Development/Redevelopment

Dollarama ended the year with a strong fourth quarter, an increase it credits to higher customer spending.   For the fourth quarter ended January 29, 2017, the Canadian discount retailer’s sales increased by 11.5% to $854.5 million. The chain’s gross margin was 41.4% of sales, compared to 40.8% of sales.  

Shop!, the global non-profit trade association dedicated to enhancing retail environments and experiences, has announced the winners of its 46th year annual store design competition, and a specialty store took top honors.    

The online giant is about to break ground on another fulfillment center.   The new facility, which will be more than 1 million sq. ft., will be located in Clear Brook, Virginia. The fulfillment center will employ more than 1,000 full-time associates who will be responsible for picking, packing and shipping larger customer items, such as big-screen televisions, kayaks and patio furniture.  

Plummeting retail occupancy rates have Manhattan landlords in a generous mood.   According to a Bloomberg report, Manhattan landlords are offering their retail clients such giveaways as interior redesigns and moving expenses to keep storefronts from going dark.  

Ikea has completed the installation of one of the largest solar rooftops in Ohio.   The solar panel installation is atop the retailer’s future store in Columbus, Ohio, due to open in summer 2017. The 213,000-sq.-ft. solar array consists of a 1.21 MW system, built with 3,546 panels, and will produce approximately 1,447,700 kWh of electricity annually for the store, the equivalent of reducing 1,017 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).  

A Publix Super Markets associate who started his career with the company as a part-time meat cutter has been named VP of real estate strategy.   Publix promoted Bob Balcerak to the top real estate post, effective April 3, 2017. As VP, he will oversee the selection of new sites and management of leased properties for Publix stores.     

Amazon is keeping all its options open when it comes to exploring new concepts.   The online giant is exploring an array of brick-and-mortar ideas, from electronics stores to stores that sell furniture and appliance, that would use technology in ways and have a dramatic impact on how other stores operate, reported The New York Times.   

Meijer continues to expand its presence in the Indianapolis area.   On May 2, the retailer will open two supercenter in McCordsville, Ind., and one in Franklin, Ind.   The Indianapolis-area supercenters are two of seven new stores Meijer is opening in Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin this year.