Real Estate

Michael J. Powers, a leasing veteran and principal in a progressive hair salon concept, has been promoted to senior VP and head of leasing at Starwood Retail Partners.   Prior to joining Starwood as VP of leasing in 2013, Powers helped found Salonspace, a concept that seeks to provide hair stylists with a workplace environment they can approach on their own terms. He is a leasing veteran of Simon Property Group, Steiner + Associates, and Glimcher Realty Trust.  

Dollar General is set to grow its already considerable footprint through an acquisition.   The discounter will acquire all 323 stores from Dollar Express, according to the Charlotte Observer.    

Ralph Lauren Corp. is shaking things up—and cutting costs.   The company, which has been struggling with weak sales,  on Tuesday said it would reduce corporate staff, close its Polo flagship on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, and move its online platform to Salesforce’s CommerceCloud solution.    

Canadian discounter Dollarama is upping its store growth plans—and by a considerable number.   The chain, which operates some 1,000 stores across Canada, has revised its long-term target from 1,400 locations to 1,700.   “This provides Dollarama with several years of additional footprint growth,” stated Neil Rossy, president and CEO, Dollarama, which sells a variety of merchandise at fixed price points up to C$4.00.   

Is Staples looking to go private?   Less than a year after its deal to acquire Office Depot Inc. fell through due to antitrust concerns, Staples is in early discussions with private-equity bidders, according to The Wall Street Journal.   Staples had no comment on the report, which said that based on typical takeover premiums, the office supply chain could be valued at roughly $7 billion or more. But the news sent its stock soaring to a four-year high on Tuesday morning   

Officials in New Rochelle, New York, want the right kind of retail partners for an aggressive redevelopment of its downtown, and it’s counting on big data to ferret them out.

The town has engaged Fort Worth-based Buxton to employ its Scout real estate analytics platform to identify restaurants and stores that will best synch with the dining and shopping habits of its residents.

Ashley Stewart has opened its first-ever “concept store,” in Newark, New Jersey.

The 4,500 sq.-ft. location marks a significant milestone for the company as it is the first brick-and-mortar opening since the reinvention of the brand, which has gone through a turnaround under the leadership of CEO James Rhee, http://www.chainstoreage.com/article/unlikely-champion-ashley-stewart.  

South Moon Under is on the move. The on-trend fashion retailer, which carries a variety of contemporary brands, will open its first stores in the South in April, with locations at Ponce City Market, Atlanta, and Avalon, Alpharetta, Georgia. In the fall, the company will open a store at Shops Around Lenox, Atlanta.

South Moon Under is on the move.   The on-trend fashion retailer, which carries a variety of contemporary brands, will open its first stores in the South in April, with locations at Ponce City Market, Atlanta, and Avalon, Alpharetta, Georgia. In the fall, the company will open a store at Shops Around Lenox, Atlanta.    

Starbucks Corp. is making some changes to its Seattle headquarters that include a couple of format debuts.   The coffee giant is set to open its first-ever location that only accepts mobile orders and payments on the eight floor of the building, reported the Puget Sound Business Journal.