Development/Redevelopment

New York -- An upscale men’s footwear brand has opened its first flagship, on Madison Avenue in Manhattan.

Ibex Construction, New York-based firm specializing in high-end retail and corporate construction, has completed the first flagship boutique for Italian luxury brand Louis Leeman. The new retail space is modeled to resemble a classic Parisian home with a modern update featuring an antique marble fireplace, contemporary couches with lavish velvet cushions and custom interior designs that create an ambiance of sophisticated elegance.

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Meijer is on the move in Wisconsin.  

Continuing an estimated $750 million investment in Wisconsin, Meijer on Tuesday opened two more superstores in the state. The retailer announced plans to open two to three new Wisconsin locations per year through 2019.

Meijer, which now operates 222 stores, entered Wisconsin just six weeks ago, with two stores. The retailer traditionally focused its growth on five states: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky.

After 20 years of focusing on just five states in the Midwest, Meijer is continuing an estimated $750 million investment in its sixth state -- Wisconsin -- with the opening of two more stores in Wauwatosa and Oak Creek.

“Now Trending” is a new exclusive online series to chainstoreage.com, featuring trending topics that impact the retail real estate landscape.

In recent years, a very old practice has gotten some new attention: design is once again ascendant in the world of commercial development.

While design never went away, of course, the degree to which great design is being prioritized, cultivated and integrated into the development of memorable spaces and places is noteworthy.

Greenwich, Conn. -- Starwood Retail Partners, the retail operating platform formed by Starwood Capital Group, announced that it has named Angela Aman CFO, effective Aug. 10. Aman brings more than a decade of experience as a financial executive to her newly created position, including having spent the last four years as CFO and treasurer of Retail Properties of America, Inc.

Aman will be responsible for strategic planning, implementing and management of all accounting and financial functions, as well as investor relations and partner reporting.

Minneapolis -- Target wants to keep things simple.

The retailer, which has been moving to simplify its operations, is now taking a similar approach to its store identity. Starting in October, Target will begin the process of rebranding all of its CityTarget and TargetExpress stores as “Target.”

New York -- Uniqlo, the fast-growing fast-fashion division of Japan’s Fast Retailing, is expanding its relationship with Disney Consumer Products. The retailer has even chosen a Disney property as the site of its first store in Florida.

Uniqlo on Monday announced a global collaboration with Disney Consumer Products to produce a new line called “Magic for All.”  In addition to new products, the collaboration will include pop-up displays, and in-store and online customer experiences.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – Sears Holdings Corp. is expecting to announce some rare good news about profits thanks to a real estate spinoff when it reports its second quarter results on Aug. 20. But the news will be tempered by dismal sales results.