Development/Redevelopment

New Delhi, India – The Indian government has eased its notoriously difficult restrictions on how foreign retailers must invest and source when doing business in the country. As reported by Reuters, foreign retailers will still have to source 30% of the products they sell locally, but now have five years to initially reach that goal and then have to meet it annually.

The Converse flagship in San Francisco is not only the sneaker brand’s first Northern California location; it’s also its largest and most innovative location to date. The 8,200-sq.-ft. store, which features Converse’s full line-up of footwear, apparel and accessories, is big on personalization, with an interactive system for designing one-of-a-kind Converse sneakers and clothing.  

Left-leaning individuals in large urban areas find lots of reasons to dislike Walmart, so it is noteworthy when someone in a liberal stronghold forcefully sides with Walmart and personal freedom.
 
That was the case in Boston this week when the Boston Globe ran an article by Shirley Leung with the headline, “It’s time to say yes to Walmart.”

She acknowledged the familiar narrative put forth by those who seek to block Walmart’s expansion.

New York -- AT&T unveiled its newest store design, at a new location in LaGrange, Ill. The store is built around the customer experience, with a goal of providing a glimpse of what the future of retail will look like. The new design will be rolled out at new and redesigned store locations across the country, and continuing into 2014. (For a video tour of the store, click here.)

Houston — Transwestern’s Houston office has announced that it will take on leasing responsibilities for a 50,000-sq.-ft, mixed-use development in Houston’s museum district. The development will contain a mix of high-end retail, medical and office space.

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. — Smashburger plans to open a 2,700-sq.-ft. eatery at Plymouth Meeting Mall this fall. As of now, Smashburger has 187 corporate and franchised restaurants across the country.

Anchored by Macy’s, Boscov’s and Whole Foods Market and Café, the mall features more than 100 specialty retailers and a long list of destination restaurants like Benihana, Bertucci’s, California Pizza Kitchen, Chipotle Mexican Grill and others.

New York — The Feil Organization has named industry veteran Nicholas Forelli Director of Retail Leasing.

In his new role, Forelli will focus on Feil’s leasing efforts throughout the metropolitan area, including New York City, Long Island and New Jersey. Chief among his projects will be Glen Oaks Shopping Center in Queens, working with Briskin on the redevelopment of Concourse Plaza in the Bronx, smaller retail projects around the metro area, as well as One & Olney Square in Philadelphia.

Bethesda, Md. — Max Brenner has opened a Chocolate Bar in Bethesda, Md., along Bethesda Row. It is the first location for the chocolate retailer in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

The interior of the shop features vats of swirling chocolate and chocolate pipes running the length of the ceiling.
 

Berlin, N.J. — A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts will mark the opening of its new store at The Town Center at St. Lucie West with a week long grand opening celebration starting Aug. 4.

The 21,000-sq.-ft. store carries an arts and crafts merchandise assortment with more than 40,000 items.

A.C. Moore operates about 140 arts and craft stores along the East Coast.