Development/Redevelopment

Retailers and developers from around the country are preparing to attend the International Council of Shopping Centers’ New York deal-making convention in New York City on Dec. 6 and Dec. 7. Chain Store Age talked with Ivan L. Friedman, president and CEO of New York City-based retail real estate advisory firm RCS Real Estate Advisors, about what the industry has in store for the New York show and beyond.

As retailers prepare to attend the New York deal-making show in early December, how would you describe the current state of retail?

New York - Anne Fontaine has opened a store at South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, Calif.  The 1,510 –sq.-ft. shop is based on the company’s New York flagship designed by architect Andree Putman.

The new store combines natural materials and textures that embody the essence of Fontaine’s love of modernity and nature.

"The concept behind the shop is simple; to experience a little bit of the French lifestyle," said designer Anne Fontaine

New York City -- Forest City Ratner Cos., a subsidiary of Cleveland-based Forest City Enterprises, announced Thursday that Dick's Sporting Goods, Orvis and REI, along with three national restaurant chains making their New York debuts, have join the growing tenant line-up at Westchester's Ridge Hill.

New York City -- The NBA Store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan will close in late February, due to rising rent. The company said it is looking for a new location in the city.

Nampa, Idaho -- Beachwood, Ohio-based Developers Diversified Realty Corp. said Thursday it has completed construction of the 52,000-sq.-ft. Edwards Nampa Gateway Stadium 12 Theater, now open at the Nampa Gateway Center, a 921,200-sq.-ft. shopping center in Nampa, Idaho.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports said Friday its third-quarter profit jumped 43% as it posted another quarter of double-digit growth in same-store sales revenue. It also boosted its forecast for the year.

The company reported net income of $12.6 million in the three months that ended Oct. 30, up from $8.8 million a year ago.

Revenue rose nearly 15% to $167.4 million, from $145.9 million a year ago. Same-store sales rose 12.5%.

New York City -- Microsoft on Thursday opened a store in Bellevue, Wash., close to its headquarters in Redmond.

It is the company’s seventh store to date, but more expected, according to the Wall Street Journal. The company expects a “pretty aggressive roll-out schedule” of new stores next year, the report said.