Real Estate

Nebraska Furniture Mart opens nation’s largest home furnishings store
New York -- While most retailers are shrinking their footprints, Nebraska Furniture Mart (NFM) is doing just the opposite, opening the nation’s largest home furnishings store. Located in the new 433-acre Grandscape mixed-use development in The Colony, Texas, the two-level store has a whopping 560,000 sq, ft. of selling space (equivalent to about nine football fields). Including its on-site warehouse, the space totals more than 1.8 million sq. ft.
Boscov’s CEO hands reins to nephew, Jim Boscov
New York -- Boscov’s Department Store believes in keeping it in the family. Albert Boscov, 85, has resigned as CEO of the company, and been succeeded by his nephew, Jim Boscov. The new chief, who will continue to serve as vice chairman, is the third generation of the family to lead the privately held business which was founded more than 100 years ago.

Retail Rap: Sears Goes on a Selling Spree

About a year and a half ago, I wrote the following about Sears in an article that appeared in this space: “the company has been run less like a retail operation and more like a REIT for many years now.”
Trademark adds three new tenants to Westbend

Fort Worth, Texas – Trademark Property Co. is adding three new tenants to its Westbend shopping center in Fort Worth, Texas. Restaurant chain HG Sply Co. will open a 3,800-sq.-ft. location with a 5,000-sq.-ft. outdoor patio.

In addition, Pax & Parker will open a 1,364-sq.-ft. luxury location and Woodhouse Day Spa will open a 5,240-sq.-ft. full-service luxury day spa.
Five Things to Know About Omnichannel Distribution Real Estate

By Kris Bjorson, JLL

Cost versus customer experience: As retailers compete on customer experience throughout the omni-channel supply chain process, the type of real estate and where it is located is playing a major role. In fact, according to JLL research, seven out of 10 retailers are still shaping their omnichannel product offering and customer service commitments.
Bernards develops two mixed-use Southern California projects

Los Angeles – Commercial builder Bernards is constructing two mixed-use, multifamily projects in Southern California that will include a strong retail presence. Bernard’s is nearing the end of the construction phase for the new, 303-unit Camden Glendale (formerly Glendale Triangle), a seven-story project designed to appeal to “Gen-X” professionals.
Industry veteran joins Brixmor Property Group

New York - Ryan Guheen has joined Brixmor Property Group as senior VP, redevelopment & strategic leasing. Guheen is based in New York and will play a major role in the company’s Raising the Bar initiative.

Raising the Bar involves upgrading the merchandise mix at its shopping centers with best-in-class anchors to drive higher sales, traffic and small shop leasing, while elevating center appeal to improve rent levels and net operating income growth.
Corner Bakery Café plans Southeast expansion

Dallas - Corner Bakery Cafe is focusing franchising efforts in the Southeastern markets of Birmingham; Charleston; Charlotte; Columbus; Jackson; New Orleans; Raleigh; and Tampa. Corner Bakery Cafe is looking for best-in-class franchise operators who have relevant multi-unit restaurant/retail experience in the market to be developed.

In targeting the Southeast region, Corner Bakery Cafe, which has more than 390 locations in development commitments, plans to strengthen its presence.
Cullinan Properties names VP of leasing

Peoria, Ill. - Scott D. Fitzgerald has been named VP of leasing and development at Cullinan Properties Ltd. Fitzgerald, who is based in Cullinan’s Chicago office, is responsible for pre-development activities for Waller Town Center in Waller, Texas and Avenue Shoppes at P-83 located in Peoria, Arizona, as well as other new development opportunities sought by Cullinan.
Amazon opens second New Jersey fulfillment center

Seattle -- Amazon.com is opening its second one million-sq.-ft. fulfillment center in New Jersey, in the town of Carteret, as its looks to facilitate same-day deliveries in Manhattan.

Amazon opened its first one million-sq.-ft. fulfillment center in New Jersey, in Robbinsville, in July 2014. The company employs thousands of full-time employees at its Robbinsville fulfillment center and continues to hire to meet growing customer demand.
In mega deal, DTZ to buy Cushman & Wakefield for $2.04 billion

New York -- Commercial real estate services firm DTZ, which is backed by private-equity firm TPG, has entered into a deal to acquire rival Cushman & Wakefield Inc. for $2 billion.

The combined company will have 43,000 employees, annual revenues of more than $5.5 billion and manage more than 4 billion square feet of real estate globally. It will operate under the Cushman & Wakefield name.
JLL acquires retail brokerage firm Wilson Retail Group

Chicago -- JLL is getting a big boost to its retail business by acquiring Wilson Retail Group, an independent retail brokerage and capital markets firm in Southern California.

The transaction will enable JLL, the nation’s largest third-party retail property manager, to provide a broader range of brokerage and investment sales services to retailers and investors in a core urban gateway. The transaction closed for an undisclosed sum.