Convenience Stores

Minneapolis -- Free standing Insert (FSI) coupon activity increased 3.4% t based on coupons dropped during the first six months of 2014 versus the year ago period, according to Marx, a Kantar Media solution. Coupons dropped within non-food categories increased 8.2% to represent 65% of the 158 billion FSI coupons distributed during this period.
 

New York -- Smoking Vapor.Phoenix, which manufactures and sells electronic cigarettes, has opened a store in Phoenix, and plans to open four more locations in the coming months, according to a report by Phoenix Business Journal.

The 1,200-sq.-ft. store sells e-cigarettes, e-cigars and related products. Smoking Vapor operates a handful of kiosks in Phoenix-area malls. The kiosks will close as retail locations open.

The e-cigarette industry has grown into a $1.7 billion market, according to Wells Fargo.

New York -- Winick Realty Group announced three new retail leases at 400 Broome Street, fronting Kenmare, Cleveland and Broome Streets in Manhattan’s Nolita neighborhood.

Aaron S. Fishbein and Darrell Rubens of Winick Realty Group represented landlord Coral Broome Street LLC as they repositioned and upgraded these ground-floor retail opportunities.

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.

Chicago -- RKF has announced three promotions for brokerage professionals in its Chicago office. Lara Keene has been promoted from senior director to managing director. Since joining RKF in May 2012, Keene has advised a variety of retailers including Allen Edmonds, Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, Forever 21 and Fig & Olive, and currently works with Bareburger, Piada, Alexis Bittar, IT’Sugar, L’Occitane en Provence, Rent the Runway and Sam Edelman. Most recently, she secured a 3,400-sq.-ft. flagship for Zadig & Voltaire and an 850-sq.-ft.

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.

When Regency Centers signed Whole Foods Market to anchor its new retail development — Belmont Chase — in Ashburn, Virginia, the developer further elevated an already exciting project.

With a projected summer 2015 opening, the 80,000-sq.-ft. center will include metro-D.C.’s first Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant, Cava Mezze Grill, Peet’s Coffee and Tea, and PR Fresh Look Salon, among other soon-to-be-announced restaurants and retailers.

By David Rekuc, Marketing Director, Ripen E-commerce

It's three days before the Christmas party and you still don't have that Secret Santa gift for your cousin. You head to the perfume store, hoping for the right present to make up for a year of no calls and absent-minded Facebook likes. You find a gift and check the price online only to see it is 15 bucks cheaper. Do you make the online purchase and risk it getting delivered in time? Or walk out with a more expensive, but safer deal? This is the mindset of your typical holiday shopper.

Fresh & Easy is bringing back its Shop for Schools fundraising program with some notable improvements. Powered by the national fundraising program eScrip, it will kick off in time for the start of the 2014/2015 school year.

Brentwood, Tenn. – Tractor Supply Co. reported sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 increased 8.8% to $1.58 billion, from $1.46 billion in second quarter 2013. This figure was slightly below consensus analyst estimates of $1.6 billion.