Restaurant

Franklin, Tenn. -- Tablets and smartphones are redefining the retail shopping experience and will be a $5 billion market per year by 2015, according to a new research report by IHL Group.

The study, Mobility: A Gutenberg Moment for Retail, A Threat to POS, found that the release of the Apple iPad and Amazon Kindle Fire have created price points and form factors for mobile devices that are finally allowing retailers to arm their associates with tools that will transform the in-store experience.

Paraiso Town Center in the Thousand Oaks, Calif., master-planned community of Dos Vientos Ranch is being renamed The Village at Dos Vientos Ranch, announced Peter Cohen, president of Paradise Capital Group, which acquired the 50,000-sq.-ft. mixed-used retail and office complex in June 2010.

A new name was very important toward rebranding and marketing the property, said Cohen. “We wanted to give the center a fresh start with a new name that was easy to pronounce and remember,” he said.

Washington, D.C. -- A new survey released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation found that nearly all retailers rely on background checks to keep their customers, and themselves, safe.

The survey, completed by retail executives from 96 of the nation’s leading department stores, mass merchants, discounters, drug stores, grocery stores and restaurants, examined retailers’ use of background screenings during the application and employment process.

Thousand Oaks, Calif. -- Shoe repair store Shoe Lab has opened at Janss Marketplace, in Thousand Oaks, Calif., joining tenants such as Burlington Coat Factory, Marshalls, Buca di Beppo, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Panera Bread, Gold’s Gym, Old Navy, Mann Theaters, and TGI Friday’s. 

Janss Marketplace is managed by NewMark Merrill Cos., LLC.

Cherry Hill, N.J. — Noted fashion designer and retailer Michael Kors has opened a new store in Cherry Hill, N.J. — at the Cherry Hill Mall, a property owned by Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust.

The store opening is part of the mall’s $200 million complete renaissance, which includes the addition of white-linen restaurants, a new parking deck, the addition of an upscale retail wing, a redesigned and relocated food court now called Cherry Hill Cafés, and extensive interior and exterior renovations.

Indianapolis -- Kite Realty Group said that Dibella’s Subs will join Traders Point II shopping center, in Indianapolis, with a 3,200-sq.-ft. Indiana debut. The 447,507-sq.-ft. center is anchored by Bed Bath & Beyond, Books-A-Million, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Marsh Supermarket, Michael’s, Old Navy, Petsmart and AMC Theatre.  

At Cool Creek Commons in Carmel, Ind., Kite leased 5,554 sq. ft. to Boom Bozz Pizza & Tap House, which will open its first location in Indiana.

New York — More than four million tablets will be used in retail by 2015, according to IHL Group. The group’s new report, “Mobility: A Gutenberg Moment for Retail, A Threat to POS,” has forecasts for rugged handhelds, consumer handhelds (i.e., iPhones, iPod Touch), and tablet computers to be used at store level from now until 2015 in North America.

Some of the key highlights include:

Arlington, Texas -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased 3,588 sq. ft. of retail space in Arlington, Texas, at Cooper Street Plaza to Mattress Firm.  

The store is slated to open for business in October 2011. 

The 235,196-sq-ft. shopping center is anchored by a 137,840-sq.-ft. Home Depot alongside national retailers such as OfficeMax, T.G.I. Friday’s and State Farm Insurance.