Apparel

Virginia Beach, Va. -- Divaris Real Estate has leased three retail spaces at shopping centers in Hampton and Virginia Beach.

Bank of America renewed its 6,000–sq.-ft. lease in Willow Oaks Village Square in Hampton.

Bruegger’s Bagels leased 2,400 sq. ft. in Southgate Commons in Virginia Beach. Also in Southgate Commons, Anthony Vince Nail Spa has taken 2,597 sq. ft.

A member of Realty Resources and the Virginia affiliate for The CORE Network, DRE represented the landlords in these transactions.

Toronto -- Sears Canada Inc. will enter into a series of transactions related to two stores within shopping centers co-owned by Oxford Properties Group and Alberta Investment Management Corporation that give the co-owners the right to require Sears Canada to vacate the properties by March 2014. The transactions, valued at $191 million, affect stores at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto and at Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga.

New York -- Women’s yoga and activewear retailer Lululemon plans to open freestanding stores for men by 2016, outgoing company CEO Christine Day said during a presentation at a William Blair & Co. conference in Chicago. Day recently announced her plans to retire from the company once a successor is named.

ABILENE, Kan. — Lingering winter weather conditions affected broad-line retailer Alco, which reported same-store sales of $112.4 million for the first quarter ended May 5, a 2.2% decrease from $115 million for the same quarter a year ago.

The company reported net sales from continuing operations for the quarter of $117.5 million, an increase of 0.9% from $116.5 million for the same quarter a year ago.

For anyone involved in retail, it feels like the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Spring Convention in Las Vegas signifies an important yearly milestone. Those of us in the industry can be forgiven for visualizing a “retail year” that begins immediately after the convention in May and runs until RECon opens its doors the following year.

Seattle -- Outdoor retailer REI announced Thursday it will open two new stores in the spring, one in Flagstaff, Ariz., and the other in Columbus, Ohio.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation reported Thursday that retail sales in May increased 0.6% seasonally adjusted from April and rose 4.8% unadjusted year-over-year.

The results, which excluded automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, were boosted by improved consumer confidence and spending.

Tucson -- Lifetime Martial Arts #1 is relocating Karate 4 Kids Martial Arts to Plaza Del Oro Shopping Center. The new location will open in mid-June.

Commercial Retail Advisors represented the tenant and CBRE represented the shopping center.
 

Fremont, Calif. -- The Men's Wearhouse Inc. reported Wednesday that net income for the first quarter rose 23% to $33.1 million, from $26.9 million last year.  

Sales for the company that runs Men’s Wearhouse namesake stores, along with the Moores and K&G chains, increased 5.1% to $616.5 million, beating Wall Street’s expected $604.7 million in revenue. Same-store sales rose 7.1% at namesake stores, but slid 5.3% at K&G.

City of Industry, Calif. -- Private equity outfit Sycamore Partners said Thursday it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Hot Topic, valued at about $600 million and returning the Hot Topic namesake stores and the Torrid banner to the private sector.

"Hot Topic and Torrid are both leaders in their categories, and we are excited to have both brands as part of our portfolio," said Stefan Kaluzny, managing director of Sycamore Partners.