Mass Merchant

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., and BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- The upcoming live action/CG-animated film Hopeasily lends itself to a variety of Easter-based retailing opportunities, and Walmart is getting in on the action with the announcement of a partnership with Universal Pictures that will include in-store events and excluisive licensed products.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart announced the deployment of five rooftop solar arrays for Walmart and Sam’s Club locations in Puerto Rico. The solar program is made possible through a solar energy service agreement where Sun Edison, a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials, will design, deploy, operate and maintain over three megawatts of solar technologies across the five locations with no upfront costs to Walmart.

Richmond, Ky. -- Charlotte, N.C.-based Crosland LLC announced two new lease signings with Michaels and Chiro One at Richmond Centre, a regional shopping, entertainment and hospitality venue in Richmond, Ky.

Michaels will open a 20,011-sq.-ft. store as a junior anchor tenant in October.

Chiro One opened a 2,127-sq.-ft. clinic in February.

NEW YORK  -- Macy's announced the launch of "Martha Stewart Collection by Serta," a mattress line available exclusively at Macy's. 

Chicago -- Walmart has announced two additional store openings for Chicago, bringing the total number of stores it plans to open in the Windy City by 2013 to six.

The new stores will create close to 1,000 new jobs and nearly 200 construction jobs putting Walmart on the path to meeting the goals outlined in its "Chicago Community Investment Partnership."

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley said the stores will bring fresh food and groceries to some of the city's most underserved neighborhoods.

San Marcos, Texas -- The Commercial Retail Division of The Weitzman Group said that Ulta has leased 14,798 sq. ft. of retail space in Red Oak Village, a power retail center located near Austin, Texas.

At Red Oak Village, Ulta joins a line-up that includes Sam’s Club, Bed Bath & Beyond, Marshalls, Best Buy, PetSmart, Ross Dress for Less and other retailers and restaurants.

New York City -- Men’s Wearhouse will remodel more than 100 stores and open 20 to 30 new locations this year, Women’s Wear Daily reported.

This marks a big increase from last year, when 35 stores were remodeled, the report said.

CHiCAGO --  Walmart has succeeded in bringing its smaller format store concept to Chicago, helping to make the case that the retailer can find success in more urban markets, including New York, which has thus far eluded the retailer. The company announced that it has secured locations in West Englewood for a Walmart Market and Walmart Express store.  According to the company, West Englewood is in the heart of a food desert and one of Chicago’s most underserved communities.