Department Store

By Keith Scott, VP for business development, Bridgelux

New York City -- Marimekk, the Finnish textile and clothing design company, will open a flagship in New York City, on Oct. 6. Located on Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District, the store will act as a showcase for new products.

The NYC store is based on the same concept as the Marimekko flagship opened in Helsinki earlier this year. Both locations were designed by the Japanese architectural firm IMA in cooperation with Marimekko's own shop design team.

New York City -- Saks Fifth Avenue will close its store in downtown Pittsburgh in 2012, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported. The news follows negotiations between the retailer, the store’s landlord and city officials over funding for renovations to the building.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — While Toys"R"Us and Kmart were among the first retailers to release their hot toy lists, Walmart wasn't too far behind this year, offering many of the same toys as the aforementioned companies, and even some exclusives. 

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Department Stores’ new store prototype has achieved LEED Gold precertification using the LEED for Retail: New Construction rating system, making Kohl’s the first U.S. company to achieve this designation in the LEED Volume Program. The program, administered by the United States Green Building Council, launched in November 2010.

Atlanta -- Jones Lang LaSalle announced Wednesday two new hires in the Southeast Region.

Andrea Kenney and John Lambert have joined the firm to provide strategic planning and evaluation of the positioning, merchandising and development of shopping centers as owners continue to look for ways to enhance their real estate operations and maximize tenancy.

Washington, D.C. -- A new survey released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation found that nearly all retailers rely on background checks to keep their customers, and themselves, safe.

The survey, completed by retail executives from 96 of the nation’s leading department stores, mass merchants, discounters, drug stores, grocery stores and restaurants, examined retailers’ use of background screenings during the application and employment process.

New York City -- Prudential Douglas Elliman's Retail Group said it has successfully orchestrated a buy-out/lease disposition at 46 East 57th Street for jewelry house Buccellati, and simultaneously arranged its move to 810 Madison Avenue.

The Milan, Italy-based company has closed the East 57th Street store after more than four decades and will open in a new location on the "Jewel Mile" between 67th and 68th Streets.

Buccellati will take immediate possession of the former Bonpoint store at 810 Madison Avenue.