Department Store

Hampstead, Md. – The board of directors of Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc. has unanimously rejected a non-binding acquisition proposal it received on Nov. 26, 2013, from The Men's Wearhouse, Inc. Assisted by outside financial advisors, the board determined the price of roughly $1.54 billion significantly undervalued the company and its near and long-term potential and was not in the best interest of the company's shareholders.

I’ll hold off on talking about the holiday shopping season in detail until all the numbers are in, but it’s clear that we’ve already learned quite a lot from 2013. In fact, the more I think about this past year the more I think that the holiday numbers aren’t even the most important takeaway. What’s far more interesting to me is what 2013 has to tell us about where we go next. With that in mind, here’s my early take on what 2014 might have in store (and in stores!) for us:

Slow, steady and sustainable growth

Charleston, S.C. -- Only two-thirds of Americans are all or almost finished with their holiday shopping as of Dec. 23. Of the 24 retailers surveyed by America’s Research Group and Inmar, only three retained 70% or more of their customer base, with Wal-Mart topping the list at 88.1%, followed closely by Dollar Tree at 80.4%, and Target at 72.1%.

The windows of Macy’s Herald Square flagship are a holiday delight. The six windows on the Broadway side of the store — with themes of Dream, Giving & Sharing, Joy, Beauty, Magic and Believe — tell the story of a young boy’s dream on Christmas Eve, where he travels to a magical crystal forest complete with fairies and sparkling, animated snow.

Alameda, Calif. — Carter’s, a children’s clothing and accessories retailer, has signed a 10-year lease for a 4,178-sq.-ft. store at Alameda South Shore Center in Alameda, Calif., according to Jamestown, a real estate investment and management firm.

The new store, located close to Kohl’s, is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2014. SRS Real Estate Partners represented Carter’s in the transaction.

Beachwood, Ohio — DDR Corp. has announced he lease-up and construction of Seabrook Commons, a 380,000-sq.-ft. power center slated to open in the summer of 2014 in Seabrook, N.H.

Anchored by Wal-Mart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, PetSmart, Michaels, Ulta, Five Below and Panera, the center will open 95% leased.

The trade area has a population of 251,000 people and an average household income of approximately $90,000.

Fort Worth, Texas -- RadioShack has opened its newest Manhattan location as a pop-up concept store at Penn Station. The limited-time-only location is the third RadioShack pop-up store to open in Manhattan.

In addition, RadioShack has opened a total of eight concept stores in the Manhattan area. The newest pop-up opened five days after construction began.

New York — Reebok has leased an 11,600-sq.-ft. space at 1 Union Square West in Manhattan for a combination Reebok Fit Hub store and Reebok Cross-fit gym. Slated to open in the spring of 2014, the location will house the bran’s Manhattan flagship store and the largest Reebok Fit Hub in the chain.