Development/Redevelopment

Publix Super Markets hit a milestone in 2015 as it exceeded the $30 billion mark in annual sales and also racked up another impressive quarter.

The grocer reported that net earnings for the quarter ended Dec. 26, 2015, rose 15% to $521.1 million, from $453.3 million in the year ago period. For the full year, earnings rose some 13%, to $2 billion, compared to $1.7 billion last year.

Charlotte, N.C. -- Starwood Retail Partners announced a $50 million investment in an 11-acre parcel adjacent to Northlake Mall in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company plans to build a 200,000-sq. ft. lifestyle component complementing the existing two-story mall. Construction is set to begin by early 2017.

The project will include retail, dining, entertainment, landscaping, parking and pedestrian friendly areas.

North Plainfield, N.J. -- Levin Management announced a series of promotions and new hires to support continued growth and expansion in 2016.

“This is an exciting time for our company,” noted Matthew K. Harding, president for Levin. “We ended 2015 on a very positive note, and expect this momentum to continue throughout 2016. Our internal promotions and new staff additions ensure that we will consistently meet, and exceed, client expectations as we strengthen Levin’s presence in key markets throughout the Northeast.”

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties announce locations for the second phase of Fisher-Price play areas to be installed as part of a multi-year, multi-property partnership, which was announced fall 2015.

The play areas will resemble a larger-than-life Toy Box featuring iconic brands like Thomas & Friends, Little People and more. These exclusive attractions will be brought to life by PLAYTIME, LLC, long-time partner of CBL.

Dollar Tree on Tuesday credited sales at its Family Dollar division as helping to boost the company’s overall results for the fourth quarter. But the increase still fell short of analysts expectations.

Sales for the quarter ended Jan. 30 totaled $5.37 billion, a 116.7% increase from the year-ago period but still less than expected. The boost in revenue was the result of $2.68 billion in sales from the Family Dollar segment.

Pet Supplies Plus will target California as part of its strategic growth plan for 2016.

The nation’s largest pet franchise, which has more than 330 locations in 26 states, announced it will expand into the Golden State to grow its base of multi-unit franchise partners.

An award-winning comic book store will open in a new ground-up retail development in Detroit.

Vault of Midnight will occupy one the remaining retail spaces in The Z, which now includes several restaurants, art spaces, a sneaker shop and yoga studio.

The 2,000-sq.-ft. shop, expected to open this spring, will offer a broad selection of comic books and graphic novels as well as toys, games, action figures and branded merchandise.

Photo: Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz at Milan’s Duomo Cathedral

Salt Lake City -- Vestar, in a joint venture with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, announced that it has acquired a 623,205 sq. ft. open-air retail and entertainment center within The Gateway located in downtown Salt Lake City.

Macy’s is continuing its expansion into off-price and specialty retailing.

On Tuesday, the department store retailer said it will expand its off-price Macy’s Backstage format in 2016, opening one freestanding location and 15 in-store locations in traditional Macy’s stores.

On the specialty store front, Macy will open approximately 42 Bluemercury beauty stores, with 24 freestanding locations and 18 in-store shops in Macy’s stores.