Department Store

Gymboree Corp.’s debt and mounting losses may have finally caught up with it.   The embattled retailer is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Bloomberg reported, as it faces a June 1 interest payment on its debt.   Gymboree has more than $1 billion in debt resulting from its Bain Capital buyout in 2010. It warned in March that it was running short on cash.   

Target Corp. is deploying a number of solutions to reduce its energy use.     The retailer, recently named Energy Star Partner of the Year for the second year in a row, counts more than 1,400 of its buildings as having Energy Star status — the Environmental Protection Agency’s certification of energy efficiency — more than any other retailer. And the number is still growing as Target works towards its goal of having at least 80% of its buildings certified by 2020.  

Ulta Beauty is touching down at Mall of America.   The retailer will open an 11,000-sq.-ft. location at the mammoth shopping center, which is located in Bloomington, Minnesota, in fall 2017.    In addition to more than 20,000 products, Ulta Beauty will also feature an in-store offering a variety of hair, skin, and brow services.   

Kohl’s Cos. has a new chief marketer.   The retailer on Monday named former Best Buy marketing executive Greg Revelle as chief marketing officer. He will be responsible for Kohl’s marketing organization and overall marketing strategy, including its focus on driving customer engagement through analytics, enhancing the loyalty platform, accelerating customer traffic and continuing to build Kohl’s overall brand position. Revelle will report to Michelle Gass, chief merchandising and customer officer.  

Shelby Crossings, a 76,390-sq.-ft. power center in the Detroit suburb of Utica, has been acquired by Beverly Hills, Michigan-based Grand Management & Development.   Mid-America Real Estate Corp., which represented the seller in the transaction, could not disclose the price.   The property features the Bed Bath & Beyond subsidiaries Christmas Tree Shops and BuyBuy Baby, and is surrounded by a larger regional center anchored by Target and Planet Fitness.

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J.C. Penney extending its commitment to beauty and related services.    The retailer said Monday that 50 additional salon locations will be rebranded to The Salon by Instyle this year, as the company continues to revamp its 750 salons nationwide.    Key design elements of the new concept include updated graphics, photography that highlights hair trends, accent lighting, modern fixtures and sleek furniture. Each salon offers an array of services from haircuts to hair treatments to extensions.

Joe Coradino’s experience-driven rebuilding of PREIT malls has given kids in Pennsylvania something new to build on — or, more like, in.   The state’s first Legoland Discovery Center has opened in the Plymouth Meeting Mall, north of Philadelphia, pushing the percentage of the property’s dining and entertainment space above 45%, compared to an average of 17% at other PREIT malls.  

Von Maur has opened its first location in Wisconsin.   The family-owned company opened a 150,000-sq.-ft. store at The Corners of Brookfield in Brookfield, Wisconsin.   Von Maur has been expanding with its eye on a national footprint. After expanding beyond its Midwestern footprint in 2011 with the opening of its first location in Georgia, Von Maur has since grown in additional new states including New York, Alabama and Oklahoma.