Real Estate

IS PRIMARK THE NEXT BIG THING?
Over the past 15 years or so, fast-fashion has evolved from a trend to a phenomenon to an industry standard — one that has largely redefined the U.S. apparel retailing landscape.

From home-grown Forever 21 to Swedish import H&M, the market is awash in stores offering cheap, on-trend clothes at low prices. And now another import has entered the mix, Primark, which opened its first U.S. store in September, in Boston, the first of eight initial locations.
NYC Retail: Top 10 New Stores
So many new stores, so little space. Here are my top faves of the year:

Toys ‘R’ Us: New CEO, New Plans

(Photos courtesy of Toys 'R' Us)
This retailer needs more shopping centers

Amid growing sales and surging profits, specialty retailer Cato is finding its expansion efforts being held back by the availability of suitable shopping centers.
Phillips Edison expands grocery-anchored shopping center presence

Cincinnati – Phillips Edison Grocery Center REIT II announced it has acquired two grocery-anchored shopping centers, expanding the company’s portfolio in Arizona and Florida.

51st and Olive Square is an 88,225-sq.-ft. grocery-anchored shopping center in Glendale, Arizona. The center is anchored by Fry’s Food and Drug grocery store, the number one grocer by market share in the Phoenix area. Additional key national tenants include Leslie’s Poolmart, Papa Murphy’s and the UPS Store.
Resurging Independence Plaza in Hamilton, New Jersey

Hamilton Township, N.J. -- IP Associates announced it has executed an agreement with Regal Entertainment Group to anchor Independence Plaza located in Hamilton, New Jersey. The announcement comes on the heels of an eight month turnaround leasing campaign that has netted in 115,000 sq. ft. of new leases.
Award-winning chefs and restaurants set to debut at International Market Place

Waikiki, Hawaii -- Taubman announced that International Market Place located on the island of O’ahu in Waikiki, Hawaii, will welcome 10 restaurant concepts including those by world-renowned Chefs Michael Mina and Roy Yamaguchi.
The priciest retail corridor in the world — by a long shot

When it comes to retail rents, Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue is really in a class by itself.

Upper Fifth Avenue, between 49th and 60th streets, is the most expensive retail corridor in the world, with rents rising 3.6% to $3,500 per square foot through the first half of this year, according to an annual report from Cushman & Wakefield. (The top 10 streets are listed at end of article.)

Fifth Avenue rent was nearly double that of the second priciest corridor, Causeway Bay in Hong Kong, at $2,399 per square foot.
Report: Lululemon testing new in-store features

Lululemon Athletica has opened its largest store yet, an 11,500-sq.-ft. flagship in Manhattan. The store includes such new features as a 3,000-sq.-ft. community gathering space, called Hub Seventeen, and concierge services, reports New York Business Journal. [New York Business Journal]
Modell’s Sporting Goods continues to expand

How busy is Times Square? Enough to support two Modell’s Sporting Goods stores.

The retailer is opening two new stores in the New York City metro area, including one at 136 West 42nd Street, its second Times Square location. Modell’s is also opening a store at Crossroads Plaza East in Rocky Point, New York.

The two new locations will expand the retailer’s portfolio to 155 stores in 10 states.
New retail coming to the Streets of St. Charles

St. Charles, Mo. -- Cullinan Properties welcomes two new tenants to its mixed-use development Streets of St. Charles located in St. Charles, Missouri. MOD, a boutique specializing in affordable fashion for women of all age, will open its fourth location in spring 2016 on Beale Street and Supercuts is expected to open in early 2016.
Another retailer jumps into the off-price game

The off-price space is growing by leaps and bounds, with yet another department store retailer throwing its hat in the ring.

Lord & Taylor will debut its new off-price concept, Find @ Lord & Taylor, on Nov. 19, in Paramus, New Jersey. The 30,000-sq.-ft. store will feature women’s, men’s, kids’ clothing and footwear, along with home goods. According to reports, the initial store will be followed by six additional locations next year.