Real Estate

Bowie, Md. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space to three new tenants at Bowie Plaza, located in Bowie, Md.

Opening its fifth gym in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore market, Fitness 4 Less is relocating to 21,750 sq. ft. in Bowie Plaza. Peeper’s Family Eye Care leased 2,400 sq. ft. of retail space, and Dunkin’ Donuts, offering a drive-thru option, leased 1,600 sq. ft. of space.

All three businesses are slated to open in spring 2012.

Dallas -- 7-Eleven has entered into an agreement with Sam's Mart LLC to acquire 55 Sam's Mart stores in North and South Carolina and convert them to 7-Eleven stores this year. Local contractors will be hired for the remodeling program to begin later this year.

The transaction is anticipated to close in February, subject to standard closing conditions and regulatory approvals.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Walmart opened its second supercenter in Chicago this week, and the only thing missing from the press release announcing the new store was a quote from President Obama praising the company as a job creator.

Instead, Walmart had to settle for some kind words from Chicago mayor and former Obama chief of staff Rohm Emanuel.

Minneapolis — Just a few weeks after unveiling the locations of its first 24 stores in Canada, Target released an expanded list of stores that will debut in 2013.

The stores listed included two in Alberta, two in British Columbia, 29 in Ontario and one in Saskatchewan. Additional details can be viewed here.

If you are a shopping center owner or manager, I’m talking to you! It’s that time of year again – when Chain Store Age begins collecting data to publish our annual report on America’s top developers and fastest-growing acquirers and third-party managers.

Results of the survey, which is now in its 23rd year, are published in the April/May edition of Chain Store Age, with bonus distribution to the International Council of Shopping Centers’ RECon show in Las Vegas in late May.

I know it’s simply human nature to want the best of the best, and to prioritize top quality. And, it’s certainly no different in our industry. Lately, analysts and investors seem to be spending an awful lot of time and energy focusing on only the “top” properties and brands. I think they may be a bit short sighted and could even be missing out on some great opportunities. I’m talking about the ongoing debate between “A” and “B” malls.

Asda, Walmart’s U.K. subsidiary, has big plans for 2012 that include investing more than £500m ($784 million) in its stores in 2012.

The company said it will invest the money in opening 25 new stores and three depots, as well as expanding and remodeling 43 of its existing stores. According to the company, this investment will create up to 5,000 new jobs in the United Kingdom. The company noted that current Asda associates would have the opportunity to enhance their careers through the company’s apprenticeship program.

Austin, Texas -- Golfsmith announced Thursday plans to open 10 stores and relocate four existing locations in fiscal 2012, increasing its sq. ft. by 17.5% and adding a more experiential presence.

The new 2012 stores include locations in Cleveland, Washington, D.C., Chattanooga, Tenn., Nashville and Atlanta. The relocations will move stores into spaces that provide an updated and expanded golf retail experience that mirrors the company's new stores.

All scheduled store openings and relocations are slated for completion by year’s end