Apparel

New York – Japanese retailer Uniqlo continues its U.S. expansion with plans open its first-ever stores in the Seattle, Denver and Washington, D.C., metro areas.

In the state of Washington, the retailer will open a 13,000-sq.-ft. location at Seattle’s The Bellevue Collection this fall. In spring/summer 2015, the retailer will open a 10,000-sq.-ft. store at Tyson's Corner Center, and a 22,000-sq.-ft. store on Denver's 16th Street, at The Denver Pavilions.

San Francisco - Shopping activity in March 2015 was relatively flat compared to the same month the prior year, yet rebounded from a lethargic and wintery February. According to new monthly benchmark data from Euclid Analytics, traffic declined less than expected year-over-year due to holiday shopping for an early-April Easter.

In-store engagement improved significantly year-over-year, as consumers’ desire to spend re-emerged after a subdued winter. Euclid estimates sales growth in the following retail verticals of:

Austin, Texas -- GBT Realty Corp. announced its acquisition of a prime retail site in the heart of one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas and the U.S. Located in Cedar Park, Texas – a community that has grown over 400% since 2004 – Lakeline Commons is a 1.43-acre site that is shadow-anchored by Target and adjacent to The Home Depot.  

GBT acquired the north Austin outparcel for $1.6 million on March 19 from Regions Bank.  No additional terms are available.

Chicago -- West Marine will celebrate the grand opening of its Chicago flagship on Thursday, April 23, and continuing through Sunday, April 26.

At 20,000 sq. ft., the Halsted Street location will be the largest West Marine store in the Midwest. The new store will include such features as a state-of-the-art marine electronics display with over 100 units that shoppers can touch and test, and a dedicated "Paddle World" featuring a huge selection of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, plus a broad range of paddling accessories.

Lands' End has added a digital component to its sponsorship of the White House Easter Egg Roll this year.

The retailer says this year's theme for the Easter Egg Roll is "#GimmeFive," which encourages Americans across the country to share five things on social media they are doing to eat better, be more active, and lead a healthier life, and supports the First Lady's Let's Move! initiative to help kids grow up healthy and have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

New York – Lane Bryant is launching its #ImNoAngel omnichannel spring campaign Monday, April 6. The #ImNoAngel campaign, conceptualized by creative agency- Laird+Partners, kicks off with a series of TV advertisements and photographs taken by photographer Cass Bird.

The comprehensive national advertising campaign will feature Bird's images and video across Lane Bryant's stores and social media channels, as well as on billboards, public transportation (including on buses and subways), television and in print.

Recent completion of the $60 million power center Coastal North Town Center signaled the arrival of Myrtle Beach’s first Publix supermarket and Hobby Lobby store.

Century 21, the coveted off-price store beloved by fashionistas in the Northeast, has announced that it will be heading south for its next location.

Century 21 will be opening an approximately 85,000-square-foot store – the first anywhere in the nation outside of the Northeast – at Sawgrass Mills in South Florida in the fall of 2016.