Direct To Consumer (DTC)

Chicago — Athletic shoe and apparel retailer ASICS has signed a 5,254-sq.-ft. lease in Chicago’s Bucktown area. According to RKF, who represented the landlord, 1630 Damen LLC c/o Jenel Management Corporation in negotiations for the long-term lease, this will be Asics’ first store in the Midwest and third in the United States when it opens early next year.  

Blatteis & Schnur represented Windsor Financial Group, an independent licensee of AsicsAmerica in negotiations.

New York -- Century 21 Department Store has joined forces with retail concierge service Hobson to offer same-day delivery to hotels and homes in Manhattan from the retailer’s downtown flagship location.

Quincy, Mass. -- J.Jill is debuting a new store prototype in four locations across the country: Short Hills, N.J.; Huntington Station, N.Y.; King of Prussia, Pa.; and San Diego, Calif.

“The new approach to store design is based on our understanding of what is important to our customers,” said Paula Bennett, CEO and president, J.Jill. “We want to delight her with our beautiful, versatile collections and inspire her confidence with our guiding service. The new stores offer her a very warm welcome."

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – As part of a wide-ranging strategic review of its business, Sears Holdings Corp. is considering spinning off its Lands’ End and Sears Auto Center brands. The company’s Sears Canada subsidiary has also sold five Canadian store leases to Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited for about $383.4 million.

Middletown, Wis. -- American Girl, a division of Mattel, announced its first expansion outside the United States, with plans to open two experiential in-store boutiques in partnership with Indigo Books & Music Inc., Canada’s largest book, gift, and specialty retailer.

Opening in spring 2014, the new American Girl retail stores will be located in Indigo’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto, and Robson Street, Vancouver.

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Donuts has signed a multi-unit store development agreement with new franchise group, HT2 Franchising, LLC, to develop nine new restaurants throughout Reno, Nev. The first restaurant is expected to open in 2015 and the remainder by 2020.

With this agreement, Dunkin' Donuts franchise opportunities are sold out in Reno, but opportunities exist to grow the brand throughout the West in Colorado and California.

New York – J. Crew Group., Inc. is reporting several strong preliminary results to date for its third quarter of fiscal 2013. Through Oct. 5, 2013, J. Crew reports revenues increased $42.9 million, or 11.3%, to $422.3 million from $379.4 million last year.

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- Home furnishings retailer West Elm announced that it will open a store in Mill Valley, Calif., on Nov. 7. West Elm is owned by Williams-Sonoma.

Located in The Strawberry Village shopping center, the 10,000-sq.-ft. store will open with the brand’s diverse mix of furniture, home décor, gifts and artist collaborations. The store will also feature an assortment of local, handcrafted products sourced through Etsy.com that include jewelry, wall art, kitchen linens, coasters and candles.