Development/Redevelopment

Atlanta – Home furnishings retailer Havertys is on a roll. Sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 increased 7% to $187.7 million from $175.1 million a year earlier, and the company plans to open a new store in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the third quarter.  

Same-store sales for the quarter increased 4.8%. Total written sales increased 5% and written same-store sales increased 2.4%. Havertys also plans to complete two store renovations in the third quarter.
 

Scottsdale, Ariz. – Natural Grocers will hit a major milestone in its store network next month. The specialty supermarket chain will open its fifth store in Arizona on Aug. 11 -- making it the company's 100th store nationwide.

The Scottsdale location is one of 18 Natural Grocers stores expected to open in fiscal year 2015.
 

Photo: Fernando’s owner Fernando Padilla with CityLine location general manager Omar Hernandez.

Auburn, Ala. -- Merchants Retail Partners recently led the acquisition of Flint’s Crossing in Auburn, Alabama, on behalf of its related investment partner. The 100,000-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by gourmet grocer EarthFare and Panera Bread.

Seattle -- Nordstrom remains on the move with its off-price division.

If you’ve been reading this column over the last four years, let me first say, “thank you!” It’s gratifying to think that my musings about retail and retail real estate have kept your attention and interest. In this, my 100th and final (except for an occasional contribution) Retail Rap, I wanted to tackle the big question: What’s next? Where is the retail industry — particularly brick-and-mortar — headed in the months and years ahead?

Oakbrook, Ill. -- InvenTrust Properties Corp. announced a series of appointments to its senior management team. The new appointments, effective immediately, are as follows:

· James Christensen has been named senior VP of asset management.
 
· Chris Dykstra has been named senior VP of property management.
 
· Nicole Horne has been named VP of transactions.
 

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- The design of West Elm’s upcoming store was inspired by a armory.

The retailer will open its ninth New York store on July 23. The 10,600-sq,-ft. store is located at Culver Road Armory, in Rochester.