Development/Redevelopment

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties announced renovation plans for CoolSprings Galleria in Nashville, Tennessee. The renovation comes on the heels of a major anchor redevelopment completed in early 2015, the recent addition of dining destination Connors Steak & Seafood, and the opening of Kings Bowling and Entertainment in May.

A new tenant has been added to the lineup at American Dream, the mega retail and entertainment destination under construction in East Rutherford, New Jersey: Century 21.

The off-pricer will open a nearly 60,000 sq. ft. location at the long-delayed center, which when completed will boost such attractions as an indoor water park, a Lego Discovery Center, a 16-story indoor ski and snow park, a miniature golf course — and more than 450 retail stores.

Ikea on track to make its Nevada debut this spring.

The home furnishings retailer will open a store in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, May 18. It will be the Swedish company’s first location in Nevada, and 42nd in the United States.

The 351,000-sq.-ft. Las Vegas Ikea is being built on 26 acres along the northern side of the 215 Beltway at Durango Drive, near Sunset Road.

The store will host Nevada’s largest single-use retail rooftop solar array, consistent with the solar presence at 90% of its U.S. locations.

Ikea had submitted plans to build its ninth store in the state of California, in the Bay Area suburb of Dublin.

Pending approvals, Ikea could begin construction of the store in spring 2017, with an opening in summer 2018. The retailer plans to evaluate potential on-site power generation to complement its current U.S. renewable energy presence at nearly 90% of its U.S. locations.

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.

Charming Charlie is expanding its Middle East footprint.

The specialty retailer has opened its first location in Qatar, at the Ezdan Mall in Doha. The 2,900-sq.-ft. store is operated by Apparel Group, Charming Charlie’s international licensing partner, which has further growth planned for the brand in the Middle East this year.

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.