Apple, Inc.

The Glimcher Realty Trust pipeline is filled with open-air centers. "We're seeing a lot of opportunity in the market and even our own portfolio with open-air right now," said Michael P. Glimcher, chairman and CEO, Columbus, Ohio-based Glimcher.

Over the last three years, Glimcher has acquired five properties. Four were open-air. Today, open-air centers account for about 20% of the company's 29 properties.

Recently, Glimcher shared his insights about open-air and enclosed centers with Chain Store Age contributing writer Michael Fickes.

A guest approaches the concierge desk and asks for help finding a gift. The concierge knows the retail selection and can help. If the product is unavailable here, the concierge will, if necessary, send her to another store across town.

That sounds like Nordstrom service.

But this isn't Nordstrom. It is the concierge desk at The Americana at Brand in Glendale, Calif., a mixed-use development from Los Angeles-based Caruso Affiliated. It's what happens at every center in the Caruso Affiliated portfolio of 2.1 million sq. ft. of retail and residential properties.

Here are several pure-play online retailers that are venturing into the physical space — or thinking about making the leap:

• Rent the Runway, which rents high-end designer gowns, dresses and accessories to women for weddings and other special events, will use a recent infusion of $24.4 million in financing to build showrooms where shoppers can try on the frocks and consult with stylists. The popular online destination reportedly has Chicago next on its agenda.

Flipping the coin
Last August in this space, I discussed the troubling sales trends and tumbling earnings from iconic retailer J.C. Penney, mentioning that the growing pains associated with implementing CEO Ron Johnson’s ambitious brand overhaul might have been a case of “too much too soon.” Given that Ron Johnson is now ex-CEO, it’s clear that those growing pains were too much to overcome.

New York -- A Wednesday report by Bloomberg said that Apple plans to double its number of retail stores in China over the next two years to help offset slowing growth worldwide.

New York -- Another Ron Johnson-appointee and former Apple executive has left J.C. Penney. Ben Fay, who was brought as EVP real estate, store design and development, has left the company, according to the Dallas Morning News. Returning to Penney in an advisory capacity is the chain's former SVP of property development, Tom Clerkin, who took early retirement from the company last year, the report said.

Cherry Hill, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) said that Crumbs Bake Shop recently opened its first area location at Cherry Hill Mall, in Cherry Hill, N.J.

The 200-sq.-ft. foot kiosk is a dessert supplement to major Cherry Hill Mall dining players such as Grand Lux Café, Bobby’s Burger Palace, California Pizza Kitchen, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Seasons 52, The Capital Grille, and Bahama Breeze.

By Keith Carpentier, Tensator.com/us

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Tempur-Pedic has partnered with HGTV to feature a wide range of sleep products in the first-ever HGTV Smart Home, which showcases the latest products in home technology, coupled with eco-friendly features. 

Built by HGTV in the community of Paradise Key South Beach in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., the high-tech home will be awarded to a winner on June 13, as part of an HGTV Smart Home Giveaway.

New York -- Apple has tapped Foster + Partners to refresh its store design, according to a report by Marketing.

The London-based architectural company has a history with Apple. It was hired by the late Steve Jobs to help design and create Apple’s new UFO-styled corporate headquarters, which is still under construction.