News Briefs

JCPenney and Aéropostale are connecting their loyalty programs to make them twice as rewarding.

The department store chain and apparel retailer, both part of Catalyst Brands, are connecting their loyalty offerings. For the first time ever, Aéropostale has launched a loyalty rewards program, and it is linked to the JCPenney loyalty initiative. Every dollar participating customers spend at either retailer online, in-app or in-store, earns money they can spend at both retailers.

[READ MORE: JCPenney, SPARC merge to form Catalyst Brands]

To participate, customers can sign up for the Rewards Access program at either the Aeropostale or JCPenney site and obtain either a $10 CashPass from JCPenney or $5 CashPass from Aéropostale. Customers then earn a $10 CashPass for every 200 points earned. 

Once customers join Rewards Access, they enter a spend-based tier system designed to reward loyalty and frequency. JCPenney credit cardholders start at an elevated tier and earn rewards faster, and if they reach VIP level as a JCPenney credit cardholder they receive their choice of a free session at JCPenney Portraits by Lifetouch or an Olaplex Liquid Gold blowout at JCPenney Salons.

“This isn’t just another loyalty program,” said Marisa Thalberg, executive VP & chief customer & marketing officer at Catalyst Brands. “It’s a promise to provide real value at a moment when families need it most. By connecting these two brands, we’ve created a single ecosystem where shoppers can maximize their dollars.”

JCPenney, part of Catalyst Brands, operates more than 650 stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Aeropostale is licensed by Catalyst Brands and operates more than 1,000 locations worldwide including the U.S., Mexico, Latin America, South America and the Middle East.

A new retail hub for K-pop music fans is coming to New York City.

Newmark Retail has arranged a 9,932-sq.-ft. lease for South Korea-based global entertainment technology company Dear U International at 24 Union Square East in Manhattan. Dear U will debut Bubble House New York, an experiential concept will blend K-pop merchandise, exclusive activations and fan engagement experiences designed to “connect artists and fans in a physical setting.”

The space will mark Bubble House’s first permanent brick-and-mortar location and flagship U.S. store. Bubble House is a physical extension of Dear U’s Bubble fan community platform, which allows music fans to connect with one another.

24 Union Square East is a 160,000-sq.-ft. office tower with a “rich retail history,” according to Newmark. The property was the original home of the S. Klein Department Store from 1912 through the early 1970s, and has since housed notable flagship tenants including Toys "R" Us and Raymour & Flanigan.

[READ MORE: Uniqlo opening three NYC stores — here’s where]

"Union Square continues to attract innovative brands seeking flagship opportunities in one of Manhattan's most active retail corridors," said Newmark Retail vice chairman Jeffrey D. Roseman. "Dear U's first permanent retail location reflects the neighborhood's appeal to experiential concepts and international brands looking to engage consumers in new ways."

Bubble House will join recently-signed tenant Activate Games, the interactive gaming concept with more than 40 locations worldwide, which leased 14,814 square feet comprising a portion of the ground floor and the entire second floor for its own flagship New York City location.

A&G Real Estate Partners, a leading real estate advisory firm specializing in sale of real estate and lease renegotiation, today announced that Ted Parris has joined the firm as a senior consultant.

Parris previously founded Parris Monroe Partners, where he focused on lease mitigation, rent reduction, and portfolio management. Prior to that, he held senior leadership roles at JLL and Newmark, including executive managing director and co-chair of the firm's restructuring group.

Over the course of his career, Parris has represented more than 100 million square feet of real estate and participated in transactions totaling approximately $10 billion--advising on both in- and out-of-court restructurings including sale of real estate.

"I'm excited to join A&G at a pivotal moment for the industry," said Parris. "The firm's strong reputation and collaborative culture make it an ideal platform to expand advisory capabilities and support companies navigating evolving real estate challenges."

Parris has worked with office, retail, and industrial clients to reduce lease liabilities and improve financial performance throughout his career. Some of his past clients include Walgreens, Starbucks, Toys "R" Us, and Shell Oil.

"Ted brings a strong real estate acumen and 30-plus years of expertise in lease renegotiation, real estate sales and advisory," said A&G co-founder Andy Graiser. "His track record and strategic approach align perfectly with our mission to deliver unparalleled value in complex situations."

OTB Hospitality is winding down operations. 

The operating company of On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina has voluntarily filed for liquidation under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The move followed the closing off all company-owned locations earlier this month. The shutterings came a little over a year after the casual-dining chain was acquired out of bankruptcy by Houston-based Pappas Restaurants.

OTB Hospitality is a separate legal entity wholly owned by Pappas Restaurants, and this filing applies only to OTB Hospitality, Pappas noted it is not part of the filing and continues to operate with financial stability and a continued focus on its core brands. The company operates about 90 restaurants across several other brands, including Pappasito’s Cantina, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen and Pappas Bar-B-Q.

"This was an incredibly difficult decision,” said Chris Pappas, spokesperson for OTB Hospitality. “Our teams worked hard over the past year to stabilize the business, but it became clear that OTB would require substantial ongoing investment that would pull focus and resources away from the core operations that define who we are. While this was a necessary step, we remain incredibly proud of our team members and the heart they brought to this brand, and we are deeply grateful to the guests and employees who supported On The Border for so many years."

On The Border franchise locations in South Dakota, Florida, Nevada, California and South Korea continue to operate independently and are not included in the filing.

Sweetgreen is making its debut in a fast-growing Southern market.

The health-focused fast-casual chain will open its first restaurant in Tennessee on June 30 in Nashville’s upscale Gulch neighborhood. The 2,755-sq.-ft. location will offer guests Sweetgreen’s signature salads, warm bowls, protein plates, wraps and sides. Visitors can order in-restaurant, online or through the Sweetgreen app,

Sweetgreen will celebrate the opening with a week of community activations at The Gulch, beginning with a grand opening event with giveaways, pop-ups and a wellness event with neighboring fitness studio Barre3 and Lululemon to follow.

“Choosing where to grow is one of the most important decisions we make, and Nashville was an easy one,” said Ryan Slemons, chief development officer at Sweetgreen. “We're not just opening a restaurant here; we're investing in a community we believe in and planning to be a great neighbor for the long haul.”

To mark the Nashville debut, Sweetgreen is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, a nonprofit committed to ending hunger across the region. For every meal purchased on opening day, Sweetgreen will donate a bowl to Second Harvest to nourish people experiencing food insecurity in the Nashville community.

[READ MORE: Sweetgreen names first chief strategy officer]

Founded in 2007, Sweetgreen operates more than 285 locations nationwide.

A U.K.-based footwear brand is increasing efforts to solidify its presence in the U.S. market.

Clarks is deploying the Awin affiliate marketing platform to support both its U.K. and U.S. affiliate programs. With this step, Clarks is taking a more integrated, brand-led marketing approach that it intends to improve efficiency, collaboration and long-term growth. 

The move comes as consumers, especially younger Gen Z and millennial shoppers, now often look to influencers as their primary source of product discovery and purchase inspiration.

[READ MORE: Survey: Majority of social media purchases fueled by online influencers]

“Awin has been a strong partner for us since day one,” said Mario Protano, director of performance marketing at Clarks. The migration and onboarding process was seamless, and the support has been excellent. While our previous platform had reached a plateau in terms of growth, since moving to Awin, we’re already seeing positive momentum and more proactive engagement from high-quality publishers. Consolidating our affiliate program with Awin has given us the confidence, scale and partnership we need to build more meaningful affiliate relationships.” 

Clarks is also attempting to increase its U.S. presence by bringing its Cloudsteppers lifestyle store concept here. Known for their signature “walk-on-air” feel, Cloudsteppers sandals and other footwear products combine “lightweight comfort, dependable quality, and exceptional everyday value,” according to Clarks. The brand is best known for its Breeze Sea flip-flops and also includes casual lifestyle essentials. 

Founded in Somerset, England, in 1825, Clarks operates as a global business, with a presence in over 100 markets through retail, wholesale, franchise, and online channels. The brand owns and operates 512 full-price and outlet stores across Europe, North America, and the U.K.