Development/Redevelopment

There has been a great deal of discussion and analysis in recent years regarding the ongoing struggles of many traditional department store giants. Brands like Sears, J.C. Penney and Macy’s are scratching and clawing to continue to stay afloat, together with a number of big-box retailers that are also struggling to remain competitive in an evolving retail marketplace.

New York -- Halstead Property announced the promotion of Richard J. Grossman to president. In his new role, Grossman will work closely with Halstead CEO Diane M. Ramirez and will also continue to oversee the Village and SoHo offices together with Sara Rotter, executive director of sales for Downtown.

New York -- The Howard Hughes Corp. announced that Andrew Schwartz has been hired to lead the newly created Global Strategic Partnerships Group as senior VP. He will be responsible for identifying and securing new corporate partnerships across the company’s sought after portfolio that spans from New York to Honolulu, the new division will play an important long term role for the growing company.

Zara has opened an eco-friendly flagship in the heart of Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood. It is the Spanish retailer’s eight location in Manhattan.

Walgreens Boots Alliance is exploring the possibility behind opening a retail pharmacy stake in Australia, The Sydney Morning Herald reported Friday. Though current government restrictions prevent corporate-owned pharmacies from setting up shop, that could change as "the government has commissioned an independent review of pharmacy regulations, which is due to report in March 2017," the paper reported.

Ross Dress for Less announced three new stores, part of the retailer’s 2016 expansion program, which calls for 70 new locations.

Ross will open a new store and relocate a store in Mobile, Alabama on March 5. The new 25,000-sq.-ft. West Mobile store is located in Westwood Plaza, one mile east of the Mobile Regional Airport. The Mobile location is a 25,000-sq-ft. store that relocated into the McGowin Park East Shopping Center at the southeast corner of Interstate 65 and Highway 90.

While the phrase gateway markets can be a little bit nebulous – and different people have different ideas about the exact list of cities that qualify – the term is well understood to refer to large mature cities with a track record of population growth, great demographics and a strong and diverse economic foundation.

The Sports Authority on Wednesday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and said it plans to close or sell as many as 140 of its 463 stores nationwide. The beleaguered company has struggled in recent years under increased competition not only from online players, but also from the likes of Dick’s Sporting Goods and specialty retailers such as Lululemon that have capitalized on the “athleisure” boom in fitness apparel.

Meijer's ambitious growth plans for 2016 involve nine new supercenters, 32 remodels and a $400 million budget.

The company announced the investment includes the construction of nine new Meijer supercenters and 32 different remodel projects. While Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin will each welcome new Meijer supercenters later this year, dozens of other Meijer stores have begun or will soon begin remodel projects to further enhance the customer shopping experience.