Real Estate

“Now Trending” is an exclusive online series to chainstoreage.com, featuring trending topics that impact the retail real estate landscape.

As more of my work brings me into contact with mixed-use developments in urban core markets, it’s clear to me that there are some important changes taking place – changes that are fueling the ongoing mixed-use renaissance in many cities.

La-Z-Boy Inc. announced the appointment of James Chickini as VP, real estate, responsible for real estate development initiatives for the La‑Z‑Boy Furniture Galleries store network, including corporate-operated locations, across North America.

Phoenix – Vestar announced the addition of Bradley Parks, director of due diligence to its team. Parks will be responsible for overseeing all due diligence activities for Vestar’s shopping center acquisition opportunities.

Over the past three years Vestar has completed over $1 billion in acquisitions throughout the western U.S. and was recently recognized as the 4th largest acquirer of shopping centers in the United States.

Has founder and ousted CEO Dov Charney made his last stand at American Apparel?

The board of American Apparel Inc. rejected a $300-million takeover bid from Hagan Capital Group and Silver Creek Capital Partners — the investors aligned with Charney — according to the Los Angeles Times.

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. -- Metro Commercial Real Estate announced it has negotiated 10 new store openings for The Vitamin Shoppe in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The Vitamin Shoppe, is a leading multichannel specialty retailer and contract manufacturer of nutritional products with 700+ stores throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada.

The Vitamin Shoppe Pennsylvania locations: Chadds Ford, Fairless Hills, Feasterville, Lancaster, Paoli, Philadelphia, Dickson City/Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.

Boston -- Gordon Brothers Group announced the appointment of John Dattilo as director, real estate of the commercial & industrial division, to the Chicago office. Dattilo will oversee the analysis, acquisition and sale of industrial real estate assets.

Walmart said it will close 269 stores worldwide this year, including many of its smallest stores, in an unprecedented move CEO Doug McMillon characterized as being more disciplined about growth.

Walmart said it will close 269 stores worldwide this year, including many of its smallest-format stores, in a move that CEO Doug McMillon characterized as being more disciplined about growth. It is one of the largest number of stores closures that Walmart has ever announced at one time.