Strategy

NEW YORK — If you thought Starbucks was everywhere already, wait a few years, as the company has announced plans to open 3,000 more stores in the Americas alone in the next five years.

Senior executives at the company outlined details of its growth agenda across its global retail, emerging brands and CPG channels at its biennial investor conference this week.

Boston -- DJM Realty announced that Josh Podell has joined the company as a specialty retail and outlet consultant.

Podell, who will continue to operate his own real estate consultancy Podell Real Estate Advisors, counts among his retail experience a lengthy stint as VP real estate for Jones Retail Corp., a division of Jones Apparel Group.

Claire’s Stores has opened its first two stores in China, giving the leading retailer of jewelry and accessories a worldwide presence in 39 countries with nearly 3,500 locations.

The company said it opened stores in the DaNing Life Hub and Grand Gateway Mall in Shanghai and indicated that China represents a significant market opportunity for the Claire's brand.　

Redlands, Calif. -- Esri announced Wednesday that the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. has licensed Esri GIS technology and data to provide localized shopping trends data toward supporting the grocer’s commitment to growing its market presence across the Northeast.

London -- Tesco CEO Philip Clarke announced Wednesday that the British supermarket retailer will likely sell or close its entire U.S. presence, which means that 199 Fresh & Easy stores could be shuttered or sold off.

According to multiple reports, Tesco is close to making the decision after five unprofitable years in the U.S. The retailer launched the concept in 2007, confident there was a niche for a grocery store with fresh food offerings formatted in a unique footprint that was smaller than a typical supermarket but larger than a c-store.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group said Wednesday it has acquired Paragon Outlets Grand Prairie in Grand Prairie, Texas, and Paragon Outlets Livermore Valley in Livermore, Calif.

Simon now owns 100% of each asset.

The 417,000-sq.-ft. Grand Prairie center is tenanted by Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Bloomingdale's The Outlet Store, Coach, Cole Haan, DKNY, Hugo Boss, Kate Spade New York, J.Crew, Michael Kors, Nike and Tommy Hilfiger. The center opened in August 2012 and is 100% leased.

Los Angeles -- Multiple reports on Tuesday said that British billionaire and Topshop owner Sir Philip Green is negotiating with Leonard Green & Partners to sell a 25% stake in the TopShop and Topman chains.

The two brands, which would be broken off from Philip Green’s other Arcadia Group retail holdings, are valued at $1.61 billion. An announcement is expected as early as Thursday.

Neither Philip Green nor Leonard Green has commented directly on the impending transaction.

Tesco arrived in the U.S. in 2007 amid great fanfare with its first Fresh & Easy stores. Now, just five years later, the 30 year Tesco veteran in charge of the 200 unit operation is gone and the company is looking to unload the stores.