Department Store

Gambrills, Md. -- Greenberg Gibbons announced that SAS is opening a new 2,596-sq.-ft. shoe store at The Village at Waugh Chapel, a mixed-use development in Gambrills, Maryland.

The new store is expected to open in March 2015, located next to Coldstone Creamery and Fuji Modern Asian Cuisine & Sushi Lounge. It joins Safeway, Chipotle, LA Fitness, Marshalls, Homegoods and more.

Washington, D.C. -- Retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 4.1% in 2015, up from 3.5% in 2014, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2015 economic forecast. The increase would mark the biggest annual growth since 2011 when retail sales for the year increased 5.1%. Non-store sales in 2015 are expected to grow between 7% and 10%.

Charlotte, N.C. -- Crescent Communities has unveiled plans for a mixed-use, transit-oriented development that will bring Uptown Charlotte its first Whole Foods Market. The company’s plans for the 5.4-acre site at the Lynx Light Rail’s Stonewall Station, in Charlotte, North Carolina, define a new model of urban living for the area and complement its Tryon Place mixed-use development to redefine the city’s Stonewall corridor.

Hudson, Ohio -- Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has named a 25-year retailing veteran, former Shopko exec Jill Soltau, as president, CEO and a member of the board, effective March 2. She succeeds Jim Kerr, who has served as interim CEO since August when Travis Smith stepped down. Kerr will continue as executive VP and CFO.

Laurel, Md. -- Greenberg Gibbons announced that Carter’s and OshKosh B’Gosh are opening a combined store at Towne Centre at Laurel, the new $130 million destination on Route 1 in Laurel, Maryland.

Carter’s and OshKosh B’Gosh will open a 7,077-sq.-ft. store in April 2015.  

New York -- Retail sales fell 0.8% in January, more than forecast, amid smaller receipts at gas stations due to plummeting fuel costs and declines at apparel and sporting goods stores, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. It was the second straight month of decline, suggesting consumers still remain cautious when it comes to spending. Sales excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services edged up 0.1%, also less than forecast, after being flat in December.

Fort Myers, Fla. – Chico’s FAS Inc. may be the next big-name retailer to undergo an acquisition. Private equity firm Sycamore Partners is reportedly pursuing a $3 billion acquisition of the specialty women’s apparel retailer.

According to Reuters, Sycamore already has an agreement in principle to acquire Chico’s, contingent upon obtaining financing. However, Sycamore may be having difficulty finding a bank or banks willing to allow as much debt as the company is looking for.
 

Livermore, Calif. -- Simon announced that its Bay Area outlet shopping center, Livermore Premium Outlets, will be rebranded and named San Francisco Premium Outlets in conjunction with a major expansion.

The 512,000-sq.-ft. center is located in the affluent East Bay area of northern California and features 130 designer and name brand outlet stores, including Armani, Barneys New York, Bloomingdale's Outlet, Burberry, Cole Haan, DKNY, Elie Tahari, Kate Spade New York, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada and Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th.