Apparel

New York City -- Sports Authority will open its first S. A. Elite stores outside of Colorado and California in two locations in the Chicago suburbs in November, according to Crain’s Chicago. As additional Elite store will open in Chicago’s Water Tower center next spring.

The stores will range from 11,000 sq. ft. to 15,000 sq. ft., and feature an edited collection of merchandise that emphasizes tennis, golf and yoga.

New York City -- Italian handbag maker Piero Guidi will open its first retail location in the United States, in New York City’s Soho district. The Soho store will be the company's fourth standalone store outside of Italy, following openings in China, Japan and Hong Kong.

New York City -- Macy’s took the top spot in the annual Digital IQ Index, which ranks retailers according to their online competence. The index measured the digital footprint of 64 brands via 350 data points across four dimensions: Site, Digital Marketing, Social Media, and Mobile. Based on these scores, each brand was assigned a Digital IQ and a corresponding class of Genius, Gifted, Average, Challenged, or Feeble.

When Washington, D.C.-based Madison Marquette took over the leasing and management duties for Granite Run Mall, located in Media, Pa., near Philadelphia, it launched an innovative program for soliciting shopper feedback.

By Liana Hill, [email protected]

Charlotte, N.C. -- X Team International, an international alliance of retail real estate advisors, said that Charlotte, N.C.-based partner The Chambers Group has completed a lease for the first small-format Burlington Coat Factory store in Charlotte.

Scheduled to open Oct. 1 at Woodlawn Marketplace, the smaller format store will be roughly 48,000 sq. ft. and joins T.J. Maxx and Family Dollar.
 

Leesburg, Va. -- Dallas-based Cypress Equities and Kettler announced that luxury bowling alley and sports grill King Pinz has opened a 6,200-sq.-ft. expansion to its facility at Village at Leesburg, in Leesburg, Va.

The addition features a six-lane luxury bowling suite, plus High Rollers Lounge, a fully enclosed cigar bar and cocktail lounge.

With now 21,564 total sq. ft., King Pinz’ additional space increases the number of bowling lanes to 18.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties,  announced a 6,000-sq.-ft. expansion to The Shoppes at Hamilton Place, a 125,000-sq.-ft. associated center in Chattanooga with existing anchors Ross dress for Less, Marshalls, and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

The expansion will locate in the undeveloped parcel in front of the center and will bring new retailers and restaurants to the area including Sweet Peppers Deli, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, and Bath Junkie.   

New York City -- RCS Real Estate Advisors announced that Moe Puri has been promoted to VP from assistant VP.

A member of the RCS Real Estate Advisors team since 2008, Puri’s primary responsibilities included re-negotiating leases on behalf of clients. He has since elevated his expertise and, as a VP, is managing several key client real estate portfolios.

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters' second-quarter net income more than doubled to $19.7 million from $9.7 million in the year-ago period. The teen retailer credited the jump on increased revenue, growing online sales and fewer markdowns.

Revenue for the period ended July 30 rose 4 percent to $675.7 million from $651.5 million, surpassing Wall Street's $652 million estimate. Same-store sales were flat compared with a 1% decline in the prior-year period.