Group has chosen Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF) Retail and Hospitality Services to lease the 100,000-sq.-ft. retail portion of a mixed-use project in the NoMad neighborhood of New York City.

The 400,000-sq.-ft. project includes two 300-room hotels with meeting spaces, wellness facilities, multiple food and beverage outlets and retail space.

Boucherville, Quebec - Canadian home improvement retailer Rona Inc. is closing 11 non-profitable stores as part of a broader restructuring plan. Rona will also reduce administrative, marketing, merchandising and distribution expenses and eliminate 125 administrative jobs. In February 2013, Rona cut 200 jobs.

Rona rejected an unsolicited $1.72 billion USD buyout offer from Lowe’s in August 2012.

Lexington, Mass. - Stride Rite Children's Group has opened its latest “Milestone” concept store at Easton Town Center in Columbus, Ohio. The Milestone concept includes features such as shelves at varying heights so children can easily see all of the styles available, a dedicated “Fit Station” where children can get their feet measured and find out how tall they are by standing against the Fit Totem Pole, rainbow carpeting and a more open floor plan.

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Donuts plans to start offering gluten-free bakery items by the end of this year. Participating U.S. Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants will have the option to offer certified gluten-free bakery products, including a new gluten-free cinnamon sugar donut and a gluten-free blueberry muffin. Both items are certified gluten-free by the Gluten Free Certification Organization, prepared in a dedicated facility and individually packaged.

Philadelphia -- Madewell, a J. Crew concept, has signed its first lease in Center City Philadelphia, according to broker Fameco Real Estate. The 4,000 sq.-ft. store will be located near Rittenhouse Square. Neighboring retailers include Intermixx, Burberry, Athleta and Blue Mercury. Fameco and Open Realty Advisors both represented Madewell in the transaction.

Both brokers are also representing searching for a 2,500-sq.-ft. location for J. Crew Men on Walnut Street in Philadelphia.