Retail

Washington, D.C. -- After going head-to-head with discounted holiday gifts such as luxury cashmere sweaters and appliances last year, gift cards are expected to emerge as winners this holiday season. According to NRF’s 2010 Gift Card Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by BIGresearch, Americans will spend an average of $145.61 on gift cards, up from $139.91 last year. Total gift-card spending is expected to reach $24.78 billion.

St. Louis -- Brown Shoe Co. will test a new retail format, called Mind Body Sole by Famous Footwear, that offers a wide range of fitness footwear for active consumers. The shops, opening in five locations by yearend, will feature footwear for running, walking, hiking, toning and more from top brands including Nike, Reebok, ASICS, Skechers, New Balance, Avia, Saucony, Adidas and K-Swiss.

Madison, Miss. -- Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties announced the opening of Phase I of The Forum at Grandview, a community center development in Madison, Miss.

The 110,000-sq.-ft. Phase I opened 100% leased with anchors Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Stein Mart. The new stores join the existing anchors Miskelly Furniture and Malco Grandview Theater.

The Forum at Grandview is a joint venture of CBL and The Mattiace Co.

San Francisco -- Continuing its global expansion, Gap announced a franchise agreement to introduce its namesake Gap brand in South America. The first Gap store is expected to open in Santiago, Chile, in the Parque Arauco mall, in September 2011.

Gap has signed a franchise agreement with Komax, for exclusive rights to operate Gap brand stores in Chile. Komax will purchase merchandise from Gap and must adhere to the company’s quality standards.

Allentown, Pa. -- New York City-based The Lightstone Group  announced two long-term lease extensions at Mountainville Shopping Plaza, its 118,000-sq.-ft. shopping center in Allentown, Pa.

Family Dollar has signed a 10-year lease extension for 9,135 sq. ft. of retail space at the shopping center. Studio II Nails has signed a four-year lease extension for 1,500 sq. ft.

Mountainville Shopping Plaza is anchored by a 33,000-sq.-ft. PriceRite Supermarket, an 11,500-sq.-ft. Retro Fitness gym and a 15,000-sq.-ft. Eckerd Pharmacy.