Consumer Electronics

Plano, Texas – Mindy Grossman, the chief executive of HSN Inc., reportedly declined an offer to become CEO of J.C. Penney Company in May 2014. According to the Wall Street Journal, Grossman had been in advanced negotiations with Penney to take the reins as CEO but discussions ended for an unspecified reason.

San Diego -- JLL’s Retail announced the firm has been retained by GLL Real Estate Partners to manage Del Mar Plaza, a 75,000-sq.-ft., upscale, open-air shopping center located at 1555 Camino Del Mar, in Del Mar, California.

The property’s tenant mix includes Banana Republic, El Agave Restaurant, II Fornaio, Pacifica Del Mar, Gary’s Studio, Loghman Jewelers, Sunglass Hut, Smashburger, Urban Beach House, Ooh La La, and the newly opened Lorna Jane.

A range of new Samsung brand smart printers and tablet computers are being added to the product mix at Office Depot and OfficeMax stores following an expanded partnership between the retailer and consumer electronics company.

Cincinnati -- The Streets of West Chester, a 167,638-sq.-ft. lifestyle center near Cincinnati, is kicking off the pre-development leasing and marketing for the second phase of its retail center with a 200,000-sq.-ft. planned expansion slated to open in spring 2016.

The Streets of West Chester expansion will join the opening of the new Bass Pro, beginning construction this summer, adjacent to The Streets, and will provide shoppers with new retail, restaurants and entertainment.

Kendall, Fla. -- Berkowitz Development Group announced the signing of a new long-term lease with Einstein Bagels for 2,466 sq. ft. at Kendallgate Shopping Center. The chain will take space within a freestanding retail building alongside AT&T in the Center’s plaza located at 12190 SW 88th Street in Miami.

Einstein Bagels has already begun construction at its new location and expects to open in late August.

Los Angeles -- Kennedy Wilson has closed four retail and entertainment lease transactions in Hollywood, Santa Monica and Westchester. The collection of new leases carries an aggregate value of more than $3 million.

Atlanta -- Simon Property Group and Columbus Realty have teamed to inject a high-residential component to Simon’s fashionable Phipps Plaza shopping destination in the tony Buckhead area of Atlanta.

The residential project, to be named Domain at Phipps Plaza, will be developed with Columbus Realty Partners.

Plano, Texas - Rent-A-Center, Inc. has named Aubyn Thomas as VP marketing. With more than 15 years of leadership experience in brand strategy and customer-relationship management, Thomas recently served as VP consumer marketing at Lowe’s Home Improvement, where she was responsible for delivery of all consumer and professional marketing programs.

Earlier in her career, Thomas held leadership positions with organizations such as Macy’s, Caesars Entertainment, Bank of America and Lenscrafters Retail Group.