Development/Redevelopment

The giant of online retailing apparently is developing a taste for brick-and-mortar.

In news that is likely to set off a wave of speculation, Amazon confirmed it will open its second physical bookstore, this time at Westfield UTC mall in San Diego, California. Amazon Books is expected to open at the open-air shopping center sometime this summer.

Starbucks on Monday opened a store in the Jamaica section of Queens, New York, which has a strong job training component.

The location is the first in a nationwide initiative Starbucks announced last summer to open stores in at least 15 diverse urban communities across the United States by 2018, with the aim to create new jobs, engage local women and minority-owned vendors and suppliers, and collaborate with local nonprofits to support training opportunities for youth in the individual communities.

Less than a month after Hudson’s Bay Company brought Saks Fifth Avenue to Canadian shoppers, the company this month is opening the first of 25 planned Saks Off 5th stores.

Three new Saks Off 5th stores are scheduled to open on March 17 in Vaughan Mills, Halton Hills and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The openings will allow Canadians to experience the ultimate "thrill of the hunt" shopping that Saks Off 5th is renowned for, with access to the some of the best brands and fantastic finds, in a fun to shop store format,” according to the company.

Less than a month after Hudson’s Bay Company brought Saks Fifth Avenue to Canadian shoppers, the company this month is opening the first of 25 planned Saks Off 5th stores.

Three new Saks Off 5th stores are scheduled to open on March 17 in Vaughan Mills, Halton Hills and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The openings will allow Canadians to experience the ultimate "thrill of the hunt" shopping that Saks Off 5th is renowned for, with access to the some of the best brands and fantastic finds, in a fun to shop store format,” according to the company.

Home furnishings retailer Kirkland's says its soaring digital sales are proof of the success of its omnichannel transformation, and the retailer plans to grow e-commerce even more in 2016.

Growth at Citi Trends Inc. seems to be slowing, as the retailer reported a drop in comps and profit in the fourth quarter.

Smart & Final’s value oriented brand of food retailing is resonating with shoppers and that has the company eyeing roughly 40 new stores in 2016.

Ross Dress for Less has added three new locations to its growing portfolio.

The retailer opened two 25,000-sq.-ft. stores in Wisconsin on March 5, including one in Milwaukee, at the Point Loomis Shopping Center. The second store is in Oshkosh, at the Market Fair Shopping Center.

In addition, Ross opened a 30,000-sq.-ft. store in Fountain Valley, California, at the Costco Center. Including the new location, Ross now operates 276 stores in California, its largest state.

Michael Reed has been promoted to VP real estate for Stater Bros. Markets.

Reed joined Stater Bros. in 2014 as senior director of real estate, a position he held until his recent promotion. He will report to president and CEO Pete Van Helden.

Prior to Stater Bros., Reed served as real estate store development manager for Starbucks where he was responsible for growing the company’s Mid-West and Western Mountain regions.

Stater Bros. operates 168 supermarkets in California.

Michael Reed has been promoted to VP real estate for Stater Bros. Markets.  
 
Reed joined Stater Bros. in 2014 as senior director of real estate, a position he held until his recent promotion. He will report to president and CEO Pete Van Helden.

Prior to Stater Bros., Reed served as real estate store development manager for Starbucks where he was responsible for growing the company’s Mid-West and Western Mountain regions.  

Stater Bros. operates 168 supermarkets in California.