Mass Merchant

The opening of the newest Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th location near downtown Chicago is a big deal literally and figuratively.

The newest Off 5th is located in the NEWCITY development at Lincoln Park on the northern fringe of downtown Chicago at 1457 Halsted Street at the intersection of North Clybourn Avenue. The store is the company’s 100th Off 5th location in North American, its seventh in Illinois and the second in downtown Chicago following the April 14 opening of the first location as 6 S. State Street.

Editor’s Note: The 27th annual survey of Fastest-Growing Managers tallies new domestic and international third-party management and leasing contracts obtained during the 2015 calendar year and ranks the top performers. As always, the measuring stick is square footage.

This year’s fastest-growing third-party managers are taking many roads to growth, from acquisition to a multidisciplinary focus.

If the real estate trope that “Fashion Follows Food” is true, then Metropica will be one of the most chic neighborhoods in South Florida. Among the first tenants announced for the retail portion of the transit-oriented, mixed-use complex now under construction in Sunrise are: True Food Kitchen, Kona Grill, Oil & Vinegar, Fogo de Chão and Shake Shack. These will be joined by iPic Theaters, Kings Bowl, Anthropologie, Free People and Kendra Scott, among other first-to-market retailers.

Editor’s Note: The 27th annual Chain Store Age survey of Fastest-Growing Acquirers surveyed retail square footage purchased during the 2015 calendar year.

They come to the list with different philosophies and experiences, but this year’s Fastest-Growing Acquirers share a dedication to preparation and long-term strategies.

May in Las Vegas is when the dealmakers come out to, well, make deals, as the International Council of Shopping Centers hosts its annual RECon event at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Westgate Las Vegas Hotel. Held May 22-25 and attended by retailers and shopping center owners from around the globe, RECon will display such project wares as mixed-use destinations, outlet centers, and strip and lifestyle projects — and everything in between.

Sierra Trading Post, an online retailer TJX Cos. acquired in 2012, is accelerating store expansion and could become a new growth driver for the nation’s leading off price retailer with designs on extending its value proposition to the outdoor and active lifestyle world.

An announcement by Target on its website saying it that would allow employees and customers to choose the restroom and fitting room that corresponded with their gender identities has thrust the chain into the middle of a contentious national debate.

The Pembroke Mall in Virginia Beach is home to the newest DSW footwear and accessories store.

The retailers said it opened a 16,000-sq.-ft. store at the Pembroke Mall and characterized the location as “the greatest shoe shopping destination in Virginia Beach,” offering more than 21,000 pairs of shoes.