Retail

Vernon, Calif. -- True Religion Apparel said Wednesday it is evaluation strategic alternatives, which could include the sale of the company.

The denim manufacturer, which also operates about 140 retail stores, said it was contacted by interested third parties, which triggered the formation of a special committee to explore alternatives.

No timetable for a potential sale has been set.

CINCINNATI and WAYNE, N.J. — Macy’s and Toys"R"Us -- likely the two retailers most associated with Christmas -- have joined together for a unique retail partnership.

White Plains, N.Y. -- Oak Brook, Ill.-based Inland Diversified Real Estate Trust announced the acquisition of a majority interest in City Center at White Plains, a four-story, 381,905-sq.-ft. mixed-use shopping center and apartment property in White Plains, N.Y.

The property was acquired in a joint venture between a subsidiary of Inland Diversified and affiliates of real estate developer Cappelli Group. The joint venture valued the property at approximately $166.4 million.

Rogers, Ark. -- In its annual meeting with analysts on Wednesday, Wal-Mart Stores U.S. president Bill Simon said the retailer would accelerate small-store growth to compete with dollar stores and drug stores, and announced plans to have 500 Neighborhood Market stores and 12 Express stores by fiscal 2016.

“This gives us the opportunity to build more stores for less money," Simon said. Wal-Mart currently operates 217 Neighborhood Markets and 10 Express stores.

St. Charles, Mo. -- Peoria, Ill.-based Cullinan Properties said that MassageLuXe has opened at the Streets of St. Charles, a new mixed-use development in St. Charles, Mo.

MassageLuXe joins Streets of St. Charles Dental and the first Five Guys Burgers & Fries location in St. Charles County. Opening soon are two full-service restaurants that are new to Metro St. Louis -- Tucanos Brazilian Grill and Prasino.

Washington, D.C. -- Grosvenor Americas and Skanska USA Commercial Development have announced plans for a mixed-use project of more than 650,000 sq. ft. directly north of the new Washington Nationals ballpark in the Capitol Riverfront district of Washington, DC.
     

Mississauga, Ontario -- Walmart Canada said Tuesday it will complete 30 real estate projects by the end of October, including two supercenter conversions and 28 new stores totaling 2.4 million sq. ft. of retail space.

The new stores were former Zellers locations; 10 will be converted to supercenters and 18 will be Walmart Canada discount stores.

“This is an exciting month for Walmart Canada,” said Jim Thompson, COO, Walmart Canada.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart plans a modest acceleration of its small format stores in the coming years as investors were assured Wednesday morning that financial returns are now comparable with the company’s large supercenters.